STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps

About SAME Camps

Each summer, SAME Camps provide aspiring engineering students from across the country an opportunity for hands-on learning in collaboration with military engineers and SAME members.

The week-long camps, held in conjunction with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps are designed for high school students who excel in math, science and technology courses and are interested in pursuing engineering, architecture, or a related field in college. The camps are led by a professional staff of engineers from both private industry and the uniformed services. Many former campers have gone on to STEM careers in both the military and civilian capacity and come back to the camp as mentors.

If you are interested, your first step is to determine if you are eligible and then go through the application process for the camp you select.

Am I Eligible?

To qualify for consideration, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be at least 15 years old and have completed their freshman year of high school at the time he/she departs for camp.
• For the US Army Camp, you must have completed your sophomore year in high school.
• Be enrolled in school at the time of the camp.
• Be on a high school track that will provide a basis for attending an accredited engineering college or university (i.e., taking appropriate math and science courses).
• Have an intent to pursue a degree in architecture, engineering or a related field.
• Have demonstrated leadership characteristics through participation in extra-curricular activities, sports, and/or community activities.
• Be physically fit and healthy.
• Be of high moral character.
• Students cannot attend more than one SAME Camp in the same year.

There are more details on the Camp Application.

Additional Information for the U.S. Air Force Academy Camp:

• If the student is completing their junior year of high school, they must provide proof of an expressed interest in applying to a Service Academy or ROTC Program (this does not include JROTC).
• Proof of being a qualified applicant.

Questions?

Contact Steve Taylor, Camps Program Manager

Congratulations on becoming an alumnus of a SAME camp. We hope you continue to strengthen and grow the relationships you developed while at camp. Here are more resources you can access as camp alumni.

SAME College Scholarship Application

SAME offers former campers from any of the camps an opportunity to compete for a $5,000 scholarship (four-year, continuing scholarship with annual stipends of $1,250).

In addition to having attended a SAME camp, qualified applicants must be high-school seniors preparing to enter college and who will major in engineering, architecture, or other STEM field. The scholarship is not intended for those who have already been accepted to a service academy.

Download the application instructions and submission form.

SAME Membership

Student members represent the next generation of innovative STEM thinkers ready to take on society’s challenges. Recognizing the need to cultivate this valuable asset, SAME offers FREE membership to all full-time students enrolled in high school, 2-year or 4-year colleges and universities (through the undergraduate level), trade schools, and military academies.

Go to the student member section for information on member benefits and how to join.

What is SAME?

A professional organization that supports your technical knowledge and career development. SAME offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities to help you stay current on issues facing the nation.

The benefits to joining SAME include:

• Scholarships ––SAME provides over $1M in scholarship money annually from the national society and our local Posts.
• Opportunities to serve as a camp mentor.
• Contacts at College chapters to learn more about the college experience.
• Participation in a Virtual Student Chapter, an online community of STEM interested students.
• Free attendance to SAME national conferences and training events.
• Networking with other SAME members.
• Access to cutting-edge professional development opportunities.
• Volunteer leadership opportunities at the local, regional and national levels to grow your skills.

Join SAME today to start building your professional network! In addition, you can also follow SAME on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to begin engaging with the organization.

Student Chapters

Student Chapters promote the goals and objectives of SAME and encourage the advancement of careers in STEM by connecting college students with private, public, and military professionals.

Student Chapters are listed in the Post directory. Scroll through the list to find a chapter near you.

Can’t find a SAME Student Chapter? Take lead and start one! Find relevant information under the College Outreach Committee on how to start a Student Chapter in your local school or university. Students interested in starting a Student Chapter should contact the nearest SAME Post and ask for a mentor to assist them.

The Military Engineer

Want to keep up on what’s happening in the world of engineering, then read The Military Engineer, the official journal of SAME. Originally published as Professional Memoirs, since 1909, TME has been the leading voice championing the contributions, the achievements, and the legacy of military engineers and those aligned with ensuring the national security of the United States.

View the Special Inserts on the SAME camps

Sept/Oct Issue, 2016 | Sept/Oct issue, 2017

Mentors, Assistant Mentors, Squad Leaders & Staff Application Instructions

Be a Camp Mentor or Camp Staff

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) annual STEM Engineering & Construction Camps offer Young Members, Non-commissioned Officers, teachers, strategic partner staff, and individuals with a STEM background a valuable opportunity to support tomorrow’s leaders and STEM professionals.

The success of the SAME camp program depends on the experience and talents contributed by the staff, cadets, college students, and other volunteers that come from our many SAME Posts and partner organizations. They fill critical mentor and staff roles.

Learn more about camp mentor and staff recruitment and apply to become a mentor. If you have questions about serving as a mentor/staff, contact the specific camp director, or email 
Steve Taylor, SAME Program Manager.

As part of the 2023 camp season, SAME is recruiting candidates for the following positions:

• Mentors – 8-20 per camp
• Assistant Mentors/Squad Leaders – 4 to 10 per camp
• Support Loggies – 3 to 10 per camp
• Staff – 3 to 10 per camp

Host a Camp

For posts looking to host a camp, SAME has resources available to you.

• Camp Project Management Plan
• Camp Requirements Checklist

Contact

Cindy Miller, Chair, SAME Camps Community of Interest

Jack Seibert, SAME National Asset on Camp Development, 404-660-9063

Video

Watch STEM Camp — How to start The Exploring Engineering Academy camp.

Partnering with BSA

Want to partner with the Boy Scouts of America to develop a camp or engineering merit badge event? SAME has a national agreement with the BSA’s Learning for Life Program. Please contact Jack Seibert to connect to the Boy Scouts.

Watch the BSA promotional video: “Exploring Engineering Academy“.

STEM Activities

If you need assistance with activities as part of your camp curriculum, take a look at the Boy Scouts of America STEM related merit badge requirements.

View the list of STEM related merit badges.