June Kicks Off Summer Camp Season at SAME!

June kicks off our much anticipated SAME Camp Season! More than 100 talented students participated in two week-long camps that tested their STEM skills as well as their physical endurance!

In Vicksburg, Miss., STEM focused high school students from across the country just wrapped up a week with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, while the week before, campers spent the week living on base with the Marine Corps in North Carolina.

Held in conjunction with the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps, SAME’s Engineering & Construction Camps offer an unparalleled experience for students to experience hands-on learning in collaboration with military engineers and SAME members.

SAME and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted its 20th anniversary STEM Engineering and Construction Camp at state-of-the-art facilities in Vicksburg. A total of 40 high school students spent part of their summer break with industry professionals and Army servicemembers.

The students were eager to get their hands dirty building and testing engineering and construction projects. They participated in field trips and attended presentations from engineering firms, architects, construction companies, military leaders, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The aspiring engineers also had plenty of time to relax. A trip to the bowling alley, a bit of swimming, and a picnic helped offset some of that intellectual heavy lifting.

At the storied Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, the U.S. Marine Corps sponsored its own Engineering & Construction Camp. High school students from all over the United States spent the week of June 18 living on base, dining in the mess hall, and getting introduced to a bit of Marine cuisine–the ever-present MRE.

Formed into squads of 10, the groups set about learning team dynamics, self-confidence, and leadership through friendly competition. Teams were challenged through various tasks such as designing and constructing a concrete beam, which was later strength tested by attempting to support a 7-ton truck! Later, the teams relied on their structural skills to build wooden towers that were stressed to failure. Construction of a trebuchet led to another team competition to see whose build could launch a payload the furthest.

In the ultimate, and rowdiest competition, teams constructed and raced a cardboard boat–or as the Marines called it, an ACV (Amphibious Combat Vehicle). Unlike the vehicles employed by the Marines, these were designed by the students themselves…with a brave team member in the boat as its propulsion system! From 06:00 reveille to lights out at 23:00, service members accompanied campers through PT, meals, and daily activities. Mentors made sure each camper took a leadership role for different tasks. By the end of the week, the kids were not only more confident, but also proud of their group’s accomplishments. Top groups and outstanding campers were awarded medals in a ceremony at the end of the week.

The summer is not over yet. Three more camps kick off in July. July 6 is the beginning of the SAME/Air Force Academy’s Engineering & Construction Camp in Colorado Springs, Colo. On July 16, the Navy hosts the SAME/Engineering & Construction Camp at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme, Calif. Finally, on July 17, the Air Force welcomes campers to its SAME/Engineering & Construction Camp at Scott Air Force Base at Scott AFB, Ill. If these camps are as successful as the Army and the Marine camps, it may be the best camp season yet!

While each of SAME’s camps attract top-notch students with an enviable combination of brains and brawn, we must take our hats off to the men and women who make each of these efforts an amazing and unique experience for our students.

Most importantly, servicemembers work hand in hand with industry professionals and local volunteers to give their valuable time to help teach and mentor our campers. Many students keep in touch with mentors they’ve met at these camps, and many go on to rewarding careers as military engineers and STEM professionals who will work closely with our Armed Services to strengthen industry-government relationships.

Private firms and the U.S. military have worked together to build these unique camps for 20 years. Together we will continue to inspire and cultivate the next generation of engineers, architects and construction professionals. Without the generosity and vision of hundreds of knowledgeable and seasoned volunteers, our construction and engineering camps simply wouldn’t be possible. A huge thanks to you all!