SAME’s STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps 2025 Season Wrap-Up

SAME’s 2025 STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps is a wrap! Another successful camp season began in early June, when the first of five dynamic camps took place around the country. Throughout the summer, each camp brought together talented and high-energy students along with a passionate team of volunteers for a week of immersive STEM and engineering learning and discovery.

Financially supported by the SAME Foundation among many others, and held in conjunction with the services, students engaged in hands-on projects, design challenges, lectures, field trips and team-building exercises. Each day, activities were aimed at providing campers with a sample of what it might be like to pursue a career in the A/E/C industry in support of our nation’s defense and infrastructure.

See the mid-season photo highlights on Flickr.

A special thanks to the SAME community whose combined efforts make each camp season possible. The SAME Foundation provides essential support through the Camps Mentoring Program, while the Camps Community of Interest (COI) ensures seamless planning and execution behind the scenes. It truly takes a community—and we’re proud to have one that makes a lasting impact on the future of the A/E/C profession.

U.S. Army Camp, Vicksburg, Miss.

Despite the warm weather, campers were energized and eager to discover what the STEM focused activities at the SAME/U.S. Army Engineering & Construction Camp were all about. Dozens of campers filed through the gates on June 8 and were greeted by active military and working professionals ready to put the students through their paces.

Students arrived on Sunday and had a little time to meet and greet before the camp week began. During the week, active military and working professionals led the campers through hands on building challenges and learning opportunities that gave a glimpse into the life of a working military engineer. The full week was punctuated by plenty of free time, lots of good food provided by talented volunteers, and even a night of bowling. At the end of the week, students participated in Funny Awards, activities, and was capped off with an awards ceremony before departure on Saturday.

View the Flickr Page

U.S. Air Force Academy Camp, Colorado Springs, Colo.

SAME/USAFA Engineering & Construction Camp, Colorado Springs 2025.

On June 22, the SAME/U.S. Air Force Academy Engineering & Construction Camp welcomed dozens of aspiring students to picturesque Colorado Springs.

On Sunday, campers arrived to a welcoming environment where they had a chance to meet each other as well as the volunteers who would guide them during the week. After the students were divided into groups called Flights, the week’s activities were ready to begin. Flights participated in friendly competitions like building a doghouse and constructing a concrete beam for stress testing. They toured the Academy grounds and Academy labs, visited construction and geological sites, and competed in a cardboard boat design and construction race.

The staff built in plenty of time for the students to socialize and unwind with an ice cream social, BBQ, and a volleyball tournament to spark more friendly competition. The students graduated with an official ceremony and of course, there was cake to celebrate week’s activities!

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U.S. Marine Corps Camp, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

SAME/USMC Engineering & Construction Camp 2025.

The U.S. Marine Corps SAME/Engineering & Construction Camp at Camp Lejeune remained true the spirit of the STEM Camp legacy by delivering an unforgettable experience filled with challenges, leadership, and a whole lot of fun.

As campers arrived at Camp Lejeune they were welcomed by a team of dedicated volunteers who kept the energy high with casual games of frisbee and basketball until they were formed into their squads. On Monday, the campers were spent the morning at a leadership and team building exercise and later, the design and construction of a concrete beam. The rest of the week followed that energy with activities like the construction and testing of a trebuchet, a straw bridge competition, orienteering and military activities, field trips, and computer modeling. The cardboard boat competition is an annual favorite. It involves the design, construction, and racing of each squads’ handmade boat, and truly brings out the creativity and competitive spirit of the squads.

With plenty of active downtime and friendly competitions, the squads could really get to know each other and their teammates. Rounding out a full week, the students were treated to dinner and an awards ceremony as one last opportunity at Camp Lejeune to build lasting friendships.

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U.S. Navy Camp, Jacksonville, Fla.

SAME/Navy Engineering & Construction Camp 2025.

The SAME/Navy STEM Engineering & Construction Camp at Naval Air Station Jacksonville is in its second year hosting 50 engineering focused high school students.

Campers began filing in on Sunday and were quickly involved in a team building exercise. Over the course of the week, the students in their new squads were regularly challenged in competitions including concrete beam construction, building a dog house, and an engineering reaction course. In between, campers listened to industry professionals and learned about new and future technologies. The end of the week was everyone’s favorite event: the design, building, and racing of each squads’ own cardboard boat.

With plenty of downtime and chances for students to bond, the campers ultimately left Jacksonville with a new vision of their futures, and a few more acquaintances they can call friends.

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Naval Construction Battalion Center Camp, Port Hueneme, Calif.

SAME/U.S. Naval Construction Battalion Center Engineering & Construction Camp, Port Hueneme 2025.

Naval Construction Battalion Center Camp at Port Hueneme, Calif. welcomed students and wasted no time in welcoming them and getting their team building exercises underway. Once formed into squads, the week’s activities went full-steam ahead.

Squads jumped right into concrete beam design and construction, popsicle stick bridge design, and of course, the ever-popular cardboard boat build and race competition. The NAVSEA SeaPerch activity tested campers skills to build and pilot an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The students competed in the Seabee Olympics competition, and had plenty of time for a beach cookout to round out a very busy week. The STEM camp at Port Hueneme ended with an awards ceremony and treated to dinner to cap off very successful camp season.

View the Flickr Page

SAME camps boast an impressive history of shaping thousands of future engineers and STEM leaders. These camps offer a challenging environment for students passionate about exploring STEM skills and careers and learning about the different paths available from high school to college and beyond. Each camp features a distinctive curriculum packed with hands-on activities conducted in competitive settings, fostering teamwork, leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills. Find out more here.

Collaborative Events and Programs

SAME’s world-class events and programs bring together members from across the country and globe for unique training and education opportunities, multidisciplined discussions on the toughest engineering challenges facing our nation, and unparalleled networking. Stay in the know on upcoming events and relive past events here.