George Mason University hosts camps and youth programs across a variety of topics and themes. Contact each camp or program organizer directly for more information and to register. This website is frequently updated as new camp listings become available. Check back for updates.
College Preparatory: Early Identification Program (EIP)
Contact: [email protected], 703-993-3120
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: The Early Identification Program (EIP) serves as the college preparatory program at George Mason University. EIP empowers students to achieve their goal of attaining higher education and succeeding once there. Our aim is to educate the whole student. We provide year-round academic enrichment, personal and social development, civic engagement, and leadership training opportunities.
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Conflict Resolution: Conflict Resolution Youth Summit
Contact: Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, [email protected], 703-993-4165
Location: Fairfax Campus (In-Person)
Age/Grade Levels: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Description:The Conflict Resolution Youth Summit explores some of today’s toughest problems through the lens of peace and conflict resolution. This is a four-day, three-night experience on George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus. Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students are invited to connect with other students from across the country interested in making a difference. Students will learn from leading peacebuilders, visit Washington, D.C., complete a capstone project, and earn college credit.
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Conservation: Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation Summer Programs
Age/Grade Level(s): High school; exact grade level is determined by the course
Location: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia (in-person course only)
In-person or virtual: Both in-person and virtual programs are available
Contact number: 540-635-0115
Contact email: [email protected]
Description: Live and learn alongside an international community of Smithsonian researchers and industry professionals, and earn college credits through George Mason University.
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Debate: George Mason Debate Institute
Age(s): 6th through 12th graders
Contact: Jackie Poapst, George Mason Debate Team, email
Description: The George Mason University Debate Institute is one of the largest debate summer camps in Virginia. Introductory and intermediate classes are offered for rising 6–12 graders in policy debate (introductory and intermediate levels) and public forum debate (intermediate only). The institute aims to foster skills development in many areas, including in-depth research, critical thinking, persuasion, argumentation, and overall communication.
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Environmental Science/Conservation: Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE)
Contact: George Mason University, Office of Admissions, [email protected], 703-993-5010
Ages: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE) is a week-long experiential learning program for highly-engaged high school students. Students will experience an integrated and forward-thinking approach to the environment, while acquiring valuable “in-the-trenches” knowledge. Curriculum includes hands-on learning with industry leaders, international conservation experts, research scientists, and Washington insiders.
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Esports: George Mason University Esports Academy
Contact: George Mason University Office of Student Involvement, email
Ages: 14-18
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: George Mason University Esports Academy is designed to prepare high school students to enter the world of national competition in esports, as well as emphasize life balance and skills development through various workshops and hands-on experience in a successful college esports environment. Each week will be tailored to certain game titles, so make sure to check out the website for more details.
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Game Design, Programming, and STEM: Mason Game & Technology Academy (MGTA)
Contact: Mason Game and Technology Academy, [email protected], 703-993-7101
Location: Virtual and in-person offerings at Fairfax Campus and SciTech Campus (Manassas)
Ages: 11 and up
Description: The Mason Game & Technology Academy (MGTA) is part of the Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI) and the nationally acclaimed Mason Computer Game Design Program. MGTA inspires students to pursue advanced studies in the STEM fields of the future and helps prepare them for success. MGTA offers age-appropriate STEM classes with personalized instruction, offering students the rare opportunity to engage with Mason faculty and their most advanced students.
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Healthcare and Medical Research: Health Services Mentorship Program
Contact: Academy Health George Mason Student Chapter, Health Administration and Policy, email
Ages: Ages 13–17
Location: Virtual
Description: The Health Services Mentorship Program (HSMP) offers a fully virtual research experience, making it accessible to students nationwide. Two levels of the program are offered: HSMP student researchers, and HSMP fellows. The student researcher program provides an introductory experience to research for students without prior experience. The fellowship program is a more competitive program, open to any student with a strong background in the health sciences or research methods. Students will implement their own studies under the guidance of a PhD student, gaining valuable experience in overcoming real-world challenges in research. Each research project is presented at the end of the program through the HSMP Colloquium. Applications for the summer program open March 1, 2025.
Application form
Journalism and Media: Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC)
Contact: George Mason University, Office of Admissions, [email protected], 703-993-5010
Location: Fairfax Campus
Ages: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Description: WJMC is a week-long experiential learning program for highly-engaged high school students. Students will experience an integrated and forward-thinking approach to journalism and media while acquiring valuable “in-the-trenches” knowledge. Curriculum includes hands-on learning with industry leaders, award-winning journalists, international media outlets, and Washington insiders.
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Language: German Day
Contact: Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Natalia Dudnik, email
Ages: Middle and High School
Location: Fairfax Campus
Format: In-person
Description: This program will take place on March 28, 2025. The Department of Modern and Classical Languages at George Mason invites middle and high school students studying German at local schools to an exciting German Day, designed to inspire and engage young language learners. During this immersive experience, students will: explore George Mason through a guided campus tour, engage in interactive educational games that make learning German fun and dynamic, meet faculty and students from the German program, and hear from a representative of the German Embassy, who will share insights about German-American relations, study abroad programs, and career pathways for German speakers. This program offers students a chance to experience German beyond the classroom, connect with peers who share their interests, and gain valuable perspectives on the benefits of German language study at the university level. We look forward to welcoming young German learners to Mason for a day of exploration, learning, and cultural exchange.
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Math: Math EdVentures Camp
Contact: Jennifer Suh, College of Education and Human Development, email
Location: Fairfax Campus
Ages: 11–14
Description: STEM: Math AdVentures Camp is an exciting and immersive program designed for students in grades 6–8. This camp focuses on developing collaborative problem-solving skills through engaging STEM-based tasks that involve mathematical modeling. Camp will occur July 7–11, 2025. Complete the interest form.
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Math: Mason Math Odyssey
Contact: Mathematical Sciences Department, [email protected], 703-993-9688
Age group(s): Rising 6th to 9th graders
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: Mason Math Odyssey camp is a place for students who are curious about math to learn about beautiful mathematics concepts typically not taught in K-12 curriculum. Students will engage in fun and friendly team competitions that will help build mathematical maturity while honing problem solving, collaboration, and communication skills. Camp participants will embark on an exciting mathematical journey through space and time to learn about some of the greatest mathematical discoveries from ancient times to this day, get exposed to some of the fundamental mathematical concepts from the areas of geometry, topology, number theory, probability and algebra, as well as mathematical modeling, and compete for a chance to win the camp trophy.
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Podcasting/Radio: Student Media Summer Podcast and Radio Camp
Age/Grade Level(s): Ages 12–18
Location: Fairfax Campus
Contact: Rodger Smith, 703-993-4119
Description: Student Media’s Summer Podcast and Radio Camp will provide students hands-on training in a professional radio environment. Students will get a chance to produce podcasts and be a deejay and play music over WGMU, streamed around the world from our website. Learn from broadcast professionals how to write, edit, and produce podcasts. Learn how to produce a live DJ show and produce commercials, promos, and public service announcements.
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Science: Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program
Contact: Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP), College of Science, email
Ages: 15+
Locations: Fairfax Campus, SciTech Campus, and/or Potomac Science Center
Format: In-person, virtual, and hybrid options available
Description: The nationally known Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) provides transformative research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students. Selected participants work one-on-one with faculty researchers at George Mason University and collaborating institutions using state-of-the-art technology across many disciplines. Note: The 2025 ASSIP application is now closed.
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Science: Pathways to Quantum Summer Immersion Program
Contact: Melinda Ryan, College of Science, Physics and Astronomy, email
Ages: Rising high school seniors
Locations: Fairfax Campus
Format: In-person and virtual
Description: The George Mason University Quantum Science and Engineering Center and the Potomac Quantum Innovation Center invite rising high school seniors to participate. This experiential learning program provides students with a basic understanding of quantum and of the opportunities for industry careers available in this area. The application is now closed for 2025.
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Space: Mason Space Exploration Center Summer Camp
Contact: College of Science, 626-234-1628, email
Ages: Grades 4–9 (rising)
Location: Fairfax Campus and SciTech Campus (Manassas)
Format: In-person
Description: The Mason Space Exploration Center Summer Camp will inspire the next generation to launch their curiosity and creativity about space. Your child will dive into expert-guided fun and engaging hands-on STEM activities. Campers will explore topics like programming and electronics with Arduino, mathematics and the physics of motion and gravity, create a scale model of the solar system, tour the second largest on-campus observatory on the east coast, visit a small-sat development lab and radio dish, and use a solar telescope. Join an adventure that will spark a lifelong passion for science and exploration.
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STEM: BioE Buzz Summer Camp
Contact: Department of Bioengineering, email
Ages: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Location: Fairfax Campus and Science and Technology Campus (Manassas)
Format: In-person
Description: The BioE Buzz Summer Camp is an experiential, one-week camp designed to answer questions about bioengineering and teach participants how to solve biomedical problems. Throughout the week, campers will design biomedical engineering devices, compete in teams for best design using biomaterials, 3D-printing, and microbiological methods, and learn through hands-on activities using a variety of approaches and methods. Campers will also experience George Mason campus life with tours of the nanofabrication facility, The MIX, and on-campus dining facilities. Mid-week, there will be an active team-building experience at The Edge at the SciTech Campus.
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STEM: STEM Bridge Experience
Contact: College of Science STEM Accelerator, [email protected]
Ages: STEM Bridge Experience is for incoming Mason first year students only.
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: In this weeklong, on-campus experience, incoming first year students will experience science courses and the college lifestyle before the fall semester. Students will also get specific and daily guidance in mathematics. Students will review lab protocol, exam preparation, and experience sample classes from George Mason faculty. There will also be advising, career sessions, time to meet current George Mason students, and opportunity to make new friends. A daily math portion of camp will aim to improve math placement scores and prepare students for college math courses. On the first day (if needed) and last day of camp, students will have the opportunity to take the math placement test. Students can choose to reside on the Fairfax campus for the duration or commute daily to and from camp.
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STEM: Engineering for Kids at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center*
Contact: Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center, email
Ages: 6–12
Location: Science and Technology Campus (Manassas)
Description: Discover the extraordinary world of STEM during Engineering For Kids’ Summer of Exploration! Science, technology, engineering, and math fill the world around us. STEM connects to everything in our lives from planning a city to using computers, to space travel. Engineering for Kids summer camps provide kids with a hands-on immersive experience as they explore STEM concepts in the world around them. These professional and engaging camps will guide your child in learning about STEM concepts while encouraging fun. Hands-on activities foster their creativity, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking. Summer camp is a great place to support students with an interest in STEM or to introduce future innovators to this exciting world. Engineering for Kids offers a large variety of camps focusing on different STEM disciplines, including robotics, hands-on engineering, technology and coding, and Minecraft.
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STEM: FOCUS STEM Camp
Contact: Kelly Knight, College of Science, STEM Accelerator, 703-993-5478
Ages: Rising 6th through 12th graders
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: The FOCUS Camp for middle school students is a week-long camp. Each day, the participants engage in four different interactive and hands-on STEM workshops. On the last day, the participants present what they learned in these workshops in a conference-style setting. The FOCUS Academy for high school students is a program designed to be more advanced and immersive in the college experience. The STEM workshops are lengthier and more advanced, along with other enhancement sessions, such as college and SAT prep, goal setting, fitness classes, a farewell party, and more.
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STEM: VALHEN STEM Academy
Contact: Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon, College of Science
Ages: Rising high school sophomores and juniors
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: George Mason University is proud to host the annual Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (VALHEN) STEM Academy (VSA), a unique three-day, two-night residential experience that immerses high school students in interactive, faculty-led sessions across STEM disciplines. Participants will explore STEM majors and 21st-century career pathways, collaborate on solutions to complex global challenges, and develop essential research, problem-solving, and science communication skills. The 2025 VALHEN STEM Academy is open to rising high school sophomores and juniors (9th and 10th graders at the time of application) in Virginia and is free for selected participants.
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*Camp managed by a non-George Mason organization.