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.
AI (Artificial Intelligence): ACCESS Academy Artificial Intelligence Summer Camp
Contact: Roberto Pamas, College of Education and Human Development, 703-993-2033
Age/Grade Levels: Rising grades 9–12
Location: Mason Square (Arlington)
Description: Create, code, and innovate at ACCESS Academy’s Artificial Intelligence Summer Camp. Dive into real-world challenges with problem-based learning while boosting creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Students will explore the basics of machine learning through hands-on projects, while also designing and building beginner-friendly tech tools. Three week-long sessions are available at no cost to students.
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AI (Artificial Intelligence): AI and Medical Informatics for Emerging Research Scholars
Contact: Center for Biomedical Science and Policy (CBSP), Schar School of Policy and Government, email
Age/Grade Level(s): High school
Format: Virtual and in-person
Location: Mason Square (Arlington)
Description: The AI and Medical Informatics Research Program is designed for high-achieving high school students seeking to engage in advanced research at the intersection of biomedical science and data analytics. Participants will work in a team setting. Each team will consist of 3–4 high school students mentored by transdisciplinary scholars at George Mason University, as well as physicians and surgeons at medical schools across the country.
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AI (Artificial Intelligence): AI in Health Summer Camp
Contact: Maria Uriyo, College of Public Health
Age/Grade Levels: Rising grades 11–12
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: The AI in Health Summer Camp is a free, five-day program hosted by the Department of Health Administration and Policy at George Mason University. Designed for rising 11th–12th grade students, the camp introduces participants to how artificial intelligence is used across health systems, hospitals, and community health organizations. Through daily AI Maker Labs, student teams design and build a community health chatbot, layering in new skills and concepts each day before presenting their finished solution at the Day 5 Student Showcase. No prior experience in coding, health care, or technology is required.
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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, 703-993-4165
Age/Grade Levels: Rising grades 10–12
Location: Fairfax Campus (In-Person)
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
Contact: Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, email, 540-635-0115
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
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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Culinary Arts: Cooking and Baking Camps at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center*
Location: SciTech Campus (Manassas)
Description: Tiny Chefs will host camps in the culinary arts at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center during the 2026 summer camp season.
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Debate: George Mason Debate Institute
Contact: Jackie Poapst, George Mason Debate Team, email
Age/Grade Levels: Rising grades 6–12
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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Engineering: Engineering Camps at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center*
Age(s): 5–12
Format: In-Person
Location: SciTech Campus (Manassas)
Description: Engineering for Kids will host camps at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center during the 2026 summer camp season.
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Environmental Science/Conservation: Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE)
Contact: George Mason University, Office of Admissions, email, 703-993-5010
Age/Grade Levels: Rising grades 11–12
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
Age/Grade Levels: 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
Age/Grade Levels: Ages 12–17
Location: Virtual and in-person offerings at Fairfax Campus and Science and Technology Campus (Manassas)
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
Age/Grade Levels: 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.
Application form
Journalism and Media: Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC)
Contact: George Mason University, Office of Admissions, email, 703-993-5010
Age/Grade Levels: Rising grades 11–12
Location: Fairfax Campus
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: Natalia Dudnik, Department of Modern and Classical Languages, George Mason University
Ages: Middle and High School
Location: Fairfax Campus
Format: In-person
Description: This program will take place on March 18, 2026. 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: Mason Math Odyssey
Contact: Mathematical Sciences Department, email, 703-993-1460
Age group(s): Rising grades 6–9
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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Maker Space: The MIX Maker Academy
Contact: Mason Innovation Exchange (The MIX), [email protected]
Age/Grade Level(s): High school
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: The MIX Maker Academy is an intensive, two-week summer camp designed to introduce high school students to cutting-edge tools found in modern innovation spaces and studios. In an immersive, creative, and technical environment with experienced instructors and George Mason student staff mentors, students will gain confidence, independence, and practical skills. Ideal for students interested in engineering, robotics, fabrication, and creative technology.
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Podcasting/Radio: Student Media Summer Podcast and Radio Camp
Contact: Rodger Smith, Department of Communication, George Mason University, 703-993-4119
Age/Grade Level(s): Ages 12–18
Location: Fairfax Campus
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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Robotics: MARC Robotics Academy
Contact: College of Engineering and Computing, Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center, Jesse Kirkpatrick
Age/Grade Level(s): Ages 13–18
Location: Fairfax Campus and Mason Square (Arlington)
Format: In-person and virtual
Description: The Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center (MARC) at George Mason University hosts an internship program called the MARC Robotics Academy. High school students can apply to volunteer in a MARC laboratory during the school year (part-time) and the summer (full-time). Undergraduate students home for the summer from other universities are also encouraged to apply. Funded positions for anyone over 18 may be available. Admissions will be rolling, and primary admits will occur in late December/early January for the spring semester, March/April for the summer, and August/September for the fall semester. Interns will work in small teams under the supervision of George Mason faculty and their graduate students to support cutting-edge research, which may involve hardware platform development, data collection and analysis, testing and/or coding for machine learning, experimental evaluation, software testing, and algorithm development.
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Science: Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program
Contact: Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP), College of Science, email
Age/Grade Level(s): Ages 15 and up
Locations: Fairfax Campus, Science and Technology Campus (Manassas), and/or Potomac Science Center (Woodbridge)
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. The ASSIP application opens in early December and closes in mid-February each year for the coming summer; check the ASSIP website for details.
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Space: Mason Space Exploration Center Summer Camp
Contact: College of Science, 626-234-1628, email
Age/Grade Level(s): Rising grades 4–9
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 with Micro:Bit and the science behind motion and gravity. 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
Age/Grade Level(s): Rising grades 11–12
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 focused on various facets of the bioengineering field. Campers will also experience George Mason campus life with tours of the nanofabrication facility, The MIX, and on-campus dining facilities. Each camp session will kick-off with an active team-building experience at The Edge at the SciTech Campus, and culminate in a team competition with the winning team earning a research internship at George Mason University. 2026 sessions: July 6–10, July 13–17, July 20–24.
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STEM: Constellation SMR Summer Academy
Contact: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Liling Huang, 703-993-1699
Age/Grade Level(s): Ages 14–17
Format: In-person
Location: Mason Square (Arlington)
Description: The SMR Summer Academy: Immersive Nuclear Innovation with Operator Training is a pre-college summer program that introduces high school students to Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology and its role in the future clean energy landscape. The program includes hands-on laboratory activities, SMR control room simulator training, and project-based learning focused on nuclear energy and power systems.
STEM: STEM Bridge Experience
Contact: College of Science STEM Accelerator, [email protected]
Age/Grade Level(s): STEM Bridge Experience is for incoming George 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: VALHEN STEM Academy
Contact: Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon, College of Science, 703-993-4133
Age/Grade Level(s): Ages 14–16
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: The VALHEN STEM Academy (VSA) is a 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 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. VSA 2026 is no longer accepting applications.
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*Camp managed by a non-George Mason organization.