Carlsbad, CA, USA
LabRats San Diego Summer STEM Camps are hands-on science and engineering day camps for students in grades K–6. The program is split into two grade bands: grades K–3 attend morning camps, while grades 3–6 attend afternoon camps. Each week has a different theme, so returning campers can explore new ideas rather than repeating the same lab sequence.
The camp is built around active STEM learning. Campers do not spend the session sitting through long lectures. They take part in hands-on labs, engineering challenges, design tasks, and independent time in the makerspace. The approach connects to NGSS topics used in public and charter schools, then pushes students to apply what they know in creative ways.
LabRats emphasizes real science taught by scientists and engineers. Campers are encouraged to ask questions, test ideas, and learn through experimentation. A child might explore senses and balance, investigate forensic evidence, build and code robots, solve engineering problems, or use messy lab work to understand scientific concepts.
The camp is a strong match for children who enjoy experiments, building, robotics, creative challenges, and problem-solving. It also works well for kids who learn best by doing, touching, testing, failing, adjusting, and trying again.
| Ages: | 5–12 |
| Type: | Day |
| Month: | Summer |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Setting: | City |
| Technology: | Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Lego, STEM |
| Address: | 6351 corte del abeto ste A112 & A113, Carlsbad, CA, United States, 92011 |
| Carlsbad | |
| USA |
You won’t be charged yet. The camp will contact you to confirm all terms first.
| Dates | Days | Price | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 20 - Jul 24, 2026 | 5 | $375 | |
| Jul 20 - Jul 24, 2026 | 5 | $375 | |
| Jul 27 - Jul 31, 2026 | 5 | $375 | |
| Jul 27 - Jul 31, 2026 | 5 | $375 | |
| Aug 3 - Aug 7, 2026 | 5 | $375 | |
| Aug 3 - Aug 7, 2026 | 5 | $375 |
LabRats San Diego Summer STEM Camps are day camps. Campers attend their scheduled camp block and return home afterward. No overnight lodging, cabins, dorm rooms, hotel stays, or residential supervision are included.
The camp day is divided by grade level. Grades K–3 attend the morning session, with drop-off from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM and pick-up from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Grades 3–6 attend the afternoon session, with drop-off from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM and pick-up from 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
The program takes place in a STEM Discovery Center setting. Campers spend their time in hands-on science labs and makerspace-style activities rather than in a traditional recreation camp environment. Families should plan for daily drop-off and pick-up based on the selected grade band.
This is a focused STEM enrichment camp, not a full-day childcare program.
The camp schedule includes a snack break. Morning campers have snack time from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM. Afternoon campers have snack time from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM.
Information about whether snacks are provided could not be confirmed from the available camp details. Families should plan to send a snack and water unless registration instructions say otherwise. Since the program involves hands-on labs and active makerspace work, simple, easy-to-manage snacks are the most practical choice.
LabRats uses a structured classroom and lab-style learning environment. Campers move through guided, hands-on STEM labs and makerspace activities under the instruction of science-focused staff. The program’s philosophy emphasizes exploration with knowledgeable mentors, teamwork, and active learning rather than unsupervised experimentation.
The LabRats Code of Honor sets behavioral expectations for students. Campers are expected to be fair, kind, and generous; respect themselves and others; avoid cheating; think like scientists; make smart choices; follow through; and work for a higher purpose.
This code supports a respectful learning setting where campers can ask questions, try ideas, and work with peers. The camp also encourages teamwork and healthy competition in lesson plans to build confidence and community.
LabRats camps have a strong “try it and see” culture. The LabRats motto is “Investigate. Do the experiment!” That idea shapes the camp experience. Students are encouraged to explore, test, ask “what if,” and discover answers through direct experimentation.
Open makerspace time is another key part of the camp rhythm. After guided lab work, campers get time to pursue their own ideas, build independently, and explore personal interests. That makes the camp feel less like a school worksheet and more like a science workshop.
The program also values productive mistakes. Campers are not expected to know everything at the start. They are encouraged to work through difficult problems, adjust their thinking, and build confidence through the process.
Weekly variety is part of the summer identity. Camp themes change across the season, with examples including senses, forensic science, robotics, chemistry, and engineering-style challenges. The result is a camp culture built around curiosity, mess, design, and discovery.
LabRats San Diego Summer STEM Camps use hands-on labs to turn science into something children can touch, test, and build. Each camp session includes a guided lab block, a snack break, and more lab or makerspace activity. The morning format serves grades K–3, while the afternoon format serves grades 3–6 with a slightly older-student pace.
The curriculum connects to science, technology, engineering, and math topics while keeping the work active and creative. Campers may investigate how the human senses work, explore balance, test chemical reactions, collect and analyze fingerprints, examine mystery substances, build robots, code LEGO robotics projects, or work on design challenges.
The makerspace element gives students room to pursue ideas independently. That matters because many curious kids do not want every step handed to them. They want materials, a challenge, a little guidance, and the freedom to try.
