Camp Info
| Ages: | 6–18 |
| Type: | Day |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Setting: | City |
| Technology: | Technology, Coding, Computer Science, Game Design, Game Modding, Virtual Reality |
| Arts: | Arts, Fine Arts, Graphic Design |
[email protected]
San Diego, CA, USA
ThoughtSTEM’s legacy San Diego camp program centered on hands-on computer science for children and teens ages 6–18. Campers learned by creating with code rather than only listening to lectures, with projects built around technology that young people could recognize and explore. Across its camp pages, ThoughtSTEM highlighted computer science, virtual reality, Minecraft modding, drag-and-drop programming, wearable technology, 2D game design, and graphic design. Other ThoughtSTEM materials also referenced Scratch, Arduino, Minecraft, and App Inventor as tools used in its broader coding curriculum.
The program used a project-based curriculum developed by ThoughtSTEM’s founders and instructors, including educators with advanced computer science backgrounds. The organization described its programs as suitable for beginners while also giving experienced students room to progress into harder challenges. Instructors brought computers, and software and standard materials were provided for students during programs.
Historically, camps ran at multiple San Diego-area venues, including UC San Diego and the Fleet Science Center, with some university-based locations using campus dining halls. The camp format was day-based, with morning drop-off and afternoon pickup described for most locations. ThoughtSTEM’s San Diego camp operation ended during the COVID-19 transition, and the remaining camp pages are maintained as legacy program information rather than current enrollment listings.
| Ages: | 6–18 |
| Type: | Day |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Setting: | City |
| Technology: | Technology, Coding, Computer Science, Game Design, Game Modding, Virtual Reality |
| Arts: | Arts, Fine Arts, Graphic Design |
You won’t be charged yet. The camp will contact you to confirm all terms first.
You can still submit a quick request to let the camp know you’re interested.
ThoughtSTEM structured its coding education around projects and individual progress. Students could enter with little or no programming experience, then work through challenges with instructors available to help. More experienced students were able to move toward harder projects instead of repeating beginner material. The organization described its curriculum as internally developed by founders and instructors with backgrounds in computer science education.
Camp topics mixed core coding with creative applications. Historical camp pages listed virtual reality, Minecraft modding, drag-and-drop programming, wearable technology, 2D game design, and graphic design. ThoughtSTEM’s broader coding materials also referenced Scratch, Arduino, Minecraft, and App Inventor, showing a curriculum that connected programming concepts to games, electronics, apps, and interactive media.
The day-camp model used location-based drop-off and pickup. Instructors brought computers, and students did not need to purchase standard software or materials for participation. Depending on the host site, families received location-specific practical instructions, including pickup details and, at some university venues, dining-hall procedures. The historical San Diego camp program is no longer active; its remaining pages document the format used before the COVID-19 transition.
At historical camp locations hosted at UC San Diego, San Diego State University, and Cal State San Marcos, the university dining halls did not allow families to bring outside food into the dining hall. ThoughtSTEM noted that those dining halls could accommodate a variety of allergies and diets, with location-specific procedures provided on individual camp pages.
ThoughtSTEM described its curriculum as developed by co-founders and instructors with expertise in computer science education. Its staff pages include educators with advanced degrees and backgrounds in computer science, engineering, curriculum development, and K–12 teaching. The FAQ also described mentors from local universities and colleges, along with college graduates, as supporting students in coding programs. The program emphasized both teaching ability and programming knowledge when describing its instructional team.
For most historical camps, parents were expected to drop students off between 8:45 and 9:00 in the morning and pick them up between 4:00 and 4:15 in the afternoon. Some locations offered early drop-off or late pickup options. Families running late were instructed to contact staff, and repeated late pickup could result in a $15 fee for each 15-minute period. Location-specific instructions governed arrival, pickup, and food procedures.
