Day Camp Programs for Rising 9th/10th Grade Students

Summer Day Camps for High School Students

Each summer, the College of Engineering at NC State University offers rising 9th and 10th grade high school students the opportunity to experience engineering at NC State. We offer multidisciplinary week-long day camps that provides an experience into how engineers solve problems. Teams of campers experience introductory activities then transition to work on a collaborative team-oriented challenge project, learn about how computer scientists impact the world and how entrepreneurs create solutions for our changing lives.

2025 Camp Information

Rising 9th–10th Grade Camps

Engineering Camps

Imagine Engineering Camp: 9th–10th Day Camp, June 23–27, 2025

Ninth and tenth graders will experience engineering in a program specifically designed for them. Each year new challenges are presented at the week-long day camp, and each introduces students to a variety of engineering fields through fun, yet challenging, hands-on projects and investigations as well as a week long group project. By the end of the week, students will have a deeper understanding of the field of engineering and related career opportunities. You are able to attend a week of Imagine Engineering Camp and Computer Science Camp, if selected.

Computer Science Camp

Cyber Explorers: Introduction to Cybersecurity: Rising 9th–10th Grade Camp, July 14–18, 2025

Step into the exciting world of cybersecurity in this camp designed for 9th and 10th-grade students! No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to learn! Led by experienced cybersecurity professionals and educators, this camp will empower students to think critically about technology and prepare them for future opportunities in the cybersecurity field. Through interactive activities, hands-on challenges, and engaging discussions, campers will:

• Discover the Basics: Learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including what it is, why it matters, and how it impacts our daily lives.
• Explore Cyber Threats: Understand common cyber threats like phishing, malware, and hacking.
• Practice Defense Skills: Gain hands-on experience with basic tools and strategies for protecting personal and online information.
• Think Like a Cyber Pro: Participate in problem-solving exercises that introduce ethical hacking and incident response.

Camp Logistics

Camp Hours

Campers are dropped off between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. and are picked up between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m.

Camp Locations

Detailed drop-off and pick-up locations will be provided upon acceptance. Activities take place on NC State’s College of Engineering campuses.

Food

Lunch and snacks will be provided each day. Dietary needs will be accommodated.

Camp Staff

Camp will be staffed by area teachers and undergraduate and graduate students, with some visits with NC State faculty. The staff-to-student ratio is approximately 1:8.

Camp Fees

• Total Cost: Raleigh: $500 for a week of camp (including daily lunch)
• Total amount: Due May 2, 2025
• Financial Aid: A limited amount of financial aid may be available for families who demonstrate financial need. To be considered, families must submit an online financial aid application included in the application website.

Applying to Camp

Eligibility

All students entering 9th through 10th in Fall 2025 are welcome to apply, including home-schooled, out-of-state or out-of-country students.

Applying Online

The only way to apply is by logging in to our Summer Programs Portal, which will be available between January 13 and March 28, 2025.  Please bookmark the site so you can return to it to complete your application and check on the status.

Application Components

Your son or daughter is required to submit short personal answers to these two questions:

• What are two goals that you would like to achieve at camp?
• What problem would you like to solve?

The submission is typed into the online application.

Application Time Line

The deadline to apply is March 28, 2025. You will be notified of acceptance on April 28, 2025.

Admission Decisions

Admissions decisions will be based on student interest as determined by his or her response of two short personal statements noted in Application Components above. Acceptance is not first come, first served — preference will not be given to early applicants.  In recent years, we have not had enough room for all of the students who were interested in attending camp. If you applied to camp last year and we were unable to find a spot for you, we will make an extra effort to find a place for you this year.