Engineering camps give high school students the chance to dive into technical problem-solving while building practical skills in design, coding, and analysis. Unlike regular academic programs, camps are short, concentrated, and typically structured around a single subject area, making them ideal for you if you want a focused, hands-on experience in engineering concepts and tools. These experiences also help you develop technical communication and teamwork skills, both of which are critical in STEM fields.
Utah is a hub for engineering opportunities, with its strong university presence and a growing tech sector. Each year, local colleges and organisations host camps that allow high school students to experiment with robotics, civil engineering, computer-aided design, and other related fields. For Utah students, choosing nearby programs can also be a financially practical option, eliminating long-distance travel costs while still offering access to high-quality training and mentorship.
Here is a list of 13 engineering camps for high school students in Utah:
1. Hi-GEAR Camp
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 17–20 | July 8–11
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots are filled
Cost: $120 (includes T-shirt and lunch)
Location: Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 (ages 15–18); limited to 30 participants per session
Hi-GEAR introduces high school students to multiple branches of engineering and computer science through structured, hands-on modules. You’ll rotate through activities in disciplines such as biomedical, civil, electrical, and materials engineering, applying problem-solving skills to short design tasks and team projects. Sessions include guest lectures and lab tours that expose you to research environments and industry applications. Both camp sessions follow the same curriculum, so the focus is on depth of exposure rather than cumulative progression.
2. 7th & 8th Grade Summer Camp
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 12 | July 22
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Cost: $30 (includes T-shirt and lunch)
Location: Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th-grade students (ages 12–14); limited to 20 participants per session
This half-day camp introduces middle school students to the fundamentals of engineering through guided, hands-on activities. You’ll work on short design challenges that highlight problem-solving methods across multiple disciplines. Instruction is led by current college students, giving you direct exposure to how engineering is studied at the undergraduate level. Since both camp sessions use the same curriculum, participation is meant for a single date rather than repeat enrollment.
3. High School Summer Research Internship
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 9–August 1
Application Deadline: Early Spring
Cost: Free of cost
Location: Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT
Eligibility: High school students graduating in 2026 or 2027; the application requires a transcript and recommendation letters
This internship places high school students in active research labs to gain direct experience with engineering inquiry and experimentation. You’ll collaborate with faculty and research teams, working on assigned projects that may include computational modelling, materials testing, or device prototyping, depending on placement. The program also incorporates site visits to specialised engineering facilities, giving you insight into the infrastructure that supports academic research. Since housing is not provided, the program is best suited for local students who can commute to campus.
4. Engineering State – Design the City of the Future
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 18–19 | June 22–23 (overnight)
Application Deadline: Opens February 2
Cost: $150+$5
Location: USU Logan campus (residential)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
This two-day residential camp tasks you with designing a sustainable “city of the future” through team-based systems engineering. You’ll break down urban subsystems, transport, water and wastewater, power, waste/recycling, land use, and public services, and build an integrated plan using problem-scoping, constraint mapping, back-of-the-envelope calculations, and iterative design charrettes. The schedule emphasises structured work sessions, faculty-led talks, and peer critique to stress trade-offs (e.g., grid load vs. emissions, traffic flow vs. land use).
5. Parent-Child Engineering Night Out
Stipend: None
Program Dates: October 24
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Cost: $10 per parent/child team (includes materials, T-shirt, and dinner)
Location: Noorda Building, Weber State University, Ogden campus
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12 with an accompanying parent or adult
This evening event pairs students with a parent or adult partner to complete short, hands-on engineering challenges. You’ll work collaboratively on design tasks that require applying physical principles, testing constraints, and iterating solutions under time limits. Activities are supported by guest speakers and faculty who highlight practical connections to applied engineering fields. The format emphasises teamwork across generations, making it both a technical and communication-based exercise. Registration includes project materials, a camp T-shirt, and dinner.
6. Envisioneering Summer Bridge
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 23–August 7
Application Deadline: Spring
Cost: Tuition-free (includes two college engineering/technology courses)
Location: Noorda Engineering Building, Weber State University, Ogden, UT
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders (exceptions may be made for rising 9th graders); preference given to first-generation and financial-need applicants
The Envisioneering Summer Bridge program offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while strengthening STEM readiness. Over seven weeks, you’ll complete Foundations of Computing (CS 1030) and Web Design and Usability (Web 1400), gaining exposure to programming fundamentals, digital security, and front-end web development. The structure combines coursework with tutoring, mentorship, and weekly field trips to local engineering and tech industries. The program emphasises both technical skill acquisition and building confidence in navigating rigorous STEM environments.
7. WSU PREP
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 1–July 16
Application Deadline: Typically spring
Cost: Free of cost
Location: Weber State University, Ogden, UT
Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th graders; multi-year program with separate Year 1–3 tracks
WSU PREP is a 7-week summer program that builds a rigorous foundation in STEM for middle school students preparing for high school and beyond. The curriculum introduces pre-engineering topics through accelerated math, problem-solving, and hands-on design modules. You’ll engage in experiments such as model rocket construction, circuit analysis, and computational problem sets while also exploring applied science topics through guest lectures. With three progressive levels, the program scaffolds learning year by year, reinforcing technical skills and preparing you for later academic and career pathways in engineering.
8. Youth Engineering Academy (YEA)
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Summer sessions
Application Deadline: registration opens in January
Cost: Varies
Location: Southern Utah University and Southwest Tech, Cedar City, UT
Eligibility: Students ages 6–18; divided into cohorts (6–9, 9–12, 12–15, 15–18)
The Youth Engineering Academy provides age-specific summer camps that emphasise hands-on design and technical exploration. High school participants (ages 15–18) focus on advanced engineering projects such as structural prototyping, energy systems, and applied technology builds. Instruction includes exposure to future-focused STEM fields, blending practical problem-solving with collaborative group work. Younger age groups (6–15) follow parallel tracks scaled to their skill level, making YEA a multi-tiered program that supports long-term STEM engagement.
9. eSMART Program
Stipend: None
Program Dates: July 7–10 (overnight)
Application Deadline: Early bird in May; final confirmations by mid-June
Cost: $350 overnight | $225 day camp (early bird $300/$200); limited need-based waivers available
Location: Utah Tech University, St. George, UT
Eligibility: Girls entering 7th or 8th grade in the fall; priority given to students living within ~100 miles of St. George
The eSMART program is a residential STEM camp designed to introduce middle school girls to technical fields through workshops taught by women in STEM careers. You’ll spend four days in university labs working on projects in genetics, electronics, planetary science, programming, and more. Activities include both academic modules and fieldwork, such as a day in Pine Valley, providing a mix of lab-based and environmental engineering contexts. As a camper, you will be organised into small groups led by female STEM majors from Utah Tech, emphasising mentorship, collaboration, and skill development in applied science and engineering.
10. Transportation Camp
Stipend: None
Program Dates: One-week session in summer; dates vary annually
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Cost: Free of cost
Location: University of Utah, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Salt Lake City, UT
Eligibility: Incoming 8th and 9th grade students at Utah schools
Transportation Camp introduces students to civil and environmental engineering through a week of hands-on activities and industry exposure. You’ll explore transportation systems via lab sessions, design challenges, and field trips to active infrastructure projects. Faculty and guest speakers highlight topics such as traffic flow, roadway design, and sustainability, while on-campus sessions emphasize math and physics principles applied to transportation engineering. The program also integrates teamwork and communication exercises, making it a practical entry point into both engineering and the transportation sector.
11. Youth Engineering Academy
Stipend: None
Program Dates: Summer sessions
Application Deadline: registration typically opens in January
Cost: To be announced
Location: Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12
The Youth Engineering Academy’s high school track provides project-based STEM learning for students in grades 10–12. You’ll take part in advanced modules that combine applied physics, structural prototyping, and future-focused technologies such as renewable energy or digital design. Projects are team-oriented and emphasise iterative problem-solving, requiring you to move from concept sketching to prototype testing within a structured timeframe. Camps are updated each year, with registration typically opening in January for the summer cycle.
12. Brigham Young University STEM Camp
Stipend: None
Program Dates: July 14–19
Application Deadline: Registration opens December 3 (rolling until filled)
Cost: $699 tuition | $199 optional housing/meal package
Location: Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–11
BYU STEM Camp is a week-long program that combines applied workshops and team projects with mentorship from university faculty and students. You’ll explore engineering and biology through project-based sessions that emphasise prototyping, experimentation, and iterative design. Activities are designed to make abstract STEM principles concrete, while collaborative competitions push you to test solutions under real constraints. The program also includes networking opportunities with peers and instructors, plus optional residential housing for students who want a more immersive campus experience.
13. Engineering STEM Camp (Afternoon)
Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 2–5
Application Deadline: TBD
Cost: $140
Location: St. Joseph Catholic High School, Ogden, UT
Eligibility: Students ages 6–11; capacity limited to 20 participants
This short-format STEM camp introduces younger students to engineering concepts through guided experiments and small-scale projects. You’ll complete activities that emphasise cause-and-effect reasoning, material properties, and applied design, giving an early foundation in engineering thinking. The small group size provides a high level of interaction and hands-on practice, making it an accessible entry point into structured STEM learning.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Brigham Young University