Seattle is a wonderful tech hub where people can collaborate, innovate, and persevere to solve problems. It’s no wonder that so many students in the area are developing their own curiosity about coding and a strong desire to learn.
If your child wants something to do this summer, look no further than the numerous coding, programming, and robotics camps in the area. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of available camps that cover a variety of interests, age ranges, costs, and locations in and around Seattle. Find one that works for your child’s exploration style!
Coding with Kids
Coding with Kids builds its programs around its mission: “Learn to code. Code to learn.” This means students tap into their love of coding to learn skills that will help them long after they leave the classroom. Coding with Kids is a national computer science academy, and offers several camps across the Seattle area so you can find one near you, and tailor your child’s camp experience to your needs. Kids can attend morning or afternoon camps, or both.
Creative Coding
Creative Coding is another camp with multiple locations so you can find one nearby. There are three levels based on age groups that students can sign up for: Core, Junior, and Studio. The Core classes are for students ages 8-12; the Junior classes for students ages 6-8, and Studio classes are for advanced learners age 9-12. You can sort through summer sessions based on the learning level to find the best fit for your kids.
Pacific Science Center
The Pacific Science Center has an impressive offering of STEAM-based summer camps, many of which are focused on programming. Younger kids (grades K-1) can sign up for “Starting from Scratch,” while older learners can check out “Robotic Rangers” or “Fundamentals of Python.” Camps are available for students through grades 6-8, with unique themes and lessons for each level.
The Coder School
The Coder School in Bellevue is an after-school program for coding fun during the school year, and a great summer camp choice when school gets out. From Monday through Friday, kids choose projects and develop coding creations that they show off at the end of the camp week. Kids also spend their camp time playing games, moving around and making new friends. There are early-bird discounts for signing up early and late pick-up is also available.
TechVenture Kids
TechVenture Kids offer two STEM summer camps in Seattle: a “Minecraft Mash-up” and a code camp with “Games and Robots.” Held in July and August, they’re tailored to students ages 8-14. These programs are hands-on and creative, with the goal of letting kids choose what they want to do and creating something unique.
Engineering for Kids
Engineering for Kids offers summer camps in Bellevue that foster a love of STEAM and programming in a supportive environment. The camps at Engineering for Kids of King County are predominantly team-based, teaching kids how to collaborate, and are developed to foster purposeful decision-making and resilience. Finding a solution isn’t as important as taking steps to solve a problem and working together creatively. This is a great camp for kids who are intimidated by coding.
Seattle Public Schools
Each year, Seattle Public Schools offers different coding camp options for students in various ages and grades. Start with “Little Coders” for the youngest campers and work up to “Android App Development” where kids can solve problems and make something fun for their phones. These camps can fill up quickly — keep an eye out for their summer announcements so your kids can get a spot.
Dawg Bytes
The University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering offers Dawg Bytes summer camps to middle and high school students. The goal is to introduce students to computer science and engineering topics in a low-pressure and highly-inclusive manner. The days camps are held at the Seattle campus and run one and two weeks with lunch and snacks provided.
Girls Who Code
If your daughter is looking for a summer activity that is more involved than the average day camp, check out the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program. This camp lasts seven weeks and is built to introduce 10th-11th grade girls to the world of computer science, help them build their careers, and give them a space to make friends with other programmers. The program runs during the day, Mondays through Fridays, and organizers offer scholarship stipends for housing and transport.
Lakeside School
Lakeside School offers multiple learning opportunities for students starting in fifth grade. There are investigative learning camps on computing and game creation, robotics, and
Python. Older students (grades 9-12) might consider taking a course for credit — and your child does not have to be Lakeside student to attend.
The Overlake School
The Overlake School is another program that opens its doors in the summer to campers and students. Camps start in third grade and run through middle school. Upper school students in grades 9 and 10 can take an accelerated geometry course and take part in a cross country camp. Because they can register in different camps based on their interests, whether that’s exploring engineering concepts or honing math skills, your child has several options throughout the summer.
The Bear Creek School
The Bear Creek School is another school-based summer camp opportunity. Students interested in coding and similar topics would choose the Science and Technology track. These camps start in mid-June and run through mid-August. This year, one of the technology camps is called “Harry Potter Magical Engineering” using LEGO for grades K-2, with the older kids able to attend the “Harry Potter Master Engineering” camp. Additionally, some creative programming students might like the “Fun with Photoshop” camp offered for grades 7-12.
ProjectFUN
ProjectFUN in Redmond has camps and workshops for students in grades K-12. Start by finding your child’s age group and then explore the topics provided. There are camps specifically for girls and sessions for students needing college prep. If your child can’t attend a ProjectFUN camp this summer, they do offer weekend workshops during the school year.
Code Ninjas
Code Ninjas has five locations in the Seattle area. They offer Parents’ Nights Out and summer activities, along with year-round programming for awesome kid coders. This summer, kids can learn Beginner Javascript, have fun with Minecraft, or develop their own website and apps based on their interests. Check your local Code Ninjas camp to see what is offered near you.
Prime Factor Math
Prime Factor Math Circles and School of Programming offers a variety of programs to help students with math and expand their knowledge of programming. Their summer camps prepare students to compete in math contests and give learners a space to connect math with creative arts. They also offer programing and coding-focused summer camps related to Python, Java, and robotics. Older students can take a course on ACT prep too.
Experience America
Experience America has camps across the country to bring skills like coding to interested students. There will be two programs in Seattle this summer running through two weeks in July: one for middle school and one for high school students. These programs aren’t limited to advanced students. Coders who are at beginner and intermediate levels can work on projects together.
Play-Well TEKnologies
Play-Well TEKnologies is a national chain with locations in the Seattle area. Their LEGO-inspired engineering camps help kids discover their love of problem-solving and exploration, skills that can then be applied to the fields of computer science and engineering. The idea is to introduce them to different ways of learning they otherwise might not experience. Check them out to learn more about their camps.
KidsQuest Children’s Museum
The KidsQuest Children’s Museum has all kinds of STEAM camps for whatever your child is interested in. While they don’t have a dedicated coding camp, there are a few robotics and technology camps programming students can attend. In “Invent It!” and “Crazy Contraptions,” students learn about the principles of engineering and how inventors solve problems with their ideas. Students might also enjoy “Tinker Thinkers” where they can learn how common devices work, take them apart, and construct their own creations from those parts.
Camp Invention
Camp Invention has been available to students across the country since 1990. Developed by the National Inventors Hall of Fame, there are now more than 1,600 programs launched annually. Several camps are being held in Seattle this summer, led by local teachers. The camps are meant to inspire students to become problem solvers and work together to create something new.
Camp TechWise
Camp TechWise has summer programming and technology camps at multiple locations that are as commuter-friendly for parents as possible. They offer the maximum amount of 1:1 time possible with project-based learning where campers can explore a variety of topics related to game design, video creation, or music production. The camps typically last a week at each venue and there are three venues each summer.
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