STEMpowered Summer Camps
STEMpowered offers summer day camp programming for self-identifying Black Youth entering grades 2 to 12. We are proud to partner with BrainSTEM Alliance and many local community organizations to address the increasing need to create more inclusive and accessible opportunities in STEM education for Black youth.
Our FREE summer camps will feature STEM Mentors, and include a variety of hands-on activities, designed by our staff of engineering, science and education university students, that explore science, technology, engineering and math!
All our university level staff have received first-aid training within the past two years, and are screened via vulnerable sector checks and an interview process.
We run the majority of our programming at the University of Waterloo - Waterloo campus.
Our camps are offered in four grade ranges: 2-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12 as well as the Leader in Training program (Grades 10-12). Grade ranges are based on the grade the camper enters in Fall 2024.
2024 Summer Camps
Camp times run from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Campus drop off is from 8:30 - 9:00am and pick up is from 4:00 - 4:30pm. Extended care for drop-off (8:00 - 8:30am) and pick-up (4:30 - 5:00pm) is available. Transportation (optional) drop-off (8:15am) and pick-up (4:15pm) is available.
We will share drop-off/pick-up locations with registrants before their camp week.
| Camp Name | Grades | Dates |
| Curiosity | Grade 2-3 | July 22 - 26 or August 19 - 23 |
| Discovery | Grade 4-6 | July 15 - 19 or August 12 - 16 |
| Voyager | Grade 7-8 | July 2 - 5* (4-day week) or July 29- August 2 |
| Odyssey | Grade 9-12 | July 8 - 12 |
Optional Additions
| Item | Details |
| Morning Drop-off Extension | Extended hours for morning drop-off. Please note that if you intend to drop off your child between 8:00 - 8:30am you must select this option to ensure Staff availability. |
| Afternoon Pickup Extension | Extended hours for afternoon pick-up. Please note that if you intend to pick up your child between 4:30 - 5:00pm you must select this option to ensure Staff availability. |
| Lunch (Monday to Friday) | We will provide a different lunch each day of the week (Mon-Fri). Options to be announced soon! |
| Supervised Transportation | Daily pick-up (8:15am), and drop-off (4:15pm) at a Kitchener Community Centre. Specific details and locations are provided in the CampBrain registration portal |
| *Odyssey Camp Only* Supervised Overnight Accommodations @ UWaterloo United College residence (July 7-12) |
Only available for the Grade 9-12 Odyssey camp. Stay overnight at an on-campus residence with other Odyssey participants for the duration of the camp. |
Please see our STEMpowered Registration Guidelines page for links to register as well as additional registration and camp policies.
STEMpowered Summer Camp Lunch
STEMpowered Summer Camp includes lunch free for participants. Further details and options will be announced soon!
STEMpowered Transportation
STEMpowered Summer Camp includes optional transportation free for participants (both LIT’s and Camp participants). The transportation will include a pick-up and drop-off from a City of Kitchener Community Centre with a STEMpowered Staff member for supervision.
We ask that you please select this in your registration forms if you plan to have your child use the free transportation. Parent/Guardian pick-up and drop-off procedures will include the same processes and safety procedures as on-campus.
The transportation will not be be able to accommodate late arrivals as it must maintain structured timing to ensure all participants arrive to Camp on time. We will share specific details with registrants before their camp week.
Please note: if there are less than five participants registered, alternative modes of transportation may be explored.
Camp Content
Every year, our University-level staff create new content, ensuring every camp is packed with original and exciting activities!
There are no specific “camp themes” offered through STEMpowered; all camps are based on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and work to incorporate fun hands-on learning experiences, visits to cool on-campus locations, and visits from mentors!
We strive to make our programming as accessible to parents/guardians as possible, thus we will be updating this page with announcements on camp content on a rolling basis including sample schedules.
Once registered and closer to the start date of your child's camp week, you will receive camp-specific information, including a letter introducing the university camp leader, a weekly schedule of the activities/tours and learning consolidation questions to engage in your child's learning from each day.