Summer Camps

ESQ Summer Camps (Stay tuned for 2025 details)

ESQ Summer Camps include a variety of hands-on activities that explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and feature STEM mentors and tours of exciting spaces on UW’s campus! Campers will experiment with new technology, develop valuable skills, and connect with friends. Our university-level staff studying in various engineering, science and education programs develop innovative and creative activities for their camps that explore all areas of STEM and so much more!    

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.

Our camps are offered in four grade ranges: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, and 8-9. Grade ranges are based on the grade the camper enters in Fall 2024. Please note: we can only enroll students outside of the grade ranges offered if there are accessibility needs.

Background to our Camp Names!

Four squares in a line with camp names, from left to right, three question smarks, magnifying glass, satelitte and rover with dashed curved and loppy line across the bottom

Our new camp names are inspired by Space Exploration missions, such as the Curiosity Rover, part of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission to understand more about our neighbouring planet, Mars. Like all these missions, the Curiosity Rover has gathered scientific information and data over the years to provide us with more answers and pose new questions about our Galaxy and the Universe. ESQ campers go on a similar journey throughout the years in our camps. Starting at our most junior camps to our High School programs such as LIT and Catalyst, campers get the opportunity to explore numerous STEM topics and gather more information about their interests through participation in build projects, labs, outdoor games, demonstrations and much more! While our camps are not specifically space-focused, we hope you are excited to embark on a STEM journey with us next Summer, 2024!

Summer 2024 Program Offerings

Grade 2-9 Camp Offerings, Weeks, & Prices

UW Waterloo Campus Offerings

Gr. 2-3: Curiosity

Gr. 4-5: Discovery 

Gr. 6-7: Voyager

Gr. 8-9: Odyssey

Week Date Price Camps
Week 1 July 2 - 5* (4-day week) $280

Curiosity A, B, C | Discovery A, B | Voyager A, B | Odyssey

Week 2 July 8 - 12 $330

Curiosity A, B, C | Discovery A, B | Voyager A, B | Odyssey

Week 3 July 15 - 19 $330 Curiosity A, B, C | Discovery A, B | Voyager A, B | Odyssey
Week 4 July 22 - 26 $330 Curiosity A, B, C | Discovery A, B | Voyager A, B | Odyssey
Week 5 July 29- August 2 $330 Curiosity A, B, C | Discovery A, B | Voyager A, B | Odyssey
Week 6 August 12 - 16 $330 Curiosity A, B, C | Discovery A, B | Voyager A, B | Odyssey
Week 7 August 19 - 23 $330 Curiosity A, B, C | Discovery A, B | Voyager A, B | Odyssey

Please note: There will be no camp during the week of August 5 - 9.

ESQ Camp in Cambridge

Week 7: August 19 - 23

Grade 2 - 5: Camp Discovery 

Price: $330

Location: The University of Waterloo School of Architecture, Cambridge

Please note: there will be no extended AM or PM care available for this location 

Camp Time

Programming: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

  • Drop off: 8:30 - 9:00 am
  • Pick up: 4:00 - 4:30 pm

Camp Content

Every year, our University-level staff create new content every year, ensuring every camp is packed with original and exciting activities!

There are no specific “camp themes” offered through ESQ; all camps are based on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and work to incorporate fun hands-on learning experiences!  

For age groups with more than one section offered, the camp content differs between these offerings. For example, Curiosity A, B and C all have different content, allowing the same camper to attend each section once in the summer (subject to availability). 

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 for Junior camps (Gr. 2-3 & 4-5) and Senior Camps (Gr. 6-7 & 8-9). 

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. 

High School Summer Programs

Bursaries

With generous support from our supporters, Engineering Outreach is able to offer bursaries and awards for our programming. Recipients are determined from a completed application form submitted through our registration system.

You can access information about our Engineering Outreach Bursaries here!

Important Dates: 

Applications are currently open.

Apply by January 19th, 2024 @ 12:00 pm EST.

Evaluations will be sent out by January 26th, 2024.

Program Support: Inclusion and Accessibility at Summer Camp

Engineering Outreach Summer Camps strive to make camp accessible for all Campers through an inclusion philosophy. We practice inclusion in many ways, including:  

  • Specialized low-ratio staff (1 staff with up to 3 campers) - Program Assistants (Please note we have three Program Assistants per week) 

  • University Leaders plan accommodations and extensions for each activity 

    • E.g., pre-cut templates for campers who struggle with fine motor skills 

    • E.g., Drawing pictures instead of writing  

    • E.g., Tinkercad circuits (virtual circuitry) 

  • Dedicated break rooms in camp spaces or opportunities to walk outside with Program Assistants  

  • Access to adaptive writing devices  

  • Access to sensory tools  

    • E.g., fidget toys, weighted stuffed animals, noise-cancelling headphones, language flash cards, if-then visuals, use of timers for transitions 

We are unable, however, to offer one-on-one support for your child. If your child does require this level of support, we ask that you please contact us to discuss bringing a parent/guardian or equivalent to Camp alongside your child. All personal support attendees are required to send a Vulnerable Sector Check in advance of participation.    

It is important to note that the Engineering Outreach Program Policy does not allow campers to display any acts of violence or for the leaders or program assistants to physically restrain a camper. If your child requires this kind of support on a regular basis, the program may not be suitable for them. 

When registering your child for camp, please indicate their access and inclusion needs within the Participant Information Form, and include details you are comfortable sharing to best support your child’s involvement at camp. Our team will initiate additional communication prior to your child’s week at camp. 

Camp Ready  

To support the success, safety and inclusion of all campers, all children need to be “Camp Ready” when participating in Engineering Outreach Camps (ESQ and STEMpowered), either independently or with additional support.  

  • Able to take direction and instruction from a staff person  

  • Comfortable and able to interact in a group  

  • Able to participate in the programming, participation in programs is based on the camper’s individual needs; however, it asked that participants can demonstrate an ability to participate in at least 50% of the program 

  • Able to interact and participate in camp programming in a way that is safe for themselves and others (campers and staff) 

Camp Activities Sneak Peek (Camp Content)

Optional Additions

Check out the optional add-ons you can purchase for your camper(s) during their week at ESQ Summer Camps!

Pizza Lunch on Friday

Handed out to students on the Friday of their camp week.

Options: 1-3 slices Price
Cheese $2.50/slice + HST
Pepperoni (Halal) $2.50/slice + HST

Please note: If your child requires a specific pizza considering additional dietary restrictions, please email engoutreach@uwaterloo.ca to discuss options.

Extended Care

Morning Drop-Off Extension (Mon - Fri)

Afternoon Pick-Up Extension (Mon - Fri)

Time: 8:00 - 8:30 am

Price: $5/week 

**July 2-5 @ $4, Tues - Fri

Time: 4:30 - 5:00 pm

Price: $5/week 

**July 2-5 @ $4, Tues - Fri

Please note:  if you intend to drop off your child during extended hours, you much select both these options to ensure Staff availability. 

Swag

Item  Price
Engineering Science Quest Child-Sized Bucket Hat  $10 + HST 
Engineering Outreach Adult-Sized Bucket Hat $10 + HST
Engineering Outreach Water Bottle $5 + HST