Ranken Summer Adventure Academies 2026
Students engage in fun, hands-on technology experiences while exploring career paths in technical industries. This program inspires middle and high school students to stay in school, pursue STEM education, and prepare for careers as part of the indispensable technical workforce. Since 2010, over 2,300 students have participated in Summer Adventure Academies!
An exciting mix of old favorites and new, inspiring camps for 2026. Registration now open!
Camps at the Main Campus - St. Louis
Robots & Green Energy
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 6-10, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- This week long camp introduces students to circuits, solar power, and basic robotics through fun, hands on activities. Kids build Snap Circuits, create glowing Squishy Circuit creatures, assemble solar powered rovers, practice unplugged coding, take apart old electronics, and design their own vibrating “junk bots.” Each day focuses on creativity, problem solving, and learning how real technology works.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Camp Velocity
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 13-17, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- A hands on engineering camp where students build working engine models, design and carve CO₂ race cars, explore real automotive shops, and learn the science behind speed. Through fun activities, field trips, and racing challenges, campers discover how engines work, how aerodynamics affects performance, and how creative design turns raw materials into fast machines.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Summer Racers
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 20-24, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Want to know how a real race team works? Our summer racers will build their own car, practice team building skills, and learn about automotive careers. Students will learn how a go-kart works, how to use tools, how pit stops win a race, and how to drive a real go-kart safely!
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
The Maker Lab
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 20-24, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Step onto the factory floor and become an engineer for a week! This high energy, hands on camp lets students explore how real factories design, build, measure, and test the products that shape our world. From 3D printing and CNC machining to precision measurement, assembly lines, and hydraulic machines, campers dive into a new part of modern manufacturing each day. They don’t just learn about engineering, they build it, measure it, and make it come to life using real tools and real industry techniques.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Camp Build It!
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 27-31, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- A hands on engineering camp where kids explore real construction skills through fun daily challenges. Campers build plumbing systems, test insulation, read blueprints, construct towers, and design strong truss bridges. They learn how structures work by measuring, building, testing, and redesigning their creations. By the end of the week, each camper leaves with new skills, confidence, and their own PVC water maze project.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Heavy Metals
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 27-31, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Ready to shape raw metal into your very own masterpiece? Students will learn the essential skills of welding, from basic techniques to advanced methods. You’ll design and fabricate your own unique metal creations, working with real materials to turn your ideas into solid works of art. This hands-on experience will not only teach you the craft of welding but also ignite your creativity as you transform metal into something extraordinary.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Heavy Metals
- Age Group: High School (rising 9th-12th graders)
- Dates: July 13-17, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Ready to shape raw metal into your very own masterpiece? Students will learn the essential skills of welding, from basic techniques to advanced methods. You’ll design and fabricate your own unique metal creations, working with real materials to turn your ideas into solid works of art. This hands-on experience will not only teach you the craft of welding, but also ignite your creativity as you transform metal into something extraordinary.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Adventures in Architecture
- Age Group: High School (rising 9th-12th graders)
- Dates: July 13-17, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Step into the world of architecture and the built environment! This immersive camp will guide students through the process of designing, sketching, drafting, and building models of their own architectural visions. You'll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools like laser cutting and computer-aided drafting (CAD) software, learning how to bring your designs to life. Prepare to create, innovate, and explore the exciting world of architecture!
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Airbrushing Paint FX
- Age Group: High School (rising 9th-12th graders)
- Dates: July July 13-17, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Channel your inner artist at our custom painting and airbrushing camp. Students will learn popular airbrush techniques for painting many different projects such as cosmic space, sunset at the beach, or your favorite character. For those mechanical minded students, learn popular automotive techniques such as water droplets, rivets, and real flames. Each student will have the opportunity to take home their own custom-made project.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Design & Engineering
- Age Group: High School (rising 9th-12th graders)
- Dates: July July 13-17, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Unlock your creativity and dive into the world of engineering! At this hands-on camp, campers will learn the fundamentals of machining and the engineering design process. Using advanced tools like Mastercam and SolidWorks software, you'll transform your ideas into reality—designing and creating precise molds to bring your projects to life. Whether you're a future engineer or just passionate about technology, this camp will help you explore the exciting intersection of design and manufacturing.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
EV Car Build Camp
- Age Group: High School (rising 9th-12th graders)
- Dates: July 13-24, 2026, 9am-3pm (This is a 2-Week Camp)
- Cost: $400
- Electric vehicles reduce air pollution and save money on fuel. How do they work? In this two-week camp, students will work as a team to build a complete electric vehicle designed to be driven on the road upon completion. Students will learn the safety fundamentals to work around low and high voltage equipment as they wire, diagnose, and program this electric vehicle.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Camps at Ranken Central - Ashland
Heavy Metals
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 20-24, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Ready to shape raw metal into your very own masterpiece? Students will learn the essential skills of welding, from basic techniques to advanced methods. You’ll design and fabricate your own unique metal creations, working with real materials to turn your ideas into solid works of art. This hands-on experience will not only teach you the craft of welding, but also ignite your creativity as you transform metal into something extraordinary.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Camps at Ranken Southeast - Perryville
Heavy Metals
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 6-10, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Ready to shape raw metal into your very own masterpiece? Students will learn the essential skills of welding, from basic techniques to advanced methods. You’ll design and fabricate your own unique metal creations, working with real materials to turn your ideas into solid works of art. This hands-on experience will not only teach you the craft of welding, but also ignite your creativity as you transform metal into something extraordinary.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Rust to Run
- Age Group: High School (rising 9th-12th graders)
- Dates: July 6-10, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- A hands on summer camp where high school students work together to restore a vintage tractor from “rust to running.” Campers learn essential mechanical skills—engine tune ups, electrical repair, hardware replacement, sanding, bodywork, and painting—and install new tires while practicing safe shop procedures using gloves, respirators, and protective suits. Throughout the week, students gain real world experience in automotive, diesel, and collision repair while building teamwork and problem solving skills.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Heavy Metals
- Age Group: High School (rising 9th-12th graders)
- Dates: July 27-31, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Ready to shape raw metal into your very own masterpiece? Students will learn the essential skills of welding, from basic techniques to advanced methods. You’ll design and fabricate your own unique metal creations, working with real materials to turn your ideas into solid works of art. This hands-on experience will not only teach you the craft of welding but also ignite your creativity as you transform metal into something extraordinary.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Camps at Ranken West - Troy
Futuristic Farming
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 20-24, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Students will be introduced to Aquaponics – growing fish and fresh vegetables in a sustainable way, where they will care for live fish and plants. They will weigh and feed fish in a large aquaponic system. They will plant seeds and harvest foods they can take home with them. They will also discover some futuristic ways that farmers are growing more food with less using drones and automation.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Design & Engineering
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 20-24, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Unlock your creativity and dive into the world of engineering! At this hands-on camp, campers will learn the fundamentals of machining and the engineering design process. Using advanced tools like Mastercam and SolidWorks software, you'll transform your ideas into reality—designing and creating precise molds to bring your projects to life. Whether you're a future engineer or just passionate about technology, this camp will help you explore the exciting intersection of design and manufacturing.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
All A-Bot Robots
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 20-24, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Robots may be the future of technology, and they are definitely fun to make and program! Students will develop their engineering and technology skills using the latest SPIKE robots, gears, motors, and sensors while building a robot to maneuver through an obstacle course.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Camps at Ranken West - Wentzville
Camp Velocity
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 6-10, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- A hands on engineering camp where students build working engine models, design and carve CO₂ race cars, explore real automotive shops, and learn the science behind speed. Through fun activities, field trips, and racing challenges, campers discover how engines work, how aerodynamics affects performance, and how creative design turns raw materials into fast machines.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Robots & Green Energy
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 13-17, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- This week long camp introduces students to circuits, solar power, and basic robotics through fun, hands on activities. Kids build Snap Circuits, create glowing Squishy Circuit creatures, assemble solar powered rovers, practice unplugged coding, take apart old electronics, and design their own vibrating “junk bots.” Each day focuses on creativity, problem solving, and learning how real technology works.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
Camp Build It!
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 20-24, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- A hands on engineering camp where kids explore real construction skills through fun daily challenges. Campers build plumbing systems, test insulation, read blueprints, construct towers, and design strong truss bridges. They learn how structures work by measuring, building, testing, and redesigning their creations. By the end of the week, each camper leaves with new skills, confidence, and their own PVC water maze project.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
The Maker Lab
- Age Group: Middle School (rising 6th-8th graders)
- Dates: July 27-31, 2026, 9am-3pm
- Cost: $200
- Step onto the factory floor and become an engineer for a week! This high energy, hands on camp lets students explore how real factories design, build, measure, and test the products that shape our world. From 3D printing and CNC machining to precision measurement, assembly lines, and hydraulic machines, campers dive into a new part of modern manufacturing each day. They don’t just learn about engineering, they build it, measure it, and make it come to life using real tools and real industry techniques.
- REGISTER FOR THIS CAMP
For more information, contact:
Julie Lakin
[email protected]
314-286-3678
Please note: registration fees are non-refundable.
Summer Academy Event Calendar:
ONLY
$200
For a full week of fun!