Accepted Participants
We are so excited to welcome our 2023 cohort of Explorers!
Our friendly camp staff will be there to welcome you, assist with check-in procedures, and help you settle into your accommodations.
Important Information
Main Program Drop Off: Sunday August July 30th
Our program location is emailed to you.
Check-ins will be divided into two groups distinguished by the first letter of the student's last name.
Last Names A - L: Between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Last Names M - Z: Between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM
End of Camp Pick Up: Friday August 11th
At check in, we will ask when you would like to pick up your camper. You will have two options
Option 1: Check out before the closing ceremony between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Option 2: Check out after the closing ceremony between 5:45 PM and 7:00 PM
*Note: Checking out before the ceremony will not cause you to be excluded from the event.*
If you have elected to stay the optional weekend:
Pick up location is at the dorm location you received via email.
Pick Up: Friday August 4th
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Drop Off: Sunday August 6th
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Please feel free to label your belongings with your name to avoid any confusion or misplacement during the camp.
Clothing:
- Comfortable everyday outfits
- Light jackets or sweaters for cooler evenings or air conditioned spaces
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Closed toe-shoes for lab tours
- Raincoat or umbrella
- Athletic attire and sneakers for physical activities
Dorm Items
- A fan (the dorms are unfortunately not air conditioned)
- Garbage can (shared garbage is in hallways)
- Power strip
- Personal Snacks
Toiletries:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash or soap
- Towels and washcloths
- Deodorant
- Moisturizer
- Hairbrush or comb
- Personal hygiene products
- Any necessary prescription medications
Miscellaneous:
- Device Chargers
- Alarm clock or mobile phone with alarm function
- Comfortable walking shoes for campus exploration
- Sunscreen
Optional Items:
- Bedding Set (Twin XL) (Bedding set with pillow is provided to all students at the camp)
- Portable charger for electronic devices
- Board games or playing cards for group activities
- TV and/or Video Game Consoles
- Headphones / Earbuds
- Personal laptop or tablet
- Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
- Mini fridge or microwave (if you'd like to bring one, kindly coordinate with your roommate)
- Reading light/lamp
Note: Please pack efficiently, considering the limited storage space available in your living quarters.
We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments and experiences at the closing ceremony. You are encouraged to invite your family and friends to join us for this memorable event. Mark your calendars with the following details:
Date: August 11, 2023
Time: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: Check your emails
Further details and any updates regarding the closing ceremony will be shared with you during the camp.
You can check out of the dorm rooms before or after the closing ceremony.
We will be communicating with participants via the Remind App.
Please check your email for the invitation link
Move In Day - Sunday July 30, 2023
After you check in between 3-5 PM you're welcome to leave with your families and grab food at a local restaurant, or check out anything you'd like to see on campus.
We ask that families say goodbye at 5:00 PM when all students meet in the lobby to head to the first activities.
We will gather as a large group in an auditorium on campus where you can meet our incredible team of student leaders and counselors.
You'll get an overview of the week, as well as a review of your expectations as Explorers in the program.
We will cater dinner to have a meal "family style" in our lecture hall. We will be sure to accommodate for any dietary restrictions and needs during this time.
Weather permitting, this will be an outdoor activity that allows students to get to know each other and build community.
This free time will be in the dorms. This is a great time to call home, catch up on social media, or connect with fellow Explorers.
A Typical Weekday
We hope you are awake and ready by the time we knock on your door, but just in case, our counselors will provide a courtesy knock around 8:00 AM.
You need to meet the group in the lobby by 8:15 AM
We will enjoy breakfast in the dining halls. There are hot and cold breakfast options served buffet style.
Tours
We will bring you several engineering labs and facilities on campus. Sometimes we'll start the day with a tour, and sometimes we will start with a presentation.
Most tours will require closed-toe shoes so our counselors will let you know what to wear the night before.
Major Presentations
Either before a tour, or after, we have incredible School of Engineering faculty to share more about their discipline and what you can do with it!
Each day, we'll have a different major or discipline presenting for approximately 45 minutes
Week 1:
- Monday: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Tuesday: Mechanical Engineering
- Wednesday: Materials Science and Engineering
- Thursday: Electrical Engineering
Week 2:
- Monday: Biomedical Engineering
- Tuesday: Civil Engineering
- Wednesday: Environmental Engineering
- Thursday: Computer Science and Engineering
Snack Break
After the presentation, we will have a 15 minute break with snacks available!
Major Exploration Activity
Following each major's presentation, our counselors will split the group into three smaller groups for a hands on activity!
This activity is meant to be a fun taste of principles or concepts that engineers in this discipline use.
We will enjoy lunch in the dining halls. Lunch options change daily but there are plenty of healthy choices, as well as comfort staples like pizza or burgers and fries.
We are thrilled to have some of a lineup of amazing engineers join our explorers to share a bit more about themselves and their work.
Some of our speakers are UConn School Engineering Alumni who are now working as engineers in the field. Some are friends who work in industries we partner or collaborate with, such as Collins Aerospace and Electric Boat.
Some are current faculty who are working on unique projects, such as Human Factors Engineering, or Engineering for Human Rights. Everyone of our speakers has a story to tell
Here is a concentrated block to work on a consistent project throughout the 2 weeks of camp. These are hands-on activities designed to engage, inspire, and challenge students. Our student staff will be ready to mentor and guide you throughout this challenge.
This year, our Grand Challenges are:
- Manufacturing our Machines (MOM)
- Innovating our Infrastructures (IOI)
- Enhancing our Ecosystems (EOE)
- Adapting our Anatomy (AOA)
We were able to place every Explorer in their first or second choice Grand Challenge Project in the camp!
We will enjoy dinner in the dining halls. Dinner options change daily but there are plenty of healthy choices.
These activities are meant for community building and fun! Our counselors have planned a few different options each day, with options available for different personality types or energies.
Examples of high energy activities: Outdoor basketball, soccer, volleyball, kickball
Examples of medium energy activities: Video game tournament, board games
Examples of low energy activities: Yoga, meditation, painting, listening to music
Free time will be in the dorms. This is a great time to call family, catch up on social media, or connect with fellow Explorers.
Our counselors will ensure every Explorer is in their room and ready to recharge for tomorrow's adventure.
A Typical Weekend
After we let you sleep in just a little, we can go to the dining hall for our normal breakfast buffet
Activities will vary depending on weather and group votes the evening before.
Examples could include:
- Community movie
- Group outdoor games
- Indoor games
- Arts and crafts
Lunch will be in the dining halls with our normal buffet
This free time will be in the dorms.
This is student directed!
Dr. Stephany Santos will guide students on whatever their questions are. From how to apply to college, to what is financial aid, to what to look for at different colleges or university STEM programs.
This is a hands on activity that will challenge students to design or build something using skills they learned during the week.
Dinner will be in the dining halls
Activities range from outdoor games, to indoor video game tournaments, to karaoke or arts and crafts
This free time will be in the dorms
Counselors will ensure Explorers are in their rooms.