Youth Camps
THE POWER OF PLAY MEETS PURPOSE
Where Curiosity Sparks Innovation
Welcome to USF College of Education’s Collaboratory on the Sarasota-Manatee campus, an extraordinary summer experience where imagination meets impact. It’s a bold invitation for middle school students to dream big, build creatively, and design with purpose.
Not Just a Camp. A Launchpad.
Our camps empower rising 5th–9th graders to explore real-world challenges through hands-on learning, immersive technology, and human-centered design. Whether they’re flying drones, crafting with robotics kits, experimenting in VR, or coding with AI, campers step into the role of innovators, storytellers, and change-makers.
Tools to Create. Space to Imagine.
From programmable animatronics to virtual reality, sewing machines to game engines, our Collaboratory is packed with cutting-edge tools—and the freedom to explore them. Campers build prototypes, test solutions, and develop their ideas with the support of USF faculty, students, and expert mentors.
Think Deeply. Build Boldly.
Every camp is grounded in design thinking and the belief that young people can shape the world around them. Guided by empathy and innovation, campers identify challenges in their communities, dream up imaginative solutions, and bring those ideas to life—both digitally and tangibly.
Powered by Collaboration
Our camps are developed in partnership with the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, the USF Advanced Visualization Center, and other leading innovators. We blend research, gamification, storytelling, and experiential learning into each session—ensuring a transformative experience that builds confidence, creativity, and a future-forward mindset.