Stockton Camps 6th-8th Grade

A Summer of Exploration, Leadership, and Real-World Experience

Our 6th–8th Grade program is designed for students entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade who are ready to explore big ideas and take on meaningful challenges. At this stage, campers are eager to test their interests, think independently, and better understand the world around them. This program gives them the space to do exactly that where they find passions to shape their future.

Over the course of the session, campers rotate through immersive experiences in entrepreneurship, STEM, and civic leadership. They’ll spend several days designing a product and pitching a business, transition into building STEM prototypes and tackling robotics or lab-based challenges, and dive into simulations that explore how laws are shaped and decisions are made. Each experience is hands-on, collaborative, and designed to help students discover what excites them most.

Throughout the program, campers are encouraged to think critically, work collaboratively, and take ownership of their ideas. With supportive instructors and an encouraging environment, students build confidence while strengthening leadership, teamwork, and analytical skills. It’s an opportunity to explore widely before choosing a future passion that can help strengthen their college applications.

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Program Logistics

Grades: 6–8

  1. Format: Fully commuter

  2. Schedule: Monday–Friday

    • Drop-off window: 7:30–8:00 AM

    • Pick-up window: 4:30–5:00 PM

  3. Length: 2 weeks

  4. Dates: July 13th-July 25th

  5. Optional: Special Saturday July 18th Lecture Series

  6. Price: $1099.99. Financial Aid and payment plans are available to those that need!

    Stated prices exclude transaction fees if paying online by credit or debit card.

Our Philosophy

Middle school students learn best when they feel:

  • Seen — their interests, ideas, and perspectives matter

  • Empowered — they have agency in how they learn and explore

  • Respected — they are trusted to think critically and contribute meaningfully

This program is intentionally designed to associate learning with exploration, choice, and real-world relevance. Students are encouraged to try on different roles, ask thoughtful questions, test ideas, and collaborate with peers — all within a structured, supportive environment that values curiosity over perfection.

Rather than pushing students toward a single path, we help them understand that there are many ways to make an impact, and that discovering what excites them is a meaningful step forward.

What Students Will Learn

Core Learning Principles

Campers work in teams to identify real-world problems, design a product-based solution, and develop business around it. They learn how to think creatively, analyze feasibility, and pitch their ideas clearly and confidently.

Design Products & Pitch Solutions

Through interactive simulations and discussions, campers learn how laws are proposed, debated, and passed. They analyze real issues, practice structured debate, and explore how leadership and decision-making shape communities.

Understand Civics

Students dive into hands-on STEM work through prototype building, robotics challenges, and lab-based experiments. These sessions emphasize iteration, problem-solving, and teamwork as campers test ideas, troubleshoot designs, and improve their solutions.

Explore STEM with Hands-On Work

Across all activities, campers practice collaboration, public speaking, and leadership. They learn how to explain ideas, give and receive feedback, and work through challenges as a team—building confidence in both academic and social settings.

Strengthen Leadership

Sample Daily Schedule

Morning

7:30–8:00 AM
Arrival & Drop-Off
Students arrive on campus, check in with program staff, and join their assigned groups.

8:00–8:20 AM
Morning Check-In & Community Warm-Up
Groups review the day’s goals, participate in light discussion or activities, and set intentions for the day.

8:20–9:40 AM
Morning Exploration Block 1
Field-based workshops and interactive sessions introducing students to topics such as business, law, science, and public policy.

9:50–11:30 AM
Morning Exploration Block 2
Deeper dives into the morning’s field, including case studies, roleplay, group challenges, and collaborative problem-solving.

Midday

11:30 AM–12:15 PM
Lunch
Students enjoy lunch with peers and time to relax and recharge.

12:15–1:00 PM
Reflection & Reset
Guided reflection, journaling, discussion, or light downtime to reset before the afternoon.

Afternoon

1:00–2:30 PM
Capstone Project Work Block
Students work in teams on their Stockton Futures Expo project, developing ideas, roles, and solutions.

2:30–4:00 PM
Applied Skills & Collaboration Block
Workshops focused on communication, teamwork, and presentation skills, with time to continue project development.

4:00–4:30 PM
Community Time & Wind-Down
Group games, open discussion, and informal collaboration to wrap up the day.

End of Day

4:30–5:00 PM
Pick-Up
Students are safely signed out and picked up by families.

Stockton Futures Expo

At the end of the two weeks, students participate in the Stockton Futures Expo, a culminating showcase of their work and ideas.

Students work in teams to develop solutions to a real-world problem, taking on roles such as policymakers, business leaders, researchers, or nonprofit advocates. Through this process, they apply the critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills they’ve developed throughout the program. Families are invited to attend the Expo, where students present their ideas at interactive booths, followed by a pizza and ice cream celebration.

This event emphasizes:

  • Pride in learning

  • Real-world problem solving

  • Collaboration and leadership

A Day in the Life at Camp!

Mornings at Stockton Camps begin with structure, energy, and independence. Each day starts with morning arrival and drop-off, where students are welcomed by program staff, check in with their group, and ease into the day in a calm, supportive environment.

After arrival, students gather with their group for a morning check-in and community warm-up. Instructors walk through the plan for the day, highlight goals for each session, and help students set intentions before transitioning into their first exploration block.

The morning is typically spent in immersive learning and exploration blocks. Students rotate through engaging workshops and activities that may include refining a business idea, analyzing a public policy challenge, building and testing a STEM prototype, or participating in leadership simulations. These sessions are designed to go beyond surface-level exposure, giving students time to think deeply, collaborate, and revise their ideas.

Lunch provides a mid-day reset. Students enjoy time to eat, relax, and connect with friends before shifting gears for the afternoon.

Following lunch, students participate in reflection and reset time, which may include journaling, discussion, or light downtime to recharge before returning to more focused work.

The afternoon is centered on collaboration and application. Students work in teams on their Stockton Futures Expo projects, building on ideas developed earlier in the day. This is when communication, leadership, and critical thinking come together as students problem-solve, debate ideas, and work toward tangible outcomes.

The final portion of the day emphasizes community and wind-down. Students participate in group activities, informal collaboration, or discussions that help them reflect on what they learned and prepare to return the next day.

The day concludes with structured pick-up, providing a clear and consistent end to the camp experience.

Every day in the 6th–8th Grade program is thoughtfully designed to balance challenge, structure, independence, and support — creating a summer experience that helps students grow into confident thinkers, collaborators, and emerging leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This program is for students entering Grades 6–8. Activities and discussions are designed to match the curiosity, independence, and growing critical thinking skills of middle school students.

  • Rather than focusing on one subject or activity, students explore multiple real-world fields—such as business, public policy, science, and advocacy—and learn how different roles work together to solve complex problems. The emphasis is on choice, exploration, and understanding impact.

  • The Stockton Futures Expo is the program’s culminating experience. Students work in teams to address a real-world issue from a chosen role (such as policymaker, business leader, researcher, or nonprofit advocate) and present their ideas at interactive booths for families and guests.

  • Yes. Students are supervised at all times by our background checked and trained staff. Clear routines, structures, and sign-in/sign-out procedures are in place to ensure a safe and supportive environment. Additionally, the University of the Pacific has a 24/7 public safety department.

  • Families will receive a detailed list before the program begins. In general, students should bring:

    • A packed lunch

    • A refillable water bottle

    • Comfortable clothes suitable for active and creative work