Forge Summer Camp 2026
Hands-On Engineering, Real Tools, Real Builds
Forge Summer Camp is a hands-on engineering and STEM makerspace camp where students don’t just learn about how things work — they build real projects from the ground up and take them home. Each week is a standalone experience, so families can choose the projects that excite their child most.
From RC cars and lightsabers to robots, arcade cabinets, woodworking, and planes, Forge Summer Camp is designed for kids who love to build, create, and figure things out by doing.
Forge is located in Santa Monica, CA and runs 11 weeks from June 15th - August 28th.
Early Bird pricing is currenly available for a limited time. Prices increase as spots fill.
What Makes Forge Summer Camp Different?
Most STEM camps focus on screens, worksheets. At Forge, students work with real tools, real materials, and real engineering problems.
Hands-on, project-based learning every day
Real tools: woodworking tools, soldering irons, electronics, motors
Projects take the entire week to complete
Every camper takes their project home
Small group instruction with experienced makers and engineers
This is the kind of camp kids talk about all year — and ask to come back to.
Eligibility:
Campers must be entering 2nd grade or higher in the fall.
(Students entering 1st grade are not eligible.)
Who Should Attend Forge Summer Camp?
Forge Summer Camp is for all kids, not just those who already think of themselves as “engineering” or “STEM” kids.
Some campers arrive already loving to build, tinker, and take things apart. Others arrive curious, creative, or just excited to try something new — even if they’ve never been interested in hands-on projects before. Those are often the kids who fall in love with Forge the fastest.
Forge is a great fit for students who:
Love building, tinkering, and creating
Enjoy learning by doing
Are curious about how things work (or want to find out)
Want to build something real and meaningful, not just follow instructions
No prior experience is required — just curiosity and willingness to try.
Week 1: RC Car – Build & Race (6/15–6/19)
Build and race a real hobby-grade RC car — from assembly to customization and park racing.
Week 2: Lightsaber Engineering (6/22–6/26)
Build and program a full-size, customizable lightsaber using real electronics and code.
Week 3: Control Line Airplane Engineering (6/29–7/3)
Build and fly a real airplane using classic mechanical flight controls.
Week 4: Arcade Engineering (7/6–7/10)
Design, wire, and program your own playable arcade cabinet.
Week 5: Racing Drone Engineering (7/13–7/17)
Build and fly a racing drone — from soldering to simulator training and park flights.
Week 6: Mechanical Clock Engineering (7/20–7/24)
Assemble a beautiful, working mechanical clock you can mount at home.
Week 7: Super Soaker Engineering (7/27–7/31)
Engineer and test a custom water blaster built from real components.
Week 8: RC Car – Build & Race (Repeat Week) (8/3–8/7)
Additional RC Car session for campers who missed Week 1.
Week 9: Woodworking – Choose Your Own Adventure (8/10–8/14)
Learn woodworking skills and build a custom project from start to finish.
Week 10: Robotics Masterclass//Robotic Arm (8/17–8/21)
Explore advanced robotics using sensors, actuators, and real code.
Week 11: Best of Summer Camp (8/24–8/28)
Build multiple fan-favorite projects in one bonus end-of-summer week.
A Day at Forge
8:30–9:00 AM: Drop-off
Morning Work Block: Focused building time
10:30 AM: Snack break
12:00 PM: Park time, lunch, and outdoor play
1:20 PM: Afternoon work block
2:50 PM: Cleanup
3:00–3:15 PM: Pick-up
3:00–4:15 PM: Open Makerspace & Aftercare
Lunch & Aftercare
Campers may bring a packed lunch or order hot lunch
Hot lunch for the full week can be ordered at checkout. Specific menu item will be chosen at drop off each day.
Individual day hot lunches can be ordered at drop-off each morning
Aftercare is available until 4:15 PM
Students picked up after 3:15 PM are automatically enrolled in aftercare
Our lunch menu!
Students spend most of the day actively building, not sitting or watching.
Reduced-Rate (Variable) Tuition
We believe hands-on engineering education should be accessible to families across our community. To support this, Forge offers a limited number of reduced-rate (variable) tuition spots for our summer camps.
Variable tuition is based on household income and family size, with adjustments offered on a sliding scale. Eligibility is designed to reflect the cost of living in Santa Monica, not county-wide averages.
Who Is Eligible
Applications are considered for households earning up to approximately 120% of the local median household income, adjusted by household size.
Household size includes the applying parent or guardian, the enrolled child(ren), and any other dependents supported by the household.
How It Works
Reduced tuition amounts vary depending on income level and availability.
Assistance is offered as a partial tuition adjustment, not a full scholarship.
Reduced-rate spots are limited and may not be available for all camp sessions.
Eligibility is reviewed annually and requires income documentation.
How to Apply
If you would like to be considered for reduced-rate tuition:
Please fill out our reduced rate application here.
We will reach out requesting any necesary documentation.
Our team will follow up with steps on how to sign up if eligible.
All applications are reviewed confidentially.
Forge is committed to building a diverse, inclusive community of young makers. Variable tuition helps us balance accessibility with the high-quality tools, materials, and instruction that define our programs.