Kids U Summer Camps

To register for a camp, click the ‘Register Now’ button or directly on the camp title.

Camps for Students Grades 3 – 5 (Rising)

NEW! Make Your First 3D Video Game! (June 2-6) COURSE IS FULL

Go well beyond the limitations of the traditional 2D game design and create an immersive 3D world. Learn the physics behind 3D games, explore beginner event scripting, level design, controlling the flow of gameplay, and storytelling.

NEW! Minecraft Redstone Engineers (June 9-13) COURSE IS FULL

Expand your Redstone knowledge by constructing your own carnival with a variety of mini-games, roller coasters, and attractions powered by Redstone. Activate your skills and take your Minecraft structures to the next level.

NEW! Junior Robotics Camp: First Lego League Explorer (June 9-13) COURSE IS FULL

Learn how to build and program the engaging LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime Kit. Campers will tackle the FIRST® LEGO League Explore Challenge, sparking their curiosity and teamwork skills.

App Attack: Cloud Game Creators (June 23-27) COURSE IS FULL

Build game apps you can play everywhere and anywhere using a web-based development tool. Learn in-demand skills like programming events and coding controls. Finish by personalizing levels and characters with your own design.

A.I. Adventures: Intro to Machine Learning (July 7-11)COURSE IS FULL

Explore the world of artificial intelligence to design fully interactive games and experiences using cutting-edge technology. This program combines artificial intelligence with coding to create an unforgettable learning adventure.

ROBLOX Makers (July 14-18) COURSE IS FULL

Unlock the power of ROBLOX® Studio, the world creation tool used by real-world ROBLOX® developers! Learn how to build 3D models and create an adventure in your ROBLOX® world. Bring characters to life with unique animations you design.

Camps for Students Grades 4 – 6 (Rising)

The Wild World of Bugs (June 23-27) COURSE IS FULL

Join us as we trap, identify, and explore the wide array of insects and other invertebrates in different habitats in Knoxville. Learn all about the secret world of insects, from their morphology to the role they play in ecosystems.

Camps for Students Grades 4 – 8 (Rising)

NEW! Lego STEM 101 (June 9-13) COURSE IS FULL

Unleash your creativity and explore STEM fundamentals using LEGOS. Learn about simple machines (gears, levers, and pulleys), architecture, robotics, and design. Ideal for budding engineers, this camp inspires problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation.

Sumo Robotics Wrestling (June 23-27) COURSE IS FULL

Design, build, and program your own LEGO® SPIKE™ Prime robot to compete in exciting sumo-style battles. You’ll explore essential programming techniques, learn how to integrate sensors for smarter robot behavior, and unleash your creativity to design a robot that dominates the competition.

Camps for Students Grades 4 – 9 (Rising)

Lego Architecture: Exploring the Great Designs (July 7-11) COURSE IS FULL

Unleash your inner architect in our LEGO® Architecture Camp, where creativity meets engineering! Recreate famous landmarks, design your own structures, and learn architectural principles such as scale, balance, and structural integrity.

NEW! Lego Spike Prime Battle Bots Competition (July 14-18) COURSE IS FULL

Design, build, and program your own competitive robot. From strategic planning to tackling challenging obstacles, you will develop engineering and coding skills. The action-packed journey includes navigating the treacherous “Pit of No Return” as part of the challenge board, testing each bot’s strength, agility, and strategy.

Camps for Students Grades 5 – 8 (Rising)

Hands-on STEM (June 9-13) COURSE IS FULL

Participate in activities that support your interest in and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Each day, you’ll be presented with different tasks that pose real-world problem-solving situations. As you work through these tasks, you’ll gain a better understanding of STEM content and processes.

Fun with Forensics: Adventures in Chemistry (July 14-18) COURSE IS FULL

Become an investigator by exploring scientific and chemical principles and techniques used to detect criminal acts. Examine synthetic blood, trace evidence, organize and record data, think critically, conduct simple tests, and combine your data to solve a crime.

Camps for Students Grades 6 – 8 (Rising)

Krav Maga Self Defense (June 2-6) COURSE IS FULL

Learn a practical and realistic self-defense system that teaches you how to prevent, deal with, and overcome all kinds of situations. You’ll prepare in the subjects of self-defense, self-protection, and environmental awareness.

Veterinary Medicine: Behind the Scenes (June 2-6) COURSE IS FULL

Learn about a wide range of topics related to veterinary medicine, including routine animal healthcare and how to properly perform non-invasive procedures. You’ll also explore pathways to a career in veterinary medicine.

NEW! Flora Quest: Exploring Plant Diversity (July 14-18)

Embark on an exciting journey of discovery as we explore the amazing diversity of plants all around us. Create your own mini plant collection with the opportunity to contribute your best specimens to the UT Herbarium. Deepen your understanding of the diverse world of plants and grow your appreciation for the natural world.

Camps for Students Grades 6 – 9 (Rising)

Innocent or Guilty: How Do You Plead? (July 14-18) COURSE IS FULL

This is a weeklong mock trial class for middle school-age students. Basic courtroom procedures will be reviewed and practiced through fictional cases. You will demonstrate our new skills in a mock trial setting on Friday.

Camps for Students Grades 6 – 10 (Rising)

NEW! Make Your First 3D Video Game! (June 2-6) COURSE IS FULL

Go well beyond the limitations of the traditional 2D game design and create an immersive 3D world. Learn the physics behind 3D games, explore beginner event scripting, level design, controlling the flow of gameplay, and storytelling.

NEW! 3D Game Design with Unity (June 9-13) COURSE IS FULL

Are you ready to take your game design skills to another level? With Unity, an industry-grade design software, aspiring game designers will learn level editing, 3D modeling, impactful gameplay creation, as well as how to utilize scripts and variables.

App Attack: Cloud Game Creators (June 23-27) COURSE IS FULL

Build game apps you can play everywhere and anywhere using a web-based development tool. Learn in-demand skills like programming events and coding controls for a touch screen or keyboard and mouse. Finish by personalizing levels and characters with your own design.

A.I. Adventures: Intro to Machine Learning (July 7-11) COURSE IS FULL

Explore the world of artificial intelligence to design fully interactive games and experiences using cutting-edge technology. This program combines artificial intelligence with coding to create an unforgettable learning adventure.

ROBLOX Makers (July 14-18)

Unlock the power of ROBLOX® Studio, the world creation tool used by real-world ROBLOX® developers! Learn how to build 3D models and create an adventure in your ROBLOX® world. Bring characters to life with unique animations you design.

Camps for Students Grades 8 – 12 (Rising)

Advanced Drawing (June 9-13) COURSE IS FULL

If you love to draw and want to develop your skills, join us and discover fun new ways to create the art you desire! We’ll explore a wide variety of drawing materials, concepts, and techniques, and you’ll learn to draw both realistically and creatively from observation.

Painting with Water Media (June 23-27) COURSE IS FULL

Learn how to use a variety of traditional and experimental water-based painting techniques in this exciting camp! You’ll develop your skill set and create amazing works of art based around unique concepts or ideas.

Vertebrate Zoology (July 14-18)

Join us for a fascinating look at the world of zoology: the scientific study of animals. Explore the biology and diversity of vertebrates as well as the incredible variation in feeding, locomotion, appearance, and habitats of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Includes a field trip to Zoo Knoxville!

Camps for Students Grades 9 – 12 (Rising)

ACT Prep Course & Testing (June 2-6) COURSE IS FULL

This highly interactive course involves both a pre-test and post-test using actual retired ACT exams. The course review is customized for the class and uses classroom lessons, practice test questions, skill reviews, and exercises in areas of English, reading, math, and science.

Krav Maga Self Defense (June 2-6) COURSE IS FULL

Learn a practical and realistic self-defense system that teaches you how to prevent, deal with, and overcome all kinds of situations. You’ll prepare in the subjects of self-defense, self-protection, and environmental awareness.

Bones, Crimes, Careers: Forensic Anthropology (June 23-27) COURSE IS FULL

This is a hands-on camp designed to introduce you to Forensic Anthropology. The week consists of mini-lectures with an emphasis on applying the demonstrated techniques in a mock case. This gives the students a chance to step into the shoes of a forensic anthropologist and gain an interest and love for the career.

So You Want to be a Chef! (July 7-11) COURSE IS FULL

Delve into the world of the culinary arts and learn how to become a real chef! In this camp, you’ll have the rare opportunity to work in a commercial kitchen and be trained by an American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef. Each day you’ll prepare and consume a delicious gourmet meal and learn a new set of skills to take home with you.

NEW! Cityscape Snapshots: Intro to Photography & Editing (July 7-11) COURSE IS FULL

Unlock the world of photography with our dynamic camp designed for both smartphone and DSLR enthusiasts. Dive into the art of capturing stunning images and master the essentials of editing to bring your vision to life. Discover exciting career paths and internship opportunities that await in the vibrant field of photography.

NEW! Express Yourself: Creative Writing for Teens (July 7-11) COURSE IS FULL

Stretch your imagination and discover new creative writing techniques in this camp, part of the Summer Writing Academies offered by UT’s Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center. Learn about storytelling and the craft of writing while creating your own short fiction, poetry, and personal memoir.

ACT Prep Course (July 14-18) COURSE IS FULL

This highly interactive course involves both a pre-test and post-test using actual retired ACT exams. The course review is customized for the class and uses classroom lessons, practice test questions, skill reviews, and exercises in areas of English, reading, math, and science.

Applications That Slay: Writing Your Story for College Admissions Committees (July 14-18)

In this engaging and interactive camp offered as part of the Summer Writing Academies by UT’s Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center, experienced tutors will guide participants through brainstorming ideas, crafting a compelling story, and revising it to perfection. By the end of the camp, you will have a complete essay that showcases your unique voice and sets you apart from other college and scholarship applicants.