The SAME Engineering & Construction Camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs., CO is the longest running camp – 10 years. This is a hands-on program with very real engineering activities and challenge.

The camp operates under the concept of “Build then Design”.  For example, in one of this camp’s most popular hands-on construction activities, students are given a basic lesson on concrete and safety issues, provided with .3 cubic yards of concrete, 3 pieces of #4 rebar and then told to construct the strongest 16 foot concrete beam. The campers, working as a Team, have approximately 3 hours to complete this activity and place their beam – this is the Build phase. At the end of camp, after the beams have cured, we break the beams, and a profession engineer leads a discussion on why certain designs worked better and how the beams failed - the Designs phase. This is typical of activities during the week long camp.

These tasks challenge students to use their imagination, as well as their problem solving and teamwork skills. The hands-on experience helps ensure that students see, experience and retain what they learn.

Throughout the week, students also build a sprinkler systems, wood shed, wastewater system, test materials and participate in team-building and problem-solving activities. Students tour the USAFA laboratories and cadet facilities and spend time with a local A&E firm.

The USAFA camp is geared toward students interested in joining a service academy and is built on a reduced scale program of what a USAFA cadet in an engineering curriculum goes through. The camp presents a great opportunity for students interested in attending a service academy to get a first-hand look at life on campus.

Related links:
• USAFA Camp Yearbook [PDF file]
• Resounding Echo (USAFA Camp Newsletter)
• USAFA Engineering & Construction Camp Site
• USAFA Engineering & Construction Camp Schedule [PDF file]