Camps Community

Community Mission

Working with the network of SAME Posts, volunteers, and sponsors, the Camps Community of Interest (COI) supports the development, maintenance, and growth of a variety of camps to provide in-person experiences to students interested in exploring Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills and careers.

SAME camps help participants learn engineering and construction skills and principles through various projects involving complex problem-solving; experience the range of engineering fields they can explore based on their STEM interests; understand career options across the engineering sector; and interact with STEM volunteers and mentors. The net outcome is more STEM professionals available to meet the infrastructure and readiness needs of our nation.

The Camps is application closed on Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Overview

Each year SAME supports numerous camps across the country and overseas, including five week-long in-residence Engineering & Construction Camps for high school students, to provide students with first-hand experience in STEM. Posts across the world support additional one-day to multi-day camps, extending the reach of the Society to more students.

This COI is open to any SAME member, strategic partner, member company, or donor interested in ensuring SAME continues to provide such in-person experiences.

COI Goals

• Provide a world-class STEM engagement program

• Recruit campers, staff and mentors at both the national and local level

• Expand the number of camp opportunities to engage more young people

• Ensure high school students continue on a STEM path after graduating

• Foster an alumni network engaged in the work of the Society

Strategic Alignment

Goal 2: Build and Sustain Resilient Communities–Lead efforts to prepare communities to absorb, recover, and adapt from natural and man-made threats, fortify our nation’s resolve directly where people work and live.

SAME Camps’ ability to contribute to technical and leadership skill-building in a competitive environment pushes campers resolve to solve problems. They become an important factor in their community’s ability to be resilient.

Goal 3: Develop Leaders for the Profession–Lead efforts to enhance leadership development and cultivate the talent necessary to address the nation’s grand challenges; ensure the enduring stewardship of the A/E/C profession.

At every turn, campers are presented with problems they must investigate, plot solutions, and test their plans. Success is not guaranteed, but that is part of the learning process. Campers understand that their ability to work in teams amplifies the impact they can make. They learn when to lead and when to follow, skills that contribute to the enduring stewardship of the A/E/C profession.

Goal 4: Enrich the STEM Pipeline for the Nation–Lead efforts to inspire, encourage, and enable youth to pursue STEM careers; help them develop the technical capacity that our nation needs to remain globally competitive.

Camps provide in-person experiences to students interested in exploring STEM-related skills and careers. Campers get to interact with scientists and engineers and hear about the path they followed in pursuing their careers. Campers gain a sense of what it takes to become a STEM professional and what options exist to explore that interest from high school to college and beyond. The net outcome is more STEM professionals available to meet the technical needs of our nation and remain globally competitive.

SAME National Webinars

• 
  May 21, 2025

  Location

  Webinar

  Mission to Build: Opportunities and Challenges of Veterans in Construction

  In February 2024, the $1.2 trillion U.S. construction industry (non-residential) had 456,000 unfilled positions, the highest number in the last 20 years. With foundational and unique skills honed through military service, Veterans could excel in the wide variety of available roles.
• 
  June 11, 2025

  Location

  Webinar

  Behind the Bid: How Contractors Make Go/No-Go Decisions and What Makes a Project Worth Pursuing

  Have you ever wondered why a seemingly well-planned federal construction project draws limited bids—or none at all? From the contractor’s perspective, the decision to pursue a project involves a complex analysis of cost, risk, competition, and opportunity.