Event Category: Academic Camps

This camp puts students in the shoes of a Silicon Valley CEO. Utilizing Menlo College’s reputation for business innovation, students will work in teams to identify a real-world market gap, develop a unique product concept, and build a comprehensive branding strategy. It is an intensive, fun, and fast-paced introduction to the world of leadership, venture capital, and professional problem-solving.

Located in the heart of the world’s most innovative location, this camp invites students to dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence. Our gamified curriculum moves beyond theory, challenging students to solve real-world problems using AI tools and prompt engineering. This program is perfect for young tech enthusiasts looking to build their first AI-driven project in a supportive, high-energy environment.

Give your student a head start on financial literacy with our finance-focused camp. Utilizing our on-campus Bloomberg Terminals, students will explore the basics of the stock market, personal budgeting, and money management. The curriculum covers essential life skills, including planning for the financial aspects of higher education, all while using the same professional tools used on Wall Street.

Unlock the power of your voice at Menlo College’s specialized Public Speaking Center. Led by Menlo professors and emerging educators, this 5-day gamified experience transforms traditional speech-giving into an exciting “Speech Showdown” competition. Students will learn to command a room, structure persuasive arguments, and project confidence through interactive challenges and peer-led activities.

QUEST Creators: From Players to World-Builders
This summer, we’re handing over the controls. QUEST Creators is a unique experience that bridges the gap between digital design and physical creation. It blends the technical art of game design with the boundless inspiration of the outdoors.

Campers will alternate between The Studio—our hands-on creative workshop—and The Wild, where they’ll engage in outdoor activities designed to spark imagination and physical movement. It’s the perfect balance of focused innovation and active, open-air play.

QUEST Creators is an extension of our immersive QUEST program, designed to empower students to go beyond gameplay and become the architects of their own universes. In this innovative experience, students step into the role of developers, artists, and storytellers.

By blending imagination with technical execution, QUEST Creators helps students flex their creative muscles through:

• World-Building & Narrative: Students design original characters and game elements while mastering the art of storytelling.
• Collaborative Design: Working in “dev teams” to ensure their game mechanics are fun, fair, and functional.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Identifying “bugs” in their designs and iterating to find innovative solutions.
• Hands-On Innovation: A dynamic environment where students see their ideas move from a concept to a playable reality.

Starforce: An Intergalactic Summer Expedition
Prepare for liftoff! This summer, our youngest explorers are heading to the stars in Starforce, a unique experience that blends cosmic storytelling with active outdoor discovery.

Campers will split their time between The Star-Command Quest, our immersive space-travel curriculum, and The Launchpad, where they’ll head outdoors for physical play, space-themed games, and nature exploration. It is a world where imagination meets the great outdoors, keeping little astronauts active in both mind and body.

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Starforce is an exciting QUEST adventure designed specifically for TK-2 learners. Students don’t just hear a story; they live it, embarking on an intergalactic journey across the galaxy to help alien friends and save distant worlds.

Each “episode” of their journey is a masterclass in engagement, using a story-driven environment to teach foundational life skills:

• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Every planet visited introduces a new skill, from identifying feelings to practicing kindness.
• Teamwork & Emotional Regulation: Students learn to work together and stay “cool” during high-stakes space missions.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Young learners use critical thinking to navigate scenarios and help their crew succeed.
• Collaborative Victory: Missions are designed so that every little astronaut plays a vital role in the team’s success.

This summer, we are bridging the gap between the digital and the physical. Apex Academy is a first-of-its-kind summer experience that blends high-stakes, gamified storytelling with the energy of outdoor exploration.

Campers will spend their days alternating between The Quest, our immersive story-driven curriculum, and The Field, where they’ll engage in traditional outdoor camp activities, team sports, and nature-based challenges. It’s the perfect balance of mental strategy and physical play.

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Apex Academy is an immersive QUEST experience where a video game, board game, and escape room combine to create an unforgettable adventure.

Designed as a multi-season narrative, the Academy transports students into a rich story world where teamwork isn’t just encouraged, it’s essential for survival. As they navigate each “episode,” students develop critical human skills through:

Gamified Learning: High-stakes missions that require strategic thinking.

Essential Skill-Building: Real-world practice in collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving.

Collaborative Victory: Challenges designed so that no one person can succeed alone; the team is the hero.