ID Tech Camps is a summer program that teaches coding, game design, and digital skills to middle and high school students

ID Tech (originally called iD Tech) runs week-long and multi-week summer camps at universities across the United States where students learn programming languages, build games, create apps, and work with artificial intelligence. The camps serve students roughly ages 7 to 18, though specific age ranges vary by course. Instruction happens in small groups, usually with one instructor and 6 to 8 students per class. Students work on actual projects — building a game in Python, coding a website, or training an AI model — rather than watching lectures.

ID Tech operates at over 150 university campuses during summer, including locations at Stanford, MIT, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, and many state universities. Sessions typically run Monday through Friday, with options for day camp (roughly 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or residential camp (overnight, Monday through Friday). The company also offers shorter camps during spring break and winter break, though summer is the main season.

Key Takeaways

  • ID Tech camps teach coding, game design, robotics, and AI through hands-on projects over one week or multiple weeks at university locations nationwide.
  • Day camps run roughly 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while residential camps include overnight stays; both formats run Monday through Friday.
  • Class sizes are typically 6 to 8 students per instructor, and students work on real projects rather than theory-only lessons.
  • Tuition varies by location, course type, and session length; day camps generally cost less than residential camps, and multi-week sessions cost more per week than single-week sessions.
  • ID Tech does not offer financial aid or scholarships through the company itself, though some families use 529 education savings plans or look for local STEM scholarships to help cover costs.

Course topics and what students actually build

ID Tech organizes courses by skill level and interest rather than by age alone. A student might choose "Python Game Development," "Web Design," "Mobile App Development," "Artificial Intelligence," "Robotics," or "Unreal Engine Game Design" depending on what they want to learn and whether they have prior coding experience.

In a typical week-long course, a student works on one main project from Monday through Friday. For example, in a Python Game Development course, students might build a space shooter or puzzle game using the Pygame library, writing the actual code themselves with instructor guidance. In a Web Design course, they might build a multi-page website with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In an AI course, they might train a machine learning model to recognize images or predict outcomes. By Friday, students usually present their finished project to parents or other campers.

Courses are labeled by level: "Beginner" assumes no prior coding experience, "Intermediate" assumes some experience or completion of a beginner course, and "Advanced" is for students with solid coding skills. A student new to coding can start with a beginner course in any topic; a student who has coded before might jump to intermediate or advanced.

Day camp versus residential camp format

Day camps run Monday through Friday, typically from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a lunch break. Students go home each evening. This format works well for families who live near a campus location or are willing to drive daily. Parents handle transportation and evening meals.

Residential camps run Monday through Friday with overnight stays on campus. Students sleep in dorms, eat meals provided by the university, and have structured evening activities. Residential camps are designed for students traveling from out of state or families who prefer the immersive experience. The residential format costs more than day camp because it includes housing and meals.

Both formats include the same instruction and projects during the day. The difference is logistics and cost, not educational quality.

Tuition, payment, and what is included

ID Tech tuition varies significantly by location, course type, and session length. A single-week day camp typically ranges from $600 to $1,200, while a single-week residential camp typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,500. Multi-week sessions (two weeks, three weeks, or longer) cost more in total but often have a lower per-week rate. Specialized courses (such as advanced AI or Unreal Engine) may cost more than introductory courses at the same location.

Tuition covers instruction, materials, and use of software and equipment during camp hours. For residential camps, tuition includes housing, meals, and evening activities. Tuition does not cover transportation to campus, personal expenses, or optional add-ons like t-shirts or photos.

ID Tech accepts payment by credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. The company does not offer payment plans directly, though some families use credit cards with installment options or 529 education savings plans to pay. Cancellation policies vary by how far in advance you cancel; the company website lists the specific refund schedule when you register.

How to find a location and register for a session

ID Tech's website lists all camp locations, dates, and available courses. You can filter by state, campus, session dates, and course topic. Once you find a course that fits your student's interests and your schedule, you register online and pay the tuition. Registration typically opens in January or February for summer camps, and spots fill up over the spring, with some courses selling out by May or June.

When you register, you provide your student's name, age, contact information, and any prior coding experience. If your student has never coded before, you select a beginner course. If they have experience, you can choose intermediate or advanced. The company does not require transcripts, test scores, or a formal process — registration is first-come, first-served based on available spots.

For residential camps, you also provide emergency contact information, any medical conditions or allergies, and dietary restrictions. The university housing office assigns dorms and roommates.

Instruction style and what to expect during the week

ID Tech instructors are typically college students or recent graduates who have coding experience and have completed ID Tech's instructor training. They teach in a hands-on, project-based style: the instructor demonstrates a concept or technique, then students write code themselves while the instructor circulates to answer questions and help debug. Class sizes of 6 to 8 students mean each student gets individual attention rather than being one of 30 in a lecture hall.

A typical day runs like this: students arrive, review what they built the day before, learn a new coding concept or technique, spend most of the day writing code on their own project, and end with a brief group discussion or demo. Lunch is usually a break in the middle of the day. For residential camps, evenings include optional activities like game tournaments, movie nights, or social events, but students are not required to attend.

Students work on computers provided by ID Tech (usually laptops with the necessary software pre-installed). They can also bring their own laptop if they prefer, though this is not required.

Who ID Tech camps are and are not a good fit for

ID Tech works well for students who are curious about coding or game design and want to try it in a structured, peer-based environment. It is also a good fit for students who have already coded a little and want to go deeper, or who want to explore a specific area like AI or robotics. The small class sizes and hands-on projects appeal to students who learn by doing rather than by lecture.

ID Tech is less of a fit for students who need one-on-one tutoring, have significant learning differences that require specialized support, or are looking for a general summer camp with coding as one of many activities. ID Tech is coding-focused, not a traditional camp with sports, arts, and other activities mixed in. Students spend most of their day coding, so a student who dislikes sitting at a computer for extended periods may not enjoy it.

ID Tech also requires students to be reasonably independent and able to follow instructions. Younger students (ages 7 to 10) may need more hand-holding than the instructor-to-student ratio allows, though ID Tech does offer beginner courses for that age group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to code before attending?

No. ID Tech offers beginner courses that assume no prior experience. You choose the course level when you register based on whether your student has coded before. Beginner courses teach the fundamentals from scratch.

Can my student attend if they have never used a computer much?

Yes, but they should be comfortable using a keyboard and mouse and be able to follow on-screen instructions. If your student has very limited computer experience, a beginner course is the right choice, and the instructor will help them get up to speed on basic computer skills alongside coding concepts.

What happens if my student gets stuck or falls behind during the week?

Instructors circulate constantly and help students debug code or understand concepts. If a student is struggling, the instructor adjusts the pace or breaks the project into smaller steps. The goal is for every student to finish a working project by Friday, even if some students' projects are simpler than others.

Are there scholarships or discounts for ID Tech camps?

ID Tech does not offer scholarships or financial aid directly. However, some families use 529 education savings plans to pay tuition, and some local organizations or schools offer STEM scholarships that can be used toward summer camps. You can also check whether your employer offers dependent care benefits that might cover camp costs.

Can my student attend a multi-week session and switch courses each week?

Yes. You can register for multiple weeks and choose a different course each week. For example, a student might do Python Game Development the first week and Web Design the second week. This allows them to explore different topics without committing to the same course for the full time.