YEP! Camp

Inspire Future Difference Makers.

YEP! Camp 2025 – Youth Engagement Planning Summer Program

(July 7-11) and (July 21-25)

YEP! Camp is an immersive, hands-on summer experience that introduces young people to the exciting world of urban planning, architecture, engineering, art, technology, science, math, design, landscape architecture, and civic leadership. Designed for students in grades 3–8, this week-long camp empowers youth to explore how cities work—and how they can shape the future of their own communities.

Through interactive activities, field trips, guest speakers, and real-world planning challenges, campers learn about topics like transportation, housing, parks, sustainability, community engagement, and equity. They work in teams to design their own neighborhoods, solve community problems, and present their ideas to real-life planners and city leaders.

YEP! Camp builds confidence, leadership skills, and civic awareness—showing youth that their voices matter in shaping the places they live!

Explore architecture and design while building creativity and confidence (for students entering grades 3-8).

About YEP! Camp

YEP! Camp is a one-week program that introduces elementary school-age children grades 3-8 to the world of design. Students will participate in daily activities, including a series of engaging hands-on projects, presentations, and tours. YEP! Camp is led by fun and energetic directors, who have previous experience working with youth. Directors are assisted by a team of talented counselors, who are currently enrolled in a partnering higher educational program.

Dates

Session 1: July 7-11, 2025
Session 2: July 21-25, 2025

Location

University of Minnesota, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Josie Johnson Community Room (Room 180)

Camp Fees

$280; Scholarships are available for eligible students as funds allow.

YEP! Camp YEP! Camp
YEP! Camp
$280.00

One week camp program.

Registration

Please complete the registration form below for each child.

FAQs

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.Campers must bring their own lunch and water bottle daily. NOTE: Refrigeration will not be provided.

  • Both programs take place at the University of Minnesota, where the school’s studio spaces and other resources can be utilized. After registration, an address will be provided.

  • Camp runs 9am-3pm daily. Daily flexible drop off from 8am-9am and flexible pick-up from 3pm-4pm is provided for YEP! Camp participants. A late fee of $1 per minute, per child will be collected if your child is picked up after 4pm. Please note that on the last day of each program (Friday), there is no flexible pick up and camp ends following the parent exhibition.

  • Campers will be placed into groups with 5-8 other children and will be directly overseen by a Camp Counselor. The Camp Counselors are college students studying architecture, design, landscape architecture, or city and regional planning. All Camp Counselors go through training and are required to obtain both BCI and FBI background checks. The Camp Counselors are overseen by a Camp Director who is in charge of the day to day running of the camp.

  • The cost of the one-week Camp Architecture is $380 / camper.

"Before YEP! Camp, I didn’t know that regular people—especially kids—could help plan cities. I thought adults just made all the decisions. But now I know how to design parks, think about where homes and schools go, and how to make places more fair for everyone. My favorite part was presenting our ideas to real planners. They actually listened to us! I feel like I can make a difference in my community now."
— Jalen, 4th Grade YEP! Camper