Give your child a hands-on, eco-friendly summer adventure! From plastics and textiles to ecology and robotics, campers ages 5–12 will explore the circular economy, recycling, upcycling, and sustainable design through fun, interactive projects.

Camps run Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4 PM, with drop off from 8-9 AM and pick-up from 4-5 PM.

Each week ends with a showcase, where campers present their creations and inspire their community.

Camp Registration for 2026 is Closed

Cost: $250 per week per camper ($50 non-refundable deposit due at registration. Remaining $200 due 21 days before start of camp date.)

Cancellation Policy: Deposits are non-refundable. Full payment is due 21 days before the camp start date. Refunds (excluding the deposit) are available until that date; no refunds will be issued after that date.

Meals: Lunches and snacks are not included. Please send your camper with a lunch and 2 snacks each day.

Email erica@envisioncharlotte.org for questions.

Why Choose Circular Summer Camps?

Our camps combine STEM, ecology, textiles, robotics, and engineer design thinking to empower campers with the skills and knowledge to make a tangible impact on their environment. Campers gain hands-on experience, problem-solving skills, creativity, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of waste reduction, recycling, and the circular economy

Camps for Ages 5 – 8 Year Olds:

Registration Closed - Waste to Wonderful: Plastics Edition – 5–8 Year Olds | June 15–19, 2026

Campers become plastic explorers, learning to identify, sort, and rethink plastics through hands-on activities including making bracelets, programming robots, and designing innovative plastic creations. The week concludes with the Plastic Solutions Showcase, where campers showcase their designs and projects to family and friends, sharing creative solutions for reducing and recirculating plastic waste.

Highlights:

Plastic scavenger hunts, journals, and lab tours

Robotic programming to sort plastics efficiently

Upcycling and creating new products from recycled plastics (keychains, bracelets, toys)

Learning about recycling, circular economy principles, and how plastics impact the environment

Presenting projects at a Plastic Solutions Showcase

Learner Takeaways: Hands-on learning, team building, robotics and design skills, understanding of plastics, recycling, and circular economy solutions.

Registration Closed - to Wonderful: Ecology Edition – 5–8 Year Olds | July 13–17, 2026

Young ecologists explore gardens, soil, bugs, composting, and aquaponics systems. Campers investigate how food, insects, and energy are interconnected and learn ways to reuse organic waste to support the circular economy. The week concludes with the Eco Innovation Showcase, where campers share their ecological projects with families.

Highlights:

Creating living worm compost bins and potted plants

Insect, plant, and pollinator exploration

Mini aquaponics systems connecting fish and plants

Learning composting, soil health, and sustainable gardening

Presenting projects at the Eco Innovation Showcase

Learner Takeaways: Hands-on ecological learning, composting, aquaponics, soil and plant science, teamwork, and sustainability education.

Registration closed - Waste to Wonderful: Textile and Supply Edition – 5–8 Year Olds | August 3–7, 2026

Campers explore textile and supply waste, turning old T-shirts, paper, cardboard, and broken items into new creations. Through design challenges, upcycling projects, and hands-on problem solving, campers develop practical solutions for everyday waste. The week concludes with the Creative Solutions Showcase, where campers present their innovative projects.

Highlights:

Textile design, upcycling, and repair of old items

Creating cardboard and paper projects

Sound panel projects exploring physics of noise

Tracking and analyzing personal waste through journals

Presenting creative solutions at the Creative Solutions Showcase

Learner Takeaways: Hands-on design and engineering skills, creativity, teamwork, understanding textiles and material reuse, problem-solving for sustainability.

Camps for Ages 9 - 12 Year Olds:

Registration closed - Waste to Wonderful: Plastics Edition – 9–12 Year Olds | June 22–26, 2026

Older campers dive deeper into plastics innovation, exploring advanced robotics, 3D printing, and design thinking. They learn to identify, sort, recycle, and creatively repurpose plastics, culminating in a Plastic Innovation Showcase to share their discoveries and solutions.

Highlights:

Advanced robotics with Dash or Botley for plastic sorting

Coding, algorithm development, and hands-on 3D printing

Designing eco-friendly creations and Eco Bricks from recycled plastics

Learning linear vs. circular economy principles and recycling processes

Presenting projects to family and community members

Learner Takeaways: Hands-on STEM skills, robotics and 3D design, problem-solving for sustainability, public speaking, and circular economy education.

Registration Closed - to Wonderful: Ecology Edition – 9–12 Year Olds | July 20–24, 2026

Older campers explore ecosystem health, soil science, composting, aquaponics, and pollinator habitats. They design and build sustainable systems, learning how to recirculate organic waste and protect ecosystems. The week concludes with the Ecology Showcase, highlighting innovative solutions for environmental stewardship.

Highlights:

Soil health and composting projects

Food web and ecosystem exploration

Building bee houses, aquaponics systems, and sustainable habitats

Learning how organic waste supports the circular economy

Presenting discoveries to family and community members

Learner Takeaways: Advanced ecological knowledge, hands-on STEM and sustainability projects, team collaboration, public presentation skills, and circular economy education.

Registration Closed - Waste to Wonderful: Textile and Supply Edition – 9–12 Year Olds | August 10–14, 2026

Older campers take on advanced design challenges, exploring glass crushing, textile upcycling, cardboard repurposing, and creative inventions. They learn how to repurpose materials, save energy, and reduce community waste, finishing the week with the Textile Creative Solutions Design Showcase to show their innovative projects.

Highlights:

Glass crushing and designing colorful recycled art

Upcycling T-shirts and repairing broken objects

Cardboard/paper reuse challenges and design solutions

Exploring sustainable material solutions and energy-saving practices

Sharing projects with families and community members

Learner Takeaways: Advanced design and STEM skills, creativity, circular economy knowledge, teamwork, and public presentation experience.