We are pleased to offer our annual Beginning and Advanced Astronomy Camps for teenagers. This coming year (2026) marks the 39th anniversary of the Beginning Teen Camp! All Camps emphasize hands-on projects that are challenging and fun. Time is allotted for recreational activities, but first and foremost these Camps are designed as academic adventures.
Astronomy Camp engages students through doing. It is an immersive experience that reinforces school subjects and cultivates an understanding STEM career possibilities. Through hands-on activities and talks on topics from the Solar System to Cosmology, Campers develop skills in quantitative reasoning, problem solving, data collection, and experimentation. We also use research observatories, and equipment, which have given Tucson the title “Astronomy Capital of the World.” And Camp never really ends! We inspire and prepare the next generation of leaders through continued access to professional mentors and Camp’s alumni.
Steward Observatory astronomer Don McCarthy is our Camp Director. Astronomy students (graduate and undergraduate), technical professionals, and educators form the Camp Team. Campers are treated as colleagues, encouraged to ask questions, and assisted in discovering answers. The Director and Camp Team are with the students full time throughout the week. Guest lecturers include astronomers, engineers, and space artists from other universities, NASA facilities, and research groups from around the United States.
Students reside in the astronomers’ dormitories at Mt. Lemmon Observatory along with the adult counselors and the Director. Because responsibility and teamwork are vital to the Camp experience, students and Camp’s leaders also work in teams to serve meals, clean facilities, and compete against other teams in some of the Camp’s science projects. For nighttime observing, these teams plan, propose, conduct observations, and present results at the end of Camp. This approach has been adopted at the University of Michigan in an upper-level undergraduate class (Astro 461) developed by Professor Sally Oey, a former staff member at Astronomy Camp.
During the Teen Camps, we publish an illustrated, daily “Blog” for parents and relatives to follow our progress. We encourage Campers to write contributions from their perspectives. Here are examples from the 2024 Beginning Teen Camp and the 2024 Advanced Teen Camp.
Watch the following videos (4-6 min each) to understand our home on Mt. Lemmon as well as daily life, and typical activities, at the Beginning and Advanced Teen Camps. [Can you find our liquid nitrogen cannon?]
VIDEO: “Our Home on Mt. Lemmon”
QUESTIONS? – Please contact the Camp Director using the “Contact Us!” tab.
For students 12.5 through 15 years old with a strong interest in science, astronomy, & engineering.
During our six nights, Campers undertake observing projects using different equipment: the 24″ and 32″ telescopes, binoculars, and smaller telescopes (4, 8, 11, 12″) observing and analyzing astronomical objects.
Projects include astronomical imaging, spectroscopy, electronic photometry, and astrophotography, experiments in basic physics, computer simulations and developing skills in navigation by the Sun, Moon, and constellations.
On one night the Campers will use the historic 61″ Kuiper telescope.
During daytime hours, students undertake a variety of activities in science and engineering, such as: measuring solar activity, interacting with professional research astronomers, hiking a scale model of our Solar System, placing volleyball, and even eating ice cream prepared with liquid nitrogen.
Sometimes, we are able to visit the University’s Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab.
Here is a sample schedule (2024).
Check out this article by Dr. Susan Benecchi “A Day in the Life of an Astronomy Camper.”
Also, select the video below for brief, illustrated presentations about daily life, and typical activities, at the Beginning Teen Camp.
VIDEO: “A Typical Day” at Beginning Camp
VIDEO: “Beginning Activities”
APPLY: Beginning Camp (June 4-10)
For students 14-19 years old who have completed either Algebra II or Geometry.
Advanced Camp spans seven nights, one longer than the Beginning Camp, to maximize telescope time for research.
Campers devise and complete research projects to present to the entire group on the final night. Techniques include digital imaging, spectroscopy, photometry, and astrophotography for studies involving spectral analysis, digital imaging, and light curves (exoplanets, variable stars, asteroids, etc.).
We utilize the 24″ and 32″ telescopes on Mt. Lemmon, and the 61″ Kuiper telescope for optical imaging and spectroscopy.
Normally, we plan an overnight trip to Mt. Graham Observatory to operate the 10m Submillimeter Telescope (SMT) and visit the 22.8m Large Binocular Telescope. En route we visit the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab.
We also conduct daytime experiments in solar observing.
Here is a sample schedule (2024).
Check out an article by a former Camper in Astrobites for a more in-depth look at what goes on during the Advanced Camp.
Also, select the video buttons below for brief, illustrated presentations about daily life, and typical activities, at the Advanced Teen Camp.
VIDEO: “A Typical Day” at Advanced Camp
VIDEO: “Advanced Activities”
APPLY: Advanced Camp (June 13-21)