Youth Programs
Gulf Coast State College offers a wide array of academic enrichment camps and activities for youth in Bay, Gulf and Franklin counties throughout the year. The majority of these activities are offered during the summer, with other activities being offered on selected days throughout the school year.
Camps and activities are designed for youth who are excited about the opportunity to learn, have fun and participate in challenging hands-on activities using the latest technology.
Registration for the 2025 Summer Youth Programs will Open march 10, 2025
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Under the Sea
Join us under the sea as we explore all things STEAM. Learn all about sharks, water quality, and other underwater life; design an ocean scene using robotics and technology; engineer your own underwater submersible; create wonderful works of art revolving around ocean life and MORE.
IMPORTANT: This camp will have a 7-9 year old class and a 10-12 year old class.
Dates: June 9 - June 12 (Monday-Thursday)
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Camp Tuition: $149 (registration closes June 4)
Lunch: All students must bring a lunch, with the understanding that the ability to keep the lunch cold is extremely limited and, depending on the location of the camp, may not be available at all.
Little Bits (4-6 year olds): Under the Sea
Join us under the sea as we explore all things STEAM. Learn all about the wonderful sea as you explore with hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and more!
Students must be potty trained and able to follow directions. This class will introduce students to the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & More) with age appropriate activities.
IMPORTANT: This camp is designed for 4 to 6 year old students. Only 1 session time per week permitted
Dates: June 9 - June 12 (Monday-Thursday)
Time (Select ONLY ONE session): Session A- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM; Session B- 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM; OR Session C 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Camp Tuition: $75 (registration closes June 4)
STEAM Olympics
Explore the fascinating world STEAM as we reach into the vault for our favorite STEAM activities. You'll experience hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, and arts that have stood the test of time and continue to wow and amaze today. STEAM Olympics will prove to be a monumental adventure.
IMPORTANT: This camp will have a 7-9 year old class and a 10-12 year old class.
Dates: June 16 - June 19 (Monday-Thursday)
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Camp Tuition: $149 (registration closes June 11)
Lunch: All students must bring a lunch, with the understanding that the ability to keep the lunch cold is extremely limited and, depending on the location of the camp, may not be available at all.
Little Bits (4-6 year olds): STEAM Olympics
Explore the fascinating world STEAM as we reach into the vault for our favorite STEAM activities. You'll experience hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, and arts that have stood the test of time and continue to wow and amaze today. STEAM Olympics will prove to be a monumental adventure.
Students must be potty trained and able to follow directions. This class will introduce students to the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & More) with age appropriate activities.
IMPORTANT: This camp is designed for 4 to 6 year old students.
Dates: June 16 - June 19 (Monday-Thursday)
Time (Select ONLY ONE session): Session A- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM; Session B- 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM; OR Session C 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Camp Tuition: $75 (registration closes June 11)
Medical Wonders
Discover the medical world through hands-on science, technology, engineering, and art. Students explore the remarkable human body, utilize technology to track inventions and explore virtual dissection, engineer life-saving medical tools, and create mini-masterpieces with uncommon canvases and tools.
IMPORTANT: This camp will have a 7-9 year old class and a 10-12 year old class.
Dates: June 23 - June 26 (Monday-Thursday)
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Camp Tuition: $149 (registration closes June 18)
Lunch: All students must bring a lunch, with the understanding that the ability to keep the lunch cold is extremely limited and, depending on the location of the camp, may not be available at all.
Little Bits (4-6 year olds): Medical Wonders
Discover the medical world through hands-on science, technology, engineering, and art. Students explore the remarkable human body, utilize technology to track inventions and explore virtual dissection, engineer life-saving medical tools, and create mini-masterpieces with uncommon canvases and tools.
Students must be potty trained and able to follow directions. This class will introduce students to the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & More) with age appropriate activities.
IMPORTANT: This camp is designed for 4 to 6 year old students.
Dates: June 23 - June 26 (Monday-Thursday)
Time (Select ONLY ONE session): Session A- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM; Session B- 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM; OR Session C 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Camp Tuition: $75 (registration closes June 18)
CULINARY CAMP (9-11 year olds)
This four-day summer camp experience will be a hands-on exploration and practice of basic kitchen safety, product identification, and the science of baking and cooking including techniques and a variety of applications. Instructors provide coaching through hands-on exercises in a manner gauged for the curious young baker.
Students must wear closed-toed shoes and t-shirts with sleeves (no tank tops, etc.)
Students must have reached age 9 by May 31, 2025.
All of the sessions are the same. Students may only attend 1 Camp Session.
| 6/9 - 6/12/2025 l 8:30AM - 12:00PM l Charles Hilton Center | Camp Session 1 |
| 6/16 - 6/19/2025 l 8:30AM - 12:00PM l Charles Hilton Center | Camp Session 2 |
STEM CAMP (Incoming 4th-6th graders)
4 STEM stations within a session:
Station 1: Calling all safari guides! Come join our exciting expedition! While on safari, we
will learn about animal behavior, keystone species, identifying animal tracks and
more! As a safari guide, you will have an opportunity to teach the class about your
favorite animals and bring home some amazing
models. With all your knowledge of the ecosystem you’ll create food webs and design
ecosystems. You and your group will create conservation plans to make sure everyone
can
enjoy adventures for years to come!
Station 2: Unleash Your Inner Hero through Science and Innovation! Collaborate with fellow campers to complete missions that teach teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. This station will inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence while immersing campers in the wonders of STEM. Kids will leave empowered, equipped with new skills, and ready to face any challenge—just like their favorite superheroes!
Station 3: Ambitious aerospace engineers wanted! Join us as we explore the forces of flight from Earth's own atmosphere all the way to our first Martian colony. We'll explore the forces that keep planes aloft, learn what makes jets go, and design our own Mars lander and mission patches. Get ready to earn your wings!
Station 4: Get ready for a splash-tastic adventure at our marine science STEM station! Dive into the wonders of the ocean as we explore cool creatures, investigate ocean life, and discover how to protect our seawaters. From hands-on experiments to creative ocean crafts, every day is packed with fun, learning, and a love for marine life. Grab your goggles and join us for a fin-tastic journey under the sea!
Date to Close Online Registration: 5 days prior to start date
Eligibility:
Students must be entering grades 4th-6th in the 2025-26 school year to attend. All students must bring a lunch. Transportation is not provided. All of the sessions are the same. Students may only attend 1 Camp Session.
Camp Dates and Times:
| 7/7/2025 - 7/10/2025 (Monday - Thursday) | 8:00 am - 3:00 pm | Camp Session 1 |
| 7/14/2025 - 7/17/2025 (Monday - Thursday) | 8:00 am - 3:00 pm | Camp Session 2 |
Camp Tuition: $100
Location: Panama City Campus | GCSC Language & Literature building, room 38 (Sarzin Lecture Hall)
Lunch: Students must bring a packed lunch, with the understanding that the ability to keep the lunch cold is extremely limited and, depending on the location of the camp, may not be available at all. No lunch is provided during camp.
UVS STEM CAMP (Incoming 7th-10th graders)
Students need the opportunity to apply their STEM education to real-world problems and explore STEM in ways that relate to their own lives and communities. Students will work in teams to design, build, and program an aerial unmanned vehicle system (UVS). This will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills in design, CAD, 3D printing, electronics, mathematics, problem-solving, programming, data collection, and UVS. The students will not only learn about the autonomous system but will be provided the opportunity to practice using it in real-world situations. The teams will compete in a challenge on the final day of camp to transform their theoretical knowledge into practical solutions using the aerial UVS they built over the course of the camp. Throughout the course of the camp, students will build self-reliance, intelligent risk-taking, technical communication skills, and jump-start their innovative thinking.
Date to Close Online Registration: 5 days prior to start date
Eligibility:
Students must be entering grades 7th-10th in the 2025-26 school year to attend. All students must bring a lunch. Transportation is not provided. Both sessions are the same. Students may only attend 1 session.
| 7/7/2025 - 7/10/2025 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (Monday - Thursday) | Camp Session 1 |
| 7/14/2025 - 7/17/2025 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (Monday - Thursday) | Camp Session 2 |
Camp Tuition: $100
Location: Panama City Campus | GCSC Charles Hilton Center
Lunch: Students must bring a packed lunch, with the understanding that the ability to keep the lunch cold is extremely limited and, depending on the location of the camp, may not be available at all. No lunch is provided during camp.
2025 DATES COMING SOON!
GCSC Athletic Summer Programs
Point of Contact: Jackson Richert, jrichert@gulfcoast.edu ; 850-872-3831
(FULL) Girls Volleyball Camp: (MIDDLE SCHOOL) June 10-12, 2024; 9am-12pm; NEW SESSION Added- June 13-14, 2024; 9am-12pm ($50); (HIGH SCHOOL) June 10-12, 2024; 1pm-4pm; Wellness Building (Gymnasium)
Baseball Camp: June 10-12, 2024; 9am-12pm; Baseball Field (7-12 years old)
Softball Camp: June 17-19, 2024; 5pm-8pm; Softball Field (7-12 years old)
Boys Basketball Camp: June 17-19, 2024; 9am-12pm; Wellness Building/Gym (7-14 years old)
Girls Basketball Camp: June 17-19, 2024; 1pm-4pm; Wellness Building/Gym (7th-12th Grade)
Camp Tuition: $75
REFUND POLICY: A full refund will be granted when requested by 4:00 p.m. five workdays prior to the first day of camp. After this date, refunds will not be granted.
Requests for refunds should be made in writing to jrichert@gulfcoast.edu.
Location
All summer camps/activities will be offered at the Panama City Campus of Gulf Coast State College. Please check the specific camp information for the exact location/room number.
Registration
Registration will be through the GCSC website and payment will be made on line by credit card or electronic check. Payment must be made in full at the time of registration.
Camps often fill up quickly and online registration/payment is the quickest and most efficient method to register for the camp you are interested in attending.
A confirmation email will be sent once registration and payment is completed.
Meals/Lunch
Meals will not be provided by the College. Students must bring a packed lunch, with the understanding that the ability to keep the lunch cold is extremely limited and, depending on the location of the camp, may not be available at all.
Refunds
A full refund will be granted when requested by 4:00 p.m. five workdays prior to the first day of camp. After this date, refunds will not be granted.
Requests for refunds should be made in writing to kmccurdy2@gulfcoast.edu.
Disability Assistance
Gulf Coast State College campuses are all accessible to students with disabilities. For assistance with registration, or to make an accommodation for participation, please call (850) 872-3814 or email kmccurdy2@gulfcoast.edu at least 10 days prior to the start of camp.
If you have any general questions regarding GCSC Youth Programs, please contact Katie McCurdy at (850) 872-3814 or kmccurdy2@gulfcoast.edu. Questions regarding specific camps should be directed to the contact listed on the registration form.