ASMSA invites motivated Arkansas students to spend an exciting week of summer camp on our Hot Springs campus to connect with others and learn in a fun and challenging atmosphere. Whether you want to study microbes, painting, conservation, or programming, there is something at ASMSA for you.
Summer@ASMSA is for Arkansas students who are current 8th- and 9th-graders during the 2025-2026 academic year as well as 7th-graders who are participants in ASMSA-TIP. All camp activities — including tuition, housing, meals and class supplies — are free. Summer@ASMSA 2026 will run from Sunday, June 14 to Thursday, June 18.
For specific details about Summer@ASMSA 2026, including our camp offerings, check out the information below.
This unique summer camp explores the rich connections between global languages and Arkansas’ own cultural and economic landscape. Through a focus on Spanish, French, Japanese, and German, you will discover how each language leaves its mark on the state’s history, community, and industry. You will delve into these languages by learning foundational vocabulary and engaging in hands-on cultural experiences. Along the way, you’ll uncover the impact of global learning on your educational journey. Arkansas Goes Global empowers you to see the world and your state through a global lens, equipping you with the ability to appreciate and contribute to Arkansas’ evolving cultural mosaic.
In Summer@ASMSA's Aviation and Aerospace Engineering Camp, you will be introduced to the different areas and tools of engineering as well as the standards of the engineering design process as you explore aerodynamics and what makes aviation possible. In the lab, you will have the chance to learn how to work with soldering and circuits, graphing calculators, and other tools of the engineering trade culminating in a project that really soars. By learning from real engineers, you will see the impact of engineering on the real world!
Expand your musical experience at Summer@ASMSA’s Chamber Music Camp, where student musicians will explore the joys of ensemble performance and receive personalized instruction for experienced educators. During this camp, you will engage in masterclasses covering a wide range of musical topics, as well as attending lectures in foundational music theory and history, small ensemble, and large ensemble practices. Classes are designed to enhance your skills and inspire your creativity, so come hone your craft in a supportive environment that fosters collaboration and a love for music!
Computer Science is so much more than clicking around! In Summer@ASMSA's Computer Science Camp, students will be introduced to the basics of physical computing, participate in a variety of coding activities, and even try their hand at solo and cooperative game design. Whether you're an avid coder or just getting started with the basics, you'll encounter something exciting in this camp.
Conduct fieldwork, find a crystal, and learn how to evaluate the health of Ouachita Division ecosystems with the Environmental Science and Biotechnology camp, hosted by the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. Throughout the week, you will participate in a variety of field research– including garden surveys, creek surveys, and a quartz digging experience. Take advantage of the air conditioning in the afternoon as you bring your fieldwork indoors, learning advanced lab techniques that connect molecular biology and ecology. Whether you have a passion for ecology, geology, environmental science, or even just biology in general, this camp is a great way to get hands-on with the Ouachita Mountains region! (Preference will be given to 9th-grade applicants.)
The first step to igniting your passion is to spark your curiosity! Ignite is a dynamic “survey” camp, offering a week of hands-on, minds-on workshops across various fields. Campers will explore the physical and life sciences, digital and studio arts, literature, and more through engaging activities led by ASMSA faculty and community partners. By week’s end, each student will identify a passion project or content area and craft a plan to deepen their understanding throughout the next year. (Preference will be given to 7th-grade applicants.)
Experience the thrill of physics (and math) in action through Summer@ASMSA’s Physics in Motion: Theme Park Thrills, where mathematics and physics come alive through real-world applications and hands-on exploration. In this camp, you’ll investigate how concepts from geometry, trigonometry, statistics, probability, and physics explain the motion, forces, and design behind amusement park rides. Throughout the week, you’ll apply mathematics and physics concepts to complex systems and develop a deeper conceptual understanding of the connection between abstract mathematical ideas and observable physical phenomena. The camp concludes with a field experience at a local theme park, where you’ll put your measurement and analysis skills to the test!
Discover the power of storytelling through Summer@ASMSA’s StoryLab: The Writing Process Across Genres. In this camp, you will explore how writers develop ideas, shape language, and bring stories to life across multiple forms. You’ll dive into poetry, short fiction, screenwriting, and creative nonfiction through close reading, discussion, and hands-on writing experiences. Through journaling, collaborative activities, guided instruction, and peer readings throughout the week, you’ll gain insight into the writing process and develop your unique voice as a writer. How will you tell your story?
Summer@ASMSA is for Arkansas students who are current 8th- and 9th-graders during the 2025-2026 academic year. We also invite current 7th-grade students who are members of the ASMSA-TIP program to apply for camp.
All students who wish to attend Summer @ ASMSA must complete an application, and deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on April 30.
Why do I apply instead of register?
Because Summer@ASMSA is funded through grants and state funding and has limited space, we want to ensure that students who attend are the best fit for our camps. As one of our outreach programs, we want to make sure that students from all across the state from all backgrounds attend.
Students do not need to have a minimum GPA to apply, but they do need to demonstrate through their application and educator reference an interest in camp content, academic ability, and a preparedness to attend a one-week, residential summer camp.
It is also very important that students who accept a spot at Summer@ASMSA attend the duration of the camp so that the funds are spent on their intended purpose–educating students.
I am applying to attend ASMSA right now. Can I attend camp?
If you are a 9th-grade student who is applying for admission to ASMSA in Fall 2026, go ahead and complete the camp application. However, please know that if you are accepted to ASMSA for fall admission, you are considered an ASMSA student and are therefore no longer eligible for camp.
Each camp will follow a similar schedule, with a majority of the day (9am - 4:30pm) spent in classes related to their content area. In the evening, our Res Life staff will host various social activities for all of our Summer@ASMSA campers.
Generally, campers will check into the Student Center mid-morning Sunday. After check-in, students will head to an afternoon of classes to start the week. Campers will check out Thursday after class, once camp presentations have concluded. Campers should plan to be at camp for the entire week and are expected to participate in all camp activities.
All meals are in the Dolphin Bay Café on campus and provided at no charge to the camper. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are available. If you have a food allergy or dietary restrictions, please communicate that in advance of camp on your registration forms.
Students may request a specific roommate and suitemates. This selection will be requested after the student has been accepted into Summer@ASMSA. Both parties must request the other to be paired. Most campers will not know someone else attending camp, and our staff will pair them with roommates and suitemates.
All camps are funded through grants and dedicated funding from ASMSA. As such, camps are offered at no cost to participants. Each student who is offered a spot in Summer@ASMSA is expected to attend the duration of the camp and participate in all camp activities.
Campers may bring money to spend downtown at their families’ discretion. ASMSA is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Campers will have several opportunities to explore the beauty and history of downtown Hot Springs. Students who have permission from their parents will have multiple opportunities throughout the week to go downtown in a group with our Res Life staff.
Additionally, some camps may have local excursions that are part of the curriculum. These excursions and appropriate permission forms will be shared with campers and their parents when they accept their seat in Summer@ASMSA.
Keep in mind we do have activities and workshops year-round! Join our mailing list here to receive the latest updates. You can also follow us on social media at /armathsciarts to see our latest happenings.
If you have other questions, please email talent@asmsa.org, and we will get back to you soon.