Houston Coding Camps & STEM Programs at Rice

While we are a tech program with the goal of transforming your child’s interests into real-world STEM skills, we are also a summer camp. Simply put, camp is a balance of learning and fun! Students learn in small groups in labs on a prestigious college campus and from expert instructors who are trained to engage and inspire.

Day camps kick off with icebreakers and team-building before jumping into morning coursework. When it’s time for lunch, your child will walk from the computer lab to the dining hall as they take in the beauty of campus. Students return to the learning labs in the afternoon for more exciting coursework, followed by an afternoon break where they will have the chance to take part in outdoor game time and more campus discovery before wrapping up with instruction!

Overnight campers work until dinner and then go off to create deeper connections and memories while gaming, watching movies, and more. Your child will experience the magic of camp during days and nights filled with learning and adventure that builds lifelong friendships.

Day camp runs 9am to 4:30pm Monday through Thursday, with check-in beginning at 8:30am and pick-up available until 5pm. On Friday, camp ends after Family Showcase, which runs 2–3pm. Overnight campers check in Sunday at 6pm and are also picked up Friday between 2 and 3pm.

Students spend approximately five hours per day on the computer, taking breaks to engage in recreational activities throughout their sessions.

iD Tech held at Rice offers weeklong day camps for ages 7–17 and two-week iD Tech Academies for teens ages 13–18 (academy students stay overnight in the dorms). 

iD Tech Academies offer intensive, assignment-driven programming workshops in various course topics including machine learning, virtual reality, game development, robotics, and more. These two-week programs are designed to be a rigorous, pre-college experience that provides industry insights for teens interested in pursuing STEM fields in college or as a career.

Our instructors are recruited from top universities, but more importantly, they are elite mentors who understand kids, share their interests, bring first-hand experience, and serve as real-life role models for what the future holds. They are trained extensively in-person (and virtually) to differentiate engaging content to campers’ needs, connect to each child, and inspire them to pursue their dreams.

All instructors are adults (no high school counselors-in-training), fully background-checked, and trained in safety and first aid. Campers learn in small groups with a 10:1 average student-to-instructor ratio, split first by age and then, as needed, by experience level. Instructors monitor group dynamics closely and will move a camper to a different seat or class section right away if a pairing isn't working. Every camper agrees to our Code of Conduct, and staff are trained to step in quickly.

Yes! You can register today for as little as $375 per student and pay the balance in convenient monthly installments. You can save $50 by registering for multiple sessions, and you can earn $25 in credit when you invite a friend to join camp (your friend saves $25 when they sign up too!).

All computers, equipment and software are provided in our camp labs, so your child doesn't need to bring a laptop or tablet, or download anything ahead of time. They should wear and/or pack comfortable clothing and shoes (preferably athletic shoes), a jacket or sweatshirt, sunscreen for outdoor activities, and a clearly labeled or identifiable water bottle (if students don't bring one, we'll have disposable cups). If your child has an account for games like Roblox or Minecraft, have them bring their login information to camp. Overnight campers should check their pre-camp details, since room setups and whether bedding is included vary by location.

Headphones are optional: students may bring their own, but we do not provide them. Spending money is optional too. Some locations allow for purchasing vending machine snacks or souvenirs in the campus bookstore, but we don't guarantee these opportunities each week and recommend that students not bring more than $30–$50.

At the conclusion of your child's course, they will receive an iD Tech diploma as well as a transcript outlining everything they learned over the week. They’ll also take home a USB with their course project files, along with access to installation and setup guides so they can continue working at their own pace.

In addition to valuable tech skills, kids and teens leave camp with new relationships, resilience, critical thinking opportunities, and an even greater love for tech (if that’s possible!).

As courses frequently sell out, we recommend registering early to secure your child's spot. You can make unlimited changes with no fees up to 28 days before the start of your session. If you need to cancel before March 1st, you will receive a full refund of the amount paid. If you cancel after March 1st but still 28+ days before your session, you will receive a refund less the additional fees (if applicable) and a $250 cancellation charge per week. Within 28 days of your session start date, changes are subject to a fee, and no refunds are provided for cancellations.

Day campers can bring a bagged lunch or add a lunch plan when registering (cost and menu vary by location). Overnight campers eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the campus dining facilities. Our staff accompany students to meals and help them find the right food stations. Dining halls typically offer vegetarian options at each meal, though we can’t guarantee specific items in advance. For allergies or other dietary needs, let us know before camp so we can make arrangements. Call us at 1-888-709-8324 or email hello@idtech.com.

Overnight campers stay in campus residence halls, housed by gender on separate floors or sections. Staff stay in their own rooms on the same floors and are present at all times, including overnight, with about one staff member for every 10 students and nightly sweeps. Evenings bring structured activities like movie nights, talent shows and video game tournaments until lights out. Room layouts and bathroom setups vary by campus.

When registering for overnight camp, you may request a roommate, and we’ll make every effort to accommodate. If you or your friend have already registered but did not specify a roommate upon registration, you can add one in the “Group With Request” section of your My Account up to two weeks before the start of your session. Otherwise, your child will be assigned a roommate based on their age and gender.

You can also always call our Program Specialists at 1-888-709-8324 or email hello@idtech.com to assist you with making this request.

We welcome students of all abilities. If your child needs accommodations or extra support, contact us at least three weeks before camp so we can talk through their needs and plan ahead. Our Program Specialists are here to provide you with the best experience. Call us at 1-888-709-8324 or email hello@idtech.com.