Welcome to the STEM and Trades Area

The STEM and Trades Area at Camp Sequassen combines cutting-edge technology with hands-on trades in a space where creativity, problem-solving, and real-world skills come together. Whether a Scout is curious about circuits or wanting to learn about welding, this area is packed with opportunities to explore, invent, and build.

Innovative Facilities

At the center of this area is Sequassen’s all-new STEM and Trades building—a purpose-built facility designed to support high-tech and hands-on learning. The space features a mix of welding stations, plumbing tools, workbenches, and protective equipment for trades-based learning. It also houses digital workspaces, including computers and a fully functioning 3D printer, enabling Scouts to prototype and produce real, tangible creations from their designs.

The building is laid out with dedicated zones for each specialty, allowing Scouts to safely explore welding in one corner, experiment with circuits in another, and design digital files for 3D printing across the room. This modern setup makes it easy to transition between ideas and disciplines—mirroring the way real-world engineering and trades function in tandem.

Unique Merit Badges

One of the biggest draws of the STEM and Trades Area is its lineup of specialized merit badges, many of which are not typically available at most summer camps. Scouts can earn Welding, using real welding equipment under the close supervision of trained staff, as they learn about safety, technique, and tool maintenance. Plumbing, another rare badge, introduces Scouts to pipe systems, fittings, and water flow concepts using hands-on equipment.

Other unique badges include Wood Work, Engineering, and Programming. In these sessions, Scouts might build a structure, write basic code, or solve real-world problems using technology and creativity. These merit badges not only build technical skills but also introduce Scouts to potential career paths and areas of personal passion—all in a camp setting.

Creative Challenges

Beyond merit badges, the STEM and Trades Area offers fun, competitive, and brain-bending activities that take place during open program and special sessions. One highlight is the Rube Goldberg Challenge, where Scouts form teams to design complex chain-reaction machines that complete simple tasks in the most creative way possible. It’s a favorite event that encourages teamwork, humor, and engineering ingenuity.

Another favorite is the 3D Printing Challenge, where Scouts design and print small models—often themed or problem-based—using software and printers in the STEM lab. Whether it’s a miniature catapult, a gear system, or a camp-themed keychain, these projects help Scouts blend digital design with hands-on production. The open nature of these challenges means every Scout can contribute regardless of their skill level.

Learn a New Trade at Camp Sequassen

At its core, the STEM and Trades Area empowers Scouts to try something new—whether it’s coding for the first time, fusing metal with a welding torch, or understanding how plumbing systems work. It’s a place where curiosity becomes capability, and where Scouts leave camp not just with a badge, but with a new skill they might use for life.