Howdy! The aerospace engineering department at Texas A&M University invites and encourages you to participate in the 12th year of Camp SOAR. It will be a noteworthy week of aerospace engineering experiences and events, and we hope that you will join us. - Dr. John Valasek, Director, Camp SOAR
Camp SOAR (Summer Opportunities in Aerospace Research)
Camp SOAR is a six-day summer camp held annually which provides rising high school juniors and seniors interested in aerospace engineering the opportunity to experience the research and facilities at Texas A&M University’s Department of Aerospace Engineering. During the six-day program, campers explore aerospace engineering through technical lectures and instruction from professors, hands-on design projects and tours of our research facilities.
Camp SOAR will be held July 12-17, 2026. Applications are now open.
Applications will close on February 27.
Camp SOAR offers participants four tracks: aircraft, rotorcraft, space mission design and space robotics.
The campers attend technical lectures by professors and design, build and demonstrate an aerospace project within their track. Throughout the experience, campers are introduced to the engineering design process and develop critical thinking and teamwork skills.
Outside of their design work, campers visit many of our facilities while they're on campus including the Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory, Land Air and Space Robotics Laboratory, the hypersonic wind tunnels of the National Aerothermochemistry and Hypersonics Laboratory and demonstrations at the RELLIS Innovation & Technical Campus. They also have the opportunity to learn from our world-renowned faculty and engage one-on-one with current aerospace engineering students.
Campers stay on campus in modern residence halls and have access to the university’s recreational facilities, library and computer labs.
Tracks
- Aircraft - Dr. John Valasek, Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory
- Rotorcraft - Dr. Moble Benedict, Advanced Vertical Flight Laboratory
- Space Mission Design - Dr. Daniel Selva, Space Systems Engineering, Autonomy, and Knowledge (SEAK) Laboratory
- Space Robotics - Dr. Manoranjan Majji, Land, Air and Space Robotics Laboratory
Program Dates
The next Camp SOAR will take place in July 12-17, 2026.
Eligibility
Students from any state enrolled as high school juniors or seniors as of Fall 2026 are eligible to apply.
Application Requirements
- Recent unofficial high school transcript
- Camp SOAR application essay
- Nonrefundable $35 application fee
Acceptance
Selection is based on academic qualifications and potential benefit to the participant. Campers selected for the program will receive more detailed instructions at that time.
Cost
Camp SOAR cost includes room, board and camp activities. Financial need-based scholarships are available.