About

The SAGE Camp – California experience is a free, one-week summer program for curious high school students ages 14–17 interested in exploring STEM through hands-on engagement with working scientists and engineers. Operated under the SAGE (Science Accelerating Growth and Engagement) initiative, the 2026 program features in-person camps hosted at two major U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Students gain firsthand exposure to research environments, professional STEM careers, and laboratory culture through interactive projects, job-shadowing, facility tours, and professional skills workshops.

Eligibility targets current 9th through 11th-grade students who will be under 18 during the camp and reside in Northern California. The application process is conducted via the Kaleidoscope platform and requires a recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or mentor. For the 2026 cycle, the LLNL Day Camp runs from June 8–12 (application deadline Feb 26), and the SLAC Residential Camp runs from June 21–27 (application deadline March 17). Student notifications for both sites will be sent in mid-April 2026. Because SAGE’s mission is focused on broad participation and equity, the program does not charge tuition, and for the day camp at LLNL, lunch and snacks are provided at no cost.

Instruction and activities are led by scientists, engineers, and volunteer staff who guide campers through small-group projects, lab observations, and career-oriented "SAGE Talks." While not a research internship, the environment gives students a concrete sense of daily life in STEM fields, blending inquiry with networking. SAGE is part of a larger "SAGE Journey" ecosystem that supports participants beyond the camp week through alumni networks, professional development events, and connections to future internship opportunities at the National Labs.