5 Questions Cupertino & San Jose Parents Ask Before Registering for STEM Summer Camp (Answered)

Bottom Line: If you're a parent in Cupertino, Evergreen, or anywhere across the South Bay with questions about STEM summer camp, this FAQ has you covered. From age requirements to program fit, STEM4Kids makes it easy for kids ages 5½–14 to dive into coding and robotics this summer — no experience required. Camp runs June 8–August 12, 2026.

A practical FAQ for families in Monta Vista, Rancho Rinconada, Evergreen, Silver Creek, and across the South Bay

Every week, parents across Cupertino and San Jose reach out with the same questions before they hit "register." And honestly? Those questions are good ones. Choosing a summer camp is a real decision — your child's time matters, your money matters, and you want it to count.

We've pulled together the five questions we hear most often and answered them as clearly as we can.

1. "My child has never coded before. Is STEM4Kids really beginner-friendly — or will they fall behind?"

This is far and away the most common question, and the answer is: STEM4Kids was built for beginners.

Every program is structured so that campers start from zero. Whether your child is picking up a Lego Spike robot for the first time at the Cupertino campus or opening Scratch for the first time in Evergreen, instructors meet them exactly where they are. Kids in Monta Vista, Rancho Rinconada, and Garden Gate neighborhoods have been joining us with zero experience for over 12 years — and they leave building actual projects they're proud of.

The only prerequisite is curiosity.

2. "How do I know which program is right for my child?"

STEM4Kids offers eight programs, so it helps to narrow it down by age and interest:

• Ages 5½–9: Junior Lego Robotics (Spike Essential) or Vex Go Robotics — hands-on building, perfect first robot experience

• Ages 7–10: CodeMaker: Scratch — great for creative kids who love games and animation

• Ages 9–14: Python Programming, Advanced Lego Robotics (Spike Prime or EV3), Vex IQ Robotics — for kids ready for a real challenge

• Ages 5½–12: Art Camp — for the creative kid who wants to make something cool

If your child is on the fence between Scratch and Python, we usually recommend Python if they can read comfortably and have done any block-based coding before. If you're still unsure, email us — we're happy to help Silver Creek, Willow Glen, and South Bay families find the right fit.

3. "What will my child actually do each day? Is it mostly sitting at a screen?"

A typical camp day at STEM4Kids is much more hands-on than parents expect. Robotics sessions involve physically building and testing machines. Python campers code real programs — games, calculators, simple apps. Even Scratch campers are designing and animating their own projects.

There's also structured break time, collaborative challenges, and group problem-solving. It's active, social, and moves quickly — which is exactly why kids ask to come back week after week.

4. "What are the dates, hours, and pricing — and are there any discounts?"

Dates: June 8 – August 12, 2026 (Monday–Friday) Hours: 9am – 3:30pm

Pricing: $325–$499 per week depending on program

Multi-week discounts: - 2 weeks: $50 off - 4 weeks: $120 off - 7 weeks (full summer): $250 off - Early bird: $25 off (while available)

Families from Blossom Hill, Almaden Valley, and West San Jose planning multiple weeks should definitely take advantage of the multi-week discount — it adds up quickly.

5. "Is the Cupertino location close to De Anza / Stevens Creek? And where exactly is the San Jose campus?"

Yes — the Cupertino campus is located at 20900 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014, right along the Stevens Creek corridor. It's a quick drive from De Anza, Monta Vista, and Rancho Rinconada neighborhoods.

The San Jose campus serves the Evergreen area — convenient for families in Silver Creek, Willow Glen, and points east and south.

Ready to Register?

Spots fill up fast — especially for the 9am sessions and specialty programs. Don't wait until May to lock in your week.

→ Cupertino families: stem4kids.co/oncampus-cupertino → San Jose families: stem4kids.co/oncampus-losgatos-sanjose