Garden Gate to Almaden Valley: 5 Questions West Cupertino & South San Jose Parents Ask Before Booking STEM Summer Camp 2026

Bottom Line: Garden Gate and Almaden Valley parents often have the same 5 questions before signing up for STEM summer camp — from cost and age fit to whether their child is "ready." Here's a direct, no-fluff guide to every answer, so you can register with confidence.

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Summer camp season is officially here — and for families in Garden Gate, Portal, Almaden Valley, and West San Jose, the questions are stacking up faster than the registration forms. After 12 years of running STEM camps across the South Bay, we've heard virtually every question parents have. Here are the five we answer most often, with complete, honest answers.

Question 1: My child has never done coding or robotics before. Is STEM4Kids the right fit?

Absolutely — in fact, most kids who walk through our doors in Garden Gate or Almaden Valley have never touched a robotics kit in their lives. That's exactly who STEM4Kids is designed for. Our instructors are trained to meet each child where they are, whether that's a 6-year-old building their first LEGO robot with Spike Essential or a 12-year-old writing their first Python script. We don't assume any prior experience, and we never let a beginner feel behind.

Question 2: What's the age range, and which program fits my child?

Our programs span ages 5½ to 14, with clear tracks for every stage: - Ages 5½–9: Junior Lego Robotics (Spike Essential), Vex Go Robotics, CodeMaker: Scratch, Art Camp - Ages 7–10: CodeMaker: Scratch - Ages 8–13: Vex IQ Robotics - Ages 9–14: Advanced Lego Robotics (Spike Prime or EV3), Python Programming

Not sure which to pick? Our registration page has a short program selector, and you can always email us. West San Jose and Portal families often find that the Scratch + Robotics combo for younger kids (ages 7–9) is a great first-year starting point.

Question 3: What does a typical day look like? I'm worried my child will just sit in front of a screen.

This is the question we love most, because the answer surprises parents. A STEM4Kids day is about 70% hands-on and 30% screen time — kids are building, debugging physical robots, testing prototypes, and presenting to each other. Our Almaden Valley families often tell us their kids come home energized and want to keep building after dinner. Camp runs Monday–Friday, 9am–3:30pm, at our Cupertino location (20900 Stevens Creek Blvd) and our San Jose Evergreen location.

Question 4: What's the real cost, and are there discounts for multiple weeks?

Our programs run $325–$499 per week depending on the course. Here's how the savings stack up: - Early bird discount: $25 off - 2 weeks: $50 off total - 4 weeks: $120 off total - 7 weeks (full summer): $250 off total

Many Garden Gate and Portal families book 3–4 weeks over the summer and find it's one of the most cost-effective enrichment options available compared to private tutoring or other specialty camps in the South Bay.

Question 5: How do I know my child will actually enjoy it — and not just stare at a wall?

We get this one, especially from parents whose kids haven't found their "thing" yet. The truth is, STEM4Kids has a 12-year track record of turning reluctant kids into enthusiastic builders. We keep groups small, instructors are patient and engaging, and the projects have a tangible payoff — your child will come home on Day 1 with something they built themselves. If they're still not sure after the first day, our team will work with you directly.

Summer 2026 runs June 8 – August 12. Spots are filling now across both locations.

👉 Cupertino (Garden Gate, Portal, De Anza area): https://www.stem4kids.co/oncampus-cupertino

👉 San Jose (Almaden Valley, West San Jose, Evergreen): https://www.stem4kids.co/oncampus-losgatos-sanjose