SigmaWest 2026: Overview

SigmaWest 2026 is a residential STEM summer camp in California for middle and high school students aged 12-15. SigmaWest is one of several programs we offer this summer. Learn more about our other camps in Connecticut - SigmaCamp and SigmaNext.

At SigmaWest, students spend one week (June 21-28, 2026) with other talented campers exploring advanced math and science through our academic program and creating lasting memories with fellow students through various non-academic activities. They are guided by graduate students and are taught by leading professors and scientists from top institutions such as MIT, Yale, Stony Brook University, Princeton, Stanford, and many other universities.

Stay tuned! SigmaWest 2026 applications open February 1, 2026. Sign up below to get notified.

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Academic program

SigmaWest is a multidisciplinary program that covers topics in advanced Math, Computer Science, theoretical and experimental Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, and robotics. Starting with the first Semilab and a Lecture in the morning, followed by the second Semilab in the afternoon, and a variety of Workshops in the evening, a camper’s day is filled with a lot of new knowledge and discoveries.

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Non-Academic Activities

What summer camp would be complete without some outdoor fun? We have a variety of sports that campers can enjoy like soccer, basketball, ping-pong, and chess. Other options include disc golf, pickleball, volleyball, human foosball, and ga-ga ball. If you don’t like sports, you can paint, play music, or practice your acting skills. In the evenings, you have a choice of several evening clubs.

Tuition and Financial Aid

This year, the SigmaWest program costs $2,400 for 8 days / 7 nights. We offer sibling discounts (20% for the second child and 35% for the third child) and 20% off if you attend both SigmaWest and either SigmaCamp or SigmaNext (or all three). Through our need-blind admissions and financial aid program, our goal is to ensure that every qualified applicant can attend our programs.

Accommodation

SigmaWest takes place at Pine Summit Camp & Conference Center: 700 Wren Dr, Big Bear Lake, California, USA. See the location on Google Maps.

Our students are housed in comfortable A-frame cabins, also known as the Dorms. One room can accommodate 10-12 campers and 2 Counselors, and each building is complete with multiple restrooms and showers.

The campground features many sports facilities, including tennis, basketball, and soccer fields, ping-pong tables, a campfire pit, and many other fun activities. Learn more about all the facilities on the Pine Summit Camp and Conference Center website.

Food

Pine Summit provides a full meal service of a hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition, a snack in the middle of the day and milk and cookies before bed. All that comes with options for any personal preferences or dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets or any allergies. We collect all diet- or allergy-related information in advance before the camp starts.

Healthcare and safety

At SigmaWest, we prioritize safety and attention with a 1:2 staff-to-camper ratio, ensuring 24/7 supervision.

COVID Safety Requirements

SigmaWest follows Pine Summit Camp and Conference Center’s policies related to COVID-19 vaccination. Pine Summit does not require, but highly recommends campers and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Communication with Campers

The use of personal electronics at camp, including cell phones, laptops, smartwatches, etc., is not permitted. During the camp, we provide a way for parents to communicate with campers through the "Sigma Telegraph”. They can leave a message for their camper using the online form on our website and later receive an answer from them. More details will be available for admitted campers.

There is also a daily blog on the SigmaWest website where camp photos and news are posted daily so parents can keep up with what is happening in our camp.

Brazilian Candidates: SigmaCamp currently offers academic camps in both the United States and Brazil, to which students come to from all over the world. Our ETAPA SigmaCamp in Brazil is unique in that it extends the application process specifically to students from various regions of Brazil. With that in mind, and to give every student the opportunity to experience SigmaCamp and SigmaWest, our 2026 selection process will include the acceptance of a specific number of qualified applicants from Brazil to our 2026 camp sessions in the United States.