Automotive
Our automotive summer camp provides teens with on-the-job experience in assembling, restoring, and customizing real cars. From hot rods to turbocharged BMWs, campers are taught engines, wiring, suspension, and design in an enjoyable, rapid setting.
It is not just any mechanic camp; it is one of the best mechanical engineering summer camps where teens will learn the real deal, work on great projects, and have the excitement of automotive engineering.
Below is a picture of the project we started last summer. This Rat Rod will hopefully be on the road by the end of the next season. On top of the physical work, the campers helped design the look, stance, and drivetrain. Our 1929 Ford T-Bucket is one of a kind, join us this summer and help us finish this awesome ride. After this project is finished we begin on our turbocharged 325is BMW drifting car and the 1972 Buick Skylark GSX! Whether we are rewiring a whole car or sandblasting a quarter panel our campers are doing all the work alongside our mechanics. Once one project is finished we start on the next but not before we go cruising in the classics and off-roading in the Jeeps! Come join us this summer and join the gearheads!
Campers in all sessions with a passion for engines join our 2 mechanics in the automotive workshop, learning the ins and outs of how a vehicle actually works, which parts do what and how they all come together.
Last summer we started our most in-depth build to date, a 1929 Ford T-Bucket from the frame up! Campers drilled every hole and welded each mount on the frame. They ran every brake line and gas line and cranked every nut and bolt needed to build a car. There was not one part on the frame when we started this project. By the end of the summer, we got the engine to turn over and it was the most exciting and rewarding noise ever for the campers who built it.
This summer we will be getting the hot rod street- and strip- ready and we need your help! Campers will help us create our own custom interior, work with our blacksmith to design and build a custom grill to protect the engine, complete the ignition system, wire up all gauges and design the lighting for the car including headlights, tail lights and blinkers. I would really like to add rally-style fog lights and finally everyone’s favorite part…test-driving this beauty!
In addition to the Hot Rod project, we have many other projects going on as well, such as turbocharging a 1995 BMW 3 series. This awesome car is the answer to our campers’ demands for a Fast and Furious type project. She will be a super powerful drift car once we are finished. In 2018 campers will be plumbing the Turbocharger and intercooler plus installing a hydraulic e-brake and slamming it to the ground with an all-new suspension system.
These projects take a lot of time. Campers really get connected to each project and cannot wait to return the following summer to finish what they started. While learning mechanics, campers also learn patience, the importance of coming up with a plan and not rushing into a job; measure twice cut (or drill) once!
Our mechanics’ passion and knowledge of engines, mechanics, maintenance, and construction are second-to-none. They live and breathe motor vehicles and want to share their passion with children who love all things mechanical.
All of this and Automotive is still just ONE of the countless activities you can take part in here at Long Lake Camp Adventures!
Automotive Summer Camp Sessions & Enrollment
- Flexible Session Lengths: Select 1- to 4-week courses that target teenagers between 12 and 16 years.
- Hands-On Projects: Design and manufacture vintage hot rods, turbo charged BMW, and custom automotive design.
- Skill Development: Train to repair engines, upgrade suspension, and wire, restore, and others.
- Expert Instruction: Our trained mechanics lead each camper on a practical automotive engineering project.
- Immersive Experience: This is the best practical program, be it automotive camps near me, or mechanical engineering summer camp.
- Safe & Supervised: All activities are well supervised and all campers enjoy a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.
- Enrollment: Spots are filling, book into our auto mechanic summer camp near me program today!
FAQ
- Where is your automotive summer camp located?
Our automotive summer camp near me is located in the Adirondacks, New York, offering a scenic, safe, and fully equipped environment for hands-on projects and automotive adventures.
- What age groups attend your auto mechanic summer camp?
Teens ages 12–16 attend our auto mechanic summer camp, with programs designed for beginners to advanced enthusiasts.
- Do campers need prior mechanical experience?
No experience is required! Our mechanical engineering summer camps and mechanic camp programs are perfect for beginners and teens with some experience.
- What vehicles will we work on?
Campers work on a wide range of vehicles, including classic hot rods, turbocharged BMWs, vintage Buicks, Jeeps, and custom automotive design projects.
- Is this an overnight or day camp?
Long Lake offers full overnight adventure camps, giving campers an immersive automotive experience while staying on-site.
- What’s included in the automotive engineering summer camp?
Each camper gets hands-on training in engine repair, wiring, suspension, restoration, and design, plus meals, lodging, supervision, and access to all projects in our fully equipped workshop.
- How much does automotive summer camp cost?
Pricing depends on session length and project selection. Contact us to get a quote and secure your spot at one of the leading automotive camps near me.
- Can girls attend automotive camp?
Absolutely! Our automotive summer camp welcomes all teens interested in cars, engineering, and hands-on projects. Girls thrive in the same projects, learning the same skills as boys in a supportive, encouraging environment.
