2026 Challenge Program June 14-19; registration closes May 31
LATROBE, PA – Registration for the 2026 edition of Saint Vincent College’s popular Challenge Program, a STEM-based, immersive, academic summer program for students from PreK to grade 12, will close on Sunday, May 31.
Space is limited and registration will close prior to May 31 if full. Earlybird registration at a larger discount than usually offered is available through March 15.
Complete information on the 2026 SVC Challenge Program, including pricing and immersion course offerings, can be found at stvincentchallenge.org.
The theme for the 2026 Challenge Program is “Galactic Mission,” and interested participants can choose from a variety of overnight programs for grades 5-12, high school overnight programs for grades 9-12 and middle school overnight programs for grades 5-8. Additionally, younger children can participate in the Micro Tots program for preschool- and kindergarten-aged students and the Space Rangers Day program for grades 1-4.
The overnight programs are scheduled for June 14-19. The Micro Tots program is offered from 9 a.m. to noon June 15-19, while the Space Rangers program is being offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 15-19.
The overnight programs, open to students entering grades 5-12, offer the opportunity to choose two immersion experiences to participate in throughout the week: a three-hour morning and a three-hour afternoon experience that culminates with a final project, event or challenge.
Some immersions will be on campus and others in the local area off campus. Course instructors will encourage full participation, collaboration and authentic learning, while offering project-based experiences to encourage students to deepen their understanding. Evenings will be full of planned fun and entertainment, with campers staying in Rooney Hall on the Saint Vincent campus while on-campus meals are provided by Parkhurst Dining to both the day and overnight attendees.
The Space Rangers program affords students in grades 1-4 the opportunity to participate in academically and creatively theme-based experiences led by certified elementary school teachers. These interactive courses happen in a half-day offering. During the other half of the day, the children will be involved in an immersion experience with guest presenters, planned events and group opportunities. A counselor will remain all day with the group of children to help them throughout their experience; students will be provided with lunch and a snack each day.
Preschool and kindergarten students are invited to take part in the half-day Micro Tots program, which will feature multiple learning experiences with galactic missions incorporated throughout. Each class is taught by a certified teacher, and counselors will be on hand. Students will participate in activities and lessons both inside and outside. They will be provided a snack each day.
All Challenge Program instructors are certified educators who are either Saint Vincent College faculty, alumni or current graduate students. All program counselors are undergraduate majors in the College’s Department of Education training to become teachers. Counselors and instructors undergo thorough training to ensure the enjoyment and safety of the children.
The Challenge Program has been held at Saint Vincent College since 1982 and is currently under the new leadership of Dr. Jennifer Buxton, assistant professor of education. Buxton has worked with the program for the past three years as the assistant to the former director. The program regularly attracts students from across the country, with recent participants hailing from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, Delaware, New York, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Illinois, New Mexico, Colorado and Mexico.
Parents of children who wish to attend and who may have a special need or concern are asked to contact Buxton at jennifer.buxton@stvincent.edu or 724-805-2151. In the past, the program has been able to address a variety of concerns to enable many students to attend.
