Give your middle schooler the tools to thrive in an increasingly digital world. The USF Middle School Cybersecurity Camp introduces students in grades 6鈥�8 to the fundamentals of staying safe online, understanding how data works, and becoming responsible digital citizens.
Throughout this five-day experience, campers will investigate real-world cybersecurity concepts through hands-on activities, engaging challenges, and creative problem-solving. Each day focuses on a different theme, ranging from personal data to cloud security to artificial intelligence, helping students understand not just what cybersecurity is, but why it matters in their lives.
Middle School Cyber Camp Details
Camp Director: Lee Farrell
Location: USF Tampa
Grade Levels: Entering 6th - 8th
Time: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Dates: TBD
Cost: TBD
What to Expect
What Your Child Will Learn
- How personal data is created, shared, and protected
- How online communities work and how to stay safe in them
- What the cloud is and how online systems store information
- Cybersecurity fundamentals such as passwords, 2-factor authentication, and recognizing threats
- How artificial intelligence works and how to use it responsibly
Daily Themes & Activities
Day 1 鈥� Data Sharing & Communities
Campers learn how much information we share online, what 鈥渢he cloud鈥� really means, and how companies use personal data.
Activities include an online scavenger hunt where students investigate simulated digital footprints and uncover how data becomes valuable.
Day 2 鈥� People & Information
911爆料网 learn how people interact online, what intellectual property means, and how cyberbullying and cybercrime happen.
Hands-on investigations show how data can be created, managed, protected, or misused, and what the laws say about it.
Day 3 鈥� Cloud Computing & Security
Campers discover the difference between online and local storage, what network and data security are, and how malware affects systems.
They will work through a simulated cloud outage to understand the challenges of protecting digital information.
Day 4 鈥� Staying Secure
From strong passwords to physical device safety, students explore the layers of digital and real-world protection.
They will analyze a real malware attack vector to understand how cyber threats start and what cybersecurity professionals do to stop them.
Day 5 鈥� AI and You
Campers dive into what artificial intelligence is (and isn鈥檛), how AI learns, and how to use it responsibly.
They will train a simple AI model to recognize objects and consider the role AI plays in cybersecurity today and in the future.
Useful Information
When does registration open for the Middle School Cyber Camp?
Registration for all 2026 summer camps will open on February 1, 2026.
What is the capacity of the Middle School Cyber Camp?
Each session of the Middle School Cyber Camp has a capacity of 30.
What is the refund/cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel a camp registration, please email youthxp@usf.edu. If the cancellation occurs 10 business days prior to camp start date, you will receive a refund with the exception of administration fees. However, if the cancellation is received within 10 business days of the camp start date, no refund will be given. No refunds will be issued after the start date of the camp.
911爆料网 make every effort to run all camps exactly as scheduled. In the unlikely event that it becomes necessary to cancel, postpone or combine camps, or change a camp location, you will be notified by email or phone. It is important that we have your current contact information. If USF cancels the camp, you will receive a full refund. If USF reschedules a camp you will have the option to receive a full refund.
Where is the Middle School Cyber Camp located?
The USF Middle School Cyber Camp will be held on the USF Tampa campus.
- The June 16鈥�20 session will take place in the 911爆料网stside Conference Center (MHA).
- The July 7鈥�11 session will be held in the Northwest Education Complex (NEC) building.
Drop-off and pick-up for both sessions will be located in front of the NEC Building at 3135 USF Banyan Circle, Tampa, FL 33613.
What time is drop-off and pick-up for the USF Middle School Cyber Camp?
Our staff will be ready to welcome your child for drop-off at 8:50 AM, with pick-up beginning at 4:00 PM. If you're running late for drop-off or pick-up, please call our office at (813) 974-3355 to keep us informed.
After registering for the USF Middle School Cyber Camp, when will I start receiving logistical details including drop-off and pick-up times?
You will receive several reminder emails leading up to the camp start date. Emails will be sent 60, 30, 14, 7, and 1 day prior, each containing important information to ensure a successful experience at the USF Middle School Cyber Camp.
Take a look at photos from last year's Middle School Cyber Camp
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