NOAA partners with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Maryland and Nauticus and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Virginia to offer exciting multiday science summer camps. These camps provide middle schoolers and rising high school-age students an opportunity to immerse themselves in NOAA sciences and to be exposed to career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math. Each camp highlights NOAA themes and takes advantage of local NOAA staff, equipment, and resources. NOAA's involvement in these local camps enhances the experience for the students and encourages regional and statewide interest in the camps.

The 2007 Nauticus Summer Science Camp was recognized by the Virginia Math and Science Coalition with a "Program that Works" award for the camp's "dedication to improving science education by providing students a meaningful experience tied to important natural resource such as the Chesapeake Bay."