The Center for Architecture's Vacation Programs are offered during mid-winter and spring vacations. These programs give curious kids an opportunity to dive into an architectural topic of interest and test out their own design ideas. Each program explores a different theme through design challenges and building activities.

Vacation Programs run three days (Tue-Thu), 9am–4pm. Vacation Programs are $400.

Need-based partial scholarships are available. Upon completing program registration as a “scholarship applicant”, you will automatically receive a confirmation email which includes a link to the Scholarship Application. Your registration is complete once you submit the Scholarship Application. If you are selected to receive a scholarship, you will be notified by email within one week of the due date. At that time, balance payment will be due. Application deadlines are listed below

Looking for Summer Programs? Please go here.

Check out our Youth Programs FAQs. For further questions,  please email k12education@centerforarchitecture.org.

Upcoming Vacation Programs

Registration for 2024 Vacation Programs is now open!

I Love NYC (Grades 3-5) Tuesday, February 20 - Thursday, February 22

Elementary school student smiling behind their bridge model

Celebrate your love for NYC by learning about iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Students will learn new design techniques and strategies through small design projects inspired by these amazing structures. For their final project students will design and build their own unique creations for new NYC landmarks.

Scholarship Application Deadline: February 2

*This program is during NYC Public School February Break* 

Digital Design: House of the Future (Grades 6-8) Tuesday, February 20 - Thursday, February 22 - SOLD OUT

Middle school student digital design of a house built around a large tree

This class introduces students to SketchUp, a fun and free 3D computer modeling program. Students will investigate how housing has changed over the years and what’s in store for the future. Students will consider green design strategies such as using renewable energy sources, green and blue roofs, and natural lighting. Students will then create their own digital designs for a house of the future. 

Students will need to bring their own laptop and charging cord with Windows 11 or 10 or Mac OS 13+ (Ventura), 12+ (Monterey) and 11+ (Big Sur) for this class. Students can bring their own mouse or CFA will provide a wired mouse for student use. Students will be sent a link to download the free SketchUp trial software prior to the first day of class. Students with Chromebooks can use the free web-based SketchUp software. 

Scholarship Application Deadline: February 2

*This program is during NYC Public School February Break* 

This program is SOLD OUT. To be added to the waitlist, please email k12education@centerforarchitecture.org.

House of the Future (Grades 3-5) Tuesday, April 23 - Thursday, April 25

Student holding a model of a green landscape and house

Students in this program will investigate how housing has changed over the years and what’s in store for the future. The group will get a glimpse into historic homes to see how people lived in the past, explore advancements in green architecture today, and speculate about how we might live in the future. For their final project, students will design and build their own model of a house of the future. 

Scholarship Application Deadline: April 5 

*This program is during NYC Public School Spring Break* 

Treehouses (Grades 6-8) Tuesday, April 23 - Thursday, April 25

Middle school student holding a model treehouse

Create your own fantastic model treehouse! Students will begin the project by learning about the structure and features of trees to craft their own scale models of the perfect tree. Using these creations as our starting point, participants will be challenged to design and build a fantasy treehouse within its branches. We will learn various techniques to support the treehouse and create ladders, swings, furniture, and other fun details to scale. 

Scholarship Application Deadline: April 5 

*This program is during NYC Public School Spring Break*