About Us

Camp Tamias is a project-based summer program where students do focused work in science, programming, and the arts. Classes are small and expectations are clear. Campers design experiments, write code, analyze results, revise their work, and present their findings. The goal is not brief exposure, but real skill developed through sustained effort and mentorship.

What sets Camp Tamias apart is continuity. Projects begun during the summer may continue during the academic year with instructor guidance, with the aim of presenting at science fairs and, when appropriate, submitting to student research journals.

We also offer a structured teaching pathway for high school seniors and college freshmen. Selected young instructors help plan and lead classes, gaining early experience in teaching and classroom leadership.

Teaching Philosophy

At Camp Tamias, we believe in intellectual independence grounded in integrity. Students are expected to think for themselves, question assumptions, and take responsibility for their work. Projects are shaped through inquiry and guided mentorship: instructors provide structure and feedback, but the ideas, decisions, and revisions belong to the students.

We also encourage thoughtful risk-taking. Students are expected to attempt difficult problems, test uncertain ideas, and learn from failure. Science is not done in isolation, so we foster open exchange of ideas, constructive peer critique, and mutual support. Serious work requires both independence and collaboration.

Our Instructors

Our instructors include researchers, engineers, educators, and advanced students who actively work in their fields. We look for people who care about subject matter and respect young minds. Many of our classes are taught or supported by high-achieving high school and college students who serve as junior instructors and assistant

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Daniel Levin

Filmmaking & Band Program Lead

Daniel Levin is an award-winning filmmaker and dedicated educator with over 15 years of experience teaching college-level filmmaking courses. As the filmmaking and band program lead at Camp Tamias, he helps the next generation of creative minds find their unique voices.

Elena Rubin

Coding & Python Program Coordinator

Elena Rubin is a certified secondary mathematics educator completing an advanced degree at CUNY Queens College and expanding her credentials into Computer Science. As the Python program coordinator at Camp Tamias, she supervises our coding curriculum and designs tech-driven, hands-on pathways that build logical reasoning and academic confidence.

Dr. Lev Yampolsky

Biology & Marine Biology Instructor

Dr. Lev Yampolsky is an accomplished evolutionary biologist, geneticist, and university professor with over 30 years of research and teaching experience. As a biology and marine biology instructor at Camp Tamias, he translates complex ecological concepts into hands-on field experiences to provide students with rare opportunities for scientific discovery.

Maria Levin

Camp Director

Maria Levin is an accomplished youth program leader, community organizer, and former applied physics researcher with over 20 years of experience. As the Director of Camp Tamias, she connects advanced academic workshops with experiential outdoor education while leading dedicated scholarship initiatives for displaced and refugee youth.

Dr. Oxana Litvin

Camp Founder | STEM Educator

Dr. Oxana Litvine is a neuroscientist and advanced STEM educator who prepares students for AP exam excellence and higher education success. As the founder of Camp Tamias, she guides impactful student projects and original research to build foundational skills for future academic journeys.

Our Partners

We collaborate with research groups, startups, and educational organizations that value early talent. These partnerships help us expose students to working scientists and real research environments.

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Become Our Partner

If you run a lab, startup, or research organization and are interested in mentoring strong middle and high school students, we would like to talk. We are especially interested in building internship pathways for our older campers.

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