10

Years

8

Universities

27

Instructors

156

Students (2024)

1250

Flights

DroneCamp Returns in 2026! 

We are excited to announce that the 10th annual DroneCamp will be returning in the summer of 2026.  DroneCamp is a unique five-day training program that covers everything you need to know to use drones for fieldwork and mapping, and is designed for a wide range of skill levels and interests; from complete beginners with little to no experience in drone technology, to intermediate users who want to learn more advanced data processing and analysis. This is a robust program, but we emphasize, no experience is necessary!

The Current Drone Industry Landscape 

Drone operations today look different than they did just a few years ago, with new regulatory requirements and a changing mix of available platforms and tools. Successful programs increasingly depend on the ability to adapt technically, operationally, and procedurally. DroneCamp will introduce participants to new and emerging equipment and demonstrates how to incorporate these tools into existing workflows. The goal is to help operators stay effective as the landscape continues to change.

For a more detailed look at how DroneCamp is aligned with the current industry reality, click here.

What to expect at DroneCamp
(it’s not just flying drones – watch the whole thing!)

Registration Now Open!

Welcome to DroneCamp 2026!

Be sure to sign up for our email list to be notified with updates by clicking here. If you have any questions please contact info@dronecampca.org. Once you have registered, please watch your inbox for important emails from us in the weeks leading up the event.

These emails will include instructions on how to download and install all of the software applications that we will be using during DroneCamp’s practical hands-on sessions. If you are joining us in person, the computer labs on campus will have these pre-loaded, however you are still welcome to add them to your own laptop for personal use later on.

Click here to view the 2026 agenda.

History of DroneCamp

DroneCamp began in 2017 through the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) and has now grown into an amazing collaborative effort, with 27 instructors from UCANR, five UC campuses, CSU Monterey Bay, and three community colleges.

Please visit the About Page for more information.

Location, Lodging, and Transportation

DroneCamp is held at CSU Monterey Bay, near Monterey California USA.  Details can be found on the location page and the lodging and transportation page.

In-Person Participation

DroneCamp 2026 is In-Person only.  For logistical reasons, we are unable to provide a virtual DroneCamp experience this year.  In-person participants have live access to all the classroom presentations, workshops, and flight activities where they will have the opportunity to:

  • Fly a variety of drone platforms
  • Directly engage with instructors and other participants
  • Expand their networks
  • Attend drone demonstrations and an equipment showcase
  • Explore the iconic Monterey Bay Area

Light refreshments, lunch daily, and the evening social on Monday evening are also included.

Please note – this camp is not intended for high schoolers or youth. Anyone under the age of 18 should not register.

Testimonials

I had plenty of experience operating drones, but the data processing was extremely helpful in teaching me skills that I had been unable to previously find information about.

Great organization, very professional, friendly atmosphere. Interesting for any audience and good for any experience level. Will highly recommend to anyone.

I went from knowing nothing about drones to signing up for my part 107 exam and will be using drones to map wilderness areas for search and rescue operations.

DroneCamp 2019 was a great experience. I was impressed that such a large amount of information was presented in a very organized and coherent way. I appreciated that there was a sufficient number of presenters and staff that any questions could be quickly addressed. The expertise and level of preparation of the team were impressive.

As a researcher, I was already aware of the possible applications of drone-based photogrammetry, but Drone Camp gave me a more realistic idea of the cost of equipment and software required for high-accuracy results. I feel that I can speak knowledgeably about drones in writing a proposal, and include a reasonable budget.

Our agency is in the infancy stage of incorporating drones into our current work flow. There is a lot of interest in and around our office through stakeholders and our board of directors but it is an issue that should not be rushed. Drone Camp has been instrumental in introducing material & individuals that we can reach out to as we further refine the scope of how, when, and why drones will be a part of our current routine activities.

Drone Camp Partners