All ages will find camps and programs to intrigue, entertain, educate or engage them at Southern Illinois University Carbondale this summer, catering to many interests and varied abilities. That’s because the 2024 summer camp lineup is big and diverse, assuring there is something to appeal to everyone.
SIU’s Events and Outreach is coordinating a wide array of enriching, educational, enjoyable camp experiences providing children and youths options to learn new things, improve their athletic skills, create unique artwork, build, explore the great outdoors or long-ago history, make music, design the future, soar through the skies, get their game on and much more. Participants can also get a sneak peek at possible career options. All the while, no matter what camps they’re attending, they’ll be making new friends and having a great time.
The university also offers adults numerous options for personal and professional development along with hundreds of continuing education online course options.
New to the ’24 lineup
The summer camp schedule for children in first grade through high school includes a vast array of academic, athletic, craft and music camps.
For the first time ever, high school students can participate in an exciting overnight camp exploring the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on projects and innovative discovery at SIU’s STEM Education Research Center (SERC) camp, set for June 10-28. Details are coming soon.
Dozens of choices
The ever-so-popular series of Lego camps, including Lego Mindstorm, Lego Engineering and WeDo Robotics Lego camps, are all taking place this summer with several sessions offered for various grades. Challenge to Excellence is a perennial favorite for youths as it weaves together drama, biology, art, math, psychology and more to promote higher-level thinking skills and creativity with separate sessions for grades 7-8 and grades 9-12. The gamification and uncovering history archeology field camps debuted a couple of years ago to rave reviews and have earned repeat spots in the lineup along with aviation, esports, Saluki Opportunities in Accounting (SOAR) camp, Ag Leadership, Girls STEAM and numerous other camps.
In addition, the Student Center’s Craft Shop is offering a large and diverse assortment of art camps featuring everything from clay dinner party to fun with fibers. Participants can create clay sculptures, silkscreen or block print on clothing and other items, explore art, draw and paint, getting inspiration from famous masters of yesteryear and more.
Numerous music camps are on tap for individuals and groups of different ages as well. Youths can enhance their skills on the piano, as drum major or color guard, as percussionists or during high school or junior high band camps.
Saluki Athletics and Events and Outreach are also offering an assortment of athletic camps for various sports, including football, volleyball and swimming. There are also two baseball camps and tournament options.
More coming soon
Explore all the summer camp options and register at camps.siu.edu. Additional camps and more information are added continually. The camps are led by professionals who are experts in their fields; Saluki students assist in some cases.
Nearby John A. Logan College is also offering a complementary lineup of summer camps. Check its community education page soon for details and updates as camp registrations go live.
Inspired lifelong learning
SIU offers appealing opportunities for adults to learn, regardless of age. Find information about the numerous online continuing education courses, sign language interpreter courses and a variety of other in-person and continuing education and professional development programs.
For more information about any of the Events and Outreach adult programming, visit the website, call 618-536-7751 or email conferenceservices@siu.edu.
