June 14, 2007

Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and camera crews in search of interesting summer activity stories are invited to visit any of the youth camps taking place the next couple of weeks at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The camps, coordinated with the assistance of SIUC's Division of Continuing Education, provide numerous opportunities for appealing photographs, video and stories.

The schedule, brief description, good times to capture notable stories and contact information for each camp follows.

• Summer Wings 2007 is a unique weeklong aviation camp from the SIUC Department of Aviation Management and Flight during which high school students experience first-hand the thrill of flight. The camp includes ground school classes, time in University flight training equipment and real aircraft, weather permitting, along with evening campus activities. The first session of the camp is June 17-22 with graduation and awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m. June 22. The second session is June 24-29 with graduation and awards at 11:30 a.m. June 29, both at Southern Illinois Airport. For more information, contact camp director Lorelei Ruiz at 618/453-9251.

• Eco U summer nature day camps at Touch of Nature Environmental Center's 3,100 acre setting at Little Grassy Lake give children entering grades 1-6 hands-on activities and experiences to enhance their understanding of nature. "Survival 101- Explore the way Native Americans used the land to meet their basic needs" is set for June 18-21. "Wonderful Water- Below the surface it's a whole new world" is set for June 25-29. The best media opportunities are Tuesday through Thursday each week 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday 8:45 to 11 a.m. and 12:15 to 2:30 p.m. Leave a message for Kate Hellgren, environmental educator, at 618/453-1122, extension 250, to schedule visit.

• Camp Little Giant is a therapeutic recreation camp for children and adults with disabilities. It takes place at Touch of Nature Environmental Center, seven miles south of Carbondale on Giant City Road. The camp schedule includes Camp Olympia II through June 22 for adults 21 and older with high care needs, low mobility or using wheelchairs. Camp Olympia III, June 17-22, caters to youth and adults with high care needs, low mobility or using wheelchairs. Also, Camp Traditions I is June 24-29 for adults 21 and older with physical or developmental disabilities while Camp Traditions II, for the same population, is June 24-July 6. To schedule a visit, call 618/453-1122, ext. 231 in advance and leave a message for Vicki Lang-Mendenhall.

• Universal Cheerleaders Association Camp is a team-oriented camp June 18-21 for junior high and high school youth focusing on game cheerleading and crowd leadership. The final routine evaluations will take place 9 to 11:30 a.m. June 21 in the Student Center ballrooms A, B, C, and D with awards at noon. About 175 will participate.

• Kid Architecture introduces young people to building design with 20 youth participating in the award-winning 19th annual camp under the direction of Jon Davey, a 27-year design instructor. Workshops June 25-29 by the Southern Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the School of Architecture and the College of Applied Sciences and Arts in conjunction with field trips, guest speakers, special activities and hands-on projects provide a unique glimpse into the world of architecture. Camp participants will cast one-foot square concrete stepping-stones with "Gaudi" mosaics 10-11 a.m. June 26 on SIUC parking lot 100 at the corner of Washington and Mill Streets.

For additional information about the UCA or Kid Architecture camps contact Vanessa Sneed at 618/536-7751, e-mail vsneed@siu.edu.

• Challenge To Excellence is June 17-22 for junior high students and June 24-29 for senior high students. The residential program for the Midwest's academically talented youth promotes higher level thinking skills in various academic subjects as it's designed to expand and challenge their skills. This is the 24th year for the camp that challenges the problem-solving skills of participants and encourages creativity with classes including mathematics, science, creative writing, drama and leadership skills development. Good opportunities for media exist in the drama class at the Lesar Law Building Auditorium each day of the camp 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3 p.m. and in Bridge Building located in Pulliam Hall, Room 39, each camp day 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to noon.

• Beginning Robotics Camp June 25-28 focuses on basic electronics and programming. Participants ages 11-15 will create their own kit robot during the commuter camp. They get to keep their "Boe-Bot" after the public competition and demonstration the final afternoon of camp. Camp is in Room 204A of Building C in the College of Applied Arts and Sciences. Media are welcome to stop by the lab to see campers working on robotic projects 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. June 27 or attend the public competition and demonstration at 11 a.m. June 29.

• The Ninth Annual Young Writers Workshop June 27-30 gives high school sophomores through seniors the opportunity to explore and develop their poetry and prose skills and talents. The workshop includes daily critique sessions led by SIUC faculty, panels, readings and craft discussions led by SIUC faculty and graduate students under the direction of award-winning poet Allison Joseph, author of five poetry books. Media are invited to participant readings 1:05 to 3:15 p.m. June 30 in room 34 (Cisne Auditorium) at Pulliam Hall. For more information, contact camp director Allison Joseph at 618/453-6813 or 618/453-6833.

Additional information about all of the camps is on the SIUC website at http://www.dce.siu.edu/youth/youthmain.htm or for more information contact the Division of Continuing Education at 618/536-7751.