May 29, 2008

Media Advisory -- Summer Camps

Reporters, photographers and camera crews in search of interesting summer activity stories will find plenty of opportunities in the first two weeks of June at Southern Illinois University Carbondale's youth camps. The camps, coordinated with the assistance of SIUC's Division of Continuing Education, provide ample opportunities for engaging photographs, video and stories.

The schedules, brief camp description, opportune times to catch newsworthy stories and contact information for each camp follow.

• Eco U summer nature day camps at Touch of Nature Environmental Center's Little Grassy Lake site enable children entering grades one-six to truly experience Mother Nature. "Animal Adventures" is June 2-6. Children learn through hands-on activities that in every nook and cranny, animals are quite amazing. "Wonderful Water" is June 9-13 as kids find out for themselves that below the surface, it's a whole new world. Both weeks, professional staff will lead with innovative, inspiring and safe environmental activities.

Activities are at the Touch of Nature Environmental Center, about seven miles south of Carbondale on Giant City Road, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. each day. For more information or to schedule a visit, contact Kate Hellgren, environmental educator, at 618/453-1122, ext. 250.

• The Southern Illinois Cooperative Youth Conference, co-sponsored by the Illinois Cooperative Council and the SIUC College of Agricultural Sciences, is June 5-6 for students in grades 11 and 12. It's an interesting and educational opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to learn more about cooperatives, participating in workshops about the financing, management and structure of cooperatives as well as learning about career options in the field from experienced cooperative employees.

Activities are ongoing June 5 from 10:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and the second day from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the Agriculture Building on the SIUC campus. For more information or to schedule a visit, contact Kristy Bender, camp director, at 618/453-3080.

More information about all of the 2008 summer camps is on the SIUC Web site at http://www.dce.siu.edu/youth/youthmain.htm or available by contacting the Division of Continuing Education at 618/536-7751.