June 15, 2012
Media Advisory -- Camps June 17-30
Reporters, photographers and news crews looking for interesting summer activity stories will find a variety of opportunities at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s summer camps.
The Division of Continuing Education coordinates most of the camps, with Touch of Nature Environmental Center and athletics handling others. The schedule for June 17-30, along with a brief description of each camp, opportune times to capture stories or footage, and contact information, includes:
• Camp Little Giant offers three camp sessions for children and adults with disabilities during this time period. Camp Olympia III is June 17-22 for adults 21 and older with high care needs, low mobility or using a wheelchair. Camp Traditions I is June 24-29 and Camp Traditions II is June 24-July 6 for adults ages 21 or older with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities. The camps provide those with varying disabilities an authentic summer camp experience at Touch of Nature Environmental Center, about eight miles south of Carbondale on Giant City Road. The best time for media to visit is around 9:30 Tuesday through Thursday mornings at Freeberg Dining Hall. Media are welcome up until 11:30 a.m. but if not present by 9:30 a.m., please contact the camp for arrangements. For additional information or to arrange a media visit, contact Vicki Lang at 618/453-1122, ext. 231, or by emailing vickil@siu.edu.
• Challenge to Excellence, June 17-22. This is the 29th year for the camp that brings academically talented middle and high school students to campus for enrichment and creative thinking opportunities in science, math, creative writing, drama, German and health and wellness. Classes run 8:45-10:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m.-noon and 1:15-2:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with a slightly revised schedule as things wrap up on Friday. Locations include drama in the Lesar Law School Auditorium, German in Faner Hall foreign language lab (1125), science in Life Science II 381, math in Wham 301B, creative writing in Neckers 410 and health and wellness in the Student Recreation Center. Activity shots may be easiest to find in drama, wellness/fitness, science and German. In addition, there will be a talent show in the Agriculture Building auditorium 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, and media are welcome. For more information contact John McIntyre at johnm@siu.edu.
• Summer Wings, June 17-22, Southern Illinois Airport. This residential high school student camp from the Department of Aviation Management and Flight offers an introduction to collegiate aviation flight training with campers participating in ground school sessions and flying University aircraft and flight simulators. Media are welcome at the airport generally between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30-11:30 a.m. Friday. Contact Steve Goetz at 618/453-9280 or Lorelei Ruiz at 618/453-9265 for more information.
• Eco U, two sessions during this time period, both are 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Survival 101 is June 18-22 and Wonderful Water is June 25-29 at Touch of Nature Environmental Center. Both are experiential nature camps providing children entering grades 2-7 with hands-on learning experiences. Survival 101 focuses on how Native Americans used the land to meet their survival needs while Wonderful Water explores the unique world that lives in water. The camps include canoe excursions on Little Grass Lake. For more information or to set up a media visit, call 618/453-1122, ext. 250, or email kate4h@siu.edu.
• Saluki Cheerleading Team Camp, June 18-21, Student Recreation Center. This day camp is for youths in grades 5-12 and the focus is on enhancing group cheer skills, creating spirit, team building and personal development. Camp instruction is from noon to 5 p.m. June 18, 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. June 19, and then 8-10 a.m. on June 20. Parents are welcome at the concluding performance 10 a.m.-noon on June 20. For more information, contact Neva Corn at 618/967-3441 or nevacorn@gmail.com.
• Saluki 10 and Under Tennis Camp, June 18-22,10 a.m.-noon at the tennis courts. This camp is for children 10 and younger who are just learning the game of tennis and need basic instruction. The camp will use smaller nets, low compression balls and a small tennis court to encourage early success. The camp gives awards and T-shirts for campers. Audra Nothwehr, head women’s tennis coach, and members of the men’s and women’s Saluki tennis teams will provide instruction. For more information contact Nothwehr at 618/453-5462 or by emailing nothwehr@athletics.siu.edu.
• WeDo Robotics Engineering LEGOs, June 18-22, 1-4:30 p.m., Quigley Hall. Youngsters in grades three and above will enjoy a variety of creative learning experiences involving science, literacy, math and social studies as they create theme models including alligators, birds and lions. The experience promotes critical thinking, problem solving and creativity and includes visual arts, dramatic arts, music, technology and physical education components. For more information, contact Jon Davey at 618/559-8931 or 618/453-3734.
• Young Writers Workshop, June 19-23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Faner Hall. This 14th annual program for high school sophomores-seniors helps them explore and develop their poetry and prose writing skills under the direction of creative writing faculty and graduate students. They will participate in panels, readings and craft discussions along with daily critique sessions. For more information contact Allison Joseph, English associate professor, at aljoseph@siu.edu.
• Saluki Volleyball -- Lil’ Saluki Camp, June 23, 9 a.m.-noon, Davies Gymnasium. This day clinic for boys and girls ages 5-10 is an introduction to volleyball with campers learning the game and skills from SIU volleyball staff and volleyball players from the University and region. They’ll learn in a fun, engaging environment. To learn more, contact the Saluki volleyball office at 618/453-5476 or email salukivbcamps@athletics.siu.edu.
• NASA Wings, June 24-29, Southern Illinois Airport. High school students will participate in this camp sponsored largely by NASA’s Office of Space Communication and Navigation during which they will receive an introduction to space-based navigation and communication technologies in aviation. Campers will participate in aircraft and simulator flights, field trips and ground school sessions. Media are welcome at the airport generally between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30-11:30 a.m. Friday but since there will be field trips, it would be best to check before arriving on site. Contact Steve Goetz at 618/453-9280 or Lorelei Ruiz at 618/453-9265 for more information and scheduling plans.
• TV News Camp, June 24-29, Communications Building. Youth in grades 9-12 explore the television news arena learning skills in broadcast writing, producing, videography, editing and field reporting courtesy of the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts, with grants from the Illinois Broadcasters Association. They will conduct interviews, operate cameras and microphones and then produce and edit real TV video and sound with some also doing news, weather or sports broadcasting. For more information or to arrange times to cover the camp, contact Greg Todd at 618/453-5282 or by email at gregtodd@siu.edu.
• Saluki Tennis Camp II, June 25-28, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the tennis courts. This is a commuter camp for students entering grades 3-12. Each day features six hours of tennis technique work including proper stroke mechanics, point and match play for singles and doubles, learning strategy, stroke analysis and footwork. There are also classroom sessions focusing on mental toughness, good tennis nutrition and more, and residential campers will participate in evening activities. The camp provides awards and T-shirts for campers. Audra Nothwehr, head women’s tennis coach, and members of the men’s and women’s Saluki tennis teams will provide instruction. For more information contact Nothwehr at 618/453-5462 or by emailing nothwehr@athletics.siu.edu.
• Beginning Engineering LEGO Camp, June 25-29, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Quigley Hall. Children in grades 1-2 will learn about engineering and architecture as they create assorted LEGO projects featuring pulleys, gears, motors and electronic sensors. For more information, contact Jon Davey at 618/559-8931 or 618/453-3734.