June 29, 2012

Media Advisory: Summer Camps July 1-14

Reporters, photographers and news crews in search of interesting summer activity stories need look no further than Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s summer camps.

The Division of Continuing Education coordinates most of the camps with the Touch of Nature Environmental Center, Saluki athletics, and other units on campus handling others.  The 2012 summer camp schedule for July 1-14, 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 Traditions II continues through July 6 while Camp Traditions III is July 1-6 and Camp Traditions IV is July 8-13.  All three camps are for adults ages 21 or older with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities.  Camp Little Giant provides 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 a.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays at Freeberg Dining Hall.  Media are welcome until about 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.

• Eco U, the fourth and final session of the summer camp takes place July 2-3 and 5-6 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Touch of Nature Environmental Center.  Planet Earth turns the spotlight on the earth we live on and how to protect it and make it a healthier place.  It is an experiential nature camps for children entering grades 2-7 and provides hands-on learning experiences.  The camps include canoe excursions on Little Grassy Lake.  Touch of Nature is about eight miles south of Carbondale on Giant City Road.  For more information call 618/453-1122, ext. 250, or email kate4h@siu.edu.

•  Girls Make Movies, July 8-13, Communications Building.  High school girls with an interest in film and video will participate in screenings, productions and discussions with women who make and study the moving image.  Campers will learn about different formats including documentary, experimental and fiction films as well as diverse approaches to storytelling.  This camp earned recognition earlier this spring in a “Ms. Magazine” blog as “an up-and-coming addition to this cadre of women’s media organizations.”  Media are welcome when campers attend the Southern Illinois Roller Girls practice at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, at the Pavilion of the City of Marion, 1602 Sioux Drive, Marion.  Campers will be getting footage of practice and conducting interviews with some of the Roller Girls for a film.  For more information contact Clare Mitchell at 618/453-4308 or by email at cmitch@siu.edu.

•  Journalism Camp, July 9-13, Communications Building.  The 18 participating students from 11 high schools will learn about journalism and the profession’s challenges in the 21st century.  Students will gain experience working on a daily newspaper that includes an Internet element, along with photography and videography work.  Students will take a field trip to a local television studio and enjoy other hands-on learning experiences.  For more information contact William Recktenwald at 618/536-3361.

•  WeDo Robotics Engineering LEGOs, July 9-13, 1-4:30 p.m., Quigley Hall.   Youngsters in grades three and above will enjoy science, literacy, math and social studies creative learning experiences as they create theme models of alligators, birds, lions and more.  The camp promotes critical thinking, problem solving and creativity and offers visual arts, dramatic arts, music, technology and physical education components.  For more information, contact Jon Davey at 618/559-8931 or 618/453-3734.

 •  Saluki Volleyball Junior High Camp, July 12-14, SIU Arena. Girls entering grades 6-9 will work on fundamental volleyball skills, teamwork, and get an introduction into more advanced techniques at this camp with instruction by the Saluki volleyball staff and players, along with players from around the region. Media are welcome from 2-4 p.m. July 13 or 14.  For more information, contact the Saluki volleyball office at 618/453-5476 or by email at salukivbcamps@athletics.siu.edu.