April 09, 2018
Explore LEGO, sports, art, music and more at SIU’s 2018 children’s summer camps
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Would your children love to fly a plane? Perhaps they have aspirations of being an architect or a writer or wonder what a day in the life of a veterinarian is like. Or maybe your youngsters find art, sports, music or something else more appealing.
Whatever their interests might be, Southern Illinois University Carbondale has a summer youth camp that’s sure to appeal.
SIU’s Conference and Scheduling Services is coordinating a lineup for ages 5-18 packed with academic, artistic, music, and athletic camps for a variety of skills, abilities and interests.
LEGO, STEAM, career camps and more
More than a dozen different academic camps are planned, including multiple sessions of the very popular LEGO campus, with different sessions for various age groups throughout the summer. They run the gamut from beginning LEGO engineering campus for younger children to Robotics LEGO camps, the advanced Mindstorms camps and more.
One of the newest camps is the Saluki Enrichment Pre-Vet Program, a 2½ day overnight camp for grades 11-12 during which participants will actually work alongside a licensed veterinarian, finding out what the job is like and learning what it takes to become a vet.
Architecture, aviation, writing, mindfulness (featuring yoga and breathing techniques), and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, agriculture and mathematics) for girls are just a few of the other academic camps you’ll find.
Athletic camps focus on many sports
Children can enhance their skills and have fun at a variety of sports camps this summer.
Fishing, volleyball, cheerleading, soccer, baseball, cross country, track and field, and bowling and billiards are all on the schedule.
Kids can explore their artistic side at camp
The Craft Shop, located in the Student Center, is hosting several art camps, with sessions for children and youths of various ages. Drawing, painting, ceramics/pottery wheel, small metals, sewing and fibers, and woodworking are among the options.
In addition, the School of Art and Design has created a variety of unique camps for artistic youngsters.
Younger children can enjoy making big bug sculptures or nature glasses, becoming little modern masters, or exploring sculpture.
There’s an intensive multi-media art experience for high school students and the primary/middle school set can participate in mixed media, intensive drawing, mosaic fun and fantastic fabrics and fibers.
SIU comes alive with the sound of music
Students with a musical nature can benefit from the offerings this summer as well. There are camps specifically for junior high and high school band members as well as drum majors, color guards and percussionists.
In addition, SIU is having a piano camp and a summer string music camp.
Extra appeal
Each camp is hosted by professionals who are experts in their fields.
Participants also get to appreciate the campus’ diverse dining options and access to SIU’s recreational facilities. It’s a chance to get a sneak peek at what college life is like.
Many options to explore
Some of the camps are overnight while others are day camps. Some camps offer both alternatives. Each is geared toward specific age groups and the costs vary.
Many of the camps fill up fast, so organizers recommend registering early.
You can find the complete schedule, along with pricing, online registration and other details, at http://conferenceservices.siu.edu/camps. You can also register or get more information by calling 618/536-7751.