June 08, 2023
Media Advisory – SIU summer camps June 11-24
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale is hosting a diverse assortment of academic, athletic, art, music and outdoor camps for children and youths of all ages this summer, offering reporters, photographers and news crews numerous opportunities to capture engaging activity stories, photographs and video.
Several options for capturing noteworthy summer camp stories are available throughout the month of June. Camps focus on art, aviation, basketball, baseball and more.
Various possibilities on campus
Here are media opportunities for June 11-24, shown with brief descriptions, contact information and favorable times to visit:
- Gamification – Youths in grades 6-12 will learn about cutting-edge technology including virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence and podcasting during this June 12-16 camp. They will use virtual reality headsets, AI programs, a podcasting booth and various technologies to gamify their stories, learn and have fun. Come to the Digital Humanities Lab in Morris Library 640 A from 9-11:30 a.m. or the eSports Arena at the Student Center from 12:30-3 p.m. June 12-14 to see the campers use artificial and augmented intelligence to create video games and gamification of educational software. Contact Layla Murphy at 618-713-7613.
- SIU Baseball Kids Camp 1 – Campers ages 7-13 of all skill levels will be grouped by age to enjoy individualized instruction in hitting, bunting, base running, infield and outfield play, pitching and specific position work from SIU’s baseball coaching staff and players June 12-15 at Itchy Jones Stadium. Join them at 10 a.m. on June 15 at the stadium as the aspiring ball players participate in a variety of baseball activities, including scrimmages. Contact Jake Ryan at 818-200-3997 or Tyler Cook at 309-824-0488 for more information.
- Sewing Stuffed Sculptures – Children in grades 4-8 explore their artistic side and learn to sew by hand and machine June 12-16 as they create felt stuffed sculptures and animals. They will design, create a pattern, sew and build then embellish with fabric paints, buttons, embroidery and appliques. Join them June 15 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Student Center Craft Shop’s Paint Bar (lower level) as they sew the animals they’ve created with hand stitching or using machines. Contact Stephanie Dukat at stephaniedukat@siu.edu or 618-453-3636.
- Junior Aviator II (careers) – Children in grades 4-5 get a fun, hands-on introduction to the many career paths available in the field of aviation June 20-23 at SIU’s Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center at the Southern Illinois Airport. Through interactive activities, mini-field trips and more, they will find out more about careers as a pilot, maintenance technician, air traffic control, aircraft designer, weather observer, etc. Come June 20 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. as the children try out the flight simulators and/or June 23 at 9 a.m. as they craft paper mâché hot air balloons. Contacts are Lorelei Ruiz, lemiller@siu.edu and 618-319-2440, or Kenneth Wilkins, kenneth@siu.edu and 618-453-9216.
- Southern Illinois Men’s Basketball Saluki Kids Camp – Campers in grades 1-8 of all skill levels will enhance their ball-handling, passing, shooting, defense and other aspects of the game of basketball. They will improve their game, self-confidence, attitude and teamwork under the direction of SIU basketball staff and players while they gain self-confidence in the Banterra Center, where the Salukis play. Visit 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 20 or 21 as the campers participate in basketball handling drills, relay races, and a variety of competitions. Contact Justin Endsley at justin.endsley@siu.edu or 309-212-3117 for details.
- Creative Clay – There are two sessions of this camp June 20-23 and all campus will create bowls, cups and other functional pottery and explore other ways to make things with clay by hand building or wheel throwing. Children in grades 1-3 meet in the mornings while grades 4-8 meet in the afternoon at the Student Center Craft Shop’s Ceramic Studio, located on the lower level. Come June 20 or 21 from 9:30-11 a.m. or 1:30-3:30 p.m. as the participants create pottery on the pottery wheel. Contact Stephanie Dukat at stephaniedukat@siu.edu or 618-453-3636.
More options at Touch of Nature
Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, located about 8 miles south of Carbondale on Giant City Road, will be hosting several Edventure camps in June as well. Most of the camp activities will be outdoors.
Here are the details of the camps happening June 11-24, along with details about good story opportunities and contact information:
Edventure: Water Sports Week – Participants ages 11-12 will be learning about protecting that most important natural resource – water – as they explore the Little Grassy Lake watershed. They will enjoy water games, learn about aquatic animals, and canoe and kayak on the lake. Visit Touch of Nature Beach from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on June 13 to see the youngsters canoeing on Little Grassy Lake.
Edventure: Aqua Adventures – Campers ages 9-10 will explore all aspects of water as they investigate, splash and paddle in Little Grassy Lake and Indian Creek by making small waterways, dams, boats and learning about local aquatic plants and animals. Come to the Rocky Ledges Trail from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on June 13 and see campers jumping off of the famous Touch of Nature Rocky Ledges.
Edventure: Outdoor Skills – Children ages 9-10 will learn the basis of being an outdoors person as they hike, explore and even camp out. They will work together to pitch a tent, create nature shelters, investigate plant life, play nature games, hike, sing and also learn Leave No Trace principles and camp safety. Visit Touch of Nature from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on June 19 and observe the campers building nature shelters.
Edventure: X-treme Outdoors – This camp offers youths ages 11-12 the opportunity to try virtually all of the adventure experiences Touch of Nature (and the surrounding area) offers: hiking, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, games, the high ropes challenge course and even the famous zip line, as they make new friends and explore. Come to the Devil’s Standtable area at Giant City State Park from 10 a.m. to noon on June 20 as participants will be rock climbing.
Contacts for all Edventure camps are Sydney Pogue at sydney.pogue@siu.edu or 618-453-3950, or Lindsay Meverden at lmeverden@siu.edu or 618-453-3954.
Camp Little Giant better than ever in 2023
Camp Little Giant, SIU’s historic camp for people with differing abilities, returns in a redesigned format to be even more appealing to campers of today. The first camp of its kind in the United States, the camps has offered a true summer camp experience to people with disabilities since 1952, providing adaptations for all types of needs. It’s also the first camp accredited by the American Camp Association, and it was the forerunner for Special Olympics. The camp has been reimagined to still include the traditional favorite activities along with new things of interest to campers today.
Camp Little Giant sessions, along with descriptions of the camp, who it serves and contact details, include:
- Camp Little Giant: Dyna Camp – This June 11-16 camp is especially tailored for campers ages 8-12 who have ADHD and don’t have the need for high levels of support but do need something different than the traditional overnight camp. Visit 9 a.m. to noon on June 13 at Touch of Nature as the participants experience the camp’s high ropes course.
- Camp Little Giant: Lillypads – Children who struggle in social spheres or need a bit more attention than a traditional camp offers can enjoy this camp June 18-23. It’s designed for those ages 9-13 with Autism Spectrum, general or social anxiety, ADHD or those who aren’t comfortable in larger camps with a high camper to staff ratio (since no diagnosis is needed) can enjoy all sorts of camp activities in an environment that fosters friendship and personal development and social growth. Come to the Giant City Stables 9:30-11:30 a.m. on June 19 to see campers try horseback riding.
Contacts for all sessions of Camp Little Giant are Lindsay Meverden at lmeverden@siu.edu or 618-453-3954, or Sydney Pogue at sydney.pogue@siu.edu or 618-453-3950.
A bit more information
Events and Outreach and Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center coordinate the majority the camps while Saluki Athletics and other campus units take care of the rest. Visit camps.siu.edu for details about SIU’s summer camp offerings for all ages.
Scheduled activities are subject to change due to weather and unforeseen circumstances.