(Above) Children enjoy a pedal boat ride on Campus Lake during a session of SIU’s new R.E.C. Sports Kids camp. (Below). A camper takes on a special problem-solving challenge with Legos in the Challenge to Excellence camp. Photos by Amihere Benson.
June 11, 2025
There’s still time to join the fun at SIU summer camps
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale is brimming with action these days as the summer camp season is in full swing and it’s not too late to sign children up for amazing adventures and unique interactive learning opportunities.
The schedule for the next couple of weeks features a diverse array of academic, athletic, art, music, outdoor and nature camps for children from first grade through high school. The camps are led by SIU’s experienced and talented faculty and staff members with assistance from Saluki athletes, students in related fields, and special guests.
Calling aspiring authors
The Young Writers Conference gives high school and community college students a unique, immersive experience to help them explore and develop their skills in writing poetry and prose. They will learn about different forms of poetry, narrative techniques and small-press publishing, engage in writing games and arts and crafts with an emphasis on writing and learn how authors get published. They will also perform readings of their own creative writing and hear from SIU students, faculty and special guest writers.
Arts and Crafts galore
Children can hone their arts and crafts skills through an assortment of fun, creative workshops being offered this summer through the Craft Shop, located on the lower level of the Student Center. Youths in grades 4-8 can enjoy a Clay Dinner Party June 23-27 as they test their creativity with clay. They will use wheel throwing and hand-building techniques to make their own themed plates, bowls, cups, food and various other items then finish them with underglaze and glaze for color.
Promoting higher-level thinking
High school students will participate in intriguing experiences that promote higher level thinking skills in math, art, psychology, drama, biology and other subjects during the Challenge to Excellence camp June 15-20. Participants in one of the Midwest’s oldest and most respected programs for academically talented students will enjoy a STEM-inspired theater dance class, explore hands-on activities related to the physics of car crashes, and test their problem-solving, physics and engineering skills as they take on a unique challenge – designing a box constructed of Legos that will protect a light bulb when dropped two stories. Participants will also learn about magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and how this technology and related nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy work.
STEAMing strong
The grant-funded science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) camps provide remarkable learning opportunities for youths in grades 6-8 from the Carbondale, Cobden and Murphysboro school districts who meet specific income qualifications. The STEAM for All camp boys camp is June 23-27, but it’s actually open to everyone, regardless of gender. Participants will create electronic circuits, take part in automotive electronics activities at the Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center, solve mathematical problems and more with 3D math printing, engage in biomedical engineering activities, work with artificial intelligence and art, enjoy crafting activities at the Student Center Craft Shop and so much more.
Sports and recreation
The new R.E.C. Sports Kids Camps from SIU’s Recreational Sports and Services explore numerous recreational opportunities across campus. During the June 23-25 session for grades 6-8, campers will participate in a field day competition at the Student Recreation Center, work on their sport skills development, enjoy a field day competition, fun time at Campus Lake and so much more.
A diverse assortment of sports camps is taking place throughout the summer courtesy of Saluki Athletics. The Everything Track Clinic Camp, set for June 25-26 takes athletes ages 12-18 to SIU’s Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex for an energetic session that blends interactive drills and specialized event coaching to help participants improve their techniques and enhance their performance in all types of running, jumping and throws events. The accompanying Throws Clinic looks to help athletes improve their performance with the shot put, discus and hammer.
Saluki baseball camp for ages 11-14 is June 23-26. Participants will learn fundamental skills while also enjoying plenty of game time and fun at Itchy Jones Stadium. One of the highlights is a water slide activity to help participants enhance their sliding abilities.
Learn more
A few camps, including Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center’s EdVenture Camp: Embrace Your Inner Critter, are so popular they are already completely booked. Sixty children age 5-10 will engage in hands-on discovery and adventure in the forest as they learn of the natural world and they’ll join in an all-camp water Olympics on the camp’s final afternoon.
However, there are still many options available for summer camp excitement and adventure. Explore all of the SIU camp options and find online registration at camps.siu.edu. Events and Outreach and Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center coordinate most of the camps, while Saluki Athletics and other campus units handle the rest.
Media Advisory
SIU’s summer camps offer a myriad of opportunities for reporters, photographers and news crews to obtain engaging activity stories, photographs and videos. Contact Christi Mathis at cmathis@siu.edu for details about camp plans as well as specific times and dates offering the most opportune options.