Make summer 2026 the best by exploring SIU’s vast array of academic, athletic, outdoor, art and music summer camps for all ages, interests and abilities. Photo by Amihere Benson
May 22, 2026
There’s still time to get in on the action at SIU’s 2026 summer camps
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Study whitetail deer fawns. Learn some new beats in world percussion. Explore the possibilities of biomedical engineering or build a battle-bot. When area kids go back to class, they’ll have a whole lot of stories about what they did – and learned – this summer! But first, you have to register. There’s still time to sign up for Southern Illinois University Carbondale summer camps but the clock is ticking.
Read on to find out how you can make summer 2026 amazing.
Youths can learn, expand their horizons, improve skills, connect with their peers and have a great time at dozens of academic, art, music, athletic and outdoor camps. There’s literally something for all ages, abilities and interests – and, there’s still time to sign up!
Pursue your passion
No matter what youngsters enjoy, it’s likely there’s a camp at SIU devoted to it. An accomplished or budding artist? Check out the diverse art camps offered by the Student Center Craft Shop. Kids can create wearable art, make their own personalized board game, handmake clay dishware and sew sculptures.
Perhaps the kids are more attune to music. There’s also a drum major camp, color guard camp – for individuals or squads – and separate camps for junior high band and high school band.
Exploring the future today
Children can also learn, explore future career options and have a great time, courtesy of dozens of academic camps.
By popular demand, SIU’s STEAM camps – STEAM for All Girls, STEAM for All Boys and Sensory Engineering in the Field (STEM) – are returning in 2026.
The grant-funded STEAM for All camps are science, technology, engineering, art and math camps for middle school/junior high students in grades 6-8 from the Carbondale, Cobden and Murphysboro school districts who meet specific income qualifications. Interactive workshops and projects using the newest technologies – think 3D printing, biomedical engineering, electronic circuit exploration, creating with AI, working with modern vehicles and automotive technology and much more – and you’re getting the concept. STEAM for All: Girls camp is set for July 6-10 while STEAM for All: Boys camp is July 20-24.
The four-week researchers’ camp STEM Research Academy offers high school students a very special learning opportunity. There will be remote activities the first and fourth week and hands-on, on-campus action June 7-18. Participants can choose from 17 intriguing research projects and work on it with expert SIU faculty and staff – or they can create their own project. Among the options are studying the region’s light pollution, reverse engineering of language, intelligent online machine learning, white light solar flares, white-tailed deer fawn and much more.
Middle and high school students can enjoy immersive, dynamic, hands-on leaning at the popular Challenge to Excellence Camp, celebrating its 42nd appearance at SIU. Sessions will incorporate exploration of theatre, geology, astronomy, 3D printing and a myriad of other topics designed to give academically talented participants a chance to spread their wings while honing higher thinking skills in math, art, psychology, drama, biology and more. The high school session is June 7-12 while the junior high camp is June 21-26.
High school upperclassmen considering a health career won’t want to miss the Nursing Career Camp, set for June 23-25 for juniors and seniors. They’ll get practical nursing experience using modern simulators, learning basic nursing skills in healthcare settings, hearing guest professionals and touring labs.
And that’s not all! There are camps for gamification, robotics, engineering, LEGOS, agriculture education leadership, writers, aviation and more.
Sports up
Young athletes are far from forgotten at SIU as there are numerous sports camps throughout the summer, including two sessions of baseball camp along with a baseball prospect showcase for high school students.
There are assorted soccer camps as well, including three sessions of youth summer camp, goalkeeper/striker camp, and a girls’ ID camp. All faculty and staff receive a $25 discount when registering for any of the soccer camps by entering the code SIU25 at checkout.
The lineup also includes volleyball and basketball camps for various ages.
The R.E.C. Sports Kids Camps, from SIU’s Recreational Sports and Services premiered in 2025 and the popular, action-filled camps return this year with two June sessions for ages 6-10. Kids can try out the amenities of the Student Recreation Center and nearby areas as they swim, boat, hike, climb, play disc golf, field games, and enjoy sports galore.
If the kiddos prefer a heaping, fun dose of the great outdoors, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, SIU’s scenic experiential learning center located off Giant City Road about eight miles south of Carbondale and alongside the Shawnee National Forest, is the place to be. This summer the center offers three sessions of its acclaimed EDVenture Camps for ages 5-12. Each features a unique theme with correlating hands-on learning activities, outdoor exploration and experiences. The sessions include: Nature Detectives, Survival 101 and Forest Explorers Week. Some of the camps are nearly full, but due to EdVenture popularity and high demand, plans are underway to add two more sessions – July 6-10 and July 20-24. Visit the website for themes and details.
Youths ages 13-17 who are interested in becoming camp counselors will want to check out the Counselor-in-Training Week, too.
Truly special
Summer camp organizers say SIU’s camps are special and unique as they are led by true professionals in the fields – professors, coaches and experts – assisted by SIU student leaders.
SIU’s Events and Outreach, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center and Saluki Athletics coordinate the camps.
Register now
Check out the full slate of SIU summer camp options, find more details and sign up online now at camps.siu.edu. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and some fill up very quickly so finalize summer camp plans now.
John A. Logan College, located in nearby Carterville, offers a complementary summer camp lineup as well. Find more information and registration details on the college’s frequently updated community education page.
Fostering lifelong learning
There are seemingly countless personal and professional development learning opportunities for adults as well at SIU.
Check out hundreds of continuing education online courses, become a community listener, or discover various additional in-person and continuing education and professional development programs.
For additional information about any of the Events and Outreach adult programming, visit the website, call 618-536-7751 or email conferenceservices@siu.edu.