Kids of all ages will be learning, exploring and having fun at SIU’s 2026 summer camps. Photo by Russell Bailey
May 29, 2026
SIU camps turn summer into adventure, media invited
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale is the place to be this summer as children and youths of all ages enjoy a large array of academic, athletic, art, music and outdoor camps. Indeed, the schedule continues to evolve with new camps joining the roster. The summer also presents numerous opportunities for reporters, photographers and news crews to capture engaging activity stories, photographs and video.
Several options for capturing good summer camp stories are available in early June. Camps focus on medicine, art, aviation and more.
So many possibilities
Here are media opportunities for May 31 to June 13, shown with brief descriptions, contact information and favorable times to visit:
- Pathways to Saluki Medicine– High school students participating in this overnight camp May 31-June 5 will explore medicine and biomedicine worlds through hands-on activities, interacting with medical professionals in the fields and more. Join the teens as they participate in CPR and first aid training on June 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. or as they learn suturing techniques during a suture clinic with a local plastic surgeon, 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 3. Both activities are in Life Science II building, Room 149. Contacts are Angie Raymer at araymer@siumed.edu and 618-534-7261 or Chelsea Griffith at chelseag@siu.edu and 618-499-7205.
- E.C. (Recreate, Energize and Connect at the REC) Sports camps are packed with sports, games and non-stop fun at the Student Recreational Center with two sessions for ages 6-10. Session I participants will enjoy swimming in the Olympic-size natatorium 12:30-2 p.m. daily June 2-4 and children in the second session can be featured enjoying sport-themed games on the courts at the center, 8-10 a.m. daily June 9-11. Contact Amber Armstrong at 618-453-1284 or ambera@siu.edu for additional details.
- The Student Center Craft Shop hosts arts and crafts camps all summer long, including two fun Clay Dinner Party camps. Youngsters will use the wheel and hand-building techniques to create their very own themed and functional table setting including plates, bowls, cups, clay food and more, adding color with underglaze and glaze. See the handiwork of children in grades 1-3 from 9-11 am. and youths in grades 4-8 from 1 to 4 p.m. on June 8-12 at the Craft Shop, located on the lower level of the Student Center. For more details, contact Stephanie Dukat at 618-453-3636 or craftshop@siu.edu.
A new VR camp begins – sign up now for camps
An exciting new camp just opened up – Saluki VR Developer Camp!
High school students won’t want to miss this June 29-July 1 interactive, creative day camp that provides an introduction to the world of virtual reality through game design, immersive storytelling and 3D action. They’ll collaborate, create, and bring to life their ideas within the virtual world, implementing gaming, technology, art and engineering.
Also slated for later in June are camps for baseball, basketball (team and kids’ sessions), wearable art, gamification, WeDo Robotics LEGO, beginning engineering LEGO, designing your own board game, advanced engineering LEGO and nursing careers. There’s also a Challenge to Excellence camp, the young writer’s conference and much more. The EdVenture outdoor camps return to Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center as well. Find the complete camp schedule, additional details and registration at camps.siu.edu.
Some camps fill up fast, but it’s not too late to register for camps that still have openings.
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.