This summer, Western Michigan University offers a wide variety of camps geared toward students of all ages. Our camps range from academic to sports, with a little bit of everything in between. Camps vary in cost based on requirements. Some camps offer scholarships; see the individual website for details. For more information on any of our exciting camps, please click on the links below for each specific camp. Contact the Office of PreCollege Programming at @email or (269) 387-2773 for general questions about this website. The Office does not have any information about the specific camps.
As camp information becomes available, it will be posted here. To add your WMU camp to this webpage, fill in your information on the webform. All camps listed are for Summer 2026.
Check out all the different Athletic Camps that we offer at WMU!
- Men's Soccer Camps - Register now
- Women's Soccer Camps - Register now
- Men's Football Camps - Register soon
- Volleyball General Skills Camp, July 8-9, Grades 6-12 - Register now
- Softball Camps - Register now
Participants will explore the concepts of buoyancy, density, aerodynamics, energy and motion through a series of hands-on, design-build-test activities. Events will include harnessing wind power on both square-rigged and Bermuda-rigged boats, maximizing drag to slow a descent, building and launching water bottle rockets, and building a small hot air balloon. Most activities will be modeled after elementary-school-level Science Olympiad competitions. Participants will experience Floyd Hall and the surrounding parkland of the WMU Parkview Campus and explore WMU’s main campus in Kalamazoo. Float, Fly and Lift! camp is for grades 3-5 and Design It, Build It camp is for grades 6-8. Float, Fly and Lift! will be offered twice, July 20-23 and July 27-30; Design It, Build It will be offered July 20-23 and July 27-30. More information can be found on the science and engineering camps website.
WMU Esports summer camps are an introduction to competitive Esports for students entering grades 6 through 12 in the fall. All camps are led by experienced WMU Esports coaches and staff and consist of five days going over a variety of topics that are critical to being a successful Esports competitor.
- WMU Esports Beginner Camp, June 15-19
- WMU Esports Beginner Camp, June 22-26
- WMU Esports Advanced Camp, July 13-17
- WMU Esports Advanced Camp, July 20-24
The beginner camp is designed for those new to Esports or looking to improve their fundamental skills. Campers will learn the basics of teamwork, communication, strategy and game-specific mechanics in a fun and engaging environment. We cover a lot of popular Esports titles and focus on building a strong foundation for competitive play. No prior experience is necessary. Camp is designed for those entering grades 6 through 8 in the fall.
The advanced camp is intended for experienced Esports athletes looking to take their game to the next level. It is for players who already possess a solid understanding of game mechanics and looking to refine their skills. Participants will delve into advanced strategies, in-depth team dynamics and competitive mindset training. Our counselors will provide personalized feedback and guidance while focusing on advanced map awareness, strategic decision making and optimized communication. Prior experience in competitive gaming or completion of a beginner Esports camp is strongly recommended. Camp is designed for those entering grades 7 through 12 in the fall.
WMU GEAR UP is to expose students to different college and career opportunities, as well as see the sights and take in the local history and culture.
Locations and dates to be announced soon.
Students currently in the 12th grade at Benton Harbor, Fennville, Hartford and Kalamazoo Central High Schools are eligible to apply.
Applicants and their legal parents/guardians must complete a summer tour application and an interview to be considered.
All costs, meals, housing, and group development activities are provided by the program.
Applications will be available soon, please contact Ariel Ringo at @email or (269) 387-3366.
The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project is seeking enthusiastic participants to join Western Michigan University in excavating and uncovering the history of Fort St. Joseph. Campers will learn about archaeology and the history of Fort St. Joseph at the Niles District Library. In addition, they will perform lab activities and excavate at the site alongside WMU archaeologists and students.
Camp Dates:
- July 13-17: Entering Grades 6-8; Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm, Cost: $175
- July 20-24: Entering Grades 9-12; Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm, Cost: $175
- July 27-31: Lifelong Learners and Educators. SCECHs available. Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm, Cost: $175
- July 28-August 1: Experienced Learners (for camp attendees in the last 5 years); Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-3pm,
For more information or questions, please contact us at @email.
The week-long Dollars and Sense camp is designed to help students prepare for the future and learn how to manage money. Camp attendees will have the opportunity to:
- Discover career pathways.
- Plan for college or a skilled trade.
- Build a financial plan to fund post-secondary education.
- Practice budgeting, saving and investing.
- Learn about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies.
- Explore insurance and risk management.
- Gain knowledge about real estate.
- Compete in virtual investing, budget and other personal finance games.
- Meet business professionals and interact with real-world work environments, learning from experts.
- Create a life cycle plan that takes campers from high school through retirement.
The ultimate goal is for your student to understand and apply basic concepts in personal finance, such as budgeting, paying for education, saving for retirement and more. Content is taught by experts from the private sector and the Haworth College of Business Department of Finance and Commercial Law. Each module is discussion-based and designed to be fun and engaging. Participants will have the opportunity to make presentations to financial professionals demonstrating the knowledge they have learned. There will be giveaways for campers who attend all sessions.
More information about camp for students in 7th - 12th grade is coming soon.
The primary goals of WIRE math and science camp are for students to:
- Give Children the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of math and science by focusing on number theory, problem-solving, and algebraic expression;
- Increase the students' level of confidence by reducing the fear and anxiety associated with learning math and science;
Camp available for students in grades 3-8 and is held from July 1 - July 29. Registration will be open soon.
ATYP offers Writing the College Admissions Essay Workshop for students entering their senior year (2026-27). There will be several separate sessions of this class - some online and some in-person. To see the dates, click on Register Now.
Looking to get a head start on your college applications? Using the prompts of the Common Application, this class will help you develop essay ideas and focus on a unique piece that allows the real you to shine through! We will use creative methods every day to inspire writing that will spark interest in your readers. We like to have fun in this camp!
Become a freshwater detective! In this hands-on camp, students will investigate a campus aquatic system by collecting water samples, running chemistry tests, and searching for signs of pollution or eutrophication. Campers will sample living organisms - from macroinvertebrates to microscopic plankton - to evaluate biodiversity and ecosystem health using real scientific tools and techniques. Led by Daniall Paulsen. Grades 6-9, July 6-10, 9 a.m. - noon. Registration is open.
Read and hear poetry from national and local artists! Learn to write poems using practices that rely on pre-existing experiences and artwork and take part in a group poem. A creative and practical guide through poetry taught by a local poet. Led by Casey Grooten. Grades 6-9, June 15-19, 1-4 p.m. Registration is open.
Make art, share ideas, and imagine a better world! Explore how artists use creativity to make change through hands-on artmaking, storytelling, and fun group activities. Discover how art can have a real impact, help people, and spark important conversations. We encourage curiosity, teamwork, and big ideas! Come imagine what the future could be and start creating it together. Led by Maya James. Grades 6-9, July 13-17, 1 to 4 p.m. Registration is open.
Design and construct a wearable sculpture created from sustainable materials. Take influence from techniques used in puppetry, costume design for musicians and performers, and even DIY cosplay art to create a piece you can wear over your head to parties, festivals, and maybe even a school dance? It's all up to you! Led by Taylor Scamehorn. Grades 6-9, June 22-26, 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is open.
Forensic scientists utilize techniques from various sciences – biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and many more – to assist law enforcement with solving criminal matters. Students participating in this course, led by a senior member of the Kalamazoo Forensic Science Laboratory, will learn skills associated with analyzing and processing a crime scene, locating and identifying fingerprint evidence, analyzing blood stain patterns, and examining trace evidence. The knowledge gained by the students will be tested as they are called upon to process and analyze a mock crime scene. Course led by Laboratory Specialist Ronald Maynard. Grades 6-9, June 22-26, 9 a.m. - noon. Registration is open.
Can you build a city that withstands earthquakes? Volcanic eruptions? What about asteroids? Using dried pasta and marshmallows and the basics of civil engineering, create a community that successfully survives disasters and help save your friends and neighbors! Led by Gaetan VanGyseghem. Grades 6-9, July 13-17, 9 a.m. - noon Registration is open.
Using astronomy you can find Mars and navigate by the stars; using physics you can simulate a safe Mars landing with an egg drop competition; and then by using chemistry and electrolysis you can produce carbon dioxide and create oxygen! Discover how science will help you live like a Martian! Led by Gaetan VanGyseghem. Grades 6-9, June 15-19, 9 a.m. - noon. Registration is open.
Surviving mobs of zombies and creepers in a game is one thing, but do you have real-life skills? Test yourself with daily challenges and learn the science of survival. Design and build shelters, create fires, produce drinking water and more. Team up with other survivors and see if you have what it takes. Led by Jenny Metz Brenneman. Grades 6-9, June 15-19, 9 a.m.-noon. There is a $10 materials fee for this camp. Registration is open.
Students are introduced to the basics of building virtual reality worlds and environments that are compatible with VR devices, including smart-phone VR headsets! Understand how to create, place, and manipulate objects using computer programs and groups of coding provided by the instructor. Note: this is a coding camp, not a gaming camp. Led by Marty Trautman. Grades 6-9, July 6-10, 1-4 p.m. Registration is open.
Students experience chess instruction and play in a fun-filled environment designed to improve their skills whether they are interested in casual or competitive chess. This program includes a mix of instruction (students are expected to understand the basic rules of chess and play somewhat regularly) and play time. Historic and competitive end games and openings will be taught. Led by Tim McGrew. Grades 6-9, June 15-19, 1 - 4 p.m. or July 6-10, 9 a.m. - noon. Registration is open.
Explore the art of beautiful writing and design! Using a variety of mediums, participants will learn several techniques to create their own signs, decor, and hand-lettered art. Neat handwriting not required for participation or success in this camp! Led by Ashley Koch. Grades 6-9, June 22-26, 1-4 p.m. A $10 materials fee is included. Registration is open.
Scratch is a computer program that uses block-like puzzle pieces to enhance learning the core concepts of computer programming. Utilize a programming language designed to produce rich, interactive media while developing important 21st century skills. Work at your own pace to create an original animation or game. Led by Marty Trautman. Grades 6-9. July 13-17, 1-4 p.m. Registration is open.
Get ready for a week of strategy, creativity, and mathematical play! In this interactive summer camp, students dive into the world of math through hands on games, clever puzzles, and collaborative challenges. Each day features a mix of logic games, probability experiments, geometric challenges, strategic board style play, and fast paced group competitions. Rather than focusing on worksheets or drills, campers develop problem solving skills organically as they investigate patterns, test strategies, and work together to crack tricky scenarios. Whether rolling dice, designing their own game variants, or analyzing the math behind surprising outcomes, students discover that mathematics is not just useful—it’s joyful, creative, and endlessly fun. No advanced math experience needed—just curiosity, teamwork, and a willingness to play! Led by Ashley Koch. Grades 6-9, July 6-10, 1 - 4 p.m. Registration is open.
How do spies do it? How do cryptographers break codes and discover the secrets of the enemy? Discover the origins of encoding, create new codes, and decode the projects of your fellow students! Using basic mathematics and modular arithmetic, raise the level of your math skills and math reasoning, all while channeling your inner Alan Turing. Led by Marty Trautman. Grades 6-9, July 22-26, 1-4 p.m. Registration is open.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Japan with this Japanese Language and Culture class! We will learn the Japanese writing systems and basic greetings, and explore cultural elements such as origami, traditional Japanese music, Japanese foods, Japanese festivals, Manga/Anime, and more! Led by Kay Satoh. Grades 6-9, July 13-17, 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is open.
The New York Voices are so excited to be planning our annual Vocal Jazz Retreat - the last one. This summer camp attracts a broad selection of campers from all ages, experiences and backgrounds. And every year the connections that are made often reach beyond music, forging friendships and networking possibilities are just a few of the bonuses.
Please start thinking about what you would like your summer to encompass and consider spending a week leaning into the things that you love and are interested in deepening your knowledge. We will have all our usual suspects, Kim, Lauren, Darmon and Peter, directing an ensemble and teaching classes. Our camp director and host Greg Jasperse will be directing the All-Camp Ensemble piece and teaching a few classes, as well. And if the attendance numbers hit the right note, we will invite back the divine Rosana Eckert and Jay Ashby to add their magic and specialties to the class curriculum. If you have attended our camp before, help us spread the word to someone who you think may enjoy what we have to offer. We look forward to welcoming you to this special community in Kalamazoo.
Camp Dates: July 27-August 2 for students 14 years old or older