Young people pursue varied interests at WMU summer camps

Contact: Deanne Puca

KALAMAZOO--Writing fiction, singing jazz or playing their favorite sport or instrument are all options for young people this summer at numerous camps offered on the campus of Western Michigan University.

Registration is under way for many of the camps, and space is limited for most. The following is a partial list of camp offerings.

Summer 2012 camps at WMU

  • Various dates throughout June, July and August--Bronco athletics sports camps for high-school-age and younger students interested in soccer, volleyball, football, and other sports. More information
  • Various dates in June and July--ATYP Summer Programs for students entering grades six through nine who have qualified for the Academically Talented Youth Program, 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. Sessions include Japanese language and culture, printmaking, clay whistles, Web page design, digital storytelling, flash fiction and chess. Fee: $100 per camp. Registration deadline is June 1. Contact: (269) 387-3230 or atyp-info@wmich.edu. More information
  • June 11-Aug. 31--Campus Kids, school-aged children who have completed kindergarten to age 9, 12 themed weeks, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, Children's Place Learning Center. Fees: $40 registration and $180 per week per child or hourly rates for WMU students, staff and community that range from $5 to $6.70. Contact: (269) 387-2277. More information
  • June 11-16 and June 18-23--Keith Hall Summer Drum Intensive, various ages and levels, Dalton Center. Final concerts are Thursday and Friday at The Union Cabaret and Grille in downtown Kalamazoo. Tuition: $450. Dining hall meals: $150. Residence hall housing: single $150, shared $100. Contact: (201) 406-5059 or keith@keithhallmusic.com. More information
  • June 17-22--MI GEAR UP Program for 7th grade students at one of the following eligible middle schools: Eau Claire, Fairplain (Benton Harbor), Fennville, Hartford, Hillside (Kalamazoo), Linden Grove (Kalamazoo). Students will have the opportunity to apply to the Summer Engineering Academy and the Summer Aviation Academy where students will participate in hands-on activities and workshops in relation to those career fields. Students stay at Hoekje Hall in the center of campus for six days, participate in college preparation workshops and fun night activities. Students interested must submit an application, and selections are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Fee: free. Contact: (269) 387-3339 or tania.echavarria@wmich.edu.
  • June 18-29--Third Coast Writing Project, ages eight to 14, 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, Brown Hall. Two themed writing camp experiences: "Tremendous Tall Tales" for ages eight to 10 and "FLASH! Fiction!" for ages 11-14. Applications are due by Friday, May 18. Tuition: $150 and includes computer fees, T-shirt and writing supplies. Contact: (269) 387-2572 or zieglerm@kalamazoo.k12.mi.us. More information
  • June 24-29--Steve Zegree Vocal Jazz Camp, open to high school and college students, teachers, professors and community members, starts at 8 a.m. at the Dalton Center and runs through the day with evening rehearsals. Solo performances 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at The Union Cabaret and Grille in downtown Kalamazoo. Final concert is Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Dalton Center. Fees: $495 and housing available for $250 per person for double room and board or $325 for single room. Contact: (269) 387-4689 or stephen.zegree@wmich.edu. More information
  • June 25- Aug 6--Upward Bound Program, an academic college preparatory program for first generation and/or low-income Kalamazoo public high school students, is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and sponsored locally by WMU. Upward Bound is designed to strengthen the academic skills of eligible high school students and prepare them to enter college and graduate with baccalaureate degrees. Students in the program have met one or two criteria for admission: they have come from a background or families in which neither parent has completed a four-year college degree, and/or are from low-income backgrounds. Participants take classes in math, English, science, language and computer science to strengthen their skills to excel academically and to ensure their post secondary enrollment and completion. They are also exposed to culturally enriched programs such as plays and museum tours. Students who successfully complete the summer component are eligible to participant in a week-long trip to explore college campuses outside the state of Michigan.Fee: free. Contact: Walter Malone at walter.malone@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2875. More information.
  • July 8-21--Seminar, high school summer music camp offered to students in grades nine through 12 and 2012 graduates in six areas of study: brass, woodwind, percussion, string, vocal/choral and keyboard. Held in residence hall facilities on the WMU campus. Tuition: $1,150 for residents who live on campus, $950 for students who live off-campus. Competitive scholarships are available. Contact: (269) 387-4681 or kevin.west@wmich.edu. More information
  • July 23-27, July 30-Aug. 3 and Aug. 6-10--Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Summer Camp provides three sessions 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday for participants age 16 and older (July 23-27), in grades six through nine (July 30-Aug. 3) or for adults who wish to earn graduate or CEU credits (Aug. 6-10) to be trained in excavation and record keeping techniques at historic Fort St. Joseph in Niles, Mich. Applications are due by June 1 or until all positions are filled. Fee: $150. Contact cbainbridge@nilesmi.org, michael.nassaney@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3981. More information