Summer camp opportunities abound at WMU

KALAMAZOO—Registration is underway for many camps at Western Michigan University for young people this summer. The following is a partial list of camp offerings, listed by date and camp topic. A listing of all camps, with new listings added as information becomes available, can be found here.

Summer 2014 camps at WMU

• Various dates throughout June, July and August—Bronco athletics sports camps for high-school-age and younger students interested in a variety of sports. Find more information here.
• Various dates in June and July— Academically Talented Youth Program summer programs for students entering grades six through nine. Sessions are held at the Lee Honors College and Kohrman Hall. Topics include include graphic novels, June 23-27; Japanese language and culture, June 23-27; chess, July 7-11, art and nature, July 7-11; Nerdfighters, July 7-11; Face Jugs, July 7-11; math problems and competitions, July 14-18; science fiction, July 14-18; digital storytelling, July 21-25; and Laptop Orchestra, July 21-25. An additional class for high school seniors, Writing the College Admissions Essay, will be offered June 23-27. Fees: $100 per camp. Registration deadline is June 6. Contact: (269) 387-3230 or @email. Find more information here.
• June 9 through Aug. 29—Campus Kids, school-aged children who have completed kindergarten to age 9, 12 themed weeks, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, Children's Place Learning Center. Fees: $45 registration and $193.65 to $202.50 per child per week or hourly rates for WMU students, staff and community that range from $5.32 to $7.05. Contact: (269) 387-2277. Find more information here.
• June 15-25—MI GEAR UP Program for ninth-grade students at one of the following eligible high schools: Eau Claire, Benton Harbor, Fennville, Hartford and Kalamazoo Central. Students may apply to the Summer Engineering Academy, Summer Aviation Academy and the Summer Fine Arts Academy running June 15-18; and the Summer Business Academy and the Summer Education Academy running June 22-25; where students will participate in hands-on activities, workshops and tours in relation to those career fields. Students stay at a WMU residence hall for three nights, participate in college preparation workshops and fun night activities. Students must submit an application, and selections are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Fee: free. Contact: (269) 387-3339 or @email.
• June 16-21 and June 23-28—Eighth annual Keith Hall Summer Drum Intensive, various ages and levels, Dalton Center. Final concerts are Friday and Saturday at The Union Cabaret and Grille in downtown Kalamazoo. Tuition: $499. Residence hall housing and meals: $250. A $100 non-refundable deposit secures a spot with balance due April 30. Contact: (201) 406-5059 or @email. Find more information here.
• June 16-27—Third Coast Writing Project Camp for Young Writers, ages 8 to 14. Two themed writing camp experiences for academically advanced students: Twisted Tales for ages 8 to 10 and Writers' Toolbox for ages 11 to 14. Applications are due by Friday, May 23. Tuition: $150 and includes computer fees, T-shirt and writing supplies. Contact: (269) 387-2572. Find more information here.
• June 22-27, July 13-18 and July 20-25—Aviation Summer Camp and Advanced Aviation Summer Camp, held in conjunction with the Air Zoo for high school students ages 13 to 17 who are generally interested in aviation and for those who want more in-depth experience. Students stay in residence hall facilities on the WMU campus. Tuition: Aviation Summer Camp June 22-27 and July 20-25, $1,500 with a $150 deposit due May 22 with the remaining balance due June 20. Advanced Aviation Summer Camp July 13-18, $2,550 with a $150 deposit due June 13 with the remaining balance due July 10. Contact: (269) 964-7846 or eric.n.epplett@wmich.edu. Find more information here.
• Various dates throughout June, July and August—College of Engineering and Applied Sciences summer camps held at WMU's Parkview Campus for students entering the seventh, eighth or ninth grades. Sessions include engineering experience, held with Kazoo School, June 23-27, $440 fee; microcontroller e-textiles, June 23-27, $300 fee; solar energy, June 26, $20 fee; video game programming, July 7-11 and July 14-18, $300 fee; aerospace engineering, Aug. 18-22, $325 fee. Find more information here.
• June 23-Aug. 1—The Upward Bound Program serves low-income and first-generation college students from Kalamazoo Public Schools and is designed to increase the post-secondary participation rate. The top 30 students earn an educational trip to New Orleans. Students interested must submit an application, meet all eligibility requirements and must be interviewed by program staff. Fee: free. Contact: (269) 387-2875 or @email. Find more information here.
• July 7-Aug. 1—McGinnis Reading Center and Clinic, weekly summer reading and writing camps for students in grades kindergarten through fifth, Monday through Friday, 4511 Sangren Hall. Certified and future teachers provide reading and writing instruction and engagement for all content areas including math, science and social studies. Fee: $50 per week for half-day sessions, 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m., for children entering kindergarten through second grade; and $125 per week for all day sessions, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for children entering third through fifth grade. All classes also include a one-time $25 registration fee. Space is limited. Priority registration for WMU faculty, staff and students runs through Friday, April 11. Contact: Rosario Hughey at (269) 387-3534 or rosario.hughey@wmich.edu or Deanna Roland at (269) 387-1721 or deanna.c.roland@wmich.edu. Find more information here.
• July 13-26—Seminar, high school summer music camp offered to students in grades nine through 12, including 2014 graduates, in six areas of study: brass, woodwind, percussion, string, vocal/choral and keyboard. Held in residence hall facilities. Tuition: $1,250 on-campus residents, $1,050 off-campus residents. Competitive scholarships are available. Contact: (269) 387-4681 or @email. Find more information here.