WMU Summer Camp Opportunities

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 will offer scholarships; see their website for details. For more information on any of our exciting camps, please click on the links below for each specific camp. General questions about this web page can be directed to PreCollege Programming at em-precollegeprogramming@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2773. The PreCollege 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 2023. 

  • Dollars and Sense - multiple offerings

    The Dollars & Sense Camp is a fun and exciting way for campers to learn about a variety of personal finance topics. Campers create a Life Cycle Plan during camp and then present their plans to family and guests on the final day.  The topics covered during camp include:

    • Career Exploration
    • College/Post-Secondary Planning and Budgeting
    • Saving & Budgeting
    • Investing
    • Insurance
    • Home Buying
    • Retirement
    • Debt & Credit
    • Behavioral Finance
    • Blockchain/Crypto-Currency

    All presented by industry experts in a fun and interactive way.

    Two opportunities:

    • June 19-23, 2022, Grades 11 - 12, Cost: $299
    • August 7 - 11, 2022, Grades 8 - 10, Cost: $299

    For more information check out their website.

  • WMU Athletic Camps

    Check out all the different Athletic Camps that we offer at WMU!

  • Esports Camps

    WMU Esports summer camps are an introduction to competitive Esports.

    Each camp consists of five days going over a variety of topics that are critical to being a successful Esports competitor.

    Topics include:

    • Growth mindset
    • Productive communication
    • Learning from losses
    • How to give/receive feedback
    • Emotional management
    • Game mechanics
    • Game strategy

    All camps will meet Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. at the WMU Esports Arena. The last day of each camp will be a show match between the campers to exhibit all of the lessons learned during the week, and we encourage family and friends to attend. 

    • Beginner: June 12-16 and June 26-30: noon to 5 p.m. - Grades 6-8.
    • Advanced: June 19-23 and July 10-14: noon to 5 p.m. - Grades 9-12.

    More information should be posted soon on their website. Contact Tavian Napier for more information.

  • WMU MI GEAR UP Summer Camp 2023

    WMU Michigan GEAR UP is running one summer camp session, June 18 through June 24, 2023.

    • We are accepting  a total of 40 students for the week.
    • Summer camps are in person and student participants stay overnight in a residence hall at Western Michigan University.
    • We provide participants with career field exploration, workshops with WMU staff and faculty, and include fun group building activities.
    • The camp is free to qualifying applicants at our target schools, 9th graders at: Benton Harbor HS, Fennville HS, Hartford HS, Kalamazoo Central HS.

    Families can find and fill out the application here.

  • Metal Casting Summer Short Course Camp

    Short course in metal casting to introduce students to the basics of metal casting. Cost $700. Grades 10-12.

    Contact Sam Ramrattan by email or phone (269) 276-3373 for more information.

  • Float, Fly, and Lift! and Energy in Action! - Elementary Science and Engineering Camps

    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. Float, Fly and Lift! camp is for grades 3-5 and Energy in Action! camp is for grades 6-8. Float, Fly and Lift! will be offered twice, July 17-20 and July 24-27; Energy in Action! will be offered once, July 17-20. Float, Fly and Lift! will run from 9 a.m. to noon and Energy in Action! will run from 1 to 4 p.m. each day.  More information can be found on the Science and Engineering Camp website.

     

  • WIRE Math and Science Summer Camp

    The WIRE Math and Science Camp is designed to introduce your child to the various fields of science and enhance their math skills. Each summer students are introduced to different fields of science. They have the chance to explore the fields through hands on and real-world experiments. Each session is spearheaded by experienced educators ranging from graduate students to certified teachers. Students grades 3 through 8 are invited to participate in this camp.

    Learn more about the program!

    The primary goals of the WIRE Math and Science Summer Camp are to:

    1. Give children the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of math and science by focusing on number theory, problem-solving, and algebraic expression;
    2. Increase the students' level of confidence by reducing the fear and anxiety associated with learning math and science;
    3. Reduce the summer slide (the loss of 25% to 33% of what was learned the previous year by not engaging in academic activities over the summer).
  • Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Summer Camp

    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. Summer 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. Camp cost $150. Scholarships are available.

    •  July 17-21: Entering Grades 6-12
    • July 24-28: Entering Grades 6-12
    • July 31-August 4: Lifelong Learners and Educators. SCECHs available.

    All camps run Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm. Registration information is now available. 

  • WMU New York Voices Vocal Jazz Camp

    The New York Voices created this camp 15 years ago with the jazz vocalist in mind looking who is looking to expand their knowledge and grow their creative garden.  The individual members of NYV share their vast experience as educators, performers, producers, arrangers and songwriters with YOU in this exciting six-day musical immersion.  In addition to NYV, the camp faculty includes many of their long time friends and colleagues from the leading learning institutions of music.  WMU professor and Camp Director Greg Jasperse takes over the baton after many years cultivating this creative playground with NYV and continues his role in the extended special faculty.

    As happens more often than not, special guest artists and teachers Rosana Eckert and Jay Ashby round out the faculty, though that is TBA until the full registration is taken into account.  Additional leading instrumentalists fill out the roster to offer their wealth of experience in the activities throughout the week.  This unique camp is open to high school and college students, professional musicians, choral directors and anyone interested in improving and developing their knowledge of the vocal jazz genre. Kim Nazarian, Lauren Kinhan, Darmon Meader, Peter Eldridge, and the rest of the faculty will work with the students in their assigned ensembles as well as in the wide variety of electives, one on one coaching and other special events offered to deepen the understanding of practicing the art of vocal jazz.

    Pre-established groups are welcome and encouraged to attend and will be provided a group one on one coaching. More information and registration is available. The 15th annual Western Michigan University New York Voices Vocal Jazz Camp will be held IN-PERSON from July 31 – August 6, 2023 – home of the amazing Gold Company and where Camp Director Greg Jasperse resides!

  • West Hills Weekly Summer Tennis Camps

     

    West Hills is the perfect summer camp choice! And we're not just tennis. Our pros will provide your child with a daily tennis lesson, a snack break, and a different game each day. Age-appropriate games include wiffle ball, pickleball, dodgeball, obstacle courses, tag, and more! Guaranteed FUN for all.

     

    Camps run weekly beginning June 12 through Aug. 24

    Monday-Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon

    Ages: 6–8 years and 9–11 years

    Register now!

     

  • Writing the College Admission Essay Workshop - ATYP - multiple offerings, online and in-person

    We will be offering a Writing Your College Admissions Essay Workshop for students entering their senior year (2023-24). There will be several separate sessions of this class - some online and some in-person. To see the dates, click on Register Now.

  • Survival Craft - June 19-23, 9 a.m. - noon (in-person)

    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 19-23, 9 a.m. - noon. A $10 materials fee is included in this camp. Registration is open.

  • Hitchcock Movies - June 19-23, 1-4 p.m. (in-person)

    Discover the art of visual storytelling and learn about different aspects of the filmmaking process by delving into the work of Alfred Hitchcock. Learn how to create dramatic tension, develop interesting characters, and build cinematic sequences that tell stories—from the early stages of storyboarding to the final steps of the editing process. We will break down key scenes from the Master of Suspense’s filmography and take a hands-on approach to uncovering what makes these movies such effective storytellers. Led by Emma Fergusson. Grades 6-9, June 19-23, 1-4 p.m. Registration is open.

  • Virtual Reality - June 19-23, 1-4 p.m. (in-person)

    Students are introduced to the basics of building virtual reality worlds using HTML and the A-Frame JavaScript Library. Come build virtual environments that are compatible with VR devices, including smartphone 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 programming class, not a gaming class. Led by Marty Trautman. Grades 6-9, July 11-15, 1-4 p.m. Registration is open.

  • Chess - June 26-30, 9 a.m.-noon (in-person)

    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 rules of chess) and play time. Historic and competitive end games and openings will be taught. Led by Tim McGrew. Grades 6-9, June 26-30, 9 a.m.-noon. Registration is open.

  • The Art of Hand-Lettering - June 26-30, 9 a.m.-noon (in-person)

    Hand-lettering is an art form in which letters are constructed individually and illustrated by hand. This type of art allows individuals to create a variety of projects such as signs, greeting cards, prints, and more. Like calligraphy – but different! Students will learn how to write letters in a variety of styles and how to embellish and illustrate their work. Neat handwriting not required. Led by Ashley Koch. Grades 6-9, June 26-30, 9 a.m. to noon. A $10 materials fee is included in this camp. Registration is open.

  • Scratch Multimedia Games - June 26-30, 1-4 p.m. (in-person)

    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 game. Led by Marty Trautman. Grades 6-9. June 26-30, 1-4 p.m. Registration is open.

  • Creative Writing - June 26-30, 1-4 p.m. (in-person)

    Explore different forms of poetry and short stories to spark inspiration for your own writing! We will read, write, share, and refine our craft together during this 5-day creative writing experience.  Led by Kailyn Dekker-Black. Grades 6-9. June 26-30, 1-4 p.m. Registration is open.

  • Math Games and Competitions, July 10-14, 9 a.m.-noon (in-person)

    Do you like solving math problems and puzzles? Would you like to participate in math competitions? This camp is ideal for students who enjoy math and solving challenging problems. The course will introduce students to a few of the concepts and approaches of solving competition math puzzles. Examples of these are seen in MATHCOUNTS, AMC, the Art of Problem Solving and other national math contests. Led by Ashley Koch. Grades 6-9, July 10-14, 9 a.m.-noon.  Registration is open.

  • Code Breaking - July 10-14, 1-4 p.m. (in-person)

     

    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 10-14, 1-4 p.m. Registration is open.

  • Global Literature - July 10-14, 1-4 p.m. (in-person)

    Travel the globe through literature! We will explore short texts (e.g., creation myths, poetry, and short stories) from authors and communities around the world to gain respect and understanding of people and their histories. Students will have the chance to write their own texts inspired by our authors while we navigate the world together.  Led by Kailyn Dekker-Black. Grades 6-9, July 10-14, 1 to 4 p.m. Registration is open.

  • Upward Bound Kalamazoo Camp

    Six week Academic Summer Camp for WMU Upward Bound Kalamazoo. For more information contact Gustavo Echavarria by email or phone ((269) 387-2875)