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, however, we don't 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. Updated for Summer 2022.

  • Dollars and Sense - multiple offerings

    The week-long Dollars and Sense camp is designed to help students prepare for the future. 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 block chain 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.

    Overall, the camp is designed to help students prepare for their future after high school and beyond.  Help your child start off on the right financial foot, enroll them in the 2022 Dollars & Sense camp today.

    Two opportunities:

    • June 13-17, 2022, Grades 11 - 12, Cost: $299
    • August 15 - 19, 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!

  • Beyond the Lemonade Stand: An Entrepreneurship and Innovation Experience Camp - CANCELLED

    This camp has been cancelled. Sorry for any issues this may cause.

    Find out what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in Western Michigan University's five-day entrepreneurship camp, Beyond the Lemonade Stand: An Entrepreneurship and Innovation Experience, for grades 9-12 (rising 9th graders are allowed). The camp will be held from July 11 through July 15.  Your days will be spent in brainstorming sessions, learning about key entrepreneurial principles from WMU business faculty, getting an up-close look and hands-on experience at WMU engineering labs, talking with WMU student entrepreneurs and engineers about how they have launched thriving businesses, meeting local entrepreneurs and learning about their entrepreneurship journeys, and preparing materials and plans for your business idea. More information can be found on the camp website.

  • Kalamazoo Chinese Academy STARTALK 2022 Chinese Summer Program Camp

    The Kalamazoo Chinese Academy STARTALK Institute will be hosting a Chinese summer program from Monday, July 11 to Friday, July 29, 2022 for grades 6-11 students in the Kalamazoo area. The summer program is funded by the STARTALK grant and is FREE for all participants. The program theme is “Vibrant Shanghai” and this theme will guide all standard-based instruction and learning throughout the program. Students will undergo a virtual cultural tour to Shanghai in Mainland China and stay in the host family’s house for three weeks.

    Students will:

    • Explore cultural products and practices in Shanghai through a variety of learning activities.
    • Compare the host family’s daily life and other routine activities with their own.
    • Learn some Chinese norms and customs and reflect on the differences in cultural perspectives between the Shanghai community and the US.
    • Practice the vocabulary of the various modes of transportation, places of interest, food culture, and cultural celebrations in Shanghai.

    This program is offered through a hybrid delivery method:

    • July 11-15: virtual, class times vary for each level, 10 hours total
    • July 18-22: 9am-4pm in person on WMU's main campus (lunch and snacks provided)
    • July 25-29: 9am-4pm in person on WMU's main campus (lunch and snacks provided)

    Applications are now being accepted.

  • 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.

    The primary goals of the WIRE Math and Science Summer Camp are 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;
    • 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).

    This free camp runs from July 5 - 29, 2022 for students in 3rd through 8th grade. Registration is open.

  • SEMINAR 22 - Music Camp

    Seminar is a high school summer music camp designed to serve as an enjoyable, pre-college experience for serious, young musicians.

    It is organized to promote artistic, social, recreational and cultural interaction among the participating young artists. WMU will observe the 71st consecutive year of its celebrated high school summer music camp in 2022. All sessions are held on the University's main campus in Kalamazoo where students from seven areas of study—brass, woodwind, percussion, string, vocal/choral, keyboard and composition—gather each summer to pursue and develop their interests in music.

    More information, including application details and cost, can be found on the Seminar website.

  • 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. Campers will spend the morning at the Niles District Library learning about archaeology and the history of Fort St. Joseph in addition to performing lab activities. In the afternoon, they will excavate at the site alongside WMU archaeologists. All camps run Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm.

    •  July 18-22: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
    • July 25-29: High School (Grades 9-12)
    • August 1-5: Lifelong Learners and Educators 

    Registration and more information can be found on their website.

  • WMU MI GEAR UP Summer Camp 2022

    Students must be a rising 9th grade GEAR UP student at Fair Plain Middle School, Fennville Middle School, Hartford Middle School, Hillside Middle School or Linden Grove Middle School. This is a FREE program where students get to stay on campus in a WMU residence hall. They will experience a wide range of educational activities exposing them to multiple career path options. 

    More information about the camp and registration on available on their website.

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

    We will be offering a Writing Your College Admissions Essay camp for students entering their senior year (2022-23). There will be several separate sessions of this class - some online and some in-person. To see the dates, click on Register Now.

  • Chess - June 20-24, 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 Stan Beckwith. Grades 6-9, June 20-24, 9 a.m.-noon. Registration is open.

  • Code Breaking - June 20-24, 1-4 p.m. (in person)

    Students discover the origins of encoding in classic codes as they create new codes and decode the projects of their fellow students. Using basic mathematics and modular arithmetic, participants raise the level of their math skills and math reasoning. Led by Marty Trautman. Grades 6-9, June 20-24, 1-4 p.m. In person. Registration is open.

  • Survival Craft - June 20-24, 1-4 p.m. (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 20-24, 1-4 p.m. In Person. Registration is open.

  • Graphic Novels - June 27-July 1, 9 a.m.-noon (in person)

    Learn how to take your ideas from sketchbooks to real books (including character development and refinement, portfolio reviews, and critiques) through the art of the graphic novel. Learn how to progress from concept to art to final product, and how to work with programs such as Photo-Shop and Manga-Studio to create comic pages. Bring your own work in progress, and come to class ready to draw and sketch along as you investigate the power of graphic visual language! Led by Paul Sizer. Grades 6-9, June 27-July 1, 9 a.m.-noon. In person. Registration is open.

  • Scratch Multimedia Games - June 27-July 1, 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 27-July 1, 1-4 p.m. In person. Registration is open.

  • Hybrid Fiction - June 27-July 1, 1-4 p.m. (in person)

    Come plug into hybrid forms of writing and feel the creative energy! Flash fiction, prose poetry, micro memoir, and flash drama will all be explored, culminating in a Friday Salon featuring readings and collaborations. Join us for some hybrid happiness! Led by Theresa Coty O’Neil. Grades 6-9. June 27-July 1, 1-4 p.m. In person. Registration is open.

  • eCO Explorer - July 11-15, 9 a.m.-noon (in person)

    Interested in a career in the Environmental Sciences? Get familiar with the tech and tools that pros use to explore the outdoors through team challenges, gear demos, and lab activities. Use technology and hands-on field methods to read the landscape and tell your own digital story. Dig in to local geology and put your skills to the test on the Student Rec Center Climbing Wall. Get out and explore! Led by Jenny Metz Brenneman. Grades 6-9, July 11-15, 9 a.m.-noon. In person. Additional $10 material fee is charged. Registration is open.

  • Pinhole Photography - July 11-15, 9 a.m.-noon

    Build Your Own Working Camera! Pinhole photography is photography in its most basic form. The only materials required are a light-tight container, photosensitive paper, and a simple shutter to control the exposure. This workshop provides a fun and exciting opportunity to study the basic principles of photography. Students will create their own camera, learn to take pictures with it, develop their own black and white paper negatives in a darkroom, and make prints from the negatives. Led by Marcella Hunt. Grades 6-9, July 11-15, 9 a.m. to noon. In Person. Additional $10 materials fee. Registration is open.

  • Virtual Reality - July 11-15, 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. Through this course, students will build virtual environments that are compatible with VR devices, including smart-phone VR headsets! Emphasis will be on understanding how to create, place, and manipulate objects using computer programs and groups of coding provided by the instructor. Led by Marty Trautman. Grades 6-9, July 11-15, 1-4 p.m. In person. Registration is open.

  • Nature and Clay - July 11-15, 1-4 p.m. (in person)

    Students will explore nature as the inspiration for creating unique sculptures in clay. We will discuss how nature can be an inspiration for design, and look at artists who work with nature as a theme. Western’s green spaces will be the source for our organic materials to use with clay. Several hand-building techniques will be taught as students create leaf printed vessels and free form sculptures. Led by Marcella Hunt. Grades 6-9, July 11-15, 1 to 4 p.m. In Person. Additional $10 materials fee. 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)

  • Upward Bound Van Buren Camp

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

  • Metal Casting Summer Short Course Camp

    Short course in metal casting introducing students to the basics of metal casting. A field trip to a local foundry will take place. This camp is not available for all students. You must meet certain criteria to be allowed to take this camp.

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

  • Esports Camps

    Four one-week camps catered to all skill levels. Learn to play on a team, practice skills, and meet experienced competitors.

    • Beginner: July 11-15 and July 25-29: 1-5:30 p.m. - Learn the Basics, Compete with a team, and Meet Players
    • Advanced: July 18-22 and August 8-12: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Refine core skills, Build a Competitor Mindset, and Train with Esports Coaches

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

  • WMU New York Voices Vocal Jazz Camp

    This camp, created by award-winning New York Voices and now hosted by Western Michigan University, is open to anyone 14 years of age and up.  The only requirement is a love of singing jazz and a desire to grow.

    One of the most comprehensive vocal jazz camps in the world, campers will take classes, receive vocal coaching and sing in an ensemble led by one of the New York Voices.  There are opportunities to perform all week long and the camp culminates with two closing concerts - one by the campers and of course, one by the headlining artist, the New York Voices!!

    Camp Cost: $750 + housing/meals 

    More information and registration is available on their website.