Southern Illinois University Carbondale announced on March 18 a wide range of summer camps for 2026, offering opportunities for children, teenagers, and adults to learn new skills and explore various interests.
The university’s summer camps are designed to provide educational and recreational experiences for participants of all ages. The programs include academic enrichment, athletics, creative arts, outdoor adventures, and career exploration. Organizers say the camps are led by professionals such as professors, coaches, and experts in their fields, with assistance from SIU student leaders.
New additions this year include the SIU Percussion Workshop scheduled for June 15-18. This workshop welcomes elementary through high school students with separate tracks based on age and experience. Participants will receive interactive instruction in percussion techniques including snare drums, keyboard percussion, concert percussion, world percussion, drum set, and drumline methods. While prior music experience is preferred, all interested students may participate.
Returning programs feature the R.E.C. Sports Kids Camps for ages 6-10 on June 1-4 and June 8-11 at the Student Recreation Center. These camps offer activities such as swimming, boating, hiking, disc golf, field games, and climbing. Other returning options include STEAM for All Girls and Boys—grant-funded science and technology camps for middle school students from select local districts—and the STEM Research Academy for high schoolers interested in hands-on research projects with SIU faculty.
Additional offerings cover a variety of interests: sports clinics in baseball and soccer; art workshops at the Student Center Craft Shop; band camps; Lego engineering sessions; Challenge to Excellence camp blending drama and science; Touch of Nature EDVenture Camps focused on outdoor learning; career-focused experiences like Nursing Career Camp and Pathways to Saluki Medicine Camp; aviation exploration; agricultural education; archaeology; artificial intelligence; virtual reality; writing conferences; leadership development; and counselor-in-training opportunities.
Adults can also enroll in hundreds of online continuing education courses or participate in other professional development programs offered by SIU Events and Outreach. Registration is open online at camps.siu.edu on a first-come basis. John A. Logan College in Carterville offers additional summer camp options through its community education page.
