Why Academic Summer Camps
For students, academic summer camps are a great way to spend time together, get to know each other better and work as a group on various projects and assignments. In addition, summer camps have multiple benefits, which help participants improve their interpersonal, social, and teamwork skills.
Not only that, students get opportunities to empathize and build rapport with one another. In addition, academic summer programs help students who are falling behind in their classes. They also have a proven track record in increasing participants’ self-reliance and independence.
Every year, Michigan hosts several academic summer camps designed to cater to the needs of students of different ages. We have selected and reviewed the best of the best to help you make an informed decision for yourself or your children.
YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps
YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps offer memorable summer camp experiences for kids in northern Michigan. “Up north” is a popular tourist destination, home to mind-blowing scenery and a picturesque Great Lakes shoreline. With a history of more than 100 years, campers stand to benefit from various programs, activities, and opportunities.
The camps promise an incredible, technology-free experience as participants leave their smartphones and gadgets behind to enjoy the richness of personal relationships and outdoor activities in full. Participants describe their time and experience at the camp as “blissful” and “awesome.”
Your kids will have a blast in these single-gender camps with super-efficient counselors and riveting learning experiences. All programs are designed to help children uncover their potential, engage in extensive social interaction, and develop a sense of social responsibility.
YMCA selects camp staff carefully based on their character, interest in working with kids, personality, and stability. You can choose either four-week summer programs (fees range between $3,9000 and $5,575) or two-week programs (from $2,050 to $2,300) starting on June 18th or July 17th.
iD Tech, University of Michigan
The University of Michigan claims this is the world’s #1 STEM summer camp. With 23 years of experience, iD Tech Camps offer a wide range of courses, small classes for personalized training, and world-class instructors. They are open to students aged from 7 to 19.
Students have access to one of the top library systems and labs in the United States. They can also enjoy access to modern and historic buildings and museums. In addition, the university boasts the iD Tech Pathway™, a gamified learning system for kids to play and learn. The program’s hot tech courses are built around tools from Roblox, Adobe, and Epic games, to name a few.
In addition, the university offers online spring and summer camps. These include various online courses (e.g., two-week summer boot camps and 10-week classes) tailored to specific age groups. If you have already made up your mind to join one of the summer programs, make sure you do not leave behind any unfinished school assignments. If you are too busy to deal with them all, make sure to use credible and proven essay writing services to complete your work on time and at an affordable price.
The course fees range between $999 and $1,349, depending on the course and timing. The tuition includes software and hardware, an official iD Tech diploma, an iD Tech t-shirt, and extended hours at no extra cost.
STEAM Summer Camp, Michigan State University
The STEAM Summer Camp at MSU is an excellent choice for those looking for virtual learning opportunities. It offers unique and fun 3D printing, biology, geology, and chemistry programs. These programs are designed to provide students with learning experiences approximated to hands-on, face-to-face activities to the maximum extent possible.
The virtual format has its advantages. It allows organizers to bring together students from different locations, which only adds to the geographical and cultural diversity of the participants. They send out all the project materials, supplies and instructions, and tablets with preloaded learning apps well in advance to all campers.
The STEAM Summer Camp uses Zoom and Google Classroom for online sessions. Both platforms are well-equipped to allow students to interact with each other without disruptions, share presentations, and stay engaged. Those who have attended the summer camp in the past have described their experiences as fantastic, fun, and cool. Many of them particularly enjoyed teamwork activities, clarity of instruction, and 3D printing tools.
The great thing about the STEAM virtual summer camp is that it is free! Students entering grades 6 through 8 in the coming fall are eligible.
Camp A.B.L.E
Camp A.B.L.E is intended for students with special needs. This is a fully licensed camp. All staff is CPR/CPI trained. This means they are trained to use de-escalation techniques to address challenging situations. They also serve as mandatory reporters for child abuse and neglect.
Participants are aged from 8 to 15, and they should be able to feed, clothe, and use the bathroom independently—those who an aide cannot accompany.
The camp is designed to improve participants’ social skills, reinforce their motor skills, and enhance self-reliance. It organizes field trips on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the campers to enjoy swimming and bowling or visiting a local museum or the zoo. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the kids participate in themed activities and listen to guest speakers.
The camp has the capacity to host up to 20 participants at a time. It employs one staff for every three campers.
The weekly cost goes up to $300. In addition, parents can apply for scholarships through the Canton Community Foundation and the Marion and Jerry Rozum Fund.
Once a registration form is submitted, the camp organizes new parent orientation meetings to welcome the campers, and their parents discuss logistics and other program-related details. This is also an opportunity for parents to relay important information about their children to the camp staff.
Juni Learning link Virtual Summer Camps
Juni Learning is an education platform that offers award-winning curriculums in Computer Science, Math, and English to students 7-18 years old. Students can enjoy the camp experience from the comfort of their homes. In some cases, kids may not have the opportunity to attend in-person summer camps. This can be due to reasons like health or the limited availability of these camps in their area.
More information about Juni Learning can be available from their article about Virtual Summer Camps for 2022
Final Thoughts On Academic Summer Camps
In addition to academic achievements, students need to develop several skills to improve their self-reliance, social interactions, and teamwork capabilities. These days, emotional intelligence is rated higher than the conventional IQ. Academic summer camps offer excellent opportunities for participants to understand and manage their emotions as they engage with their peers and instructors. Today, academic summer camps are also available to those children with special needs and accessibility challenges.
Michigan has some of the best summer camps in the country. They are designed to provide unforgettable learning experiences and opportunities for social interactions. We hope this review helps you understand the advantages of the top ones to make an informed choice.
