2025 Academic Summer Camp gives hands on learning EXPERIENCE.

High school students get to EXPERIENCE University of Illinois campus life and latest department advancements!

Academic Summer Camps

Public Policy in Action 

If you’re ready to make a difference and stand up for the causes you care about, this two-day summer experience is for you! Join other passionate young leaders as we explore how to create real change in your community and beyond. 

You’ll learn how to amplify your voice, dive into the world of public policy and civic action, and gain the skills to turn your ideas into action. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for new ways to make an impact, this is your chance to step up and make a difference. The future needs your passion and your voice! 

  • June 16- June 17
  • 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
  • $249

Exploring the Emiquon Preserve 

Explore the wild side of science! Join us for a fun day at The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve, where you’ll hike through breathtaking landscapes and learn about the unique history of the Central Illinois River Valley. Get your feet wet as you sample macro invertebrates in the wetlands and discover how these tiny creatures help us understand the health of aquatic ecosystems. You'll work in teams to sort your samples and even get up close with microscopes to identify your findings. This is your chance to dive into hands-on science, explore the outdoors, and learn something new in an unforgettable way! 

  • June 16 – June 18 
  •   9:00 am to 12:00 pm 
  • $149 

How to Crush Reading a Whole Book

Are you prepared to level up your reading game for college and beyond? Join our camp and discover how to make reading less of a chore and more of a superpower! We’ll kick things off by sharing the books you’ve chosen and dive into why reading skills are essential for crushing your college goals. Throughout the week, you’ll test out fun strategies—like ditching your phone, setting up the perfect reading spot, and even reading while strolling through a Shakespeare Garden. On remote days, you’ll check in on Zoom to talk about how the strategies are working and get tips to stay on track. By the end of camp, you’ll have the tools to tackle any reading challenge with confidence and maybe even enjoy it more than you thought! 

  • June 30 – July 3
  • 10:00 am to 4:00 pm 
  • $149  

AI and the Nobel Prize 

Embark on an intellectual journey through the frontiers of AI and recent Nobel Prize-winning scientific breakthroughs. This camp features: (1) Explorations of the core scientific and technological principles behind groundbreaking discoveries. (2) Practical programming experience in AI and machine learning. This camp is ideal for curious and ambitious students seeking to understand the cutting-edge intersections of science, technology, and innovation. 

  • July 8 – July 10 
  • 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 
  • $99 

If you have questions about any of our camps, contact summercamps@uis.edu.

To see pictures from previous UIS summer camps, visit our Summer Camp Archive.