WCU announces summer camps, programs

WEST CHESTER » West Chester University has announced dates and information for summer programs and camps to entertain and enrich area students from ages 7 to 22. In all, the more than 20 camps offer high-quality, relatively low-cost programming to keep students mentally and physically active this summer. Information and links to registration can be found at www. wcupa.edu/summercamps/.

Programs are taught by expert faculty, student-athletes, and by local professionals who are specialists in the camp’s field. All programs take place on West Chester University’s campus in state-of-the-art facilities.

Music

For kids who play a musical instrument or sing, West Chester University’s Wells School of Music offers the Elementary School Summer Music Camp (grades three to five), the Middle School Summer Music Camp, the High School Summer Music

Institute, and the Summer Jazz Camp (advanced Middle School and High School only.) Taught by Wells School of Music faculty, the week-long camps include group and some individual instruction, rehearsals, faculty concerts, and a culminating performance experience.

Theatre

High school theatre artists can enroll in Pennsylvania Theatre Institute’s PreCollege Intensive, a twoweek residential program that helps the college or career-bound theatre artist craft audition materials, hone acting and performance skills, and get a taste of campus life. The program concludes with a performance showcase. Younger thespians (ages 8 to 14) can train with professionals in the Young Company Camp, a two-week camp running in both July and August that trains in acting, voice work, dance, improvisation, and design, and culminates in a showcase performance.

Art

West Chester University’s Department of Art + Design’s Visual Art Camp is open to students ages 7 to 15. Using hands on experience, students will explore various areas within the studio arts. Studio activities include painting, drawing, ceramics, mixed media, and digital art. Each student will be encouraged to investigate various techniques with an emphasis on personal expression.

Writing

Young writers learn new strategies and genres, and gain confidence to compose and edit essays, poems, stories, and more with certified teachers at the West Chester Writing Project’s Young Writers/Young Readers camp for grades one to 11.

Sports

Sports camps are programmed by West Chester University’s athletics department in Basketball, Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Track & Field, Cross County, and Volleyball. The

Swimming Lesson program returns this year in addition to Aquatics Safety Classes. New this year is a three-day Youth Leadership and Coaches Qualification camp for 16 to 22-year-olds that awards a certificate for student who hope to coach.

Career camps

For career-minded highschoolers, there is the Health Career Summer Academy for students interested in future health science careers. In collaboration with Main Line Health and Meridian Bank, the camp’s purpose is to introduce students to potential fields of study.

The iCamp Academy is a week-long residential summer media camp that invites high school students from the Philadelphia School District to plan, develop, and publish media projects that address issues of social impact and justice. Winner of Insight Magazine’s 2020 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award, iCamp Academy activities include audio and video production, web and game development, and more.