Summer Better Than Others- SOU Youth Camps
For Ages 8-18
From rock climbing and LEGO robotics to ceramics and esports, we have something for every interest. We have also expanded our ages this year, with classes catering to students 8 - 17. Plus, we have Southern Oregon University professors as instructors for select courses, leading to a truly college experience! Camp sessions generally run from late June to early August, with options to attend multiple classes over a variety of weeks.
Courses fill up fast—don’t wait! To view the full schedule and register today, visit youth.sou.edu/summer
June 29- July 3
Rock the Wall
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 8 – 12
Price: $215
Climb to new heights on the state-of-the-art climbing wall in the SOU Student Recreation Center! Beginners will learn all the tricks of experienced climbers: knot-tying basics, gear use, movement skills, and, of course, climbing techniques. Our knowledgeable instructors will help you scramble your way to the top in this exhilarating outdoor sport. No previous experience is required. Students must have the ability to follow staff directions and participate in collaborative discussion.
Ceramics Handbuilding Technique
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 9 – 13
Price: $220
Explore your creativity in this week-long handbuilding class. Students will learn a variety of handbuilding techniques such as slab building, stamping, pinching, and coil building to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Projects include functional dishes like bowls, mugs, and plates, as well as adorable animal sculptures. Experienced students can work with the instructor to develop their own ideas. This class is great for creative students who like to make things with their hands. No prior experience is necessary, all you need is your creativity, and all other supplies are provided. Playing with mud is a messy business: closed-toe shoes are required and we recommend that students wear clothing that can get dirty. Prerequisites: Students will need to be able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning difficult techniques.
Rock the Wall
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $215
Climb to new heights on the state-of-the-art climbing wall in the SOU Student Recreation Center! Beginners will learn all the tricks of experienced climbers: knot-tying basics, gear use, move-ment skills, and, of course, climbing techniques. Our knowledgeable instructors will help you scramble your way to the top in this exhilarating outdoor sport. No previous experience is required. Students must have the ability to follow staff directions and participate in collaborative discussion.
Beginning Pottery Wheel Workshop
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $220
Jump into the world of wheel-thrown ceramics in this hands-on pottery workshop! Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of using a pottery wheel: centering, pulling, and shaping clay to create functional and one-of-a-kind pots. Near the end of the week, students will learn how to trim and glaze their pieces. No prior experience is necessary, all you need is your creativity, and all other supplies are provided. Playing with mud is a messy business: closed-toe shoes are required and we recommend that students wear clothing that can get dirty. Prerequisites: Students will need to be able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning difficult techniques.
July 6-10
Rock the Wall
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 8 – 12
Price: $215
Climb to new heights on the state-of-the-art climbing wall in the SOU Student Recreation Center! Beginners will learn all the tricks of experienced climbers: knot-tying basics, gear use, move-ment skills, and, of course, climbing techniques. Our knowledgeable instructors will help you scramble your way to the top in this exhilarating outdoor sport. No previous experience is required. Students must have the ability to follow staff directions and participate in collaborative discussion.
Intro to Lego Robotics – EV3
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 10 – 14
Price: $200
This class is designed for students with little or no experience coding robots with Lego’s EV3 system. Beginning with the basics, students will learn all the essentials of how to build and program a Lego robot.
Scientific Illustration
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 8 – 12
Price: $200
Draw like a scientist! Students investigate natural specimens, including ethically sourced skulls and bones, while learning anatomy through observation and drawing. Campers explore multiple drawing techniques and create detailed scientific artworks to take home. No prior art experience needed.
Ceramics Handbuilding Technique
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 9 – 13
Price: $220
Explore your creativity in this week-long handbuilding class. Students will learn a variety of handbuilding techniques such as slab building, stamping, pinching, and coil building to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Projects include functional dishes like bowls, mugs, and plates, as well as adorable animal sculptures. Experienced students can work with the instructor to develop their own ideas. This class is great for creative students who like to make things with their hands. No prior experience is necessary, all you need is your creativity, and all other supplies are provided. Playing with mud is a messy business: closed-toe shoes are required and we recommend that students wear clothing that can get dirty. Prerequisites: Students will need to be able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning difficult techniques.
Rock the Wall
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $215
Climb to new heights on the state-of-the-art climbing wall in the SOU Student Recreation Center! Beginners will learn all the tricks of experienced climbers: knot-tying basics, gear use, movement skills, and, of course, climbing techniques. Our knowledgeable instructors will help you scramble your way to the top in this exhilarating outdoor sport. No previous experience is required. Students must have the ability to follow staff directions and participate in collaborative discussion.
Intro to Lego Robotics – Spike Prime
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Ages: 10 – 14
Price: $200
This class is designed for students with little or no experience coding robots with Lego’s Spike Prime system. Beginning with the basics, students will learn all the essentials of how to build and program a Lego robot.
Beginning Pottery Wheel Workshop
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $220
Jump into the world of wheel-thrown ceramics in this hands-on pottery workshop! Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of using a pottery wheel: centering, pulling, and shaping clay to create functional and one-of-a-kind pots. Near the end of the week, students will learn how to trim and glaze their pieces. No prior experience is necessary, all you need is your creativity, and all other supplies are provided. Playing with mud is a messy business: closed-toe shoes are required and we recommend that students wear clothing that can get dirty. Prerequisites: Students will need to be able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning difficult techniques.
July 13-17
Rock the Wall
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 8 – 12
Price: $215
Climb to new heights on the state-of-the-art climbing wall in the SOU Student Recreation Center! Beginners will learn all the tricks of experienced climbers: knot-tying basics, gear use, move-ment skills, and, of course, climbing techniques. Our knowledgeable instructors will help you scramble your way to the top in this exhilarating outdoor sport. No previous experience is required. Students must have the ability to follow staff directions and participate in collaborative discussion.
Ceramics Handbuilding Technique
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 9 – 13
Price: $220
Explore your creativity in this week-long handbuilding class. Students will learn a variety of handbuilding techniques such as slab building, stamping, pinching, and coil building to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Projects include functional dishes like bowls, mugs, and plates, as well as adorable animal sculptures. Experienced students can work with the instructor to develop their own ideas. This class is great for creative students who like to make things with their hands. No prior experience is necessary, all you need is your creativity, and all other supplies are provided. Playing with mud is a messy business: closed-toe shoes are required and we recommend that students wear clothing that can get dirty. Prerequisites: Students will need to be able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning difficult techniques.
Entrepreneurship
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 11 – 17
Price: $200
Young entrepreneurs will dive deeper into business planning, marketing, and pitching as they turn creative ideas into real-world ventures.
Rock the Wall
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $215
Climb to new heights on the state-of-the-art climbing wall in the SOU Student Recreation Center! Beginners will learn all the tricks of experienced climbers: knot-tying basics, gear use, move-ment skills, and, of course, climbing techniques. Our knowledgeable instructors will help you scramble your way to the top in this exhilarating outdoor sport. No previous experience is required. Students must have the ability to follow staff directions and participate in collaborative discussion.
Beginning Pottery Wheel Workshop
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Ages: 13 -17
Price: $220
Jump into the world of wheel-thrown ceramics in this hands-on pottery workshop! Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of using a pottery wheel: centering, pulling, and shaping clay to create functional and one-of-a-kind pots. Near the end of the week, students will learn how to trim and glaze their pieces. No prior experience is necessary, all you need is your creativity, and all other supplies are provided. Playing with mud is a messy business: closed-toe shoes are required and we recommend that students wear clothing that can get dirty. Prerequisites: Students will need to be able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning difficult techniques.
July 20-24
Rock the Wall
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 8 – 12
Price: $215
Climb to new heights on the state-of-the-art climbing wall in the SOU Student Recreation Center! Beginners will learn all the tricks of experienced climbers: knot-tying basics, gear use, move-ment skills, and, of course, climbing techniques. Our knowledgeable instructors will help you scramble your way to the top in this exhilarating outdoor sport. No previous experience is required. Students must have the ability to follow staff directions and participate in collaborative discussion.
Ceramics Handbuilding Technique
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 9 – 13
Price: $220
Explore your creativity in this week-long handbuilding class. Students will learn a variety of handbuilding techniques such as slab building, stamping, pinching, and coil building to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Projects include functional dishes like bowls, mugs, and plates, as well as adorable animal sculptures. Experienced students can work with the instructor to develop their own ideas. This class is great for creative students who like to make things with their hands. No prior experience is necessary, all you need is your creativity, and all other supplies are provided. Playing with mud is a messy business: closed-toe shoes are required and we recommend that students wear clothing that can get dirty. Prerequisites: Students will need to be able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning difficult techniques.
Python Programming Camp*
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $200
Python is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world, and this camp is a great place to start learning it. Students will write real code, build projects, and work through problems hands-on. No prior experience is needed, and those with some background will find plenty of room to grow.
Rock the Wall
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $215
Climb to new heights on the state-of-the-art climbing wall in the SOU Student Recreation Center! Beginners will learn all the tricks of experienced climbers: knot-tying basics, gear use, movement skills, and, of course, climbing techniques. Our knowledgeable instructors will help you scramble your way to the top in this exhilarating outdoor sport. No previous experience is required. Students must have the ability to follow staff directions and participate in collaborative discussion.
Beginning Pottery Wheel Workshop
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Ages: 13 -17
Price: $220
Jump into the world of wheel-thrown ceramics in this hands-on pottery workshop! Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of using a pottery wheel: centering, pulling, and shaping clay to create functional and one-of-a-kind pots. Near the end of the week, students will learn how to trim and glaze their pieces. No prior experience is necessary, all you need is your creativity, and all other supplies are provided. Playing with mud is a messy business: closed-toe shoes are required and we recommend that students wear clothing that can get dirty. Prerequisites: Students will need to be able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning difficult techniques.
S.M.Art Camp: Be a Color Wizard
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Ages: 8 – 10
Price: $200
Unlock the magic of color! In this playful, experiment-driven camp, students discover their unique “Color Wizard” type, create Wizard notebooks, and transform found and foraged materials into vibrant natural dyes and paints. Through hands-on exploration of pigments and plant-based color chemistry, campers create one-of-a-kind artworks while learning the science behind every hue.
Web Development Camp*
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Ages: 10 – 15
Price: $200
This camp covers the fundamentals of web development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Students will get hands-on experience designing and building their own websites from scratch. It’s a practical introduction to how the web works.
*For students who are interested in additional computer related courses, we encourage you to sign up for the free Cyber Camp hosted on the SOU campus on August 10 – 14. The camp is for students entering 9th – 12th grade in the fall. Learn more and register at nwcybercamp.org.
July 27-31
Ceramics Handbuilding Technique
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 9 – 13
Price: $220
Explore your creativity in this week-long handbuilding class. Students will learn a variety of handbuilding techniques such as slab building, stamping, pinching, and coil building to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Projects include functional dishes like bowls, mugs, and plates, as well as adorable animal sculptures. Experienced students can work with the instructor to develop their own ideas. This class is great for creative students who like to make things with their hands. No prior experience is necessary, all you need is your creativity, and all other supplies are provided. Playing with mud is a messy business: closed-toe shoes are required and we recommend that students wear clothing that can get dirty. Prerequisites: Students will need to be able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning difficult techniques.
Amigurumi Story Book
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages: 9 – 12
Price: $200
Bring your stories to life! Learn to write, illustrate, and produce a real book, AND create your leading character through the amazing fiber art amigurumi! These adorable creatures will steal your heart and bring your story off the page and into real life. Break down all the stages of a great story and grow your own narrative voice. Learn to map your plot, develop your characters, and brainstorm ways to craft the pieces of your short story together to make an unforgettable story. Using yarn and crochet hooks you will learn to craft your amigurumi friend one stitch at a time. At the end of the class, everyone goes home with their own unique handcrafted storybook and Amigurumi friend. Prerequisites: Minimum 3rd grade writing level, able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning potentially difficult techniques.
Beginning Pottery Wheel Workshop
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Ages: 13 -17
Price: $220
Jump into the world of wheel-thrown ceramics in this hands-on pottery workshop! Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of using a pottery wheel: centering, pulling, and shaping clay to create functional and one-of-a-kind pots. Near the end of the week, students will learn how to trim and glaze their pieces. No prior experience is necessary, all you need is your creativity, and all other supplies are provided. Playing with mud is a messy business: closed-toe shoes are required and we recommend that students wear clothing that can get dirty. Prerequisites: Students will need to be able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning difficult techniques.
Acrylic Painting: Color Secrets
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Ages: 12 – 15
Price: $200
Sharpen your painting skills by focusing on the way we see color and how our brains perceive it. In this class, you’ll work with a professional artist to use acrylic paints to explore color and value while creating abstract and observational paintings. Bridging the space between science and art, this class will be a fun, experimental way to learn advanced concepts that will help you harness the power of color and observation in your artwork. Prerequisites: Ability to follow staff directions, sustain focused work for an extended period of 40+ minutes, participate in collaborative discussion.
Rock the Wall
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $215
Climb to new heights on the state-of-the-art climbing wall in the SOU Student Recreation Center! Beginners will learn all the tricks of experienced climbers: knot-tying basics, gear use, move-ment skills, and, of course, climbing techniques. Our knowledgeable instructors will help you scramble your way to the top in this exhilarating outdoor sport. No previous experience is required. Students must have the ability to follow staff directions and participate in collaborative discussion.
2026 Guide to Summer Camps Sponsor: Southern Oregon Success