Summer camps empower students to explore new interests and gain practical experiences.
Three College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) camps—the Passport to FCS (Family and Consumer Sciences) Camp, the Information Technology (IT) Summer Academy, and the Gamma Phi Circus Camp—introduce students to some of the unique and distinctive programs within the college.
Passport to FCS Summer Camp
Participants in the Passport to FCS Camp took a trip to Italy without leaving Turner Hall. High School students enrolled in the camp learned about Italian family dynamics, fashion trends, and food, all while being introduced to FCS majors.
“The main goal was to introduce students to these ‘found majors’ such as human development and family science (HDFS) and help them get started and show them some possibilities of majors within FCS,” said Raegan Vaughan, an FCS teacher education major and camp counselor.
The camp features hands-on activities including crafting, learning about development, and making homemade pizza and pasta in a college classroom setting.
“My main focus was building a connection with each other, having the kids connect with each other and connect with us, and kind of get a taste of what college was like,” said Sarah Knowlton, a counselor and graduate student in the human development and family science program. “I wanted them to be in a college setting but make it fun and educational.”
By focusing on both educational content and interactive fun, the camp not only promotes FCS fields of study but also builds interpersonal connections among participants that they can carry with them into college someday, potentially as FCS majors.
Information Technology Summer Academy
The new IT Summer Academy is for incoming freshmen IT majors without much computer programming experience but with a genuine interest and desire to learn. This camp offers an introduction to programming concepts, with a curriculum designed to accommodate both beginners and those with prior experience.
“I was surprised by how in-depth the courses were,” said incoming freshman Joshua Anoke. “I had not touched code in over a year, and this camp provided a refresher and a chance to learn new skills.”
Held in Julian Hall, the academy includes hands-on exercises, such as working with programming languages including Java and Python. The academy’s residential setup and low cost of $15 highlight its commitment to accessibility, providing students with not only technical skills, but also preparation for their first year in college.
“I got the experience, and that’s what mattered,” said Anoke. As a member of the Air National Guard, he is attending Basic Training during fall 2024 and will begin his freshman year at Illinois State in spring 2025. “I can’t come to campus until the spring, so it was really nice just to get a feel for what college life is supposed to look like before I start here as a freshman.”
Dr. Traci Carte, director of the School of IT, said the future classmates worked together to support each other throughout the academy.
“We had students who are sophomores and juniors in our program who came in to also be peer mentors, and then faculty who were very keen in understanding that this was meant to improve programming self-efficacy and create a sense of belonging,” Carte said.
Gamma Phi Circus Camp
The high-flying Gamma Phi Circus Camp offers a blend of acrobatic skill-building and performance experience for kids ages 3 through high school seniors.
Avery Byrd, a former camper who is now a counselor, describes a typical day at camp as beginning with a warm-up, followed by rotations through various acts like low casting, aerial work, and acrobatics. Participants can focus on specific acts of their choice in the latter part of the week, culminating in a performance.
“We have a show on Fridays, where students get to showcase what they’ve learned,” says Byrd. The camp caters to a range of skill levels, from beginners to advanced, and emphasizes building confidence and performing in front of an audience.
“One of the things that I get to see is that I watch campers grow up from say age 7 to 18, and what I see in the campers is the confidence that they gain,” Bird said. “They often come in very shy, very timid and I get so many parents who tell me just how much they are coming out of their shells and that their confidence is building and growing.
“We try to do our best to adhere to the circus values, which are commitment, integrity, respect, courage, unity, and service, and I think the campers can stretch themselves in each one of those six values throughout the camp.”
The program also serves as a recruitment tool for the Gamma Phi Circus, with many campers eventually enrolling at Illinois State and becoming troupe members.
“I only applied to ISU because I knew I wanted to do Gamma Phi,” said incoming freshman Aubrie White. With a robust attendance of around 200 participants across various camp sessions, the program fosters a supportive environment where young performers can develop their skills, make new friends, and gain valuable stage experience.
Whether it’s exploring Italy through the lens of FCS academic fields, gaining technical skills in IT, or jumping through hoops at the circus, CAST camps are shaping students’ futures.
They provide not only valuable learning experiences but also create a sense of connection and purpose, underscoring the significant impact that summer programs can have on young people’s personal and academic growth.
