[Colin Roberts contributed to this article]
(Charleston, IL) – The arrival of summer means that Eastern Illinois University will again be providing a variety of camps for community youth to get involved in. The camps are tailored for the age ranges of 10 to 18, and include a LEGO and Robotics Camp and a Fashion & Design Day Camp. There are also two residential camps specifically for high school students— Fashion, Design & Merchandising and Summer Art Camp.
LEGO CAMPS—Prices and EIU locations vary, please visit https://www.eiu.edu/index.php for details and additional information.
Students will design robots in order to complete several different challenges: Drive and modify a robot to retrieve a box, build a robot that can store and sort colored balls, design a robot that can get across a chasm, and more.
Camp-goers will work with LEGO construction materials to design and build exciting projects. Simple machines, motors, gears, and motion are just some of the individual creative challenges and team projects the students will explore.
Students will be involved with engaging learning experiences in science, literacy, and math. LEGO WeDo materials are used to inspire problem solving and creativity. Participants will work on themed projects as well as have challenging creative time.
Participants will build and program LEGO EV3 robots to move, sing, and dance, while also incorporating sensors to give the robot intelligence to make decisions. No experience with robots or programming is necessary.
Participants can design and build exciting projects with LEGO construction materials. They will work with levers, gears, pulleys, and wheels to make cars, catapults, and more. There will be time for both individual creative challenges and team projects.
ART AND FASHION CAMPS—Prices and EIU locations vary, contact https://www.eiu.edu/index.php for details and additional information.
Camp-goers will learn new art media and techniques as well as experience campus life in EIU residence halls. Beyond meeting other young people who share a passion for creativity, students will immerse themselves in art and be given an opportunity to find their creative voice through the experience.
Participants will learn about basic hand and machine sewing skills, use and maintenance of a sewing machine, and work on an up-cycling design project (making something old new again).
Attendees will make canvas tote bags as well as screen prints. In addition to photo manipulation and editing lessons, there will also be fashion photography shoot and instruction in flat patterning. Attendees will take a daytrip to Joann’s Fabric and complete one full-size design during their time at Fashion Design Camp.
All summer camp programs will take place on EIU’s campus. For more information or to register for any of these camps, please visit EIU Youth Programs online at https://www.eiu.edu/adulted/kids.php.
For more information about EIU, or to learn more about its growing assortment of programs and services, visit the university’s website at www.eiu.edu, or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.
Booth House
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Ave.
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-7400
jdreinhart@eiu.edu