Academic Summer Camps
Bethel’s Academic Camps provide campers, from ages 7 – 17, with the opportunity to explore the vast world of Academics. Our camps are run by college professors who have significant experience and expertise in their respective fields that they are channeling into a fun, hands-on experiential learning format.
All campers who successfully complete a Bethel Academic Camp will receive a $250 financial award toward Bethel College.
View the complete Gallery
- Theatre Camp
- Ceramics Camp
- Science Smackdown
- Water Bugs
- Operation
- Instrumental Ensemble
- Sports Communication
- Youth Gospel Choir
Registration Deadline: Two weeks prior to each camp. If space is available, late registrations will be accepted up to the first day of camp for an additional $10.00 fee.
Please direct all questions to academic.camps@BethelCollege.edu.
-
Theatre Camp
Deb Swerman
Theater Instructor -
Do you enjoy the world of make believe? Do you enjoy exploring different characters and personalities? Maybe you just need to build some confidence and make new friends. Then join us this summer learning all you can about the fun of performing on the stage. Each day we will learn new games and exercises that help build on your own natural creativity. We will explore the world of improvisation as well as delve into script work with short scenes and playlets. Let's bring out the inner actor in us all!
Date Times Ages Cost June 25-29 9 a.m. - Noon 9-13 $125 July 9-13 9 a.m. - Noon 14-17 $125 July 16-20 9 a.m. - Noon 9-13 $125 -
Ceramics Camp
Suzanne Mauro
Asst. Professor of ArtReady, set, get your hands dirty! Ever wanted to create art with clay? Now’s your chance! Spend the week exploring clay as a material and create several functional and nonfunctional forms. Learn hand building techniques and spend a day working with the potter's wheel. Students will then come back to glaze their bisque fired forms on Tuesday and Wednesday of the following week. The forms will be fired one more time and then both age groups will meet on Friday in the Bethel College Art Center for a reception to show off their finished work to family and friends.
Don't wait to sign up; there is only 10 spaces per age group!July 20 combined age group reception:TBA
Date Times Ages Cost July 9-13, 17, 18 9 a.m. - Noon 7-11 $150 July 9-13, 17, 18 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 12-15 $150 -
Science Smackdown
Beth Kroa
Asst. Professor of Chemistry
Bryan Issac
Associate Professor of ChemistryAre you ready to rumble? Student teams will be assigned a daily task related to chemistry, physics, or engineering to be completed in two hours. Then the friendly Smackdown Competition begins! Can your team build the bridge with the lightest mass that holds the heaviest load? Who will dominate the trebuchet launch? Which team will create the chemical volcano that spews the tallest eruption? Using an inquiry-based approach, students will unfold the underlying scientific principles governing their task with the guidance of faculty. These tasks are just ideas to whet your appetite. The REAL tasks will be revealed when you arrive each morning! Friday at 11:00 a.m., a Science Smackdown Stage is planned for students to demonstrate their most impressive findings.
Date Times Ages Cost July 9-13 9 a.m. - Noon 11-15 (6th – 8th grade completed) $125 -
Water Bugs
Kevin Drury, Ph.D.
Asst. Professor of Applied MathematicsGet your hands dirty! Investigate the abundance and diversity of aquatic insects in various pond habitats—forested to open! We’ll study how urban development affects insects within each habitat. We will explore sampling techniques and take samples to the lab to determine which insects live in which ponds and identify them to the family and genus level. We’ll also learn basic statistical techniques that real scientists use in the field to detect insect abundance and diversity between the pond types. Campers will keep a collection of what they find in each pond, according to standard scientific protocol.
Date Times Ages Cost June 25-29 9 a.m. - Noon 10-14 $125 (plus $25 fee) -
Operation
Steve Galat, M.D.
Asst. Professor of BiologyTravel through the human body with a surgeon! Bethel professor Steve Galat, M.D., will take you on the ride of your life through the intricacies of the human body, exploring new organ systems each day of the week. Hands-on activities, real-life laboratory participation with models and fresh pig organs allow campers to get a feel for the fascinating human body. Campers will have the opportunity to delve into the workings of the heart, lungs, digestive and nervous systems, skin, and bones.
Date Times Ages Cost July 9-13 9 a.m. - Noon 11-15 $125 -
Instrumental Ensemble
Vicky Warkentien
Associate Professor of MusicDevelop your instrumental ensemble skills with piano, strings, brass, woodwind and percussion! During the week, players will be grouped in various ensembles, learn new repertoire, gain more experience in the art of making music in an ensemble, and perform their new repertoires in a Friday pre-lunch afternoon concert. Meet others who love music while becoming a better musician.
Date Times Ages Cost June 25-29 9 a.m. - Noon 7-15 $125 -
Sports Communication
Theo Williams
Associate Faculty in CommunicationCommunication meets competition. You don’t have be an athlete to be a major player in the sports arena. Through our camp, you will be equipped with the communication tools and skills needed to go one on one with the best staff and participants that Bethel’s Athletic Camps have to offer. This will include learning how to take photos, shoot video, and conduct interviews for print and broadcast media. Do you have what it takes? If so…game on!
Date Times Ages Cost July 16-20 9 a.m. - Noon 11-15 $125 -
Youth Gospel Choir
Zachary Gillis
Gospel Choir Director
Bethel College Gospel Choir MembersThe Bethel College Youth Gospel Choir Camp is an exciting gospel choral ensemble that reflects the artistic ability of youth. We strive for excellence in leading youth to sing Jesus’ message of salvation. This camp emphasizes the development of vocal skills, group singing and choreography through diverse musical styles including gospel, contemporary, hip hop and songs from other cultures. Boys and girls will make a joyful noise while developing skills in fun and meaningful ways that will serve them during their school years and beyond.
Date Times Ages Cost June 11-15 9 a.m. - Noon 8-14 $30
