Summer at Alma

A summer that's all yours.

Choose from summer camps focused on arts, science, leadership and service, and athletics. Dive deep into an area of interest, learn new skills, and make new friends!

Academic Camps

Alma College Research Network (ACORN)

Alma College Research Network (ACORN)

Do you ever wish you were the forensic scientist on the crime scene? Do you enjoy hands-on scientific and mathematical research? If so, then the Alma College Research Network (ACORN)  program is for you.

First-year science and mathematics students have the extraordinary opportunity to engage in research before they even step foot on campus! Prior to their freshman year, selected students are invited to begin their academic journey through the ACORN summer research opportunity alongside Alma faculty and other students.

Cost: There is no cost for this camp.

Explorers Week (STEM)

Explorers Week (STEM)

Students who will be enrolling in grades 2–6 for the 2024-2025 school year will have a chance to explore topics in math, science, and engineering in a week-long day camp setting. The program includes a variety of hands-on, student-centered experiences where they have the opportunity to learn more about each topic. Students will have two different classes each morning. The afternoons are filled with challenges and activities. Students will move about in small groups led by a counselor. Lunch and snacks are provided each day. There is a limit of 55 students.

Registration Fee: $25 per student, with a discount for families with more than one child attending.

Global Challenge

Global Challenge

During five days on the Alma College campus, students develop solutions to real-world international issues through a simulation of the United Nations Security Council. Your team might work on critical issues like disease outbreaks, international terrorism, climate change, or other global concerns. Work with an exceptional group of incoming and current students – including our nationally recognized Model United Nations team – alumni mentors and expert faculty. Students who attend Global Challenge and enroll at Alma College in fall 2024 receive a $200 tuition credit in October 2024.

Dates: June 9 – 13, 2024

Cost: $375 for high school students and $200 for incoming Alma students.

 

Pre-College Art Program

Pre-College Art Program

The Pre-College Art Program is a one-week drawing course designed for students at all levels and abilities ages 14–19. This course explores traditional methods of drawing with a focus on portraiture. The program aims to introduce students to the rigor and content discussed at the college level. All drawing materials are provided.

Cost: $80

Research Week (STEM)

Research Week (STEM)

Each morning students entering grades 7-11 for the 2024-2025 school year will work in small groups on a week-long project in one of the STEM disciplines. Each group will work alongside Alma College faculty and/or students as they complete this work. The students will have a chance to present their work at the close of the week. In the afternoons students will work on engineering challenges, and social enrichment activities and learn more about the possibilities in life after high school. Snacks and lunch will be provided.  There is a limit of 40 students.

Registration Fee: $25 per student, with a discount for families with more than one child attending.

Performing Arts Camps

Bagpipe Camp

Bagpipe Camp

At Bagpiping Camp you will learn more about bagpipe maintenance, improving technique, competition preparation, improving the tonal quality of your bagpipes, tune memorization, and more. 3-Day to full week options available.

Dates: July 15-19, 2024

Ages: 9th grade to 18+

Cost:
Full week, double room: $795.00
Full week, single room: $895.00
3-day double room: $498.00
3-day single room: $558.00

Composition Workshop

Composition Workshop

Explore the creative side of music by composing new pieces, performing new works by fellow participants, and making music with computers.
You Will: Compose a new piece that will be performed by faculty and workshop participants, learn basic notation and audio software, study music theory concepts daily, and explore the music of living composers. No previous composition experience required.

Ages: Vocalists and Instrumentalists 9th-12th grade welcome

Host: Dr. Justin Rito – Assistant Professor of Music – ritojb@alma.edu

Dates: July 7 – 13, 2024

Cost: Staying on campus – $575, Commuter – $275

Percussion Camp

Percussion Camp

Develop your skills as a performer and a leader in concert percussion, as well as perform in a concert with traditional percussion ensembles, steel drum bands, marimba ensembles, and more. We will help you develop musicianship and technical skills on all instruments including marimba, vibraphone, drum set, timpani, steel drums, hand drumming, world percussion, orchestral percussion, and much, much more.

Open to grades 6-12 and incoming students of any skill level. You will be taught by the directors Dave Zerbe and Aaron Krause, and top members of the renowned Alma College Percussion Ensemble, as well as internationally recognized clinicians.

For more information email Aaron Krause at krauseal@alma.edu or explore our videos.

Ages: 6th-12th grade welcome

Dates: July 7 – 13, 2024

Cost: Staying on campus – $575, Commuter – $275

Professional Development for Educators

STEM Core Option 1: Technology

STEM Core Option 1: Technology

K-12 teachers take technology tools and explore how to apply them in a classroom setting. This experience is completely online and designed for K-12 teachers using various levels of technology in the classroom. Activities include designing websites, researching tools to support math and science units, and creating classroom-ready technology-enhanced artifacts. This CORE experience is being taught by Jessie Store.

There is a stipend of $500 per teacher and $500 for classroom materials.

Dates: 2024 dates coming soon

Cost: Free

STEM Core Option 2: Ambitious Science Teacher

STEM Core Option 2: Ambitious Science Teacher

This is a workshop centered around the Ambitious Science Teaching (AST) framework and supporting teachers in making curricular and NGSS-related connections to phenomena-based teaching. K-12 teachers will learn about the tools and knowledge to implement the AST core practices in their own classrooms, whatever level they teach.

This CORE experience is being taught by Brian Hancock. Meetings will take place in a synchronous online format from 9:00 a.m. – noon EST.

Participants will receive a stipend of $500 and $250 for classroom supplies and the AST book.

Cost: Free

Athletics

Camps and Events

Camps and Events

Young athletes can improve their game, develop new skillsets, and have a great time while doing it.

Questions?

Summer Camps and Conferences

(989) 463-7381
summercamps@alma.edu