Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Camps

Applications for Summer 2023 are expected to open in February 2023.

You can sign up for Summer Program Notifications to be emailed when applications are posted.

1. Sign up to receive Summer Program Notifications to be notified when applications are posted.
2. Check the camp offerings and your calendars to identify top camp choices.
3. Identify a teacher, counselor, or advisor who would be willing to provide a recommendation (Note: recommenders complete an online form instead of writing letters.)
4. Draft your personal statement essay (500 words max):
   Personal Statement Prompt: Explain your interest in this program, and describe how you have recently explored or developed this interest inside and/or outside the classroom. Describe the impact that this program will have on your future.

All applicants are welcome to apply to all camps; however, each camp has a designated age range and some camps have an equity-focus related to broadening representation in STEM. You’ll find the eligible grades and equity-focused designations listed on the Summer Camps webpage, and on each individual camp’s description page. The grade levels listed refer to the grade the student will be entering in the fall semester AFTER camps end.

Applicants should demonstrate an interest in math and science through academic achievements and extracurricular commitments to develop their abilities in math, science, technology, and engineering.

“The best thing about camp to me is how easy it is to connect with others both with the same interests as yourself or not, and getting to become more informed and educated on a topic that you are either considering to do in the future or you have a general interest in. I felt welcomed, included, and I had a great time given we were all away from home.” ~2018 camper

WYSE camps maintain a small staff-to-camper ratio (typically 1 staff member for every 8 campers). While we want to give campers the “college experience”, we aim to ensure that campers are in small groups and cared for at all times. Processes are in place to be sure that counselors and staff are present and easily accessible. All counselors and lead staff have been vetted through interviews and background checks. All staff are trained in how to minimize risks and create a safe environment for the campers. Also, during the weeks of camp, the counselors stay in close communication with campers and with each other through face-to-face interactions as well as a designated communication app that is used for group chats and notifications.

Up-to-date Campus Guidelines for Summer Program Participants can be found HERE. 

These guidelines are subject to change as state or university guidelines change as we monitor and respond to the COVID-19 conditions.

“My counselor really made my camp experience awesome. She made me feel welcome at camp, was always there when I needed her, and provided some interesting information about engineering majors that will be very useful in deciding what I want to major in.” ~2018 camper

“Everyone, especially the students, made the EAGER camp experience awesome. We could communicate and share our feelings on what we had just learned.” ~2018 camper

The camp application process begins in late January each year with the release of the camp schedule, followed in February by the application form. The application includes camper information, top 2 choices for camp sessions, a personal statement of interest, and an opportunity to apply for a Trail Blazer Scholarship. In addition, the applicant will provide contact information for a teacher, mentor, or counselor who will be asked to complete a brief recommendation form (Note: recommenders complete an online form instead of writing letters). The recommendation form is not emailed to the educator until the student has submitted their portion of the application. The application will not be considered complete until after the teacher recommendation form has been submitted. For this reason, it is recommended that the applicant notify the teacher that they should expect an email from the University seeking the completion of the recommendation form. Teacher recommendations are still accepted after the application deadline.

Applications are reviewed in March and April, and notification of acceptance or placement on a waiting list will occur by the end of April. The applications are reviewed by at least 2 trained reviewers. Applicant names, gender, or race/ethnicity are removed prior to this review. Reviewers score the application based on the essay responses, school and extra-curricular activities, and teacher recommendations. We often have more qualified applicants than we have seats available. In these cases, a randomized waiting list is generated.

Admitted campers are asked to formally accept their seat in the camp by completing the remainder of the registration process (including medical information, waiver forms, emergency contact information) and by providing a non-refundable deposit to indicate a commitment to attend. Deadlines to accept the offered seat in a camp must be followed, or the camper’s space will be passed on to the next person in line on the waiting list.

In-Person camps take place at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Classes occur primarily on the north end of campus where the Grainger College of Engineering is located, and campers in residential camps will stay in certified student housing within walking distance of classes. Most projects and demonstrations will be conducted in campus buildings, though some camps include field trips to off-site locations. Evening activities take place on the campus and in the nearby community. Each camper is assigned to suites with 1-2 other campers. 

Virtual: Sessions will occur via Zoom meetings and through a course website where all class content can be accessed. Camp project supplies will be mailed out to admitted campers for the hands-on components. Some aspects of camp might be “asynchronous” meaning there is no designated time for the activity to occur. “Synchronous” sessions are scheduled Zoom events where online attendance occurs at a specified time.

In-person, residential camps: $1,000 per camper unless otherwise indicated. This covers the cost of overnight accommodations in a campus residence hall, meals and snacks for the full week, camp staffing and materials, space rentals, extracurricular activities, insurance, and a camp T-shirt

In-person, day camps, and commuter option: $600 per camper unless otherwise indicated. This covers all expenses listed above except for overnight accommodations.

What It Takes virtual camp: $400 per camper.  Covers costs of staffing, project materials, camp T-shirt, and postage costs.

Some camps may have different pricing structures due to other funding sources. Visit the individual camp web pages for camp-specific information.

See the Trail Blazer Scholarship section below for information on financial assistance.

Deposits upon camp acceptance registration are non-refundable.

Otherwise:

• 4-week notice or more prior to camp start for a full refund
• 2-4 week notice = 50% refund
• Less than 2 weeks = 15%. refund

See the Trail Blazer Scholarship section below for information on financial assistance.

We offer Trail Blazer Scholarships for applicants who meet one OR more of the following criteria:

• • The applicant is a member of a group that is under-represented in the field of their chosen camp, such as women or gender non-binary individuals; students with a disability; students from underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities;
  • The applicant will be the first among their immediate family members to earn a degree from a 4-year college or university;
  • Applicant demonstrates leadership and civic responsibility through community impact work or entrepreneurship;
  • Applicant demonstrates financial need based on household income and the number of members in the household.

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for attendance at the WYSE Engineering Summer Camps in the same year that they are applying for the scholarship. The Trail Blazer Scholarship application is embedded in the overall camp application process, and it includes a brief essay written by the applicant and a statement of financial need completed by a parent or guardian.

Partial (50%) and full (100%) scholarships are available. We are grateful for the generous gift donations that make these scholarships possible.

Campers spend the week of camp learning about various engineering and science disciplines. 

• Visit research labs around campus and learn about active research that takes place on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus
• Learn about possible future research opportunities within the Grainger College of Engineering by interacting with students, faculty, and researchers from various engineering departments on campus
• Work in teams to complete hands-on engineering projects with other campers who share like-minded interests from around the US and the World

Each evening campers enjoy social and recreational activities such as indoor and outdoor games, movies, and more. Multiple engineering camps occur within the same week, and evening activities are coordinated in a way that allows for campers to socialize and share across these camps. They then learn about other engineering activities and widen the sphere of the lifelong friendships that develop during the week of camp.

During the week of camp, counselors will be taking pictures and making posts about camp highlights a couple of times a week so that families can also enjoy the fun from afar. Campers are not allowed to use cell phones while they are in classes but can text and make calls outside of class.

Camp ends with check-out/move-out on Saturday, followed by closing ceremonies showcasing the week’s activities and celebrating the campers’ accomplishments. We hope you’ll plan travel to allow for campers and families to participate in this final event.

Campers spend the week of camp learning about various engineering and science disciplines.

Virtual camp activities will occur through these 3 processes:

1. LIVE sessions using video conferencing or webinar tools (e.g. Zoom),
2. “At Your Convenience” or AYC sessions, which will include videos, articles, and labs that will be accessed through a password-protected website.
3. Community Chat (e.g. GroupMe, Discord, Slack) will be accessible for any-time communication between campers, counselors, and course instructors.

Multiple engineering camps occur within the same week, as well as an exploratory camp What it Takes which covers multiple engineering disciplines. During the day, campers will be working on activities posted on a camp website and attending Zoom classes or office hours when they are in session. In the afternoon, opportunities to build community with other campers are offered, such as game nights, social hours, and meeting current college student mentors. These college students typically take the role of virtual camp counselors. Overall, they learn about engineering activities and also widen the sphere of the lifelong friendships that develop during the week of camp. 

During the week of camp, campers should be taking pictures of the final products made after class and posting them on the camp website, or on the WYSE social media pages. We love to see our campers finished creations!

There will also be special events, which campers can attend such as getting feedback on college application essays, learning about various engineering programs and organizations on campus, and other useful tips for the high school student exploring college and career options.

”The best thing at camp was the different classes that we were provided. I loved seeing all the different types of engineers, and I never knew the amount of different types of professions embedded in one career choice. It gave me a chance to be open to a career that I did not know much about.” ~2018 camper

Camps labeled as EAGER and IDEA are mission-focused to broaden participation in science and engineering (e.g. Black, Latina/o, Native Americans, women, transgender/non-binary, etc.). It is in our best interest as a University and as a nation to do what we can to increase equity and access in these fields of problem-solving and innovation. Addressing issues of equity, access, and inclusion is an important part of the mission of WYSE.

Because of this, we regularly host camps that focus on broadening access and participation in STEM. Camp sessions are designated as:

EAGER camps are mission driven camp sessions led by Engineers Aiming for Gender Equity & Representation in STEM majors and careers. These camps focus on support and empowerment of traditionally excluded populations in STEM. The absence of their talents is a detriment to the STEM fields. EAGER camps provide a safe environment to build a community of peers and mentors who empower one another to be confident in their exploration of STEM.

IDEA camps are mission driven camp sessions led by departments aiming to Increase Diversity, Equity, & Access in STEM majors and careers. These camps focus on support and empowerment of traditionally excluded populations in STEM including (but not limited to) the areas of gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and ability. The absence of their talents is a detriment to the STEM fields. IDEA camps provide a safe environment to build a community of peers and mentors who empower one another to be confident in their exploration of STEM.

Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, encompassing the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. While diversity is often used in reference to race, ethnicity, and gender, we embrace a broader definition of diversity that also includes age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. Our definition also includes diversity of thought: ideas, perspectives, and values. We also recognize that individuals affiliate with multiple identities.

Equity is the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Improving equity involves increasing justice and fairness within the procedures and processes of institutions or systems, as well as in their distribution of resources. Tackling equity issues requires an understanding of the root causes of outcome disparities within our society.

Inclusion is the act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences and offers respect in words and actions for all people. It’s important to note that while an inclusive group is by definition diverse, a diverse group isn’t always inclusive. Increasingly, recognition of unconscious or ‘implicit bias’ helps organizations to be deliberate about addressing issues of inclusivity.

The EAGER and IDEA camps will have content specifically aimed at empowering historically excluded populations to navigate and negotiate systems that have traditionally been unwelcoming, as well as providing examples of success through faculty, students, and alumni who have experienced similar issues of systemic and individual bias. All are welcome to apply for these sessions. 

While many of our campers are from Illinois, we are seeing more and more out-of-state campers every year! We have had campers from Georgia, New York, Texas, California, as well as campers from as far away as China, Germany, India, and Korea!

Residential Camps: All travelers, whether in-state or out-of-state are responsible for getting to and from Champaign County. We will assist in picking campers up and dropping them off at the airport (Willard Airport – CMI) or the train/bus station (Illinois Terminal). All admitted campers will be asked to provide details regarding travel plans to guarantee and ensure safe camper arrival.

For camper pickup, flights must arrive and depart from Willard Airport (CMI) in Savoy. And you can find the transportation carriers that route through the Illinois Terminal on the Tenants’ webpage.  The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 E University Ave, Champaign, IL.

FAMILIES: Be sure to research the rules of the airline, train, or bus regarding the travel process for unaccompanied minors before buying a ticket.

Virtual: Being virtual makes this simpler for travel. All travelers, whether in-state or out-of-state will have their camp materials shipped to their U.S. home address. 

Note: A U.S. mailing address (usable from May-July 2023) is required for the virtual camp.

”All the campers from the week made this experience UNFORGETTABLE. I’m from California and they introduced me to a lot of things and all of us welcomed each other with such kindness.” ~2018 camper

For in-person residential camps, food service is provided daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an evening snack) by the residence hall. Food is served cafeteria-style with a wide variety of choices. Vegetarian and vegan options are always available, common allergens are clearly marked, and any food intolerance restrictions can be accommodated throughout the week of camp with prior notice.  The food service staff work hard to meet the various dietary needs that campers may sometimes require. Food service staff receive a list of dietary needs a week or two prior to camp so that menus can be planned accordingly. Please be sure to indicate these dietary needs on the camp registration forms.

This is a question to be discussed as a family. Each teenager is different, and as a parent, you know your child best. Please check out American Camp Association: Gauging Your Child’s Readiness for more information to help guide your decision.

“I just wished it was longer!”~2018 camper