Register your camper(s) for any of the following USF Discovery Academy summer programs through the New Family Enrollment Form.
If you are already registered, enroll in programs using the Parent Dashboard.
Would you like to apply for financial assistance? Scholarship applications can be found on the Parent Dashboard under “Forms” on the left sidebar menu.
To secure your camper’s spot, you are required to pay the full cost of tuition at the time of enrollment. You will not be charged until your enrollment request has been approved.
For more information, please email [email protected].
Expose your camper to exciting opportunities and watch them uncover new passions. By providing programs that are expertly curated by faculty, staff and alumni, USF Discovery Academy gives students insight into the rousing world of collegiate academics and prompts them to consider their own future careers.
This summer, discover the career opportunities that exist in the world of healthcare. Students will participate in hands-on activities that will introduce them to the concepts behind different healthcare professions, including Nursing, Physical Therapy, Kinesiology, Nutrition, Social Work, Surgery, Radiology, Pharmacy, Sonography, Respiratory Therapy, EMS and more.
Dates: June 6-7
Where: USF Doermer Health Science Center
Who: 9th-12th grade students
Cost: $60 per camper
Contact Natalie Leedy at [email protected] with any questions.
A thrilling introduction to the Humanities at USF, World Building brings to life relevant history, literature and theology to encourage campers to expand their social and self-awareness. Recognizing that today’s youth are already social participants and changemakers, we will provide them with useful tools as they navigate their place in the present and look to build their future. Campers will work alongside others to imagine, design and then create a brand-new country. Attendees will have the opportunity to create a utopia, or “perfect world,” by coming up with a name for the new country, drafting a constitution, designing a map, working through issues such as city planning and thinking about one’s place in the new community thus created.
Dates: June 5-9 (Monday-Friday), 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Who: 6th-12th grade students
Cost: $250 per camper
People follow leaders because they believe in them. Leadership is a learned art that is only improved through a constant understanding of yourself before you can lead and understand others. Campers will explore their leadership potential through several assessments and real-world applications such as the Myers-Briggs Personality Test, Bloom’s Taxonomy for Critical Thinking, decision-making and opportunities to lead other campers in different scenarios inside and outside of the classroom. This camp will introduce the basic tools necessary to become a better listener, observer, communicator and leader.
Dates: June 12-16 (Monday-Friday), 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Who: 9th-12th grade students
Cost: $250 per camper
Join us for an exciting interdisciplinary camp combining the expertise of the Kinesiology and Nutrition department with the expertise of the USF Cross Country program. Campers will train under the supervision of the USF Cross Country coach while also receiving in-depth instruction on the kinesiology, physiology and nutrition of running through applied lab-based activities. Campers should be ready and willing to run, train and learn.
Dates: June 19-21 (Monday-Wednesday), 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Who: 8th-12th grade students
Cost: $150 per camper
Did you know that “lunacy,” or intermittent insanity, was once believed to be caused by phases of the moon? Humans have a long history of fascination with the moon, and if you share their sense of wonder, this camp is for you! Campers will explore the moon with telescopes, design a moon base and prepare for the next total solar eclipse. This overnight experience will take advantage of USF’s upper observing deck to do some late-night astronomy. We’ll explore the materials and features of the moon and use them to design our own moon base. The next total solar eclipse will be in our backyard on April 8, 2024. This camp will introduce the tools and techniques necessary to safely observe the sun
Dates: June 29 at 6 p.m.-June 30 at 3 p.m. (Overnight)
Who: 6th-10th grade students
Cost: $100 per camper
High school students are invited to a five-day residence camp to encounter Jesus Christ through understanding of five core themes: Beauty of Creation, Beauty of Art, Beauty of the Body and Sexuality, Beauty of Vocation and Beauty of Worship. Students will experience engaging talks, prayer, recreation, entertainment and community.
Dates: July 9-13
Who: 9th-12th grade students
Cost: $200 per camper
Contact Megan Quigley at [email protected] or call 260-399-7700, ext. 6703, with questions.
Nurturing both the Earth and the self, the Wilderness Skills and Nature Camp recognizes that many young people are experiencing a disconnect from nature. Major epidemics of our time—including obesity, anxiety, screen addiction and loneliness—can be traced back to this disconnect. Taught by Dr. Lou Weber, Professor of Ecology, this camp serves high school students and is intended to improve campers’ relationship with the Earth. Wilderness first aid, shelter building, campfire construction, plant and animal identification, wildlife management and conservation will be some of the skills taught. Attendees may find that by healing the Earth, they heal themselves.
Dates: July 10-14 (Monday-Friday), 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Who: 9th-12th grade students
Cost: $250 per camper
Students will be exposed to a variety of 3D (sculpture, ceramics, papier-mâché, etc.) and 2D (drawing, painting, collage, etc.) media. All supplies are provided and no experience is necessary.
Dates: July 10-14 and 17-21 (Monday-Friday), 9-11 a.m. (3D) and 12:30-3 p.m. (2D)
Who: K-7th grade students
Class Breakdown: K-1 / 2-3 / 4-5 / 6-7
Cost: $125 per week
The Creative Arts Summer Studio Experience provides meaningful training in the arts and supports students in their portfolio development to compete for college arts scholarships. Classes are offered in a variety of 2D and 3D media, as well as music technology. Early registration is suggested, as class choices are given on a first-come first-served basis.
Dates: July 10-14 and 17-21, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
Who: 8th-12th grade students, including spring 2023 high school graduates
Cost: $500 per camper for both weeks
This camp includes classes for violin, viola, cello and bass, along with ensembles, group classes, masterclasses, scales, rhythm class and music theory. Students must have at least two years of playing experience.
Dates: July 24-28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Who:4th-12th grades
Cost: $275 per camper
USF’s Sciences division has an Anatomage Table used to enhance anatomy and physiology courses, advanced physiology and pathophysiology, and comparative anatomy. The anatomy available is created using real human cadavers, and table includes four full-body 3D cadavers that contain life-sized male and female gross anatomy. High-resolution scans show various regions of the body and provide optimal visualization of real-life tissue cross sections. Also available is a case library collection of CT and MRI scans, histology library with 2D histology slides, photorealistic prosections for medical school-level anatomy content, and a curriculum that includes premade anatomical views that allow instructors and students to begin using the table with minimal preparation.
Tours for schools and the community are available upon request by contacting [email protected].
Founded in 1978 and sponsored by USF, Jesters is a performance ensemble composed of performers (ages eight to senior citizen) with mild-to-severe developmental disabilities.
This one-of-a-kind program runs from September to March, providing 20 weeks of customized arts education activities, including:
Structure: The program takes place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Our Mission: Jesters engages individuals with disabilities in the creative arts, and by doing so, enhances their quality of life. Participants develop self-expression, self-esteem, socialization, and other life skills, while also providing learning opportunities to the USF and at-large communities.
Volunteer! USF students, faculty, and other community members are invited to participate as
Contact Creative Arts and Computer Arts & Technology Coordinator Molly McGowan at [email protected] or 260-399-8064 or Jesters Director Allison Ballard for details.
The Jesters program is funded in part by AWS Foundation and the Indiana Arts Commission.