About
We welcome all members of the greater community to participate in our summer camps and community programs.
Summer Camps
Art, Music, Communication High School Workshops
SOCA offers workshops to regional high school art, music, and communication students and teachers. The workshops are held once a semester. Each student will participate in one workshop with a full-time faculty member, followed by a portfolio review or music audition for interested individuals.
Dates and times: TBD
Contact SOCA School Coordinator Molly McGowan at mmcgowan@sf.edu or 260-399-7700 ext. 8001
Beauty Will Save the World Summer Theology Camp
Our week-long theology camp gives high school students the opportunity to encounter God through beauty. As a participant, you will spend a restful week on campus learning about how God calls each person to an individual vocation and experiencing the richness of the Catholic Church’s liturgical prayer. In addition, you will
- Interact with USF professors and explore readings on the theology of beauty
- Attend workshops that explore Lectio Divina, the Jesus Prayer, Sacred Meditation and Discernment
- Experience living in a college dorm, as well as recreational events that include canoe rides, campfires, and an evening of live music, refreshments, and entertainment in the USF Student Center.
The Summer Theology Camp is made possible through a Lilly Endowment Theology Institute for High School Youth grant. The fee is $99 and includes room and board, instruction, art supplies, and transportation.
Upcoming dates: TBD
Contact Dr. Adam Deville at adeville@sf.edu or 260-399-7700 ext.8120
Health Sciences Summer Camp
Students entering grades 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are invited to attend USF’s Health Sciences Camp, where they will discover potential careers in the healthcare field. Hands-on activities will introduce students to careers in Kinesiology, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Practitioner, Nursing, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Radiology, Social Work & Surgery. New this year: Athletic Training & Exercise Science
Dates: June 9-10, 2020
Times: TBD
Location: Doermer Health Sciences Center
Cost: TBD. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.
Contact Anne Kirk at akirk@sf.edu or 260-399-7700 ext. 8501.
Sponsors:
Jesters Summer Program
The Jesters at USF offer a summer performing arts program for individuals with disabilities. The six-week summer program includes dance/movement, stories, theatre, percussion, and music. Participants may have an active role in the performance if they choose, but it is not required. The summer program is available to anyone with a disability, regardless of his or her involvement with the traditional Jesters program.
Dates: TBD
Contact SOCA School Coordinator Molly McGowan at mmcgowan@sf.edu or 260-399-7700 ext. 8001 or Jesters Director Allison Ballard for details.
Summer Music Tech Academy
The USF Music Technology Program will be hosting a summer academy for high school students with a different theme/focus each day.
Dates: TBD
Times: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Location: USF Music Technology Center (431 W Berry St.)
Registration: Register online via Eventbrite
Contact SOCA School Coordinator Molly McGowan at mmcgowan@sf.edu or 260-399-7700 ext. 8001.
Visual Arts Academy
This program gives high school students the opportunity to study the visual arts, work with professional artists, visit museums, and develop professional portfolios for college entrance and scholarship applications. The program is highly structured and students can choose two courses from a variety of 2-D and 3-D media.
Dates: TBD
Times: 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Location: Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center
Registration: Register online via Eventbrite
Contact SOCA School Coordinator Molly McGowan at mmcgowan@sf.edu or 260-399-7700 ext. 8001.
Youth Summer Art Program
This program provides children and pre-teens with a safe, supportive environment in which to participants are exposed to a variety of 2D/3D media. Students are provided with art supplies, positive role models and opportunities to interact with community arts organizations.
Dates: TBD
Times: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center
Registration: Register online via Eventbrite
Contact SOCA School Coordinator Molly McGowan at mmcgowan@sf.edu or 260-399-7700 ext. 8001.
Community Programs
Best Practices Showcase for Educators
Best Practices Showcase for Educators is an annual event sponsored by the department of Education that highlights current educators and focuses on professional development related to new trends in education.
Annual Best Practices Showcase: TBD
Registration begins December 21st. The schedule of events has been released.
Contact Nancy Hankee at nhankee@sf.edu.
Jesters
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:
- Movement/Dance
- Music (instrumental and voice)
- Theatre
- Animation
- Storytelling
- Visual Arts
Structure: The program takes place on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- From September to December, all Jesters meet from 10 a.m. to noon.
- From noon to 2 p.m., Jesters who want to participate in afternoon activities bring a sack lunch and work in smaller groups in the discipline of their choice.
- In the spring, the Jesters program culminates in an original production performed by Jesters participants.
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
- Performers and Accompanists
- Backstage Crew
- Direct Service and/or Observations
Contact SOCA School Coordinator Molly McGowan at mmcgowan@sf.edu or 260-399-7700 ext. 8001 or Jesters Director Allison Ballard for details.
The Jesters program is funded in part by AWS Foundation and the Indiana Arts Commission.
MLK Day — “A Day On, Not a Day Off”
While many schools and businesses take a day off to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday, the USF community takes a different approach. We honor Dr. King’s legacy through the act of service.
Classes are suspended for the day while students, faculty, staff, and members of the greater community participate in a variety of community service activities. The “Day On” also includes a keynote speaker, Mass, and lunch.
Contact Katrina Boedeker at kboedeker@sf.edu or 260-399-8080.
Northeast Literacy Council
The Northeast Literacy Council is dedicated to the advancement of literacy instruction at all levels of education and with diverse populations. It does so through professional development opportunities and mini awards. The Council is sponsored by USF’s department of Education.
Contact Nancy Hankee at nhankee@sf.edu.
Science Symposium
Get a taste of university-level learning! High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to attend our one-day workshops taught by USF professors. They will participate in relevant, hands-on science in the following academic areas: math, chemistry, biology, pre-professional science, environmental science, and/or physical sciences.
Participants will also:
- Build lasting relationships with other high school students
- Meet and talk to current college students
- Chat with college admissions representatives
- Discuss career goals with faculty
Upcoming Science Symposium: TBD
Contact Dr. Michael Bechill at mbechill@sf.edu or 260-399-7700 ext. 8208.