Students have fun as part of Mad Scientist week during the Rebel Quest summer camp program. Participants enjoyed performing science experiments, playing games and more as they learn more about the fun of science. Registration is open for rising first- through sixth-graders to attend the summer 2020 Rebel Quest program. Submitted photo
OXFORD, Miss. – Are you looking for a special one-of-a-kind holiday gift for a child or teen in your life? The University of Mississippi’s Office of Pre-College Programs is offering exciting educational experiences that can help students explore a wide range of interests.
Just in time for the holidays, special Ole Miss summer camp gift certificates and gift cardholders are available for those who would like to register a kindergarten through 12th-grade student for one of the more than 30 summer classes and programs being offered on the Oxford campus.
Wendy Pfrenger, of Oxford, is the assistant director of pre-college programs at UM.
“In my own family, we’ve been trying to focus more on gifting experiences rather than things whenever we can,” she said. “I think giving children memories and enriching experiences are a way to cut through the holiday clutter and hold onto that spirit of love at the root of the gift-giving.”
Registration is open for the wide variety of programs being offered this summer for students in grades K-12.
Families can choose from one-week, two-week and monthlong programs. There are options for students to stay on campus overnight or commute each day from home.
Students seem to appreciate the variety of opportunities they experience during summer programs, Pfrenger said.
“There’s a lot of appreciation for the unique experiences they get to have, like last year’s behind-the-scenes tour at the Memphis Zoo veterinary clinic in Rx Rebel pharmacy camp,” Pfrenger said.
“But more than anything, I think what they love is test-driving college: the residence halls, the food, interacting with faculty and students in disciplines that interest them.”
One-week academic camps being offered during summer 2020 include the new Lego robotics camp and the aquatic biology workshop. The popular Rebel Chefs, Anime and Manga drawing camp, health professions camp, creative writing and engineering camps are back on the schedule for this summer.
Hannah Randall, of Oxford, works in a lab at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy last summer as part of the Rx Rebel Camp. The one-week program allows high school students to learn more about the various tasks and fields that pharmacists can pursue in their careers. Submitted photo
“We know that students can be very busy in the summer months and may not have a full month to dedicate to a program,” said Ellen Shelton, director of pre-college programs. “These various shorter camp options allow students to have an engaging academic experience and explore the Ole Miss campus with a smaller time commitment.”
Rising high school juniors and seniors looking to get a head start on classes and adjusting to college life can participate in UM’s Summer College for High School Students and JumpStart programs for incoming freshmen.
These programs allow students to come to campus for one month over the summer and get a head start on their college courses.
Students can receive college credit in one of the numerous academic tracks to choose from, including computer science, criminal justice and law enforcement, engineering, health professions, pre-pharmacy, or one of numerous elective courses.
The popular Rebel Quest day camps for rising first- through sixth-grade students will host weekly sessions from June 1-July 20 this year.
Each week includes a new theme to help shape learning opportunities and fun activities. Parents are encouraged to register as soon as possible as space fills up quickly for each week.
Middle school students can enjoy the popular game development program STEM Camp for Girls, STEM Camp for Boys, junior leadership camp, and many more.
“I think sometimes it can be hard for middle or high school students to know where school is taking them – what the end game is,” Pfrenger explained.
“When they come to our summer camps and workshops, they get a chance to experiment with the interests they have and meet adults who love the same things they do. That journey of self-knowledge and greater insight into the adult world helps them appreciate the meaning in their schoolwork and focus their future plans.”
The connections that students make in the summer programs tend to make a difference in their confidence and their excitement about academic pursuits, Pfrenger said.
“We see students show up for later summer programs or starting college with the same friends they made during pre-college programs,” she said.
To find out more about the UM Pre-College Programs summer 2020 schedule, including the full list of classes, dates and costs as well as gift certificate and UM payroll deduction information, visit http://outreach.olemiss.edu/pre_college/, email precollege@olemiss.edu or call 662-915-7621.