A Summer Enrichment Program
World of Wonder (WOW) is a summer academic enrichment program at Bradley University designed to provide a variety of challenging, engaging courses for students entering grades 1 – 9.
Students may choose to take one, two, or three classes during the week. Our curriculum features courses in multiple disciplines that promote collaboration and experiential learning, including language arts, social sciences, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math).
Dates:
July 13- 17, 2026
Ages:
1st – 9th grades
Cost:
$109 per Class
Recreation $40 for the week
Each student will receive a t-shirt
Bradley faculty and staff receive 10% discount
Programs
For students entering 1st grade; Students may take one, two or three classes.
Adventures with Food Group Friends
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Class 1101 (Cara Payne)
Step into a playful world of stories, creativity, and social-emotional learning inspired by The Food Group book series. In this class, students will explore big ideas like confidence, teamwork, and resilience through engaging read-alouds, creative writing, and interactive games. We’ll write poems inspired by The Smart Cookie, participate in friendly challenges like The Big Cheese, and reflect on emotions and decision-making through characters such as The Good Egg and The Bad Seed. This class blends literacy, creativity, and character education into a joyful and meaningful learning experience.
Jingle Bell Jam: Holidays in July!
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Class 1102 (Kelly Moyer)
Celebrate the magic of the holidays, summer style! This festive class brings music, creativity, and movement together as students experience the joy of Christmas in July. We’ll learn and sing favorite holiday songs, play instruments, and spread cheer through summer caroling. Students will design and decorate their own gingerbread houses, participate in holiday-themed games, and cool off with a fun indoor “snowball” fight. This class encourages creativity, collaboration, and plenty of holiday spirit, no winter weather required!
Dive into Ocean Discovery
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Class 1103 (Lyndsey Forney)
Embark on an exciting underwater adventure as we explore the wonders of the ocean! Students will investigate ocean habitats, learn about fascinating sea creatures, and discover how many animals call the ocean home. Through hands-on science experiments, we’ll explore how salt affects floating and sinking, examine seashells up close, and uncover fun facts about the size and depth of the ocean. This class encourages curiosity, scientific thinking, and exploration through engaging, ocean-themed activities.
For students entering 2nd or 3rd grade; Students may take one, two or three classes.
Fairytales: Engineering Happily Ever After
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Class 1201 (Natalie Siems)
Step into a magical fairytale world where students become the heroes and problem-solvers of the story!! As we explore classic and modern fairytales, students will identify the challenges characters face and use STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) concepts to design creative solutions. Through hands-on building challenges, teamwork, and imaginative thinking, students will learn to think like engineers while strengthening reading comprehension, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This class blends storytelling and STEM to show that every problem has more than one happily-ever after.
Dig into Dinosaurs
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Class 1202 (Kaitlyn Knox)
Travel back in time to the age of dinosaurs in this hands-on exploration of prehistoric life! Students will learn about dinosaurs, fossils, and the work of paleontologists through interactive activities and imaginative play. We’ll dig for fossils, create fossil imprints, and investigate different types of dinosaurs while learning what makes each one unique. Math and writing activities will be woven throughout as students record discoveries, compare dinosaur features, and share what they’ve learned. This class sparks curiosity, creativity, and scientific thinking through a dino-sized adventure!
K-Pop Beats
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Class 1203 (Kelly Moyer)
Get ready to sing, move, and make music in this high-energy exploration of K-Pop! Students will sing, play instruments, and dance along to popular songs from the K-Pop Demon Hunters movie while learning about the roots and evolution of K-Pop music. We’ll explore traditional Korean music, discover influential K-Pop groups, and learn how rhythm, movement, and culture come together in this global music phenomenon. This class blends music, movement, and cultural learning into a fun and engaging experience for young performers.
For students entering 4th or 5th grade; Students may take one, two or three classes.
Journey Through the Ancient World
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Class 1401 (Rebecca Mueller)
Travel back in time and around the globe in this immersive exploration of ancient civilizations. Students will “visit” early societies across each continent to discover how people lived their daily lives, expressed themselves through art, and built unique cultures. History and geography come to life as students examine traditions, tools, and innovations from civilizations around the world. Each stop on the journey includes a hands-on maker experience, allowing students to create and take home a project inspired by the time period. This class blends history, culture, creativity, and exploration into an engaging learning adventure.
WOW’s Ultimate Trivia Showdown
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Class 1402 (Cara Payne)
Put your knowledge to the test in this fast-paced, team-based trivia experience! Students will work in teams to build collaboration and communication skills before competing in a variety of trivia challenges covering a wide range of topics. From pop culture and science to history and fun facts, students will earn points by thinking critically, problem-solving, and sharing what they know. This class emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and curiosity, perfect for students who love learning, friendly competition, and showing what they know in a high energy environment.
Engineering Flight
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Class 1403 (Jonathan Bradburn)
Take to the skies in this hands-on exploration of aerodynamics and flight! Students will investigate how forces like lift and drag affect the way objects move through the air. Through designing, building, and testing airplanes and other flying creations, students will experiment with shape, weight, and airflow to improve performance. This class encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and engineering thinking as students refine their designs and discover what makes things fly.
For students entering 6th or 7th grade; Students may take one, two or three classes.
Robot Builders and Code Breakers
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Class 1601 (Jonathan Bradburn)
Step into the world of robotics and computer programming! In this interactive course, students will design, build, and program LEGO Mindstorms robots to complete a series of challenges. Using a graphic based coding language, students will write programs that control their robots’ movements, sensors, and actions. Through collaboration, testing, and problem-solving, students will learn the fundamentals of engineering, robotics, and computational thinking while bringing their creations to life.
A Week on Capitol Hill
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Class 1602 (Rebecca Mueller)
Step into the role of a lawmaker in this week-long simulation of the U.S. government in action. Students will experience what it’s like to craft a bill, debate its merits, secure resources and funding, and guide it through the legislative process to become a law. Along the way, students will explore what happens when laws are challenged and how the Supreme Court plays a role in interpreting the Constitution. Through collaboration, discussion, and problem-solving, students will gain a deeper understanding of how government works and what it means to actively participate in it. This class brings civics to life through hands-on learning and real-world application.
Sound Science: How Music Works
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Class 1603 (Cale Roberts)
Discover the science and stories behind the music we hear every day! In this interdisciplinary course, students will explore how music works through the lenses of physics, psychology, sociology, and history. Through listening activities, hands-on exploration of instruments and sound-producing devices, and collaborative discussions, students will investigate how sound is created, how music affects the brain, and how music connects people and cultures. Students will also have opportunities to design, create, and perform using instruments of their own making. This class blends science, creativity, and performance to deepen students’ understanding of music from the inside out.
For students entering 8th or 9th grade; Students may take one, two or three classes.
“I’m just a bill…” Understanding how the US political system works
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Class 1801 (Angela Weck)
Bring civics to life through discussion, debate, and role-playing in this interactive exploration of the U.S. political system. Students will begin by selecting an issue that matters to them, then step into the roles of government officials as they work through the structures and functions of the national government. As they navigate debate, disagreement, compromise, and decision-making, students will gain a deeper understanding of how laws are created and how political processes impact real people. This class encourages civic literacy, critical thinking, and active participation in democracy.
Launch Lab: Engineering Energy in Motion
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Class 1802 (Jonathan Bradburn)
Explore the physics behind motion and energy in this dynamic engineering course. Students will investigate potential and kinetic energy as they design, build, and test catapults and other mechanical contraptions that launch projectiles. Through hands-on experimentation, students will analyze how energy is stored, transferred, and transformed to improve accuracy and distance. This class blends physics, engineering design, and creative problem-solving to challenge students to think critically and refine their designs.
Decoding Numbers Through the Ages
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Class 1803 (Kelsey Clarkson)
Take a journey through time and across cultures to uncover how humans have counted, measured, and made sense of the world. Students will explore ancient number systems developed by civilizations such as the Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and others, examining how cultural needs and daily life shaped each system. Through hands-on activities, students will use and decode different numeric systems, represent quantities in multiple ways, and compare them to the modern number system we use today. This class blends math, history, and culture to reveal how numbers tell the story of human innovation.
Additional Links
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
- Sign Up for the OLLI Newsletter
- OLLI Merchandise
- IT Workforce Accelerator
- IT Workforce Accelerator Newsletter
- Academic Programs
- Graduate Programs
- Administration & Staff
- [email protected]
- (309) 677-3900
Connect with Us
Camper Information
World of Wonder families are invited to attend an optional 20-minute orientation session prior to the start of our program. Stop in during one of our four scheduled times for a quick program overview and tour to get your child familiar with their classroom. No RSVP is needed.
Friday, July 10, 2026 (two choices)
Sessions begin at 11:30 a.m. or 12:15 p.m.
Saturday, July 11, 2026 (two choices)
Sessions begin at 9:30 a.m. or 10:15a.m.
If you are a returning family and would just like to pick up your t-shirt, feel free to drop in any time during the scheduled times listed above.
Students may choose to take one, two, or three classes and recreation at the end of each day.
| 7:40 – 8:00 a.m. | Student drop off |
| 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Class 1 |
| 10:00 – 10:15 a.m. | Student drop off/pick up/break |
| 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Class 2 |
| 12:15 – 12:30 p.m. | Student pickup |
| 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch (bring your own) and supervised recess |
| 1:15 – 1:30 p.m. | Student drop off |
| 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Class 3 |
| 3:30 – 3:45 p.m. | Student pickup |
| 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. | Supervised recreation |
| 4:45 – 5:15 p.m. | Student pickup (no later than 5:30 p.m.) |
All classes are held in Bradley Hall (see “X” on map). Students and staff will enter the building through the back doors on the west-facing side of the building.
Every student’s safety is important to us, and it remains our highest priority to ensure that students enter and exit cars in a safe and organized way. Thank you for your continuing support in making World of Wonder a safe and productive environment for all.
There are three options for student drop-off:
- Drive your car to Tobias Lane (may appear as Glenwood Ave on Google maps) and stop between the two signs marked “World of Wonder Drop-Off.” Please expect a line of cars, especially before the first morning class. Students must unload from the passenger side of the vehicle only. We ask that drivers remain in the vehicle at all times, and all driver-side doors are to remain closed. No trunk unloading is allowed in this zone (please consider options 2 or 3 instead). Please have all materials (backpack, lunch, water bottle, etc.) ready before your student exits the vehicle. Staff will assist your student out of the vehicle and walk them to their classrooms. Once your student has exited, please pull away from the signs, taking care to watch for traffic within the circle.
- Park and walk your student(s) to the Tobias Lane circle where staff will greet them and walk them to their classrooms.
- Park and walk your student(s) into Bradley Hall (using the east side doors), and take them to Room 032, the WOW Office; staff will walk them to their classrooms.
Student Pick-up
All student pick-ups will be from the Tobias Lane circle; families will receive a name tent to place on their dashboard to expedite pick-up.
Please note: before the 10:30 a.m. class, drivers will be in line to drop off AND pick up students. Please keep traffic in one lane and do not pull around other cars in line. We appreciate your patience as staff will assist in the loading and unloading of cars in a safe and efficient manner.
Students will be released only to parents or guardians whom the students can identify. If someone other than a parent or guardian is picking up a student, please let us know in advance by calling (309) 258-4142 or (309) 677-3900. If someone is not legally allowed to pick up your child, please alert the Director Catherine Lawless.
Traffic and Parking
Please note, due to seasonal construction on Bradley’s campus, parking may be limited and change daily.
T-Shirts
Participants will receive a t-shirt at orientation or on the first day of class. We encourage campers to wear their t-shirts daily for security and identification purposes. Additional WOW t-shirts are available for purchase via the online registration site.
What to Bring
Please label all items. Students may bring:
- Backpack
- Water bottle
- Sweatshirts, sweaters, or jackets (the classrooms can be very cool)
- OPTIONAL: books, toys, or games for recreation period (please no electronic games)
Supervision
A Student Aide or Instructor will supervise students at all times.
Lunches
Students staying for lunch eat together, followed by supervised recreation. Please pack a sack lunch, as refrigeration is not available.
Attendance, Illnesses, & Absences
We will take attendance for every class and recreation. If a student is ill, please call (309) 258-4142 or (309) 677-3900 as soon as possible, to report the absence. If a student will be missing either part or all of a class or day, please let us know in advance by calling or by telling a staff member.
Emergencies, Information, & Office
If you need to reach your child, please call (309) 258-4142 or (309) 677-3900, or stop by the World of Wonder office between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office is located on the lower level of Bradley Hall in room 032.
Classroom Observations
You are welcome to observe and visit classrooms. Please check with the instructor in advance to coordinate the visit with planned activities.
FAQs
Registration Opens – Tuesday, March 10 2026
Classes – $109 each
Recreation – $40 for the week
Each student will receive a t-shirt.
- A $15 fee per student will be assessed on all cancellations. If one student is enrolled in three classes, the processing fee will only be $15.
- Cancellations received by June 17 will receive a full refund less the $15 processing fee per student. Cancellations received between June 18 – July 2 will receive 50% refund, less the $15 processing fee per student.
- No refunds if cancellation received after July 2.
- WOW reserves the right to cancel a class due to low enrollment. Students enrolled in a class that is canceled will be offered an alternative class or a full refund.
- Families will receive an email confirmation of the class registration.
- There will be an email sent prior to camp which will include information about the optional drop-in orientation session, sack lunch requirements, recreation, drop-off, and pick-up procedures, and more details about the program.
- Class registrations are based on the order in which applications are received.
- Partial scholarships are available to assist with tuition for families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
- You may request a form by calling (309) 677-3900.
- Scholarship applications cannot be accepted via online registration. A registration form must be completed and mailed in or dropped off.
- Due to limited resources, WOW may not be able to grant every scholarship request.
WOW believes students learn best in an atmosphere of respect for the teacher and each other. Students who choose to behave in ways that interfere with other students’ opportunities to learn, and/or the instructors’ opportunities to teach, forfeit their own opportunity to participate in WOW. We reserve the right to dismiss students from class for such reasons. In these cases, no refunds will be given. Family support and cooperation with this matter is appreciated.
For questions about registration, deadlines, or arrangements contact Catherine Lawless at (309) 677-3900 or [email protected].