A Summer Camp Like Nothing Else
Spend a week immersed in your passions–choose one major course and one minor course for the week and spend your time in breakout sessions where you’ll build new skills through hands-on experience.
On your final day of camp, you’ll be able to showcase your accomplishments with your peers, family, and friends at an exciting camp expo. You’ll also earn digital badges to showcase your skills on your resume or LinkedIn.
Dates:
July 6-12, 2025
Ages:
Rising 9-12th Graders
Cost:
Residential camp: $1,150 per camper
Day camp: $750 per camper
Deposit: $200
This covers the entire cost of camp including meals, activities, t-shirts, digital badges, and dorm rooms (for overnight campers).
Daily Schedule
| 8:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:45 am | General Session (all-camp meeting with announcements and guest speakers) |
| 9:30 – 11:30 am | Major Part 1 |
| 11:30 – 12:30 pm | Lunch/Free Time |
| 12:30 – 2:30 pm | Major Part 2 |
| 2:30 – 3:15 pm | Snack and Mid-day Assembly |
| 3:15 – 5:15 pm | Minor |
| 5:15 – 6:00 pm | Free time |
| 6:00 pm | Dinner |
| 7:00 – 9:30 pm | Evening Activity |
| 10:30 | Lights Out |
Majors
| Course Name | Description | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| Video Game Development | Students will gain experience in level design and game development in the Unity game engine through use and extension of prebuilt game assets and tools. | Zach Abbott |
| Short filmmaking | Discover the art of storytelling through short films! This course will guide you through the essentials of scripting, cinematography, sound, and editing as you bring your ideas to life. You’ll learn hands-on techniques to create impactful short films, exploring creative approaches to visual storytelling. Collaborate with classmates, experiment with film language, and develop the skills to share your stories on screen. Perfect for those ready to dive into filmmaking and explore the fundamentals of production. | Dave Lennie & Dillon Ward |
| Cybersecurity | Students will learn best practices for security and privacy, such as the adoption of password managers and mulifactor authentication, safe social media use, and how to minimize the impact of emerging technology. | Angelica Fanti |
| Music for Video Games | Have you ever imagined what your favorite video game or movie would sound like with different music? Join us to learn about creating your own music, soundscapes, and sound effects for media projects. Participants will create music for game projects, images, and cinematic clips in digital audio workstations, as well as learn about scene spotting and hits in media projects. Participants are encouraged to bring their own device with their preferred digital audio workstation and headphones. | Lynnsey Lambrecht |
| Engineering Exploration | In this immersion program for engineering, students will have one day per department (rotation) and the fifth day will be “convergence day” with engineering and business. | |
| Painting | In this course, students will create two paintings: one from a photograph, and one from direct observation. Students will gain technical knowledge on how to handle the materials, and learn about safe methods of painting. We will learn how to paint with value, how to create an underpainting, and how to mix color. | Whitney Johnson |
| Graphic Design & Design Thinking | Innovation by Design introduces participants to the fundamentals of Design Thinking, a creative problem-solving approach that encourages innovation through collaboration and iterative processes. This course is designed for young, aspiring designers eager to explore how design can impact industries and everyday life. | Jae Chae |
| Experimentation in Biology | The best part of science is exploring the world around you. In this hands-on major, we will conduct exciting experiments and dissections that reveal the science behind living organisms. | |
| Competitive Speech & Debate Major | Three Focuses: Writing, Performance, Research. Hosted by the Bradley University Speech Team, the winningest collegiate speech program in history, our summer camp offers high school students the opportunity to learn from the best. Each week-long session is designed to develop your skills in writing, performance, and research with expert guidance from nationally celebrated college coaches and faculty. Whether you’re looking to excel in competitive speech or strengthen skills for future success, this camp provides the tools and techniques to help you thrive. | |
| Musical Theatre | Come spend a fun and exciting week working on songs from the vast canon of musical theatre. Explore the ways professional actors prepare and perform songs. This challenging yet rewarding performance-based camp will unleash your inner Broadway star! No previous musical theatre experience necessary! | TBD & Jack Courtad |
| Course Name | Description | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| Animation | Students will gain a foundational understanding of Animation (the industry and technique) through mini lectures, demos, examples, and a practical application/creative final project. | Aria Dines |
| Tabletop Games | Students will play a variety of tabletop games and learn some of the fundamentals of bringing their own game ideas to life. | Ethan Ham |
| User Experience Design | Students will gain a foundational understanding of user experience design through design thinking, ideation, and creating an interactive prototype design. Focus on humanity and human centered design methods and practices will be utilized. | Heather Ford |
| Video for Broadcasting | Get an introduction to the dynamic world of broadcast video! In this minor, you’ll learn the basics of live production and on-camera operation tailored for broadcasts. Through team projects, you’ll gain experience in planning and producing content for a live audience, building skills in communication and quick decision-making. This course is ideal for anyone interested in the energy and precision of creating video for broadcast. | Dave Lennie & Dillon Ward |
| Digital Music Technology | Take a hands-on approach to audio production and sound design in this intensive set of sessions about Digital Music Technology. Engage in an exploration of the theory and practice of electronic music as we delve into common techniques for sound synthesis, signal processing, and Digital-Audio-Workstation music production. Gain insight into the use of computer systems for sound manipulation and musical creativity. | Mark DeZwaan |
| Improv for All | This will focus on some of the techniques for both short-form and long-form improv including Improv games, teamwork, movement, and making specific choices. Open to all interested students regardless of experience. | Dr. Travis Stern & Jack Courtad |
| Entertaining Engineering | This is a fusion of theatre and engineering. Students in this minor will learn about automated theatrical systems (including the large turntable stage that is being installed in Bradley’s Hartmann theatre this summer) and will design and build a functional model of a theatrical mechanical system. | |
| Accident Investigation & Organizational Learning | Organizational accidents and disasters have a lot to teach us. Most improved processes, training, and new technologies we use today have emerged from major accidents that traumatized communities and made them promise to not let happen again. You will learn about the role of (mis)communication in historical accidents in the High Reliability Organizations (HRO) family – aviation, medicine, firefighting, space travel, and energy industry. By the end of the week, you’ll try your hand at analyzing a serious accident like an accident investigator would. | Elena Gabor |
| Art for Comics and Graphic Novels | This minor introduces comics and sequential storytelling. We will cover the basic materials and techniques of comics art/cartooning using traditional media | Claire Hawkins |
| Experimentation in Biology | The best part of science is exploring the world around you. In this hands-on minor, we will examine exciting experiments and review dissections that reveal the science behind living organisms. | |
| Art Exploration | This minor is an exploration of studio art disciplines. | Jaci Willis |
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking & Communication | Build the essential skills that every great communicator needs in our Fundamentals of Public Speaking and Communication Focus. Perfect for students of all experience levels, this track emphasizes the core principles of effective speaking, from structuring your message to engaging your audience with clarity and confidence. Over the course of the week, you’ll work with experienced coaches to refine your delivery, improve vocal variety and body language, and overcome public speaking anxiety. Sessions will also cover strategies for active listening, adapting to different audiences, and fostering meaningful connections through communication. Whether you’re preparing for competitions, leadership roles, or everyday interactions, this focus provides the foundation for success in any speaking environment. | |
| Competitive Speech & Debate | Develop your skills across every aspect of speech and debate in this comprehensive camp experience. Whether you’re crafting compelling speeches, perfecting dynamic performances, or mastering in-depth research and argumentation, you’ll receive expert guidance from accomplished college coaches and faculty. Throughout the week, you’ll explore techniques for writing impactful content, delivering powerful performances, and building confidence in limited preparation events. With training in public address, interpretive events, and debate, this camp provides a well-rounded foundation to excel in competitions and beyond. From storytelling and creative writing to character development and persuasive argumentation, this minor equips you with the tools to succeed as a communicator and performer. | |
| Slam Poetry | Unleash your voice and bring your words to life in our Slam Poetry Minor. Designed for students passionate about spoken word and original performance, this track explores the art of crafting powerful, emotionally resonant poetry and delivering it with confidence and flair. You’ll work with expert coaches to develop your writing, hone your performance skills, and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Throughout the week, you’ll explore topics like rhythm and flow, imagery, stage presence, and audience engagement. Whether you’re new to slam or a seasoned performer, this minor helps you channel your creativity into unforgettable performances. |
Request more information from Camp Managers
Christopher Marsh, Camp Director
Jessica Heintz, Camp Event Coordinator
FAQs
Students who are entering 9th through 12th grade in Fall of 2025.
No.
Residential camp: $1,150 per camper Day camp: $750 per camper $200 deposit
(10% discount for early bird registration thru 1/5/25) and dependants of Bradley Alumni and Employees)
This covers the entire cost of camp including meals, activities, t-shirts, digital badges, and dorm rooms (for overnight campers).
Campers earn a digital certificate and badge from Bradley University for their major and minor disciplines. Campers can display these badges on social media sites, resumes, LinkedIn, etc. These digital documents include metadata that verifies the skills that the camper mastered at camp.
Digital badges will be added after the completion of the camp.
No. We cannot offer course credit for the summer camp classes.
They might want to in order to purchase items at the bookstore and food courts. But meals and snacks are provided, so bringing money is entirely optional.
The camp takes place at 1501 W. Bradley Avenue, Peoria IL 61625 on the campus of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Overnight campers will stay in certified student housing within walking distance of all classes. View the camp campus map.
All travelers are responsible for getting to Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.
There is a Chicago area Sunday July 6th shuttle available (for a $75 per camper charge) that will bring campers from a drop-off point at the parking lot of the Rosemont, IL David & Buster’s (9870 Berwyn Ave, Rosemont, IL 60018) to camp. Drop off time will be 12:30-1:00pm.
All campers must be picked up at the Bradley University campus on Saturday July 12th.
The last day of camp (Saturday July 12th) is dedicated to an expo where campers present their accomplishments. Families are encouraged to attend the expo as well as the luncheon banquet that follows. Each camper family will receive two adult guest tickets to the expo luncheon (additional adult tickets can be purchased for $20 each). Siblings and friends 18 and under are admitted to the luncheon for free.
Campers will spend the week of camp diving into the disciplines of the majors and minors they selected. Campers will also enjoy social and recreational activities such as indoor and outdoor games, movies and more.
