Each summer, Saint Louis University becomes a staple for curiosity and hands-on learning as K–12 students from across the region take part in camps that combine exploration, education, and classic summer activities.
SLU’s camps and academies take place directly on the university’s campus, using SLU classrooms, labs, studios, athletic spaces, and dining halls to give students a practical look at what learning in a university setting feels like.
Programs for K–8 Learners
For elementary and middle school students, SLU’s weeklong day camps, usually running from 9 a.m.–3 or 4 p.m., allow students to explore new subjects through interactive, activity-based learning. Instead of traditional classroom lessons, campers might kick off the day with a hands-on scavenger hunt that brings coding concepts to life or spend the afternoon building and launching rockets behind the science building.
“I always say these aren’t typical classroom sessions,” says Jacob Wierson, director of summer and extended studies. “Yes, you might start in a classroom, because we want campers to see our campus and our labs, but then we get them up and moving. One minute, they’re learning coding basics, and the next, they’re racing across campus on a scavenger hunt or launching rockets outside. It’s all fun learning activities that make the material click in a really memorable way.”
The university partners with respected local organizations to create distinctive experiences, including theater camps developed with Metro Theater Company. Held inside SLU’s Visual and Performing Arts spaces, these camps allow participants to learn improv, stage presence, and acting skills, culminating in a final family showcase performed on a real university stage.
In addition, STEM-focused camps offer a wide range of experiences. Students can take introductory coding, robotics, “Mad Science” adventures, or even ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence,’ a new offering developed by SLU faculty that taps into one of today’s fastest-growing areas.
One of the most popular camps each year is ‘Gardens to Tables,’ SLU’s beloved culinary camp. Led by nutrition and dietetics faculty and students, campers cook with fresh ingredients pulled directly from the university’s community garden. The kids learn how food is grown, harvested, and turned into healthy meals. Spots fill quickly each January, often within weeks, so make sure to check it out soon.
A Real Taste of College
Older students can take their summer one step further through SLU’s High School Summer Academies. These immersive, residential programs are designed to give rising high schoolers a true glimpse into college life. The weeklong academies introduce students to fields such as engineering, aviation, STEM, and health sciences.
Participants live in residence halls, eat in SLU’s dining facilities, explore campus with guided tours, attend faculty-led lectures, and complete hands-on group projects, ultimately giving them a firsthand experience of college life at SLU. For many, it’s the experience that sparks clarity about future majors or career paths.
Camps for Curious Kids and Teens
SLU’s summer programs are designed to keep students actively engaged while exploring new ideas. Activities often move beyond classrooms and labs, encouraging campers to explore campus landmarks, complete outdoor challenges, and interact with concepts in practical ways.
Campers launch rockets, map geospatial data, perform onstage, and practice athletics alongside student-athletes, emphasizing active participation and learning through experience.
Most SLU camps are led by university faculty, graduate assistants, students, and staff, with additional guidance from teaching artists, engineering professors, medical school faculty, and student-athletes.
This approach allows campers to learn directly from experts and experience the university community firsthand. It also helps foster lasting friendships, with many students returning year after year to reconnect with peers from previous camps.
Wierson observes these connections firsthand each summer. “We see neighborhoods carpooling together, kids coming back and asking if the friends they met last year are signed up again,” Wierson says. “Some of our campers have been with us for five years. On the last day, there are hugs, sometimes even tears, because they’ve built real friendships here. Even in just one week, these camps make an impact. They’re finding community, and they can’t wait to come back.”
SLU also works to make its programs accessible and affordable, offering financial assistance and limited scholarships. The application process is straightforward, and staff support families in navigating options to make sure that cost does not become a barrier. Some tuition rates are even maintained year to year to provide consistency for families.
Preparing for Summer 2026
Families can expect SLU’s full 2026 camp lineup to be released in December, and registration will open in phases, with high-demand camps such as culinary and theater typically launching in January, as well as most remaining programs opening between January and March. March is traditionally the peak registration period.
Dozens of options across STEM, theater, athletics, health, and creative exploration provide students with a chance to explore different interests. With activities taking place across campus, including labs, studios, common areas, and dining halls, SLU gives each camper a glimpse into college life.
“It’s really just fun learning activities that get them up and moving,” says Wierson. “We want them to see our campus, our classrooms, our labs, but we also want them exploring. That balance is what makes the experience so special.”
Together, the camps and academies create a summer experience that encourages students to learn, explore, and grow with support at every step.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Summer at SLU. To learn more, visit slu.edu/summer-and-extended-studies/index.php.
