Join the College of Education to explore innovative teaching methods, advanced education technology, and global learning in our Exploring Education Summer Camp.
The Exploring Education Summer Camp is designed for rising high school Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who are considering a career in education.
The in-person camp is designed to foster a love for and appreciation of teaching, an understanding of the importance of equity and justice in education, and informs future educators on the many opportunities within the field. The participants will have the opportunity to stay in campus housing and learn from current professors and students.
Camp Dates: We currently do not have dates for Summer 2023. Please check back later for Summer 2024 dates.
Camp Cost: $525 per camper
Itinerary Excerpt from 2022 Exploring Education Summer Camp:
7:45am – 8:30am Breakfast at ISR
8:30am – 9:00am Travel to Education Building
9:00am – 9:40am My Education Journey with Amira Al-Mutari, Lead Advisor, College of Education
9:40am – 9:55am Stretch Break
10:00am – 10:30am A Principal’s Perspective with Dr. Joseph Wiemelt, Principal of Urbana Middle School
10:30am – 11:00am Discussion and Reflection – Camp Mentors
11:00am – 11:40am Activity with Mentors
11:40am – 12:00pm Walk to ISR
12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch at ISR
12:45pm – 1:00pm Walk to College of Education (CoE)
1:00pm – 2:00pm Math for All with Dr. Erica Mason
2:00pm – 2:40pm Leading the Youth with Danielle Jackson, Principal of Dr. Williams Elementary School
2:40pm – 3:20pm Education Beyond the Norm with Dr. Rebecca Ginsburg
3:30pm – 4:00pm Self-Guided Walking Campus Tour
4:00pm – 5:00pm Dinner at ISR
5:20pm – 5:40pm Travel to CU Adventures in Time and Space
5:45pm – 6:45pm CU Adventures in Time and Space Activity
7:00pm – 8:00pm Free time
8:00pm – 9:00pm TED Talks and Discussion
9:00pm – 9:30pm Reflection & Journaling
9:30pm – 10:15pm Preparing for Bed
10:15pm – 10:45pm Students in Rooms
10:45pm Lights Out
Room check
"My favorite sessions were the So You Want to Be a Teacher? and Social Justice in Education sessions. The first one gave a much more realistic depiction of what it is like to teach, and highlighted the work a teacher does outside the classroom as well as the importance of self care. The second one was important because it gave a lot of great resources for aspiring teachers to use in order to better understand the diverse contexts of their future students."
"I found the Social Justice session with Christopher Span incredibly empowering as well as the talk on the culture houses with Ashley M. Davis. I love how in both of the presentations, they made connections with history and highlighted the importance of understanding the lives of everyone around you. Both sessions made me want to learn more and highlighted how much I can do right now which I was so inspiring to me. ... I found every part of the camp that related to what I can and should be doing now the most beneficial because it further equipped me to be as ready as I can for college and as a teacher in the future!"
"Attending this virtual camp only increased my desire to attend. I genuinely could feel the connections between the staff members at the school and how lovely the environment within the education department is! University of Illinois was my number one school and this camp only reaffirmed that."
Contact saao@education.illinois.edu