Registration is now open, and spots remain for select summer camps and programs at West Chester University. More than 20 camp programs are available for the enrichment and education of area youth from ages 7 – 22. The high-quality, relatively low-cost programming will keep students mentally and physically active this summer. Information and links to registration can be found here.

Programs are taught by expert faculty, student-athletes, and by local professionals who are specialists in the camp’s field. All programs take place on West Chester University’s campus in state-of-the-art facilities. Select camps for high school students offer a taste of campus living with available WCU residence and dining hall options.

MUSIC CAMPS

For kids who play a musical instrument or sing, West Chester University’s Wells School of Music offers the Elementary School Summer Music Camp (June 26 – June 30 for grades 3-5), the Middle School Summer Music Camp (June 26 – 30 for grades 6-8),the High School Summer Music Institute (July 10 – 15 for grades 9 – 12), and the Summer Jazz Camp (July 16 – 21 for advanced middle school and high school students). Taught by Wells School of Music faculty, the week-long camps include group and individual instruction, rehearsals, faculty concerts, and a culminating performance experience. High school campers also take music theory and master classes. New this year are the Band Leadership Training Workshop (July 22 and 23) and the INCOMPARABLE Marching Arts Workshop (July 24 – 27), both for high school students, and both designed to foster leadership and build performance skills in the marching arts. 

THEATRE

High school theatre artists can enroll in Pennsylvania Theatre Institute’s Pre-College Intensive, a ten-day, immersive residential program (June 22 – July 1) that helps the college or career-bound theatre artist craft audition materials, hone acting and performance skills, and get a taste of campus life in residential and dining halls. The program concludes with a performance showcase. Younger thespians (ages 8 – 14) can train with professionals in the Young Company Camp, a two-week camp running in both July (July 10 – 21) and August (July 24 – August 4) that trains in acting, voice work, dance, improvisation, and design, and culminates in a showcase performance. (Young Company Camp spots are limited.)

ART

West Chester University’s Department of Art + Design’s Visual Art Camp is open to students ages 7 – 15. Camp dates are July 10 – 21. Using hands on experience, students will explore various areas within the studio arts. Studio activities include painting, drawing, ceramics, mixed media, and digital art. Each student will be encouraged to investigate various techniques with an emphasis on personal expression. (Spots are very limited.)

WRITING

Celebrating its 39^th year, the West Chester Writing Project’s Young Writers/Young Readers camp teaches new strategies and genres and employs certified teachers to help students in grades 1 – 11 compose and edit essays, poems, and stories. Camp dates are July 10 – 13 and July 17 – 20.

SPORTS

Sports camps are programmed by West Chester University’s athletics department in Basketball, Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Track & Field, Cross County, and Volleyball. Swimming and Aquatics Safety Classes are also available.

CAREER CAMPS

For career-minded high-schoolers, there is the Health Career Summer Academy (July 24 – August 4) for students interested in future health science careers. In collaboration with Main Line Health and Meridian Bank, the camp’s purpose is to introduce students to potential fields of study. The iCamp Academy (June 25 – July 1) is a week-long residential summer media camp that invites high school students from the Philadelphia School District to plan, develop, and publish media projects that address issues of social impact and justice. Winner of Insight Magazine’s 2020 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award, iCamp Academy activities include film, audio and video production, as well as web and game development, and more.

Learn more at West Chester University.