Budding teenage journalists learn the ropes through a one-week crash course in the Innovation J-Camp at Middle Tennessee State University.

When it’s 90-plus degrees outside, rising fourth- through 12th-graders will find comfortable air conditioning inside the Tennessee Livestock Center June 4-5 at lamb and goat camp while they learn techniques for caring for their goats and showing them in competitions.

Just as they have for decades, hundreds will benefit this year from the MTSU Summer Experiences.

MTSU flight instructor Jonathan Benefield, left, poses with MTSU Introduction to Aviation Summer Camp participants Eddie Isbll, Preston Davis and Jacob Solan in June 2017 after flying from Shelbyville, Tenn., back to Murfreesboro as part of camp activities. (MTSU file photo by Jayla Jackson)

There’s something for everybody from youngsters to senior citizens, as MTSU’s camps and experiences run from CSI: MTSU‘s forensic science to the journalism-focused Innovation J-Camp to music’s weeklong Guitar Workshop Plus and the Introduction to Aviation and Professional Pilot Advanced camps.

Summer Experiences include the June 1-23 Governor’s School for the Arts for 11th- and 12th-graders from across Tennessee and the June 20-22 Alumni Summer College.

To view the numerous options, visit www.mtsu.edu/camps.

The two-week Scholars Academy in early August helps acclimate incoming MTSU freshmen to campus and gives them a head start in biology, mathematics and other courses. CUSTOMS, the university’s summer orientation for freshmen and transfer students, also helps the newcomers adjust to campus life.

Camps also are being offered for football, boys’ and girls’ basketball, soccer, volleyball and cheerleading.

For the musically gifted, offerings include the Stamps-Baxter School of Music for Southern gospel enthusiasts July 7-14, Southern Girls Rock Camp July 23-28 and the July 15-20 Guitar Workshop Plus.

A STEM camp for underrepresented middle school girls to study science, technology, engineering and math is scheduled 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 18-22 in Kirksey Old Main. Underrepresented in STEM fields include African-American, Hispanic and Native American girls. Participants should apply online at http://stem4.mtsu.edu/sums by June 5 or call 615-494-8738.

David Lockett of the Orlando, Florida, area, provides many activities, including coding and art, in his STEM Camp in June and July in MTSU’s Fairview Building. To register, visit www.campstem.us/register.

Dates, times and events are subject to change. Call or email first to ensure the camp or event you want to attend is still available.

Here’s a sample of MTSU’s camps and summer experiences:

High school students check samples during the CSI: MTSU camp in June 2017. The 2018 camp is set June 19-22. (MTSU file photo by News and Media Relations)

CSI: MTSU

One of the hottest camps around is the Forensic Institute for Research‘s CSI: MTSU, the annual four-day program for rising ninth-graders through college freshmen.

Led by nationally recognized forensic scientist Hugh Berryman, CSI campers explore unique career opportunities and find a real-life reason to tackle higher level math and science courses. They also develop teamwork skills, seeing and understanding details, critical thinking and making presentations.

Each student is trained in the fundamental processes of collecting evidence, including DNA, fingerprints, hair and fibers, simulated blood spatter and shoe prints. They learn how to process the evidence, conduct interviews and formulate theories while participating in a team environment, then the teams make a final presentation to a forensic science panel detailing their crime theories and conclusions.

To learn more, call 615-898-5048, email fire@mtsu.edu or visit www.mtsu.edu/fire/CSI-camp.php.

Midstate high school students attending the MTSU Innovation J-Camp edit their video projects in the Center for Innovation in Media in the John Bragg Mass Communication Building in this July 2015 file photo. The camp welcomes young journalists to begin hands-on training for potential careers. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

Innovation J-Camp

MTSU’s Center for Innovation in Media will welcome a new group of high school students July 9-13 for the Innovation J-Camp, which helps ninth- through 12th-graders become digital storytellers who can produce content for video, web, mobile, social media and print audiences.

The camp, now in its fourth year, is led by Val Hoeppner, director of the center, which is a part of MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment.

Participants learn about news basics and new media platforms each day, then tackle hands-on assignments in the field with camp instructors. At week’s end, each camper posts video, photos and written stories on a special website they’ll build and manage to showcase their multimedia project.

The center, also known as the CIM, opened in 2012 and combines the newsrooms for Sidelines, MTSU’s student news site; WMTS-FM, the student radio station; Match Records, the student record label; and MT10 News, the student-operated cable television station. WMOT-FM Roots Radio, MTSU’s 100,000-watt National Public Radio affiliate, also is housed in the center.

For more information, visit http://innovationjcamp.org.

Alumni Summer College

With a theme of “Better Living,” the 11th annual Alumni Summer College will focus on various aspects of physical, mental and emotional health that can enhance lives.

Highlights of this year’s three-day event will be entertainment by Emmy-nominated comedian Chonda Pierce, a field trip to Ray Stevens’ CabaRay Showroom in Nashville, Tennessee, and a variety of interesting “classes.”

“Alumni Summer College is a three-day program inviting alumni and university friends to return to campus to connect with their school, learn about interesting subjects and have loads of fun,” said Rhonda King, assistant director and event coordinator for the Office of Alumni Relations

You can learn more about this year’s event here or by calling 615-898-2922.

Athletics

Coaches from MTSU’s athletic teams offer excellent opportunities for youngsters and teenagers to grow in their selected sport throughout the summer.

Along with their assistants, football coach Rick Stockstill, men’s basketball coach Nick McDevitt, women’s basketball coach Rick Insell and other head coaches will lend their expertise and MTSU’s facilities for the budding athletes.

You can find more information about MTSU Athletics’ summer camps here.

Campus Recreation Center

When youngsters ages 7 to 13 are on summer break, MTSU’s Campus Recreation Center provides an alternative for working parents on a weekly basis from May 29 through July 27.

Campus Rec’s Youth Summer Camp helps children become involved, learn a variety of sport, leisure and fitness activities and learn important crucial life skills.

Good sportsmanship, the value of regular exercise and working together as a team are among the most valuable skills emphasized.

Campus Rec also offers a summer swim program, “Swim Express,” for ages 10 to 16 that runs weekly from June 4 through July 27, with the exception of the week of July 4. Call 615-898-2104 to register or for more information.

For the Rec Center’s full spectrum of summer opportunities, visit www.mtsu.edu/camprec/camps.

—Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)