VALDOSTA -- From conducting ecological research to running pass drills with NCAA athletes, summer camps at Valdosta State University provide unlimited opportunities for students to broaden their scopes of learning and sharpen both physical and intellectual skills.

VSU invites students of all ages to spend the summer months on campus. See the list below to learn about the wide array of summer study and athletic camp options available.

Academic Camps

What: Ecology Day Camp
Who: Rising sixth-eighth graders
When: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., June 7-11
Cost: $230

Valdosta State University’s College of Arts and Sciences will host the first ever Ecology Summer Day Camp for rising sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 7-11.

Designed to provide participants with hands-on field experience, the students will spend their mornings at Lake Louise in south Lowndes County observing the ecology (biology, chemistry and geology) of the lake and collecting samples. After returning to campus for a quick lunch, they will head to the Bailey Science Center to analyze their samples and evaluate data. After four days of collecting samples and analyzing them, students will present their findings to friends and family at a pizza party at noon on Friday, June 11.

Dr. Gary Lynn Wood, coordinator for the College of Arts and Science's Center of Applied Research, said the day camp targets middle school students because they generally have fewer opportunities for science-enrichment than high school students. In addition to experiencing field-based research in natural history at Lake Louise and experimenting with samples in state-of-the-art biology labs, camp attendees will participate in team-based activities and presentations.

Wood said that students will have the opportunity to interact with VSU faculty and graduate students on a one-on-one basis, which often enriches the experience and positively influences students' interest in science. It is part of the college’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Initiative (STEM), a program targeted at enhancing student experiences in these fields as well as recruiting, retaining and preparing students for STEM-related careers.

“The goal of the program is to stimulate long-term interest in the sciences,” said Wood, who teaches chemistry at VSU. “Our hope is that this camp will be the start of a science/engineering career for some of these students.”

If the camp becomes a successful annual event, Wood said he hopes to find sponsors to cover the cost of the camp for middle school students who otherwise would not be financially able to attend the program. He feels that it is important for VSU to reach out to the community and provide a foundation of success for young minds in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

A $230 registration fee includes lunch and afternoon snacks as well as transportation costs to and from the research site and lab materials. For more information or to register for the camp, go to www.valdosta.edu/cas/stem/summercamp . Read about VSU's STEM Initiative at http://coe.valdosta.edu/cas/stem/index.shtml .

What: Computer camp
Who/when: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Middle School Camp 1 : June 21 - June 25 (rising sixth-eighth graders)
High School Camp : July 12 - July 16 (rising ninth-twelfth graders)
Middle School Camp 2 : July 19 - July 23 (rising sixth-eighth graders)
Cost: $200 (middle school); $140 (high school)
http://www.valdosta.edu/computingcamp/

The Dept. of Maths and Computer Science will host non-residential day camps for middle school and high school students during June and July 2010. These camps will introduce the campers to basics of Computer Science in a fun and playful way.

Benefits for campers:
- They will get an insight to computing in a novel way, which should be interesting to them
- The things that they will learn will serve as a platform for future exploration in computing
- They will learn valuable life experience like working in groups
- This might be the first time for time for many of them to be at an university setting (which has difference compared to their schools)
- High school sessions may include campus tours

Continuing Education

What: Camp Discovery 2010
Who: Children ages 5 and older
When: Morning/afternoon June 1-July 30
Cost: $80+

Kids will enjoy learning during the Department of Continuing Education's Camp Discovery. The weeklong summer day camps provide opportunities for Valdosta-area kids to make friends, expand their horizons and achieve personal growth through age-appropriate activities. All camps are designed to be fun for participants, as well as to improve academic, artistic and/or physical skills.

Camps will be available from June 1 through July 30, for children age 5 and older. Most camps are held Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Some afternoon camps are also available. Camp fees start at $80 and vary based on the cost of the activities.
Returning this summer are several of the more popular camps, including Lego Creators, Horsemanship 101, Awesome Artists, Tennis, Lights Camera ACTION!, Dance Imagination, Painting Pros, and Cartooning, and Pet Projects. A few of the new camps this year are Arty Animals, Math Magic, Mad Scientist, 3-D Art, Survivor VSU, Reading and Writing Detectives, and Good Manners Matter.

This summer's new “Rec Room” offers kids a cool place to hang out during afternoon hours. From 1-4 p.m. each day, participants can enjoy supervised activities, such as indoor and outdoor games, movies, arts and crafts, and a few special visitors. Campers attending a morning session and remaining for Rec Room activities must bring a sack lunch.

To receive a complete schedule, call Continuing Education at (229) 245-6484, or e-mail sewing@valdosta.edu.
http://www.valdosta.edu/conted/kids/camp_detail.shtml


What: Swimming lessons
Who: Children ages 3 and older (must be toilet trained)
When: Morning-evening; June 1-July 16
Cost: $48-59
Summer Swimming Lessons from VSU Continuing Education
http://www.valdosta.edu/conted/kids/swim_info.shtml

Make a splash this summer with Continuing Education's semi-private swimming lessons, conducted in the indoor pool at VSU’s Student Recreation Center on Sustella Avenue. All classes are taught by Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructors and empower children to be safe and comfortable in the water for summer activities.

Lessons, which consist of five 45-minute lessons during one week, are open to toilet-trained children ages 3 and older from June 1 - July 16. Each week is $59. The two holiday, 4-day weeks are discounted at $48. Class size is limited to 4 students with sessions grouped by “non-swimmers and “swimmers.” Instructors work with each individual at his or her skill level.

For more information or to register, e-mail Sue Bailey at subailey@valdosta.edu or call us 245-6484.

Athletic Camps

http://www.vstateblazers.com/camps/

What: David Dean Youth football camp
When: 8:30 a.m.-noon, May 24-27
Who: Children ages 5-13
Cost: $100

The Valdosta State coaching staff will teach the fundamentals of football at each position.

What: Traveling football camp - Atlanta
When: morning or afternoon, Saturday May 29
Who: High school football players
Cost: $40 per camper per session

Each position will earn the basic fundamentals and concepts of the VSU spread offense and the 4-3 defense. Attendance is strongly encouraged for seniors looking to play at the next level. More information is available at http://www.vstateblazers.com/camps/football.htm .

What: Traveling football camp - Savannah
When: Tuesday, July 20
Who: High school football players
Cost: $40 per camper

Each position will earn the basic fundamentals and concepts of the VSU spread offense and the 4-3 defense. Attendance is strongly encouraged for seniors looking to play at the next level. More information is available at http://www.vstateblazers.com/camps/football.htm .

What: Football skills tournament -- 7 on 7 Passing Tournament/Lineman Challenge
When: Saturday, July 17
Who: High school football teams
Cost: $200 per team for one event; $375 for both

For the passing tourney, each team is guaranteed four games in a round-robin format, followed by a single-elimination tournament. During the second challenge, offensive and defensive linemen will compete in bench press, tractor tire relay, tug of war, obstacle course, med ball throw and various other competitions. Find more information at http://www.vstateblazers.com/camps/football.htm

What: Gridiron 101 Football Clinic
When: July 31 (Saturday)
Who: Women age 18 and older
Cost: $75 per participant

Application and waiver form: http://www.vstateblazers.com/camps/football.htm

Adult women are invited to learn basic football fundamentals, including offense and defense, film study and drills. The full-day camp includes a scrimmage and participants are invited to attend a social on Friday evening with coaches and pre-game activities in October. Find more information at http://www.vstateblazers.com/camps/football.htm .

What: Skills camp -- Kicking, Punting and Long Snapping
When Friday and Saturday, July 17-18
Who: Football players
Cost: NA
Top Recruit Kicking provides instruction at this two-day athletic summer camp. Call Andy Gibbs at 229-563-8877 or visit www.toprecruitkicking.com for more information.

What: Football All Positions/Team camp
When: Sunday and Monday, July 18-19
Who: Players in all positions or football teams
Cost: $175 per camper - 10 or more campers discounted to $150 per camper

Each position will learn the basic fundamentals and the basic concepts of the Valdosta State spread offense and 4-3 defense. Teams will practice drill work with their position. Find more information at http://www.vstateblazers.com/camps/football.htm .

What: Men's Basketball Team Camp
When Friday and Saturday, June 11-12
Who: High school varsity teams
Option 1: Six game guarantee, $395 per team
Option 2: Four game guarantee, $285 per team
Addition: Stay on campus for $15 per player.
*Individual camps also available.

For more information, contact Nick Gast at 229.333.5904 or ndgast@valdosta.edu.

What: Girls' Instructional Basketball Camp
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Thursday, June 7-10
Who: Girls, ages 5-13
Cost: $70; $20 deposit

For development of the young player, emphasis will be placed on shooting, passing, ball handling and all other fundamental aspects of the game of basketball. Bring a sack lunch to eat with the Lady Blazers. Walk-ups must be accompanied by a legal guardian for signature purposes.

What: Girls' Basketball Post Player Camp
When: Sunday through Monday, June 13-14
Who: Rising ninth-twelfth graders who are 5'9'' or taller
Cost: $100, $20 deposit

Post camp has evolved from the overwhelming response to player development camp and drills specifically used to develop our post players in a practice setting. The camp is designed for the female post player who wants to elevate her game to the next level. Drill work is specific to the development of both the offensive and defensive end of post play, including but not limited to post moves and counter-moves, post positioning, post passing, body balance, post defense, strength and conditioning and more.
Limited to 30 spots. Pre-registration required.

What: Girls' Basketball Guard Camp
When: Tuesday and Wednesday, June 15-16
Who: Rising ninth-twelfth graders
Cost: $100; $20 deposit

In its inaugural season, guard development camp is designed for the serious-minded high school guard. Instructors utilize Lady Blazer practice drills that stress advanced ball handling and passing skills, shooting skills, strength and conditioning, offense, defense and game control for point guard, shooting guard and off-guard/small forward positions. Limited to 40 spots. Pre-registration required.

What: Baseball Skills Camp
When: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 31-June 4 
 (Friday awards 11:30 a.m.)

Who: Ages 7-12

Cost: $180, includes camp t-shirt and lunch daily

This all-around camp for players of all skill levels will focus on the "five tools" of professional baseball players - throwing, catching, base running, hitting for average and hitting for power. Learn techniques and drills, play games, improve your skills and earn prizes.

What: Camper's Choice: Baseball skills camp
When: Monday through Thursday, June 7-10
Who: Ages 7-12
 

Cost: $20 per session

Morning Session: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Defensive emphasis -- infield play, outfield skills, throwing, pitching and catching.
Afternoon Session: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Offensive emphasis -- age-appropriate instruction for players of all ability levels and experience. Emphasis on hitting fundamentals, bat control skills and swing mechanics. Take advantage of a personalized video analysis.

*Campers who select both morning and afternoon sessions may bring lunch and enjoy a supervised break in air-conditioned comfort.

What: High School Baseball: Advanced offensive emphasis camp
When: 12:30 -3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, June 7-10
Who: Ages 13-18

Cost: $20 per session


What: Blazer Prospect Mini-Camp
When: noon-3 p.m. Saturday, June 5

Who: Rising juniors and seniors and 2010 graduates

Cost: $35

Designed for the player who has the interest and desire to play collegiate and/or professional baseball. Mini-camp includes pro-style workout, instruction from the Valdosta State University Blazer coaching staff and players and optional campus tour.

If you have questions, please email vstatebaseballcamps@gmail.com.

What: Volleyball Girls High School Team Camp
When Tuesday through Saturday, July 6-10
What: Girls Residential Camp
When: Tuesday through Saturday, July 27-31
Who: Ages 12-18
What: Day and Commuter Boys and Girls Camp
When: Wednesday through Saturday, July 28-31

Teams that attend will be provided with; team bonding activities, breakdown of session for coach, college experience level coaching, leadership discussion and individual evaluation. Each coach will be able to provide a list of specific needs to guide their camp coach during the week.

Contact Head Coach Sia Poyer for any questions at 229.333.5894 or e-mail impoyer@valdosta.edu