SOU Youth Programs – Summer Better Than Others Day Camp

SOU Youth Programs – Summer Better Than Others Day Camp offers week-long day camps that include activities such as rock climbing, Lego engineering, and foundations in fencing. All special equipment for these activities is provided by Youth Programs, so no equipment is needed from home. Students are asked to wear clothing suited to their class, such as closed-toed shoes and long shorts or pants for rock climbing, and to bring snacks, water, and sack lunches from home as needed based on class length.

• Ages: 8–15 years old
• Schedule: Week-long day camps with sessions generally running from late June to early August; registration generally opens in early April, closes when a class is full, and the last day to register for a course for the following week is Thursday at 3:00 pm
• Price: Each class registration includes a $50 non-refundable deposit; for example, if a course costs $200 and is cancelled a week or more before it begins, the refund would be $150

For more than 40 years, Southern Oregon University’s Office of Youth Programs has offered educational programs to youth from across the country, including summer camps, enrichment classes and workshops, regional academic competitions, and early college credit pathways, with a focus on cultural identities, academics, and community connection. Thoughtful and intentional programming is offered for youth who are part of the Native American, Latino/a/x, and/or Black communities. All day-camp instructors complete a multi-layered vetting process that reviews their subject training, a federal background check, and their experience working with children; all primary instructors are college graduates, many are current or past school teachers, and all receive additional program training. Youth Programs cannot offer supervision before, after, or between scheduled classes, but will provide appropriate support for students in a wheelchair or on crutches.

Last updated December 27, 2025.