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, foundations in fencing, and ceramics. Campers can climb on the state-of-the-art climbing wall in the SOU Student Recreation Center while learning knot-tying basics, gear use, movement skills, and climbing techniques. Other sessions focus on ceramics handbuilding and wheel-thrown ceramics, coding robots with Lego’s EV3 and Spike Prime systems, and scientific illustration that involves investigating natural specimens, including ethically sourced skulls and bones, and learning anatomy through observation and drawing.

• Ages: 8–17 years old
• Schedule: Series of week-long day camps running generally from late June to early August, with options to attend multiple classes over a variety of weeks
• Price: Rock the Wall: $215 per session; Ceramics Handbuilding Technique: $220 per session; Beginning Pottery Wheel Workshop: $220 per session; Intro to Lego Robotics – EV3: $200 per session; Scientific Illustration: $200 per session; Intro to Lego Robotics – Spike Prime: $200 per session

For ceramics and pottery classes, closed-toe shoes are required, and it is recommended that students wear clothing that can get dirty. Students must have the ability to follow staff directions and participate in collaborative discussion for Rock the Wall, and for ceramics and pottery classes they need to be able to work independently, follow instructions, and be comfortable learning difficult techniques. For more than 40 years, Southern Oregon University’s Office of Youth Programs has offered educational programs to youth. With a focus on cultural identities, academics, and community connection, Southern Oregon University’s Office of Youth Programs offers enriching and dynamic educational programs to youth from across the country. Youth Programs also offer assistance to students from multicultural backgrounds through cultural and identity-focused events and gatherings, including Black Youth Summer Institute, Academia Latina & Academia Leadership overnight camps, the César E. Chávez Leadership Conference, Pathways after-school programming, Juntos en Familia & Dia Familiar Latino family events, and All My Relations year-long virtual engagement.

Last updated June 11, 2026.