Ages 6-8

Build 16 different models demonstrating physical science and technology concepts, including various powered forces and motion, simple machines and more. Projects include a car, golf cart, Model A Ford, semi truck and trailer, rubber band trigger car, snow plow, motorized shopping cart, stand-up scooter, three-wheeler, tow truck, trick car, wagon, wheel barrow and Zamboni. This is a great camp for teaching teamwork and preparing students for engineering and problem-solving challenges.

Ages 7-11

Become a mad science chemist! Discover how chemical reactions are everywhere. Figure out if a chemical change has occurred right before your eyes and explore the properties of polymers. Mix, mush and brew together different chemicals to create things. Campers are introduced to how inventors work and why many inventions are created by accident.

Owl-ology - Discover how owls live, how they adapt to their environment and even what they eat for dinner! 
Creepy, Crawling Critters – Ever wondered how bugs defend themselves against predators or what they eat? This program will take a hands-on, close-up view of the insect world. 
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – Become a caretaker of the Earth and get a hands-on look at ways to help reduce our garbage, re-use what we cannot reduce and create ways to recycle. 
Animals and Habitats - Take a walk on the wild side with this peek into the natural world. Get down to nature on a microscopic level and discover how to track down an animal and uncover animal adaptations. 
Solar Science – Learn how the sun produces energy to grow our food, heat our homes and even cook lunch. 

In partnership with NASA – from our Earth’s atmosphere to the outer reaches of our solar system, this hands-on program sends campers on a quest for exploration! Comets, planets, stars and more are all waiting to be discovered. Learn about the four forces of flight and the challenges of space travel, and participate in a rocket launch! Each camper's mission is to go where bright young minds love to go! (Space suits not required.)

Ages 8-11

Do you love comics? Then let us show you how to create your own comics using your computer. Use your creativity to produce animations and illustrations using Flash. Start out with simple objects and text and learn how to adjust color, size and shape. Then learn how to use those objects to create a Flash-animated movie or game. Also learn how to add sound, video and other exciting interactive features. Wow all of your friends with your own comic creations!

Enjoy a week of high-flying adventure. From logging “flight time“ on simulators to building gliders, the basics of aeronautics will be the focus of the week. Campers get their wings upon successful completion of the camp. 

Enjoy this highly interactive camp with instruction by MUSC's Department of Neurosciences staff as they present brain specimens and discuss the general organization, functions and dysfunctions of the brain. Young scientists can explore and investigate the hidden wonders of the microscopic world. Get a close-up view of bugs, cells, plants and many other specimens. Microscope and lab materials are included in the registration fee. Registration deadline is July 10. 

Stimulate your critical thinking skills with fun exercises using puzzles and numbers. If you find Brain Age challenging and mind-provoking, you’ll love this camp. It uses different types of brain teasers and puzzles in a fun environment to help students fine-tune the brain. As a special feature, MUSC's Department of Neurosciences staff will showcase the brain and discuss the functions of the parts of the brain. 

Playing chess is a great way to have fun with your family and friends.  It also enriches a child’s life in a variety of ways: learning the rules, mastering the moves, and thinking analytically; developing patience, concentration and problem-solving skills; and enjoying the hope and promise that well-deserved success inspires. The study of chess builds confidence, encourages concentration, and fosters a lifelong love of intellectual exploration. Who knows – you may be the next chess champion! Participation in a United States Chess Federation-rated tournament to be held during the camp will require an easy, online registration at http://main.uschess.org/.

Unleash the leader in you! Interactive learning activities present opportunities to develop five important leadership skills: communicating effectively, being a team player, decision-making skills, presentation skills and social skills. Learn about current issues, both positive and negative, in your school, sports and social environments. Campers will leave with greater confidence to succeed. Join your peers for fun with a serious mission – learning to be a leader!

Are you a fan of crime shows? Find out how the professionals solve crimes using science and technology. Learn how to process the information at mock crime scenes with computer programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel. You also learn how to use your computer to find maps to crime scenes and research suspects via the Web. Create a database to track findings and record evidence in order to solve a crime. A PowerPoint presentation wraps up the week as you present your case to others. Become a crime scene investigator for the week! 

Create awesome photographs of your friends and family with this digital photography course. Learn about the different kinds of cameras and how they work while creating photos, editing and all that cool photography stuff. You also learn how to use your digital camera to put pictures on your Web site. Impress your friends with cool pictures. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Do you like to build things? Explore the world of engineering by creating a building project using your computer. You plan a project and learn how to design it using computer-aided graphics. Learn basic engineering techniques and skills as related to computer-aided drafting. Become an engineer today!

Learn basic engineering and logical thinking skills while building various components and structures with LEGO bricks. You also learn basic programming using the LEGO RCX system. Mechanical and electrical LEGO components that replicate components used in the industrial and engineering field are introduced. The skills learned prepare students for LEGO robotic competition. The content is the same as last year's program. Location: Bldg. 700, Room 103

Learning math doesn't have to be a drag. Create projects that incorporate multiplication and division, decimals and fractions in an easy, fun manner that makes it easier to understand the steps and processes so you can be a better student in math.

Do you want those cool new shoes or the latest game? Join us for a week of money exploration - earning, saving and investing as well as smart spending. You'll learn the difference between a "need" and a "want." Interactive and practical exercises really make this camp money well-spent. You will receive a workbook that will be a useful tool for the camp and a valuable resource later. 

Achieving success in school isn’t always easy, but it is doable if you have healthy homework habits. Learn how to retain information by developing effective study skills. Through fun exercises you learn great memorization techniques, ways to stay focused and retrieve information. Successful homework practices also teach skills such as organization, problem solving, memory enhancement and goal setting.

Are you ready to solve the mysteries of the workings of the PC? This camp takes you step-by-step through the typical hardware and operating system problems, teaches you troubleshooting and techniques to decipher problems and gives you some of the basic skills to solve them. Once you have mastered the basics, you can bring your PC to class for expert help in streamlining your machine while you learn. E-mail, the Internet and viruses are also covered. Learn to maintain and optimize a Windows PC.

Don’t just play games -make them! Create your own video game in this fun, stimulating video game camp for kids. We introduce the awesome world of video game creation in a non-competitive, step-by-step process. This summer camp will teach the basic principles behind creating video games. Take home your special project at the end of this camp and wow all your friends!

Ages 12-16

Do you play chess already or have you always wanted to learn? The study of chess builds confidence, encourages concentration and fosters a lifelong love of intellectual exploration. It also enriches your life in a variety of ways: learning the rules, mastering the moves and thinking strategically; developing patience, concentration and problem-solving skills; and enjoying the hope and promise that well-deserved success inspires. Who knows – you may be the next chess champion. Participation in a United States Chess Federation-rated tournament to be held during the camp requires an easy, online registration at http://main.uschess.org/.

Find out how the professionals solve crimes with techniques used to investigate real crime scenes using science and technology. Learn how to process the information at a crime scene. Incorporate computer skills using Microsoft Word and Excel while investigating mock crime scenes. Use your computer to find maps to locations and research suspects via the Web. Create a database using Microsoft Access to track your findings and record evidence in order to solve a crime. Become a crime scene investigator for the week!

Got a flair for design? Take your imagination to new dimensions with this computer graphics course. Learn to create attractive designs using Illustrator to play with layouts and colors. Work with transparency in gradients and multiple artboards. Create cool graphic illustrations that you can take home and share with your friends.

Join your peers on a fun writing journey. If you are writing for pleasure or a school project, this camp will help you learn to trust your own language and voice. As you learn to think independently, you’ll be amazed at how the words begin to flow. The end result will be more words on your paper and less stuck in your head. Join us as we put pen to paper.

Learn from a professional personal fitness trainer about nutrition, physical wellness and exercises to remain fit for life. Topics include eating right, metabolism and developing physical stature.

Create awesome photographs of your friends and family with this digital photography course. Learn about the different kinds of cameras and how they work while creating photos, editing and all that cool photography stuff. You also learn how to use your digital camera to put pictures on your own Web site. Impress your friends with cool pictures. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Do you like to build things? Explore the world of engineering by creating a building project using your computer. You plan a project and learn how to design it using computer-aided graphics. Learn basic engineering techniques and skills as related to computer-aided drafting. Become an engineer today!

Explore how the brain functions to produce our unique personalities, thoughts and emotions. Additionally, we discuss what happens in brain disorders such as schizophrenia, ADHD, Alzheimer's Disease and drug addiction. This camp is perfect for anyone who is interested in psychology, human behavior and neurobiology. Staff from MUSC’s Department of Neurosciences will assist junior scientists as they explore the brain.

Jump to the next generation of LEGO robotics. This camp introduces the NXT LEGO robotic system. Build robotic components and learn new software so you can program the robots to perform given tasks. You will work in pairs to accomplish the assignments. The content is the same as last year's program. Location: Bldg. 700, Room 103 

Are you ready to solve the mysteries of the workings of the PC? This camp takes you step-by-step through the typical hardware and operating system problems, teaches you troubleshooting and techniques to decipher problems, and gives you some of the basic skills to solve them. Once you have mastered the basics, you can bring your PC to class for expert help in streamlining your machine while you learn. E-mail, the Internet and viruses are also covered. Learn to maintain and optimize a Windows PC.

Standardized tests can be less stressful once you learn some proven strategies. There are a variety of skills to learn and master - critical reading, vocabulary development, sentence completion, passages, multiple-choice, grammar and mathematics will be covered during the week. Learn some great study skills to improve your knowledge retention.

Work for your money and have your money work for you! Start planning now for your financial freedom. We address smart principles for earning, saving, investing and, of course, spending money. This camp offers you the opportunity to see how money works, how managing your money is a lifelong job, how to avoid the debt trap and how to put your money to work for you. Interactive and practical exercises really make this camp money well-spent. You receive a workbook that is a useful tool for the camp and a valuable resource later.

Don’t just play video games, create your own! Wow all your BFFs with cool video game creation. Learn to make your own games from scratch following step-by-step instructions designed to make it easy. Create cool characters and scenes. Let your imagination take you to wonderful places within your game. Take home your special project at the end of this camp and wow all your friends!

Express yourself by creating Web pages that reflect your favorite interests in music and movies. Learn the basics of Web design using Dreamweaver MX to add pictures of yourself or your friends, text, rollover buttons and other cool effects. Also learn how to add Flash animations to your Web pages to create awesome digital effects. Become a webmaster and you can help your friends create their Web pages, too!

Take your knowledge of computers in a different direction by learning about networking. Learn the basics of setting up and configuring a home network. Topics include wireless routers, firewalls and how to keep unauthorized users out of computers. Malware, viruses and Internet protection will be discussed. Set up your own network at home!

Building Tomorrow’s Leaders

The Youth Leadership Program is a lively and highly interactive series of workshops designed to build interpersonal skills and confidence in participants moving into a critical phase of personal development.

Monday: Communicating Effectively – Learn the basic principles needed to communicate effectively. Build relationships based on trust and mutual respect. Learn and practice and use the skills introduced.

Tuesday: Being a Team Player – Learn how to build, lead and even be a part of diverse teams, resolve conflict and ensure success. Participants are placed in a timed teambuilding exercise and must use the synergy of the newly formed team to reach agreement with others in their group and then succeed in competition with other teams.

Wednesday: Decision-Making Skills – Leadership is the ability to influence others positively in the task of making decisions. Creative decision making, conflict and problem resolution techniques are practiced by the teams in various situations. 

Thursday: Presentation Skills – Being able to present information is the key to your future success. Learn the sequence on a presentation worksheet and why gestures, voice, body movement, facial expressions and appearance of the speaker are important. You will then give a presentation in a college auditorium complete with stage, podium and microphone. Public speaking is the number one fear for many, and this portion of the program will go a long way in helping participants overcome it.  

Friday: Networking for Success – Whether interviewing for a job, joining a club or just meeting and making new friends, proper networking skills are a must in today's competitive environment. Learn to be impressive in an interview, meet people, remember names and generally improve your "likeability." We will also begin to compile important information needed for your résumé. This final day will end with a "graduation party" during which you can practice your skills learned from the entire week on each other and on members of the staff and faculty at the college.

Culinary Camps Culinary Institute of Charleston Main Campus, 7000 Rivers Avenue Building 920 (Ages 8-16)

This hands-on week of baking covers the basics of birthday cakes, special occasion cakes, icings and cake decorating. On day five, make and decorate your own personal cake to take home.

This hands-on week of baking covers the basics of birthday cakes, special occasion cakes, icings and cake decorating. On day five, make and decorate your own personal cake to take home.

Learn how to make a variety of delicious cookies, including American double chocolate chip, Swedish decorated sugar cookies, German gingerbread cookies and French chocolate-dipped macaroons.

Learn how to make a variety of delicious cookies, including American double chocolate chip, Swedish decorated sugar cookies, German gingerbread cookies and French chocolate-dipped macaroons.

After this exciting week of hands-on classes, you will know your way around the fundamentals of cooking. Day one: salads and veggies. Day two: pastas and potatoes. Day three: sautéing and grilling basics. Day four: desserts. On day five, participants will cook lunch!

After this exciting week of hands-on classes, you will know your way around the fundamentals of cooking. Day one: salads and veggies. Day two: pastas and potatoes. Day three: sautéing and grilling basics. Day four: desserts. On day five, participants will cook lunch!

Learn the basics of barbecuing and proper grilling techniques with meat, vegetables, fish and fruit along with scrumptious rubs, sauces and side dishes.

Learn baking skills that will last for a lifetime in a hands-on week of baking basics. You'll learn how to make quick breads, brownies, pies, tarts, cupcakes and that all- American favorite -  ice cream. 

Learn baking skills that will last for a lifetime in a hands-on week of baking basics. You'll learn how to make quick breads, brownies, pies, tarts, cupcakes and that all- American favorite -  ice cream. 

Take a trip around the world with a menu of international soups and a spread of tasty sandwiches ranging from traditional hoagies to grilled panini. Lunch, lunchboxes and snacks will never be boring again.

Take a trip around the world with a menu of international soups and a spread of tasty sandwiches ranging from traditional hoagies to grilled panini. Lunch, lunchboxes and snacks will never be boring again.

Get out your rolling pins and learn the secret of making great pie dough. Then you’ll bake fresh fruit, custard and specialty pies, as well as savory meat pies and quiches.

Get out your rolling pins and learn the secret of making great pie dough. Then you’ll bake fresh fruit, custard and specialty pies, as well as savory meat pies and quiches.

Learn the basics of Chinese and Asian cuisine while listening to pop hits and eating fried dumplings, egg rolls, sushi and stir fry.

Learn the basics of Chinese and Asian cuisine while listening to pop hits and eating fried dumplings, egg rolls, sushi and stir fry.

Culinary Camps Culinary Institute of Charleston Palmer Campus Downtown Charleston, 66 Columbus St. Ages 8-16

Come into the candy kitchen and learn the art of working with chocolate. Your creations will include chocolate-dipped fresh fruit, chocolate cashew nut pralines, chocolate filling and chocolate truffles. 

Come into the candy kitchen and learn the art of working with chocolate. Your creations will include chocolate-dipped fresh fruit, chocolate cashew nut pralines, chocolate filling and chocolate truffles. 

Satisfy your sweet tooth making the summer pastries and desserts that have inspired some of Charleston's best pastry chefs.

Satisfy your sweet tooth making the summer pastries and desserts that have inspired some of Charleston's best pastry chefs.

Learn about historic Charleston and Southern food. Cook favorite Southern dishes and take home a taste of Charleston.

Learn about historic Charleston and Southern food. Cook favorite Southern dishes and take home a taste of Charleston.

Cook your way around Italy with five days of mouthwatering pastas, pizzas, sauces, salads, entrées and desserts!     

Cook your way around Italy with five days of mouthwatering pastas, pizzas, sauces, salads, entrées and desserts!