UW-Stout Junior STEAM (STEM + Art & Design) Experiences give middle school students entering grades 6-8 a chance to explore various activities related to science, technology, art, and math. Between hands-on classes, there will be time to make new friends, play games, and experience living on a college campus.
During Week 1, (June 16 to 20) campers in our all-in-one Exploration Camp will experience everything from movie-making and video game design to outdoor challenges as they rotate through a variety of sessions. Week 2 (July 7 to 11) sessions offer campers opportunities to go deeper into the subjects that interest them the most.
Junior STEAM Camp Opportunities
All-in-One Exploration Camp (June 16-20, 2024)
From outdoor obstacles to movie-making and video games to scientific exploration, UW-Stout's all-in-one Exploration Camp will give campers a taste of everything STEAM has to offer (and a little more). Rotate through sessions including:
- 3D Printing
- Challenge Course
- Genetics/DNA Analysis
- Unhackable Quantum Codes
- Video Production
- Video Game Design
- and More!
Chain Making (July 7-11, 2024)
Discover metals through the art of chain-making! Students will use pliers and jewelers’ saws to learn introductory styles of cable and paper clips and more complex links including chain maille and foxtail. Students will also learn to anneal, forge, and solder small metal parts to finish their chains and make wearable jewelry.
Fashion Design Drawing (July 7-11, 2024)
Explore your love of drawing and interest in fashion! You’ll learn to sketch apparel on professional fashion figures, explore drawing techniques for menswear and womenswear and will conceptualize/draw a mini fashion collection of 10 garments to showcase at the end of the week.
Roleplaying, Worldbuilding, and Storytelling (July 7-11, 2024)
Storytelling and imaginative play go hand-in-hand. In this creative workshop, we’ll start with some roleplaying sessions—creating characters, sketching stories, and building worlds. Then we’ll develop and expand these characters, stories, and worlds through active creative writing and storytelling exercises. Participants will create a variety of written works and stories for their creative portfolios.
Video Production (July 7-11, 2024)
Learn to make a movie—from story to production development to the big screen. Students will learn the film narrative structure and how to apply it in script writing and shot planning before learning to shoot professional-quality video. Students will then move to the editing room, with pacing help from a Stout instructor, to cut their movie using industry-standard software and prepare a final film for screening in Stout’s historic Harvey Hall Theatre.
Junior STEAM Experience Highlights
- 16 hours of instruction/lab time
- UW-Stout faculty instruction
- Camp t-shirt
- 10:1 camper-to-counselor ratio
- UW-Stout Challenge course
- Camper showcase celebration for families and friends on Thursday, June 20, or July 11 from 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Overnight Camper Details
Registration: $495
In addition to Junior STEAM Experience highlights, registration includes:
- UW-Stout campus dormitories accommodations (linens included)
- All meals served on campus
- 'College life' experiences
- Evening camp activities, including video and board games, crafts, movies, and more.
Day Camper Details
Registration: $345
In addition to Junior STEAM Experience highlights, registration includes:
- Sunday, June 16 or Sunday, July 7 afternoon activities (pick-up at 5:00 p.m.)
- Lunch served on campus (Monday-Thursday)
- Monday-Thursday time is 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Additional STEAM Experience Information
| OVERNIGHT CAMPERS | DAY CAMPERS |
| Bag for carrying project materials | Bag for carrying project materials |
| Pens, Pencils, Paper | Pens, Pencils, Paper |
| Phones are allowed but use during tracks is discouraged | Phones are allowed but use during tracks is discouraged |
| Closed-Toe Shoes for Ropes Course | Closed-Toe Shoes for Ropes Course |
| Clothes for 4 days | Water Bottle |
| Toiletries | |
| Athletic Clothes (recommended) | |
| Comfortable Shoes | |
| Shower Shoes | |
| Alarm Clock | |
| Water Bottle |
Additional items overnight campers may bring:
| Blankets | Pillows | Towel |
| Sunscreen | Robe | Slippers |
| Bug Spray | Computers/Tablets | Games |
Pillow, blanket, linens, and towels are provided.
Camper Forms
Camper forms will be completed via an online platform that will be emailed to participants.
Refunds for the camps:
Junior STEAM Experience Week 1 June 16-20:
All cancellation notices must be received in writing (email is acceptable). A full refund will be granted through June 8, 2024. Cancellations on or after June 8 to June 16, 2024, will be granted less a $30.00 processing fee. No refunds will be made on or after June 16. Subscriptions may be made at any time before the start of the program.
Junior STEAM Experience Week 2 July 7-11:
All cancellation notices must be received in writing (email is acceptable). A full refund will be granted through June 29, 2024. Cancellations on or after June 29 to July 7, 2024, will be granted less a $30.00 processing fee. No refunds will be made on or after July 7. Subscriptions may be made at any time before the start of the program.
Program Changes & Cancellation
The university reserves the right to make changes in programs and activities or to cancel programs if enrollment criteria are not met or when conditions beyond its control prevail. Every effort will be made to contact each attendee if a program is not held for any reason. The university's liability is limited to the refund of the program fee.
School District Scholarships
Scholarships are available through the generosity of the following school districts:
School District of the Menomonie Area
Campers can register as day campers at no cost. The overnight camper fee is $150 for the full camp experience. Students must live within the School District of Menomonie Area to qualify.
Grantsburg School District
Two individuals who attend the Grantsburg School District qualify for the Parker-Hannifin Scholarship, which covers the full cost of admission.
Chippewa Falls Unified School District
There is a limited number of scholarships for campers who live in or attend school in the Chippewa Falls Unified School District.
Additional Scholarships
Other STEAM sponsors make it possible to cover the fees of additional campers. If you are interested in applying for these scholarships please fill out this brief survey which will ask you to explain why you would like to attend camp and what that experience would mean to you. Scholarship recipients will be notified within 10 days of applying.
