By Tawny Turner

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JUNE 28, 2024 – With summer in full swing, UTRGV’s annual summer camps are here to keep kids both active and educated.

UTRGV summer camps offer a variety of STEM, art and fitness programs designed to ignite creativity, nurture passions and build community. These camps will continue through July for elementary, middle and high school students.

Brian Warren, theatre professor and artistic director of the South Texas Remarkably Inventive Vaquero Ensemble Camp (S.T.R.I.V.E), said he is excited to offer the theatre camp for an 11^th year at UTRGV. Warren said S.T.R.I.V.E. provides an all-around introduction to theatre for children ages 7-14. The three-week camp runs from July 15 to Aug. 3.

“We encourage students to allow their creativity to come forth – whether in acting, writing or design. They can do it all,” Warren said.

Cristina Villalobos, a Myles and Sylvia Aaronson Endowed Professor in UTRGV’s School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences and director of the Center of Excellence in STEM Education, emphasized the overall growth students can expect as they spend part of their summer at one of several STEM camps at UTRGV. 

“Campers will be engaged in tactile hands-on activities to learn about the wonders of science”, Villalobos said. “Additionally, they will meet other peers, just like them, who are excited about science. We expect the campers to appreciate and learn about the excitement of science.”

For more information on UTRGV summer camps, visit https://www.utrgv.edu/summercamps/. 

2024 UTRGV SUMMER CAMPS 

STEM CAMPS – UTRGV Edinburg Campus

STEM Elementary Summer Camp – Provides third to fifth grade students with fun and engaging, hands-on opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering and math. To register, visit https://www.utrgv.edu/cstem/index.htm.

• Date: July 8-12, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Cost: $175

JSTEM (Journalism, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Summer Program – The summer program gives high school students the opportunity to learn STEM in a university research setting.

• Date: July 1-31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
• Cost: $1,000

STEM Science Camp for Middle School Students – This camp is designed for middle school students to conduct experiments, engage in hands-on activities and develop communications skills. 

• Date: July 15-19, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Cost: $250

FINE ARTS CAMP – UTRGV Edinburg Campus

South Texas Remarkably Inventive Vaquero Ensemble Camp (S.T.R.V.E) – For ages 7-14, this camp provides theatre training in various areas – improvisation, creative problem solving, mental concentration and memorization, vocal articulation and projection, movement skills, emotional expression, acting in an ensemble and other technical theatre trainings. To register, visit https://www.utrgv.edu/theatre/theatre-for-young-audiences/index.htm.

• Date: July 15 – Aug. 3, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Age: 7-11) / 1– 4 p.m. (Age: 12-16)
• Cost: $250

FITNESS CAMP – UTRGV Edinburg Campus

Camp UREC – Continues through July for kids ages 6-11. The camp is designed to inspire a lifetime of friends and exploring the fun side of fitness through recreational games, team sports, dance, swimming and other outdoor activities. To register, visit: https://www.utrgv.edu/urec/programs/camps/index.htm.  

• Date: July 1 – July 12, 8:40 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Date: July 15 – July 26, 8:40 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Date: July 29 – Aug. 9, 8:40 a.m. – 4 p.m.

UTRGV ATHLETICS CAMPS

This summer, UTRGV Athletics is hosting a variety of camps and clinics for kids of all ages, from volleyball to football to soccer. UTRGV Athletics coaching staff from various sports will lead the activities. Check out the upcoming camps and clinics at https://goutrgv.com/sports/2024/4/3/camps.aspx.