A Summer to Remember - Academic Expressions

Academic Expressions

Office of the Provost

View of Carrington Hall, in the background, with tulips in the foreground on a sunny day at Missouri State University
(Photo by Kevin White/Missouri State University)

A Summer to Remember

Whether they’re budding musicians, debaters, equestrians, crime solvers, scientists, future teachers or health care pros, young people have plenty of opportunities to learn from Missouri State’s experts.

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From June through August, campus will be buzzing with young people who are participating in summer programs designed to level up their skills in a wide range of cool subjects.

Each of these opportunities provides a chance to gain comfort and familiarity with college surroundings while learning from experts in the field.

Faculty-led Learning Experiences

Jump to:

For the Kid Who…

Learn about opportunities for teens and tweens to learn and grow at Missouri State this summer.

…Has “Concert Black” in Their Closet

  • String Fling
  • In a Nutshell: With its focus on chamber music ensembles, String Fling not only boosts budding musicians’ technical skills; it also strengthens kids’ interpersonal communication and collaboration as they learn to coordinate, cue and work together to interpret music. Campers often develop lasting friendships and fresh motivation that keeps them faithfully practicing all year long.
  • Who it’s for: Musicians who are 13–18 years old, play violin, viola, cello or string bass and either take private lessons or have expert assistance from someone who can help them prepare their music assignments before camp begins.
  • When: July 17–20
  • Apply by: May 13 for an early-bird discount; final application deadline is June 13.
  • Daytime or overnight: Your choice! Campers have the option of commuting for a daytime-only version or staying on campus for a full residential experience.
  • Contact: 417-836-6958 or StringFling@MissouriState.edu
  • More information: String Fling website
  • Featured faculty: Dr. Yi-Ping Chen, Dr. David Hays, Dr. Daniel Ketter and Dr. Amy Muchnick
Two student musicians, playing string instruments at Missouri State's String Fling camp
Photo by Bob Linder/Missouri State University

…Never Fails to Crack the Case

  • CSI Camp
  • In a Nutshell: Students who enjoy mysteries, puzzles and analytical games will thrive as they work in teams to solve a criminal case. They’ll gain hands-on, forensic experience in fingerprinting techniques, bloodstain pattern analysis and more.
  • Who it’s for: High school students, including those who’ll begin 9th grade this fall.
  • When: There are two sessions: June 9–12 and July 28–31.
  • Register by: There’s no registration deadline, but space is limited. Submit early to reserve a spot.
  • Daytime or overnight: This is a daytime camp with no overnight lodging provided. Lunch is provided.
  • Contact: CTitus@MissouriState.edu or MichaelKyle@MissouriState.edu
  • More information: CSI Camp website
  • Featured faculty: Dr. Michael Kyle, Dr. Brett Garland, Dr. Jordan Riddell and Dr. Samantha Tjaden

…Knows Their Ls and Ds

  • Missouri State Debate Institute (MSDI) 
  • In a Nutshell: MSDI offers a two-week policy camp, followed by additional, week-long sessions in distinct tracks. There’s even a novice camp for beginning debaters. Participants strengthen their research and listening skills and develop greater confidence and familiarity with debate formats and terms.
  • Session details:
    • Two-week Policy Camp: June 29–July 12
    • Online Policy Camp: July 13–18
    • LD Debate Camp: July 13–18
    • Novice Policy Camp: July 13–18
    • PF Debate Camp: July 13–18
    • Individual Events Camp: July 13–18
  • Who it’s for: High school students, including those who’ll start 9th grade this fall. Kids who are brand new to debate are encouraged to enroll in the novice track.
  • Register by: June 6
  • Daytime or overnight: Your choice! Campers have the option of commuting — which means they’ll be on campus for activities from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. each day — or staying on campus in a residence hall.
  • Contact: EricMorris@MissouriState.edu
  • More information: MSDI website and FAQ
  • Featured faculty: Dr. Eric Morris, Dr. Nathan Rothenbaum, Kristen StoutHart, Heather Walters and Parker Hopkins

…Keeps Time With the Drumline

  • Bands Alive! 
  • In a nutshell: Participants get to learn from some of the best in the marching and concert band worlds. They’ll make new friends who share their passion for music and performance. And they’ll get a taste of the college-level performance setting.
  • Session details:
    • Winds Institute: June 24–26 (for incoming 9th–12th graders)
    • Junior High Concert Band: June 24–26 (for incoming 6th–8th graders)
    • Leadership Institute: June 23–24 (for incoming 9th–12th graders)
    • Color Guard Institute: June 23–24 (for incoming 9th–12th graders)
    • JH Color Guard Day Camp: June 25 (for incoming 6th–8th graders)
  • Who it’s for: Incoming middle- or high-schoolers, depending on the session. Students should have completed band during the previous school year, with the exception of the JH Color Guard Day Camp, which accepts beginning color guard students.
  • Register by: June 13
  • Daytime or overnight: Your choice! Campers have the option of commuting for a daytime-only version or staying on campus for a full residential experience.
  • Contact: 417-836-5454 or Bands@MissouriState.edu
  • More information: Bands Alive! website
Drum major, silhouetted against the sunset
Photo by Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University

…Wants to Explore Health Professions

  • Sports Medicine and Health Sciences Camp
  • In a nutshell: Students get hands-on experience with a variety of health care skills and gain insight into health-related careers and college life. They’ll learn about professional pathways under the umbrella of sports medicine and health sciences — athletic training, dietetics, physician assistantship, physical therapy, radiography and more, while building a foundation in health care concepts and skills.
  • Who it’s for: High school students, including those who’ll begin 9th grade in the fall and those who are graduating this spring.
  • When: June 15–18
  • Register by: June 1
  • Daytime or overnight: Your choice! Campers have the option of commuting for a daytime-only version or staying on campus for a full residential experience.
  • Contact: SHS@MissouriState.edu
  • More information: Sports Medicine and Health Sciences Camp website
  • Featured faculty: Dr. Tona Hetzler (athletic trainer with USA Olympic and collegiate athletic training experience), Natalie Allen (sports nutrition expert who’s worked with the Springfield Cardinals and Missouri State Athletics) and additional Missouri State faculty and community practitioners

…Lights Up in the Lab

  • DNA Camp
  • In a nutshell: Young biologists will gain deeper knowledge about how the human body works. They’ll learn from biomedical professionals as they solve scientific riddles — all while increasing their comfort in college settings.
  • Who it’s for: Students in 8th grade–12th grade, including those who’ll begin 8th grade in the fall and those who are graduating this spring.
  • When: August 4–8
  • Register by: June 15
  • Daytime or overnight: This is a daytime camp.
  • Contact: BiomedicalSciences@MissouriState.edu
  • More information: DNA Camp website
  • Featured faculty: Dr. Randi Ulbricht
Two high school students conducting a science experiment
Photo by Kevin White/Missouri State University

…Wants to Level Up Their Health Care Skills

  • Bears HEAL Camp
  • In a nutshell: Participants will enjoy hands-on learning in the state-of-the-art facilities of Missouri State’s McQueary College of Health and Human Services. They’ll gain experience with suturing, phlebotomy labs, hospital tours, practice in simulation labs and more, plus insights from a panel of health education and medical school students.
  • Who it’s for: Students in 11th and 12th grades, including those who graduate this spring.
  • When: Four days and three nights in June 2025 (exact dates to be announced soon)
  • Apply by: June 3
  • Daytime or overnight: This camp is primarily residential, but there are daytime-only, commuter options available.
  • Contact: LauraSkiles@MissouriState.edu

…Feels at Home in Front of the Class

  • Bears Teach
  • In a nutshell: This immersive experience amps up students’ college readiness — with ACT prep, guidance on writing a great essay, tips for scholarship searches and lots of break-out sessions. Participants gain comfort with campus life, along with an inside look at professional pathways in teaching and education.
  • Who it’s for: Incoming 10th–12th graders
  • When: June 2–6
  • Register by: April 15
  • Daytime or overnight: This is a residential camp.
  • Contact: DeniseCunningham@MissouriState.edu
  • More information: Bears Teach website
  • Featured faculty: Dr. Denise Cunningham and Dr. Rhonda Bishop

…Wants to Share Their Love of Math

  • Young Mathematics Teacher Academy (YMTA)
  • In a nutshell: Students will have an opportunity to see mathematics — even topics they may have already learned — in ways that they have never experienced. They’ll also have the opportunity to help others learn mathematics.
  • Who it’s for: Incoming 10th–12th graders
  • When: June 2–6
  • Register by: May 1
  • Daytime or overnight: This is a residential camp.
  • Contact: PatrickSullivan@MisssouriState.edu
  • More information: YMTA website
  • Featured faculty: Dr. Patrick Sullivan, Joann Barnett, Dr. Adam Harbaugh and Dr. Gay Ragan

…Canters, Trots and Gallops

  • Missouri State University Youth Hunt Seat Clinic Series 
  • In a nutshell: Young equestrians get a collegiate experience, which includes the chance to ride a different horse each session. As a result, they’ll gain confidence, build up the tools in their riding toolbox — and feel more prepared to succeed with a wide range of horses.
  • Who it’s for: Middle- and high-school students with some riding experience, including those who’ll begin 6th grade this fall and those who’ll graduate this spring.
  • When: June 23–26
  • Daytime or overnight: This is a daytime camp.
  • Contact: 417-837-2500 or NMook@MissouriState.edu
  • Featured faculty: Natalie Mook