This summer, campus will be buzzing with elementary-, middle- and high-school students participating in 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.

Jump to:

• Bands Alive!
• CSI Camp
• Cyber Cubs
• DNA Camp
• Missouri State Debate Institute
• Sports Medicine and Health Sciences Camp
• String Fling

Or, keep scrolling for details about each camp listed above. For your calendar convenience, they’re listed in order of the start date of each camp’s first session.

For the Kid Who…

…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 8–11 and July 27–30.
• 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 and Dr. Jordan Riddell

…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 14–17
• 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: A dynamic group of Missouri State University faculty from the McQueary College of Health and Human Services, along with outstanding local practitioners, regional professional programs and leading health care systems.

…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 23–25 (for incoming 9th–12th graders)
  • Junior High Concert Band: June 23–25 (for incoming 6th–8th graders)
  • Leadership Institute: June 22–23 (for incoming 9th–12th graders)
  • Color Guard Institute: June 22–23 (for incoming 9th–12th graders)
  • JH Color Guard Day Camp: June 24 (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 12
• 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

…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 28–July 11
  • Lincoln-Douglas Debate Camp: July 12–17
  • Novice CX Debate Camp: July 12–17
  • Public Forum Debate Camp: July 12–17
  • Individual Events Camp: July 12–17
  • Online Policy Camp: July 13–17
• 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 5. Register by March 31 for an early-bird discount of $50.
• 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: Visit the MSDI website for further details, including check-in procedures and hours of instruction.
• Featured faculty: Dr. Eric Morris, Dr. Nathan Rothenbaum, Kristen StoutHart, Heather Walters and Parker Hopkins

…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 14–17
• Apply by: May 8 for an early-bird discount; final application deadline is June 12.
• 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: StringFling@MissouriState.edu
• More information: String Fling website

…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 9th grade–12th grade, including those who’ll begin 9th grade in the fall and those who are graduating this spring.
• When: July 20–23
• Register by: June 22
• Daytime or overnight: This is a daytime camp.
• Contact: BiomedicalSciences@MissouriState.edu
• More information: DNA Camp website
• Featured faculty: Dr. Randi Ulbricht

…Loves Coding and Collaboration

• Cyber Cubs Camp
• In a Nutshell: All participants will build knowledge of internet safety, online kindness and artificial intelligence. Depending on their age group, they’ll also gain experience in binary coding or coding robots — along with solid teamwork skills.
• Who it’s for: Students entering 4th–8th grades this fall.
• When: August 10–14
• How to register: Use this form to register. Registration closes July 10, and space is limited. Register early to reserve your spot.
• Daytime or overnight: This is a daytime camp with no overnight lodging provided. Kids should bring their own lunch.
• Contact: A-BITS@missouristate.edu (Missouri State’s Association for Business Information Technology Students)
• More information: In the Cyber Cubs Camp form.
• Featured faculty: Dr. Xiang Guo and Dr. Zhiguo Yang, assisted by members of Missouri State’s Association for Business Information Technology Students.

Editor’s Note: This post was updated March 11, 2026, to reflect current offerings for the summer of 2026.