Camps Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Percussion Studio hosts first Discovery Day event

July 27, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Percussion Studio recently held its first Discovery Day learning clinic for area middle and high school students.

Thirteen area students participated in the event, held in April this year on the Springfield campus. Participating students came from Springfield’s Cherokee Middle School, Central High School and Parkview High School as well as Neosho, Nixa and Ozark schools.

Students did not need to audition to attend, according to Dr. Yun Ju Pan, assistant professor in the Department of Music. “Anyone with an interest in learning percussion is warmly welcome,” she said.

The Percussion Studio consists of all music major and minor students who take private percussion lessons. The result is a sense of community and collaboration, Pan said. “For us, the Percussion Studio is like a family—a place where students learn, hang out, practice and rehearse together. They are constantly learning from and supporting one another.”

Now taking applications for CSI Camp 2026

February 12, 2026 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) camp celebrates its fourth year with two full sessions during Summer 2026.

Incoming high school students — freshmen through seniors — are eligible to attend. The program is sponsored by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Camp 1: June 8-11, 2026
Camp 2: July 27-30, 2026

How to apply

Applications are being accepted online.

CSI Camp tuition is $275 per camper. Tuition fees include a camp t-shirt and daily lunch.

Sessions run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

This is a day camp that does not include breakfast, dinner, nightly lodging or transportation to and from the camp each day.

Each camp can accept up to 40 students.

Learn more

Emphasis on immersive learning

CSI Camp remains a popular option to introduce high school students to the world of criminology and criminal justice.

Campers participate in immersive learning activities such as collecting and reading fingerprints, analyzing blood spatter and ballistic analysis. They will even work a mock crime scene during their session.

Contact information

Registration, payment and administrative assistance: Christy Titus.

Camp curriculum: Dr. Michael Kyle.

General questions: School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at 417-836-3799 or criminology@missouristate.edu.

Check out CSI Camp

Student artists “start their journey” at 2025 Missouri Fine Arts Academy

July 1, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Ready to “start their journey,” 125 high school students from nearly 60 Missouri schools attended the 2025 Missouri Fine Arts Academy (MFAA) June 1-14.

As a summer residential program, MFAA serves highly motivated high school student artists throughout Missouri. The program, taught by faculty from across the state, gives students an immersive training experiences in visual arts, theatre, dance, creative writing and music.

The academy received 209 applications for the 2025 session, according to MFAA Director Dr. Fatih Benzer, associate professor in the Department of Art and Design.

The Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) at Missouri State hosts MFAA and works with the state legislature to manage the affordability of the Academy. As a result, MFAA 2025 students received free tuition, thanks to the support of the State of Missouri and private donations. Benzer said he remains grateful to Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for “keeping ‘MFAA 2025’ free.”

Scouts earn badges at MSU’s Merit Badge University

February 21, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University resumed its Merit Badge University (MBU) program by holding a one-day camp Jan. 25, 2025, on the Springfield campus.

In total, 116 scouts from St. Louis, Kansas City, Joplin, Lebanon, Webb City, Aurora, Carl Junction, Carthage, Ozark, Clever, Springfield, Republic, Nixa, Branson, Rogersville and St. Robert participated in the event.

Program director Dr. Michael Suttmoeller, associate professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and coordinator of the Conservation Law Enforcement Certificate, said several RCASH faculty volunteered to help the scouts earn various merit badges.

Suttmoeller acknowledged MSU’s faculty and RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jason Jolley for their support and effort. “I really appreciate all of the hard work and preparation that they each did to deliver high quality courses for the scouts,” he said.

Reviving a great idea

When Suttmoeller learned that MSU had hosted a merit badge program several years ago, he decided reviving the program would be a great idea. He immediately began organizing the event, recruiting faculty and arranging the logistics.

“A merit badge university was previously held at MSU, with the last date being 2016. None had been held since that time until 2025,” Suttmoeller said.

“I have been exposed to merit badge universities at other institutions and recognized that this was a program that could benefit both Scouting America as well as MSU.”