Paul Chouy / UTRGV
Texas Border Business
By Selena Olivia Lemus
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – MAY 27, 2016 – With summer right around the corner, finding the perfect camp for youngsters can be a hard decision. UTRGV has you covered, though.
UTRGV is offering innovative and fun summer youth camps for elementary and high school students this year.
Summer camps provide a safe place for young people to discover and explore their talents, interests and values, and for the older youths, can help them get a taste of college life on both UTRGV campuses. From outside athletic activities to fun academic projects, the camps encourage students to think outside the box.
“Kids really enjoy these camps,” said Arturo Cabrera, assistant director of the University Recreation (UREC) Summer Youth Camp. “They allow them to come out of their shell and meet new kids their age and make friends. It takes them away from their normal school routine.”
Cabrera has helped assist previous UREC youth camps and has witnessed the extraordinary advantages the programs offer.
“We had almost 500 kids register last year, and we are predicting to have even more children participate this summer,” Cabrera said.
He advises parents who are interested, or who have never registered their children, to do research the many benefits these camps bring to the participants. Cabrera remembers one 6-year-old who, on the first day of camp, refused to let go of his mother’s hand and held on tight.
“But after one day in camp, he didn’t want his parents to pick him up,” Cabrera said. “He had really enjoyed his first day and he didn’t want it to end.”
The activities and camaraderie help participants feel so relaxed and comfortable, they forget about being away from home. The camp feels like home.
“Parents sometimes feel uncertain about which summer camp to choose, but once they see what activities and goals are implemented in each camp, they say, ‘Yes! This is what I want for my child.’” Cabrera said.
Following are a just a few of the many UTRGV youth camps available this summer. To check out additional UTRGV Summer Camps, visit the website at https://www.utrgv.edu/camps/index.htm
UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy
ACADEMIC CAMPS
Railroad Safety (Edinburg Campus)
The University Transportation Center for Railroad Safety encourages students from K-12 to participate in the annual Teacher National Workshop and explore STEM concepts with the developed Lego Mindstorm Robotics and Maglev kits. Students will be able to have a great time while learning how to make the connections between different STEM Modules and design challenges.
Session I: Thursday June 2, 2016 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Elementary school STEM Workshop)
Session II: Thursday June 2, 2016 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Middle school STEM Workshop)
Session III: Friday June 3, 2016 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) (High School STEM Workshop)
Session IV: Friday June 3, 2016 (8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.) (Raising the Bar: Challenge-based Instruction for K-12)
Contact: (956) 665-3070
Website: www.utrgv.edu/railwaysafety
Young Artists Piano Camp (Brownsville Campus)
Prepare to be mesmerized by the talent of UTRGV’S Young Artists Piano Camp, brought to you by the UTRGV School of Music. The program is designed for intermediate and advanced pianists, grades 9 to 12. Admission is open to students who submit their audition through a DVD or YouTube link or schedule a live audition. Students must meet performance requirements and apply before June 20.
Contact: Dr. Kenneth Saxon
(956) 882-8267
The Art Academy (Edinburg and Brownsville campuses)
Have your kids learn about art while having lots of fun, during UTRGV’s Art Academy. Available at both campuses, the academy serves as a community outreach program and allows young minds to experience and learn about the visual arts. Students will be placed with professional instructors, as well as with department faculty. Registration is open to 4th- and 8th-graders ages 9 to 14.
Contact: Jayshree Bhat, director of Continuing Education
(956) 665-2071
Website: www.utrgv.edu/ce
STEM Exploration Camp (Edinburg and Brownsville campuses)
UTRGV Stem Exploration Camp is a residential camp for 35 rising 6th, 7th and 8th graders who want a chance to explore the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Registration deadline is June 3. The fee is $399, with room and board included.
Edinburg Campus: June 14 to June 18
Brownsville Campus: July 19 to July 23
Contact: Barbara J. Garza (director)
Yadira Mejia (coordinator)
(956) 665-7597p16outreach@utrgv.edu
PACT Theatre Camp (Edinburg Campus)
Have kids that adore theatre? The Powerful Actors Creating Theatre Camp (PACT) is open to youths from 3rd to 12th grades this summer. PACT was carefully created to build and perpetuate children’s love of theatre. This camp focuses on at least 12 different teaching areas, like enunciation and vocal projection, technical theatre concepts and improvisation skills. The camp is on the Edinburg Campus from July 11 to July 29.
Contact: Dr. Brian Warren, assistant professor
(956) 665-7474
ATHLETICS CAMPS
UREC Youth Camp (Edinburg Campus)
The UREC facility invites children ages 6 to 11 to become part of the world of fitness through basketball, volleyball, soccer, swimming, “kidfit,” climbing, dance, team sports and recreational games. Four sessions will be provided throughout the summer. Early registration for each is highly encouraged.
Session I: June 6- June 17
Session II: June 20- July 1
Session III: July 5- July 15
Session IV: July 18- July 29
Contact: Camp Office – (956) 665-7808
University Police – (956) 665-7151
UTRGV Women’s Soccer Youth Academy (Edinburg Campus)
Jump forward this summer by registering girls at the Women’s Youth Soccer Camp. It is open to girls ages 8 to 13 who love soccer. The four-day camp starts June 13 and runs through June 16. It will be loaded with fun and hard work for girls seeking to get better at the world’s most popular sport. It will be taught by trained coaches, who will focus on the basic technical, tactical and physical skills needed to learn the professional side of soccer.
Contact: Lindsay Vera, assistant women’s soccer coach
(956) 665-3772
Website: https://camps.jumpforward.com/utrgvwomenssoccer
UTRGV UCA Cheerleading Camps (Edinburg Campus)
Have kids in cheerleading? If so, register them for this summer’s UCA Cheerleading Camps. Led by Janet Pena, official cheer and dance coordinator, the participants will experience the rich tradition of cheerleading and learn technical skills required for a college-level cheerleading squad.
Camp I: 7th -12th: June 28 to June 30,
Camp II: 7th -12th: July 21 to July 24
Camp III: 7th -12th: August 2 to August 4
Contact: Janet Pena, Cheer & Dance coordinator
(956) 665- 3873
UTRGV ID/Team Camp (Edinburg Campus)
UTRGV ID/Team Camp is open specifically for high school students seeking a chance to showcase their sports talent. Taught by Lee Williams, assistant men’s soccer coach, the camp will be a great opportunity to demonstrate their raw talent in front of the UTRGV coaching staff.
Contact: Lee Williams, assistant men’s soccer coach
(210) 535-6332
