Jacksonville, AL –Per the Director of Strategic Communications for JSU, Buffy Lockette, in just a couple of weeks, parents are scrambling to figure out methods to help keep their kids active and occupied. This time, Jacksonville State University has created a variety of summer programs and camps to get the future Gamecocks out of the house and onto the campus for this summer.
Sport Camps June-July
The Gamecocks have held a variety of individual and team-based sporting camps this summer to help athletes of all ages develop their skills. Baseball, women’s and men’s soccer, basketball, and football have revealed their camps, whereas others are working out their options. Check on the Gamecock Sports Camps website for new additions.
Camp UREC
May 30 – August 4
The JSU Recreation and Fitness Center is offering a range of sessions during the summer for kids to get them active and up. There are a total of 10 week-long camps, each with a distinct theme, which run from May 30 until August. 4. Participants will be a part of the experience and become a Gamecock throughout Future Gamecock Week, get their finest costumes to wear for Costume Week or interact with animals in Animal Week. The day of camp runs from 8:15 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The drop-off time is at 8:30-8:30 a.m. and pickup 4 p.m. The cost of registration costs $125 for JSU affiliates, and $150 for other affiliates. Discounts are also offered for early bird registrations as well as families with multiple children.
JSU College for Kids
Beginning June 1
The Children’s Corner at Houston Cole Library will be hosting their 4th JSU College for Kids beginning on the 1st of June. The program is free and offers kids an opportunity to have a “college experience” with no-cost lessons covering a range of subjects that are taught by actual JSU professors over a period of a number of weeks. Participants who have attended 10 or more classes are awarded a diploma at a special ceremony to celebrate graduation. The program is designed for children aged 5 to 10 (slightly adjustable). Children younger than 5 are welcome to join the brand new Sir Cluckerton’s Club for Babies Gamecocks that will offer eight storytime activities all through the summer including activities for coloring snacks as well as early reading activities. The specific details and dates will be released on the 20th of May. To learn more, email Laurie Health via lheathcock@jsu.edu or Laura Pitts at lepitts@jsu.edu.
Canyon Kids
Beginning June 1
Beginning on June 1 until the end of 2023 The JSU Field School at the Canyon Center will offer an outdoor activity for children every Thursday, the first Thursday of each month. Children aged 3-8 are welcome to join in these fun classes in the natural world. The June 1 session between 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. The focus will be on amphibians and frogs. The cost is free, but it is limited by 15 participants. To sign up, contact at 256-845-3548 or send an email to rmtaylor@jsu.edu.
Gamecock Arts Summer Program (GASP)
June 4-9
The Gamecock Arts Summer Program (GASP) gives students in high school, aged 14-18, an opportunity to develop their education in the humanities and arts with a particular topic such as creative writing and visual arts, cosplay/costuming musical theatre, as well as filmmaking. The musical theatre portion of the camp is open to children ages 8-18. Workshops and classes can be taught by the faculty members and graduate students from departments like the Art and Design, Music, Film and Theatre, and English departments. Alongside participating in performance workshops, workshops and art exhibits students will also be able to enjoy leisure time on campus in addition to dining in Jack Hopper Dining Hall Jack Hopper Dining Hall or the Theron Montgomery Building food court. There are commuter and residential options offered. The deadline for registration is 5 May. For more information, send an email to Morgan Worsham at mworsham@jsu.edu.
Grand Camp at the Canyon
June 14-16
Parents and other adults with whom you trust are invited to take children aged 5-8 at the JSU Canyon Center in Fort Payne to learn about the environment and enjoy outdoor activities every day between 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Cost is $50 per participant. For more information or to make an appointment, contact 256-845-354 or contact rmtaylor@jsu.edu.
Plants and their Remedies
June 17
Plant lovers from 14 and older are invited to attend this one-day course in JSU Canyon Center. JSU Canyon Center on Saturday 17 June between 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. In the class, which is led by Herbalist Donna Smith, participants will be taught about the local plants, and the various applications, as well as the best ways to grow and harvest them from your own medicinal herb gardens. The cost of registration is at $65. Learn more and register online.
STEAM Summer Camp
June 20-21, 22-23
The JSU College of Education and Professional Studies is hosting Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Camp for kids who have completed 3rd-6th grade. Participants will participate in coding and robotics scientific experiments as well as math and literacy activities group building exercises, and much more. Two sessions will be held in June 20-21 for those who have completed the 3rd or 4th grade. June 22-23, for students who have completed 6th or 5th grade. Both sessions run from 9 a.m. until 2.30 p.m. and will be held in Ramona Wood Hall. The cost of registration for lunch, as well as shirt, is $40. The deadline for registration is on May 20.
Other summer activities on the JSU campus. JSU:
- Aged 5-18, children are allowed to use at the recreation center with an adult who is a member for $6 per day.
- Swimming lessons are offered on the Rec Center for both children and adults. The classes are available to non-members as well as members.
- Take advantage of the Children’s Corner located on the fifth floor of Houston Cole Library.
- Tennis is played at the JSU courts, which are located in the back of Pete Mathews Coliseum. You can bring your own racquet as well as tennis balls. It’s available anytime you are there is no use by JSU Tennis.
- Go on bike rides or take a walk in the nature along the Ladiga Trail.
- Go to at the JSU Canyon Center in Fort Payne, including the annual Bluegrass on the Rim festival in the 10th of June.
