OSU provides variety of camps for K-12 students

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Numerous academic and athletic summer camps on the Stillwater campus give students the chance to learn directly from college professors and coaches.

Students have the opportunity to not only learn more about topics that interest them, but also see what Oklahoma State has to offer them. Some former camp participants are now OSU undergraduates and credit their college choice to their experience.

Andrew Bay, a senior sports media major from Wichita, was unsure of his college plans going into his junior year of high school. His sister was a student at OSU, and he received a flier for Sports Media Camp, hosted by the School of Media & Strategic Communications.

“I guess they knew I was interested in sports media, and it just happened to work well into my summer schedule,” said Bay in reference to his decision to attend the camp.

Although he already knew about OSU because of his sister, Bay said attending Sports Media Camp had a massive impact on his college decision.

“I ended up touring five different schools, and every time I went through their broadcast departments I was comparing it to my experience during Sports Media camp,” Bay said. 

Bay encourages students to sign up for these camps because of his experience with the curriculum and professors.

“The investment that all of these professors and professionals are putting into you is invaluable,” Bay said. “Just a weekend of work with them will make you more talented in whatever you do, and maybe you'll get to see how amazing OSU is as well.”

Sports Media camp is in its tenth year, but other camps, such as Teen Writers’ Camp, are just beginning. Teen Writer’s Camp, which is hosted by the OSU Writing Project, was created to provide outreach and opportunities for area students. Participants will learn to write creatively to and about music, compose song lyrics and perform their music or have it performed for them.

“Students will gain opportunities to work with published authors and recording artists who are eager to work with area students,” said Shelbie Witte, director of the OSU Writing Project. “Tips on how to publish writing as well as how to continue writing songs will be included.” 

For a full listing of camps, visit https://academicaffairs.okstate.edu/content/summer-camps.

Story by Katie Rosebrook