UW-Superior youth, high school programming offers an array of opportunities

The University of Wisconsin-Superior provides educational access across the lifespan. Nowhere is this more evident than in the universities’ expanding array of youth and high school programs. With offerings that focus on education, the fine arts, athletics or pure entertainment for youth and high school participants, the university strives to support the communities it serves.

Here are just a few of the youth camps and events UW-Superior will offer in the upcoming months.

LITTLE YELLOWJACKETS SUMMER CAMPS

Little Yellowjackets Summer Camps are back with eight weeks of camps beginning June 10 and ending August 2. The program offers a safe, educational and fun adventure for children in grades K to 6, ages 5 to 12, (relating to the 2024-25 school year).

 “We may be a small program, but that just means we’re able to offer more personal care and interactions with our campers,” said Sean Monnier, recreation program manager for UW-Superior’s Campus Recreation. “Each week, we will have a theme to pique the unique interests of our campers and will use many UW-Superior campus resources.”

Little Yellowjackets Summer Camp sessions are one week in length and structured with campers moving through UW-Superior facilities participating in a variety of programs throughout each day. Each session runs Monday through Friday. Children can be dropped off between 8 and 8:30 a.m. at the Marcovich Wellness Center. Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. with pick-up between 4:30 to 5 p.m. at the Marcovich Wellness Center.

Camps emphasize core values of teamwork, communication and sportsmanship. Activities emphasize fun and physical activity while staff work with campers to improve basic skills. Previous Little Yellowjackets Summer Camps have featured activities such as arts and crafts along with outdoor, recreational and team games. All activities are geared toward children at beginner and intermediate skill levels.

Little Yellowjackets Summer Camps utilize UW-Superior’s 115,000 square-foot Marcovich Wellness Center. The facility, which was built in 2003, includes the National Bank of Commerce Climbing Wall, four courts in the Lydia C. Thering Fieldhouse and three in the Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium, and a full aerobics and dance studio. Activities also take place at Siinto S. Wessman Arena, the home of UW-Superior’s men’s and women’s hockey teams as well as the Superior High School boy’s hockey team. 

Themes for previous Little Yellowjackets Summer Camps have included “Kick Off to Summer,” “Bugs N’ Stuff,” “Digging in the Dirt,” “Red/White/Blue,” “Camping Camp” and “Look for the Helpers.”

Enrollment in all camps is limited with group sizes ranging from a minimum of eight to a maximum of 24. This allows for a low child-to-counselor ratio of typically 7-to-1. For each camp, there are always three counselors with the group.

Registration opens for UW-Superior’s Little Yellowjackets Summer Camps on March 20 at 8 a.m. For more information, visit uwsuper.edu/LittleYellowjackets or contact Sean Monnier at 715-395-4651 or smonnier@uwsuper.edu.

SPORTS CAMPS AND CLINICS

Featuring a wide range of camps and clinics for players of all ages and skill levels, UW-Superior and Yellowjacket Athletics provide a variety of outstanding opportunities to further develop athletic skills.

Summer Yellowjacket Sports Camps have included boys basketball, girls basketball, volleyball, tennis, and track and field. In the fall, camps for baseball, softball, tennis and track and field are often held.

In addition to fundamental instruction, campers are exposed to sport-specific strategies and have the chance to improve in their individual areas. UW-Superior coaches and student athletes provide instruction and feedback designed to help improve athletic performance and develop skills to succeed.

For more information about upcoming Yellowjacket Sports Camps and Clinics, visit yellowjacketcamps.com or call 715-395-4619 or email sports@uwsuper.edu

COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL

With the ability to serve three distinct groups, the UW-Superior Community Music School has been tremendously successful since its inception in 2021, having provided lessons to nearly 60 students between the ages of 6 and 17. The school is able to offer lessons in voice and 12 different instruments – and through a unique partnership with Schmitt Music, UW-Superior will make payments on an instrument until the family is able. At that point, the family is credited for the payments.

“The UW-Superior Community Music School is a space that provides access to music teaching and learning,” said David Potter, director of the Community Music School and assistant professor/coordinator of music education at UW-Superior. “Specifically, providing individual music lessons to children, group music lessons to children, opportunities for university students to develop their music teaching artistry, and a space that provides professional development to music teachers in and around the community.”

The school employs ten students – all recommended by UW-Superior faculty. Early success has enabled the Community Music School to grow with the goal of continuing to be responsive to the community. The school is hoping to provide lessons for younger children and even toddlers, while also offering a song-writing class for adults – all with the goal of promoting lifelong learning. An additional aspect of the school – professional development opportunities – benefits music teachers throughout the region. The Community Music School offers six professional development sessions a year. These sessions take place once a month, usually on a Saturday, and provide professional development credit for music teachers.

To learn more about the Community Music School, visit uwsuper.edu/CommunityMusicSchool or call 715-394-8115 or email music@uwsuper.edu.

Youth and high school programs at the University of Wisconsin-Superior provide students of all ages experiential learning and academic experiences in a university setting. Students are able to engage with UW-Superior faculty and staff and have access to university facilities and resources. To learn more about youth programs at UW-Superior, call 715-394-8377, email link@uwsuper.edu or visit uwsuper.edu/SummerCamps.