What are the youth programs at Purdue Fort Wayne?
On this page, you will find an overview of Purdue Fort Wayne sponsored or affiliated youth programs. Click on the + icon to open the description of the program. The term youth programs refers to any program or activity including camps, academic enrichment opportunities, daycares, clinics, conferences, fairs, workshops, clubs, lessons, projects and practices for participants under the age of 18.
How do I register for a youth program?
To register for a youth program, please go directly to the website of the specific program and/or contact the program director for more details.
A note on the registration portal:
You will see the image below when you register for many PFW youth programs. If you do not have a Purdue career account, you will need to click the "Non-Purdue Login" to first create an account (username and password). Once you have an account, you will then log in via the "Non-Purdue Login page" and proceed to the payment page (if your camp has a fee) and registration page. For all PFW faculty, students, and staff, use the "Purdue.edu Login" page and use your Purdue career account information (not your PFW credentials).
Parents/Guardians: You will see electronic waivers once you register your child for a camp. Please read the waivers carefully. Check the Parents, Teachers, and Counselors page for additional tips on how to prepare for a PFW youth program.
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Community Arts Academy
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Helping youth find their passion: The Purdue Fort Wayne Community Arts Academy is dedicated to instilling an appreciation of the arts in children by offering summer camps and year-round classes and lessons in art, music, theatre, and dance. To read about and register for their camps and classes, visit pfw.edu/caa. Don't miss a class or camp--check out all the latest offerings from PFW Community Arts Academy on Instagram and Facebook.
At a glance
- Camps and classes are offered at various points throughout the year.
- Music technology camps take place at Sweetwater Sound.
- Costs range from $20 to $600.
- FWCS GEAR UP students may attend any high school summer camp free of charge.
- Lessons do not require a monthly commitment.
- 50% scholarships are available.
Check out these summer sessions:
Dreaming and Designing with Vincent for Grades 2-5
Use your imagination and dive deeper into making art this summer with Price Elementary art teacher Bonnie Bloom and Northcrest Elementary art teacher Hattie Preston. Campers will explore Vincent Van Gogh's style of artwork and create drawings, paintings, and mixed media pieces mimicking Vincent's bold, colorful style. Enter Vincent's famous bedroom painting to find inspiration for your own space—then make it come to life through printmaking and collage. Next, imagine and craft your dream playground using paint, cardboard, glue and tape. Work in 2D and 3D to bring ideas to life!- June 17 – 21 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Visual Arts Building, Room 210
- $225
Video Production Camp for Grades 6 – 8
From basic equipment tips and tools to understanding the impact video can have on an audience, students will walk away with an understanding of how to tell a story. Work with camera, microphone, and edit footage shot in and out of class using DaVinci, free editing software. Final camper projects will be screened at Cinema Center! Video Production Camp is directed by Dr. Art Herbig and Alix Watson of the Purdue Fort Wayne Center for Collaborative Media. Please register your camper using their fall 2024–25 grade level.
- June 17–21, 2024 | 9 a.m.– 4 p.m.
- Helmke Library, Purdue Fort Wayne Campus
- $275
- Register now!
Summer Theatre Masters for Grades 8–12
Gain confidence in your acting abilities and character and scene development. Master audition techniques and exercises using industry-standard practices. Please register your camper using their fall 2024–25 grade level.- June 17–21 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Meet at Kettler Hall, Door 7, Room G32
- $89
- Register now!
Don't forget to read the full list of offerings at pfw.edu/caa!
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STEM Camps, Competitions, & Outreach
College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science (ETCS)
Through competitions, summer exploration camps, and career programs, elementary, middle, and high school students are introduced to the world of engineering, technology, and computer science. Awards and recognition are a key component of the competitive events, recognizing excellence and effort as they reinforce self-confidence. All programs encourage students to use innovative thinking, collaborate on problem-solving, apply classroom learning, and explore their future career options with encouragement from Purdue Fort Wayne faculty and community partners. Our STEM youth programs build self-confidence, engage exploration of STEM, and encourage students in their future.
To check out the summer camps, visit ETCS' Summer Exploration Camps. For other outreach opportunities and one-day competitions, such as Eweek Model Bridge Building Contest and Lego League, go here.
At a glance for 2024
- Summer camps are offered in June and July.
- Costs range from $50 to $500 (residential camp).
- 1 Elementary camp
- 5 Middle school camps
- 8 High school camps
College of Science
The PFW physics department is proud to bring the summer research camp back on-campus after the long pause from the pandemic. Join our physics research camp and immerse yourself in small groups (3-4) working with individual faculty member in a setting similar to research labs and enjoy the excitement of scientific discovery!
- For grades 9 to 12
- Camp dates: June 17-21, 2024
- 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
- Cost: Free - Thank you to the Lily Endowment Inc.
- Click here to register
The Northeast Indiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (NI-STEM)
The Northeast Indiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (NI-STEM) Center has been established in partnership with a cadre of regional stakeholders to support and encourage active engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related activities and educational pursuits. Established in 2007, NI-STEM has been leading outreach STEM/STEAM activities throughout northeast Indiana for well over a decade.
The NISTEM Center works out of the Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) School of Education (SOE) to incorporate and support the diverse needs of the regions education systems, informal education centers, and business community. The NISTEM Center seeks to meet community needs in the pursuit to highlight, unify, support, and increase community involvement in STEAM-related activities for the children, youth, and adults in our region, as well as recruit others to participate in the engaging STEAM events regularly hosted in northeast Indiana.
Northeast Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair (NEIRSEF)
Supporting student research in science, engineering, computing, and mathematics for grades K-12 year-round across an eight county region of Northeast Indiana: Allen, Whitley, Miami, Adams, Kosciusko, Huntington, Wells, and Wabash Counties. Student researchers present their research at the annual Regional Fair, held between late February and early March. The competition serves as a qualifier for the Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair (HSEF) for grades 4-12 and a qualifier for the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for grades 9-12. For more information visit www.neirsef.org.
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Appleseed Writing Project
Appleseed provides a safe, welcoming atmosphere for students to explore all genres of writing under the guidance of experienced writing teachers from area schools as well as Purdue Fort Wayne. Students who are interested in learning about writing, improving their writing, and are looking for a community of individuals who share a love for writing are welcome to join. A common question for Appleseed is, "What if I'm not good at writing or what if I don't like writing? Should I still participate in Appleseed?" Appleseed is for all individuals, including reluctant and nervous writers. Participants who started off as nervous writers come to love writing by the end of their participation in Appleseed.
Summer 2024 information:
- Camps are divided into 3 groups:
- Elementary 4th–6th grade
- Middle School 7th–9th grade
- High School 10th–12th grade
- Camp times:
- Elementary camp: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Middle School camp: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
- High School camp: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
- Camps will run for two weeks: June 10-14 and June 17-21
- Cost: $100 -- Scholarships available! Contact Amy Dreibelbis for information: 260-602-9175.
- Students will have the opportunity to meet local authors, learn a multitude of techniques, work with other student writers from the area, and will contribute to a published anthology at the end of the camp.
- To register, click here.
- Camps are divided into 3 groups:
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College Preparation, Readiness, and Success
Several departments and units at Purdue Fort Wayne offer opportunities for high school students to explore our campus and get a head start in their college careers. The following programs are a good fit for students who are considering college, but may want additional mentorship in order to develop what it takes to succeed in college:
Purdue University Fort Wayne College Experience: Bloom Project, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- A three-day, two-night campus experience for young men of color and first-generation college students.
- Occurs either in June or July.
- Reach out to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to inquire about future camps.
TRIO Upward Bound
- As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Upward Bound federal program, TRIO Upward Bound provides students from the following schools college preparatory support services:
- Wayne High School/New Tech Academy
- South Side High School
- North Side High School
- New Haven High School
- Students who are currently in 9th and 10th grade are eligible to apply. For the application process and details, email [email protected], call 260-481-4188, or head over to their website.
- Students who are accepted participate in a nine-month, academic year program that includes academic support, enrichment activities, and a six-week residential summer academy. Services include: academic advising, tutoring, cultural experiences, college visits, SAT prep, Academic Theme Saturdays, and Summer Academy.
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Japanese and Korean Saturday School
For minors who are interested in participating in the Japanese or Korean Saturday Schools:
Japanese Saturday School
- Open to kindergarteners through high school students who study language and math according to the Japanese Ministry of Education’s curriculum.
- Supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education and Foreign Affairs.
- Go to their website for more details or contact Kei Quinn, principal at [email protected].
- Registration for adult classes are handled through the Division of Continuing Studies.
Korean Saturday School
- Open to Koreans, Korean Americans (including adoptees), and American children (5–17 years old).
- Supported by the Korean Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology.
- Email [email protected] for more information.
- Registration for adult classes are handled through the Division of Continuing Studies.
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Athletic Camps
Purdue Fort Wayne is also home to several athletic camps. Visit the athletics website to check out their current offerings.
At a glance for 2024
- Summer camps occur in June, July, and August and vary in length.
- Types of camps: soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, and college prep for athletes
- Costs range from $40 to $350.
- Camps are available for elementary, middle, and high school students.
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The Collaboratory: A Liberal Arts Summer Institute
“The Collaboratory” is a day camp that engages participants in collaborative activities, exciting field trips to museums and archives in Fort Wayne, and thought-provoking conversations centered around a wide range of topics related to the liberal arts. Guided by Purdue Fort Wayne faculty, participants will explore everything from the practices of how books are made and how our stories are told, to the archaeological secrets of Fort Wayne, to how our city functions and governs itself, to the history and diverse cultures that make Fort Wayne what it is—and much, much more! It is open to anyone ages 14–18 and is hosted by the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue Fort Wayne. The topic for the 2024 Collaboratory is “Exploring Place through the Liberal Arts.”
- Camp dates: June 10-14, 2024
- 9:00 AM -3:30 PM
- Click here to register (registration will be open March 15 through June 5)
- Click the "non-Purdue Login" to proceed to the registration page.
- Registration fee: $50
- For more information, visit the COLA webpage
