College of Liberal Arts at Purdue Fort Wayne announces inaugural day camp June 10-14

Proving that not all summer camp experiences require sunscreen and bug spray, a first-of-its-kind offering from the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University Fort Wayne will give anyone age 14 to 18 a different way to stay entertained and sharp during their upcoming break.

“The Collaboratory” is a day camp that will engage 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.

The camp takes place daily June 10-14 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All activities will begin each morning at the Liberal Arts Building on the Purdue Fort Wayne campus. A $50 fee per camper includes a light breakfast and lunch each session. Assistance covering the fee may be possible based on certain eligibility criteria. Online registration closes June 5.

“The liberal arts are frequently misunderstood and undervalued,” said Janet Badia, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “One of our goals is to foster a deeper appreciation for the value of the humanities and social sciences, especially the ways everyone’s lives and communities have been shaped by such knowledge. The liberal arts are more relevant than ever – and the more complex our world becomes, the more important the liberal arts are.”

Guided by Purdue Fort Wayne faculty, the theme of this year’s camp is “Exploring Place through the Liberal Arts.” Campers will dive into a variety of topics including how books are made; how local stories are told; the relationship between food and culture; and the history and diverse cultures that make Fort Wayne what it is, including local abolition efforts in the 19th century. There will also be a focus on hands-on digital storytelling woven throughout the week.

The camp is made possible through a $10,000 pathways step grant from the Modern Language Association awarded to improve the recruitment, retention, or career readiness of undergraduate students. The Purdue Fort Wayne team led by Badia was one of 19 across the country to receive the funding.

To learn more about the camp, email [email protected] or call 260-481-6160.