UB's Summer Programs Combine Fun with Education

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo once again steps up with opportunities for fun and intellectual excitement by offering summer programs to entice and inspire children, seniors and everyone in-between.

Taught by some of the most imaginative minds around, the schedule of non-credit workshops and camps for UBThisSummer reads more like a brochure of enticing summer activities than a course catalogue.

"Summers at UB have always been a time to unwind and enjoy," says A. Scott Weber, vice provost and dean for undergraduate education. "There is so much to do on campus this summer, with a great mix of fun and intellectual discovery, we again feel certain almost anyone can find something they will enjoy and be excited to share when the summer is over."

Bold words. But UB's summer programs always have held the interest -- intellectually, as well as satisfying the need for summer entertainment -- of those who have signed on. It's the time when the definition of "student" is used in the most flexible and all-encompassing way. Summer at UB is when workshops, summer camps, hand-on activities and field trips supplement the formal summer session and provide opportunities for the community to take advantage of all UB has to offer.

"My son, Elliott, a second-grader, was part of the 'Field Ecology Adventures,'" says Hadar Borden, administrative director of the Undergraduate Academies. "It was a healthy balance of summer camp fun while sneaking in a bit of academics when the kids were not expecting it.

"Elliott actually said, 'Mom, it's always an exciting adventure at ecology camp.' The program was fantastic. Elliott continues to share what he learned last summer while building on the knowledge gained through his experience to write his own book, 'A-Z Encyclopedia of Nature.'

"When we began to consider camp options for summer 2012, Elliott insisted that we register him to attend camp with Mr. Sandy. He made quite the connection," Borden says.

The full slate of summer activities and registration information can be found on the UBThisSummer website: http://www.ubthissummer.buffalo.edu. Among the highlights:

CAMPS

The Division of Athletics is offering a full menu of sports camps for students of all ages. Whether you are a curious young beginner or a skilled high school athlete interested in playing in college, come join UB's Division I coaches for professional instruction, access to college facilities and great fun.

"Field Ecology Adventures" is intended for children ages 8 to 12. Each day will be spent outside focusing on different environmental themes, among them nature awareness, terrestrial studies, aquatic studies, wildlife ecology and survival skills.

For your star high school student, the Department of Communication is offering a "Leadership Communication" workshop where high school students learn effective leadership and communications skills through hands-on, interactive activities held indoors and outdoors. Also offered is "Ancient Roots of War: Society, Weapons and Tactics," where participants, high school-age or older, study ancient military history and take part in hands-on outdoor explorations of military craft and technology.

Visual artists can join the "Drawing and Painting Forum," where students learn core skills of drawing and painting, or stencil a three-color poster during the "Screen-Print Gig Poster" workshop.

FOR ADULTS

UBThisSummer presents a variety of arts and culture sessions, including "Summer Strings," which teaches advanced string students from the high school level to young professionals; "American History Hollywood Style" for movie and American history buffs; and "American Experiences in Children's Literature," a one-day workshop on the topic of what it means to be American.

The "Lehrer Dance Summer Intensive Workshop," a seven-day intensive class for emerging professional dancers, drew participants from more than 20 states across the country last year and again will provide wonderful exposure for young dancers this June.

Interested in the outdoors? UBThisSummer offers a popular travel opportunity through Adirondack Adventure. Based at the first of the Adirondack "Great Camps," the group will be hiking, canoeing and kayaking to nearby towns and historic sites studying the history and natural habitats of the Great North Woods.

Also in the summer curriculum is "Archaeology for Teachers," a workshop for teachers who use archaeology as an educational platform for improving teaching skills in math, the sciences and social studies. For professionals in the fields of oil, gas and environmental geosciences, there is "Fractures and Tectonics of the Northern Appalachian Basin," being held in the Watkins Glen area. Also offered to professionals is the "Engineering for Ecosystem Restoration" program, a series of courses and electives that emphasize the science and practice of ecosystem restoration.

And the popular UBThisSummer Lecture Series will be back for another season of interesting lectures by prominent UB faculty members who share their enthusiasm and knowledge about a variety of topics. All lectures are free and open to the public. More information about the lineup of lectures will be available later this spring.

"It is difficult to appreciate the variety and the diversity of these summer offerings without taking a good look at our non-credit curriculum," says Weber. "There are workshops that really can satisfy everyone -- from a parent's hope to enrich their children's education, to those looking for some excitement, to a nontraditional student who wants to learn more about something that really interests them. We invite you to spend part of your summer on campus with us."