ºÚÁÏÉçÇø

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø welcomes more than 1,100 community members, area children for summer activities

Polytechnic experiences offered at hands-on STEAM camps, professional development workshops, Murals in Menomonie festival
Abbey Goers | June 1, 2026

The academic year may have ended, but the summer is just heating up at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø with community classes, youth camps and a mural festival, featuring some of the world ºÚÁÏÉçÇø. best mural artists.

As part of ºÚÁÏÉçÇø ºÚÁÏÉçÇø. year-round campus activities, more than 1,100 community members and area children will join in hands-on, applied learning in campus labs and studios. 

Registration for many opportunities is still open:

  • The Middle School STEAM Experience and the High School STEAM Experience introduce young students to exciting career paths in science, technology, engineering, and art and design, while nurturing creativity and critical thinking skills.  are available for Wisconsin students.
  • Adult learners are invited to personal and professional enrichment courses and workshops designed to help advance careers or build connections through a new hobby, offered through Continuing Education and Conferences.
  • Young athletes can improve their skills at  and Stout Adventures’ Youth Climbing League, led by university coaches and staff.

And for four days, international artists will descend upon the city during . From Wednesday, June 24, to Sunday, June 28, artists, residents, and visitors will come together to celebrate creativity, wellness and community pride in this one-of-a-kind event. The mural created for the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø campus will be painted on the eastern side of the Administration Building, facing the Clock Tower Plaza.

Students sew garments in the Fashion Design Lab.

STEAM Experiences for young campers

Each STEAM camp is designed to engage and provide hands-on learning experiences and is led by ºÚÁÏÉçÇø faculty and university students. Unique tracks within the disciplines of STEAM include:

  • Science & Health: Freshwater science, fish conservation, anatomy, molecular ecology, psychology and gardening
    • Technology: 3D-printing, robotics and virtual reality 
    • Engineering: Construction, packaging and plastics engineering
    • Art & Design: Claymation, comics, game design, fashion, cinema production, interior design and drawing

The STEAM programs are sponsored by the Menomonie, Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire school districts, the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, the National Science Foundation, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Xcel Energy and the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Foundation & Alumni Association, in partnership with Continuing Education & Conferences.

Students complete obstacle course challenges with small robots they built.

Continuing Education classes for community members

Continuing Education & Conferences is collaborating with faculty and staff to develop in-person courses. Explore details and register to join on campus:

Continuing Education & Conferences is also  to understand public interest in personal enrichment classes and usage of university labs, studios and other spaces.

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Sports and activities

Athletics offers multiple summer  led by university coaches, staff and student athletes. Camps include baseball, softball, basketball, football, flag football, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, track, volleyball and dance.

Youth Climbing League offers introductory activities, designed to empower kids ages 6 to 12. Experienced instructors lead activities for all skill levels. Two sessions will be held from Tuesday, June 9, to Wednesday, July 15; and Tuesday, July 21, to Wednesday, Aug. 26.


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