ASMSA invites motivated Arkansas students to spend an exciting week of summer camp on our Hot Springs campus to connect with others and learn in a fun and challenging atmosphere. Whether you want to study microbes, painting, conservation, or programming, there is something at ASMSA for you.
Camps are open to all current 8th- and 9th-graders in Arkansas as well as 7th-graders participating in ASMSA-TIP. All camp activities — including tuition, housing, meals and class supplies — are free. 2024 camps will run Sunday, June 9, through Friday, June 14.
Applications open February 1, 2024, and all application materials are due by May 1, 2024. Accepted students will be emailed by May 8, 2024. For more information, check out the specific content areas below.
This camp combines hands-on biological experiments and exciting environmental field activities in the picturesque Ouachita Mountains. Field experiences will include water quality analysis of a stream; identification of local species and rock types; observation of plant-pollinator relationships, and a visit to a quartz mine. Campers will also learn cutting-edge biotechnological techniques like DNA barcoding, PCR, and how to make glowing bacteria.
Learn the basics of Japanese language and culture. Participants will learn how to introduce themselves, make some Japanese food, count yen, and more while exploring some of the cultural norms and unique aspects of Japanese society. Students will leave camp with tools and knowledge to continue learning Japanese independently.
If you like to learn how things work and create your own designs, this camp is for you! Learn about all types of engineering, from nuclear to electrical at this hands-on camp. Students will learn how to solder, use engineering design methods, and much more.
Are you a painter, photographer, or sculptor? Join other young artists at ASMSA’s Studio Art Camp! Students will engage in different processes including observational drawing, collage, painting, ceramics, and more.
Discover a little bit of everything ASMSA has to offer with this one-week “survey” summer camp. Campers will experience hands-on activities in physical and life sciences, art, computer science, literature, and more while meeting a variety of ASMSA faculty and community partners.
Summer@ASMSA is for Arkansas students who will be are current 8th- and 9th-graders during the 2023-2024 academic year. We also invite current 7th-grade students who are members of the ASMSA-TIP program to apply for camp.
All students who wish to attend Summer @ ASMSA must complete an application, which will be available in February.
Why do I apply instead of register?
Because Summer@ASMSA is funded through grants and state funding and has limited space, we want to ensure that students who attend are the best fit for our camps. As one of our outreach programs, we want to make sure that students from all across the state from all backgrounds attend.
Students do not need to have a minimum GPA to apply, but they do need to demonstrate through their application and educator reference an interest in camp content, academic ability, and a preparedness to attend a one-week, residential summer camp.
It is also very important that students who accept a spot at Summer@ASMSA attend the duration of the camp so that the funds are spent on their intended purpose–educating students.
I am applying to attend ASMSA right now. Can I attend camp?
If you are a 9th-grade student who is applying for admission to ASMSA in Fall 2024, go ahead and complete the camp application. However, please know that if you are accepted to ASMSA for fall admission, you are considered an ASMSA student and are therefore no longer eligible for camp.
Each camp will follow a similar schedule, with a majority of the day (9am - 4:30pm) spent in classes related to their content area. In the evening, our Res Life staff will host various social activities for all of our Summer@ASMSA campers.
Exact details will be provided to campers upon confirmation of their acceptance. Generally, campers will check into the Student Center mid-Sunday afternoon. After check-in, there will be a mandatory orientation meeting for parents and campers. Campers will check out Friday after class, once camp presentations have concluded. Campers should plan to be at camp for the entire week and are expected to participate in all camp activities.
All meals are in the Dolphin Bay Café on campus and provided at no charge to the camper. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are available. If you have a food allergy or dietary restrictions, please communicate that in advance of camp on your registration forms.
Students may request a specific roommate and suitemates. This selection will be requested after the student has been accepted into Summer@ASMSA. Both parties must request the other to be paired. Most campers will not know someone else attending camp, and our staff will pair them with roommates and suitemates.
All camps are funded through grants and dedicated funding from ASMSA. As such, camps are offered at no cost to participants. Each student who is offered a spot in Summer@ASMSA is expected to attend the duration of the camp and participate in all camp activities.
Campers may bring money to spend downtown at their families’ discretion. ASMSA is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Campers will have several opportunities to explore the beauty and history of downtown Hot Springs. Students who have permission from their parents will have multiple opportunities throughout the week to go downtown in a group with our Res Life staff.
Additionally, some camps may have local excursions that are part of the curriculum. These excursions and appropriate permission forms will be shared with campers and their parents when they accept their seat in Summer@ASMSA.
Keep in mind we do have activities and workshops year-round! Join our mailing list here to receive the latest updates. You can also follow us on social media at /armathsciarts to see our latest happenings.
If you have other questions, please email outreach@asmsa.org, and we will get back to you soon.