Our expert STEAM instructors come from a variety of content backgrounds and help to create a positive camp experience by facilitating a safe, fun and engaging adventure. Additionally, our camps work closely with NIU professors and faculty to provide authentic college experiences. Our camp counselors are NIU college students pursuing a variety of majors, who serve as role models and mentors and provide assistance to our campers. All our camp staff are required to pass an extensive background check and complete appropriate training.

No, we welcome campers from across the United States and internationally. Our residential camps offer on campus lodging and accommodation included in the cost of the camp. Day camps do require families to pick up and drop off their camper daily.

All of our camps sessions will have no more than 25 campers. Multiple camp sessions are offered each week resulting in up to 120 students total on campus. Throughout each camp, students often work together in small groups to complete design challenges, investigations, practical learning experiences and other exciting activities. The adult-camper ratio is approximately 1 to 10.

Campers should plan to bring casual, school and weather appropriate clothing for each day, including at least one pair of long pants. All campers are required to bring one pair of sturdy, comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes. We also recommend all campers bring a sweatshirt or light jacket for evenings and air-conditioned rooms and a raincoat, umbrella or poncho. Additionally, campers should bring a personal water bottle, pillow, bed linens (for twin sized bedding) or a sleeping bag, bath towel, all personal hygiene necessities, shower shoes and sunscreen. Campers may also choose to bring money for snacks, souvenirs, etc. A parent information email, with additional information will be provided prior to the start of the camp session.

Please refer to the behavior contract. This is a working college campus, and all school rules will still apply. Campers should not bring any video gaming systems or laptop computers. Please note when considering packing technology and other valuables that NIU is not responsible for any lost or stolen personal items.

Our camps are designed for students entering grades 2-12 who are interested in exploring STEAM content in hands-on, engaging ways. Our camps challenge campers to think critically, work collaboratively and explore and apply complex concepts. Campers should come prepared to challenge their curiosity and creativity to investigate real-world problems and solutions. In addition to exploring a variety of innovative topics, our residential camps are designed to provide a college experience to those considering postsecondary education. Students attend camp sessions during the day, stay overnight in the residence halls and eat in the dining halls. Our camp staff are trained to support and encourage campers with a wide variety of learning skills and abilities, including high achieving students and students with special needs. Please contact us at niusteam@niu.edu should you wish to further discuss your student's needs.

Responsible parties must complete the online application and pay the appropriate deposit. There is a $100.00 for early registrants, increasing as the camp start date draws near. By applying online, you will be automatically enrolled to pay the fee balance in full or with a payment plan. After your initial registration and deposit, you should receive an invitation to complete the remainder of your camper's application via email from an online system called CampDoc. If you do not receive that email, please reach out to us at niusteam@niu.edu. Please note that most of our communication is through email, so be sure to use an email address you check often.

The camp registration fee covers all camp instruction and materials. For residential camps, the camp registration fee covers lodging and meals. For middle and high school day camps, lunch will be provided. For elementary ½ day campers who register for both a morning and afternoon session in the same week, campers should bring a bag lunch. Lunch will not be provided.

Yes! The best discount is our early bird rate. Most camps offer this early bird rate. If your camp is eligible, you will receive the early bird rate by simply registering before April 15th. After the early bird date passes, there are discounts for campers that register for multiple camps, siblings, or campers of NIU employees. Please note: we work hard to keep our camp fees as low as possible for all campers, so we strongly encourage early registration to take advantage of our early bird discount.

To reserve the camper's spot in the camp, you need to provide a deposit. If you are applying more than 60 days prior to camp, you will be charged a $100.00 deposit at that time and then will be charged two additional times: at 60 days prior to camp, you will be charged 50% of the camp fee minus the $100.00 deposit and at 30 days prior to camp, you will be charged the remainder of the fee. If you apply within 60 days of camp, you will be charged 50% of the camp fee at the time and the remainder 30 days prior to camp. If you apply within 30 days of camp, you will be charged the full amount at registration. Please take this payment plan into consideration when providing us with a card number as all charges will be made on the same account.

Thanks to generous donors, NIU STEAM can offer financial assistance to a limited number of residential campers, based upon need. The camp scholarship application can be found on our website or requested by emailing niusteam@niu.edu. Our scholarship funding is limited, and our requests typically outnumber the funding available, so we highly encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible. Deadline for camp scholarship applications are May 1st with awards announced on or before May 15th

Many local organizations offer financial support for campers. We suggest checking with your local service groups, booster clubs, and your school guidance counselor.

Northern Illinois University is in DeKalb, IL, located 65 miles west of Chicago and 45 miles southeast of Rockford. NIU is a comprehensive educational institution that has a regional and national reputation for the quality of its students, faculty, staff, facilities, and research activities. NIU's 514-acre main campus in DeKalb is located one mile north of the East-West Tollway (Interstate 88) near the junction of state highways 38 and 23. Visit our website for a detailed map.

NIU STEAM Camps are structured and rigorous. Students should plan to attend all camp sessions and activities with their camp group.

7:00 a.m. - Wake up calls begin

7:30 a.m. - Breakfast

8:30 a.m. - College Prep Sessions

10:00 a.m. - Morning Camp Session

Noon - Lunch

2:00 p.m. – Afternoon session

5:00 p.m. – Dinner

6:00 p.m. - Evening activity

9:00 p.m. - Campers return to residence halls

9:30 p.m. – Quiet time

10:00 p.m. - Lights out

NIU STEAM Camps are structured and rigorous. Students should plan to attend all camp sessions and activities with their camp group.

9:00 a.m. - College Prep Session

10:00 a.m. - Morning Camp Session

Noon - Lunch

2:00 p.m. – Afternoon Camp session

4:00 p.m. - Campers released to go home

NIU STEAM Camps are structured and rigorous. Students should plan to attend all camp sessions and activities with their camp group.

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - AM Session

Noon – campers released to go home, for those participating in the PM session they will eat their own bagged lunch with our counselors

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m - PM SESSION

4:00 p.m. - Campers released to go home

In the evenings, campers will participate in a variety of social and recreational activities. Some examples of evening activities may include bowling, visiting the rec center or lagoon, or visiting NIU’s Esports Arena. Campers will also have at least an hour of free time every night that they can use to relax and call home.

A message with detailed instructions regarding arrival and drop off will be sent by email to the camper’s parent or guardian approximately one-two weeks prior to camp check in. For high school residential camps, camper check-in takes place on Sunday, early evening starting at about 6 p.m., in the main lobby of the assigned residence hall on NIU’s DeKalb Campus. For middle school residential camps, camper check-in will take place on Tuesday, early evening, starting at about 6 p.m. in the main lobby of the assigned residence halls on NIU’s Dekalb Campus. Day campers will check in each day in the building of their camp session space. For specific locations, dorm assignments, and more, please refer to the email sent out one-two weeks prior to camp or reach out to our camp team at niusteam@niu.edu.

Campers reside and dine in residence halls on NIU's campus in DeKalb, Illinois. The residence hall is air conditioned. Two campers share a room. Adult supervision is always provided as camp counselors stay in the residence hall along with the campers.

Campers may request a specific roommate on the CampDoc application forms. We do our best to accommodate these requests, but we do not guarantee all requests will be granted.

Campers participating in our residential camps are required to stay overnight in the residence halls on campus.

For the safety and supervision of all students, families and visitors may not come to campus during program hours. If you need to contact your student, please call our office or your student directly and request that we be notified.

Also note that door dashing items to students is NOT allowed. For safety reasons students will not be allowed to accept doordash, uber eats, or any other delivery services unless it falls during the pre-approved times or if they have pre-approval from the Camp Directors.

Snacks will be available, but campers will not be served a full meal on arrival night. Please plan accordingly.

Parking will take place in the visitor parking lot (121 Carroll Ave, DeKalb, IL 60115). Parents and campers should look for a NIU STEAM table in the residence hall lobby to find the check-in for camp. There may be a few other camps checking in at the same time. Campers will sign in and will receive their nametag and room key at this time. Parents of campers with medication will need to turn medications in, in the medicine’s original packaging, in labeled Ziploc bags to the designated person at the time of arrival. If there are students with any health or learning concerns, parents should speak with the designated camp directors at this time. Parents are also welcome to accompany campers to their room to help them settle in. Once campers check in, they are not able to leave the assigned area without speaking to camp administration. We ask that parents leave prior to the start of camp orientation.

At 3 p.m. on Friday during the week of camp, all residential campers will participate in exhibition hall style event where campers will be able to talk with stakeholders (including parents!) about what they have done and learned throughout the week. Campers are excited to share their experience with family members, so you won't want to miss their presentation, if possible.

All presentations will be hosted in the Holmes Student Center (HSC) located at the heart of campus. Parents should park in the visitor lot off Carroll Avenue and make their way to the HSC. There we will have staff helping to guide families to the correct rooms.

Residential Camps

Campers will pack up before breakfast Friday morning, so they’ll be ready to go upon completion of their presentation. Once they’re finished presenting on Friday afternoon, campers whose parents are present may head with them to the residence hall and retrieve their possessions. They will need to return their room key to the camp directors to sign out. Parents or guardians who are not able to attend the presentation should pick their child up at the residence hall promptly at 4 p.m. Campers will be escorted to the residence hall by counselors at the end of the presentations. School groups, who travel by bus, will need to be picked up promptly at 4p from the residence halls. Please ensure you have an updated list of campers you are picking up.

Day Camps-1/2 Day Camps

Campers should be picked up each day at the posted time the camp concludes. For middle and high school camps that will be 4:00p. Campers with prior approval will be allowed to drive themselves home (high school only). For Elementary camps, campers will need to be picked up promptly at 12:00pm for AM only camps; 4:00pm for PM only camps; 4:00pm for campers participating in AM and PM camps.

Parking will take place in the visitor parking lot (121 Carroll Ave, DeKalb, IL 60115)

For pick-up on Friday, don’t worry—we’ll send parking details to parents before check-out, as locations may vary depending on the residence hall assignment. Be sure to check your parent information email for all the important details.

Yes, we simply ask that you please notify us prior to camp check in so that we may prepare a free parking permit prior to their arrival. Please Note: While the camper is at camp, campers will not be allowed to drive their vehicle.

A parent or guardian must give the camp director a dated and signed letter that explains:

• Who is picking the camper up and their relationship to the camper (aunt, uncle, friend, etc.).
• The date and time the camper will be picked up.
• The date and time the camper will return (if applicable).

For safety reasons, we will not release any camper without a dated and signed letter from their parent or guardian. The individual picking up the camper will be required to show valid identification. If you are not able to get a signed letter, an email from the parent email on file will need to be sent to niusteam@niu.edu with the subject: Student Name Pick Up Information.

In addition to the standard Cancellation Refund Policy stated on our website, NIU STEAM also offers optional cancellation insurance for $100. This fee provides for a full refund of camp fees for cancellation for any circumstances, as long as NIU STEAM receives notification by email (niusteam@niu.edu) prior to 6:00 pm CT on the camp check in day. Further, this insurance provides for a prorated refund of camp fee if a camper needs to leave camp early for any reason, including sickness, family emergency or other unforeseen circumstances.

All cancellation requests must be in writing and sent to niusteam@niu.edu. Day Camp Cancellation Policy If you cancel prior to May 1, you will receive a full refund minus a $75 cancellation fee. If you cancel 30 days prior to the start of the camp session, you will receive a refund of fees paid minus $75. Between 30 and 15 days prior to the start of the camp session, a refund of 50% will be given. There will be no refunds given for cancellations within 15 days prior to the start of camp, except in cases of documented emergencies. Residential Camp Cancellation Policy If you cancel prior to May 1, you will receive a full refund minus a $75 cancellation fee. If you cancel 30 days prior to the start of the camp session, you will receive a refund of fees paid minus $100. Between 30 and 15 days prior to the start of the camp session, a refund of 50% will be given. There will be no refunds given for cancellations within 15 days prior to the start of camp, except in cases of documented emergencies.

Residential campers eat in the dining hall for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Middle and High School Day campers will eat lunch in the dining hall. Elementary full day campers will eat in one of the STEAM spaces.

Please alert us to any food allergies and/or dietary restrictions on the health form in CampDoc. Your child will be choosing food cafeteria style in the residence hall. A variety of prepared items are available each day, with options for students with dietary restrictions clearly labeled. The only items that are not labeled are commercial foods, such as cereal dispensers, for example. For those items, students will be expected to know what brands are safe for them or not. The dining staff has been trained in preparing gluten free meals, but we must be notified in advance if this is required. If we provide snacks for special events, we will be sure to accommodate any allergies.

For most illnesses, the camper will be isolated from the other campers with a counselor to watch over them while you are notified to come pick them up. We can arrange, with your permission, to bring a camper to an immediate care center if needed, a useful option for campers from a greater distance. An incident report form will be completed and a copy shared with families if a child becomes sick.

If your child is injured at camp, NIU STEAM Camp Directors will reach out to the parent/guardian on file listed as the emergency contact. We will document the injury on an incident report form that will be shared with the family. If the injury requires immediate attention beyond basic first aid, appropriate medical personnel will be notified and the camper may be transported to the nearest emergency room, which is Northwestern Medicine - Kishwaukee Hospital.

All NIU STEAM Staff have completed their CPR/First Aid/AED training. All camp counselors have completed basic emergency preparedness training. Throughout the day, NIU STEAM camp directors will be on site to be able to support any emergency situations.

If there are situations where severe weather arises, campers will be moved to secure locations as well as all campus protocols regarding weather will be followed. To familiarize yourself with these policies please refer to the NIU Emergency Response website.

All immediate concerns regarding NIU’s campus are listed on the NIU Safety Notifications website.

If you have additional questions, please contact NIU STEAM at niusteam@niu.edu. Emergency contact information will be sent out with additional information a week or two before camp.