Summer learning on Marquette’s campus

Summer break doesn't have to mean brain drain for young people in the Milwaukee area. From STEM-based camps designed to ignite curiosity and critical thinking to running and shooting hoops on the hardwood, Marquette University provides multiple ways to keep students engaged and learning - and having fun.

Engineering summer programs

The Opus College of Engineering has an assortment of summer engineering experiences for high school students. The Summer Engineering Experiences are nonresidential, half-day programs hosted on Marquette's campus. The 2026 engineering programs are available for rising 10th graders and above. Families are responsible for their own transportation to and from campus each day.

"Our programs offer students the opportunity to create, challenge, experiment, fail and learn to think differently about problem-solving and their ability to contribute to engineering," says Dr. Kris Ropella, Opus Dean of the Opus College of Engineering. "Participants will be transformed in their skillsets and mindsets about how engineers approach the world and problem-solving. Moreover, they will experience the power of teamwork in finding innovative ways of thinking and creating solutions."

Program options:

• Fail, Learn and Repeat: exploration of Automation

• Water, Water, Everywhere: exploring water quality and water resources engineering

• Smarter Machines: exploring microcontrollers and artificial intelligence

• Code for Climate

• Biomedical Engineering Bootcamp: biology, medicine and technology

• Biomechanics Body Shop: exploring orthopedic injuries and treatment

• Adaptive Car Build Week with Go Baby Go! Milwaukee

To sign up or for more information, CLICK HERE.

Sports camps

For students who want to include physical activity and athletics into their summertime fun, Marquette has several sports camps from which to choose. Sports camps provide a way for Marquette teams to build a connection between Milwaukee-area children and their families.

"Along with individual instruction, each of our camps incorporate learning what it means to be a good teammate, and regardless of skill level, there is a focus on making sure every participant has a quality experience from start to finish," says Scott Kuykendall, senior associate athletic director for communications.

Sports camps:

• Boy's basketball

• Girl's basketball

• Boy's lacrosse

• Girl's lacrosse

• Boy's soccer

• Girl's Soccer

• Golf

• Volleyball

More information about the camps is available HERE.

Summer reading

Joining a summer reading program is one way to help prevent the "summer slide" or learning loss that some students experience over summer vacation.

The Tragil Wade-Johnson Summer Reading Program takes place the weeks of June 29 - July 2 (no program on July 3), July 6-10, July 13-17 and July 20-24. The 2026 program includes 90 minutes of structured literacy instruction, a healthy snack, recess, lunch and 60 minutes of hands-on STEM instruction. It's open to second through fourth graders.

Find out more information about the summer reading program HERE.

Summer Youth Institute

The Summer Youth Institute is a free program through the Marquette University Law School designed to introduce students to the legal system, expose them to careers in law and provide them with practical tools for achieving their educational goals.

The program is open to students entering grades eight through ten next fall. Enrollment is limited to approximately 24 students. This year's Summer Youth Institute will take place July 23-31.

Discover more information about the Summer Youth Institute HERE.

Storytelling workshop

The Diederich College of Communication invites high school students to participate in a two-day on-campus workshop where they'll use the art of storytelling to learn more about Marquette, the field of communication, media and themselves.

Students will participate in hands-on learning about media careers with leading-edge tools to discover and share their strengths, all with the guidance of Diederich College of Communication faculty. Students will also go on trips each day to local newsrooms and agencies to experience what they are learning live.

The Communicating the Story of You workshop takes place June 24-25.

To learn more and to register, click HERE.

Summer Business Academy

The College of Business Administration is hosting the Marquette Summer Business Academy, a transformative journey into the world of business. This three-day immersive camp offers you the chance to get valuable early exposure to a variety of business areas and hands-on experience with your future career before college.

The business camp will take place June 22-24.

To learn more about the workshop and to register, click HERE.

Developing leaders in real estate

The Vieth Institute for Real Estate Leadership is hosting the MKE CRE Summer Immersion Camp. This weeklong intensive summer program is for high school students in the Milwaukee area from underrepresented backgrounds. Students learn about commercial real estate while providing hands-on experiences and site visits.

Find out more information about the camp HERE.