More than 2,000 children will be on campus this summer to participate in a number of different camp experiences. McMaster provides opportunities for children to swim, learn a sport from a varsity coach, create a Web site and learn about the body's healing powers, in addition to having lots of fun.

Here's a brief look at what will be happening on campus this summer for the younger set:

Sports Fitness School

Now in its 24th year, the fitness school remains popular. The camp is already full with 1,560 children signed up for the two-week sessions, held in July and August. Children, aged 6 to 14, choose to participate in three sports from 20 different options. More than 90 per cent of the camp counsellors who help the children enjoy themselves are McMaster students.

In addition to the two-week sports fitness camps, McMaster's Department of Athletics & Recreation also offers one-week, sports-specific camps where children learn from varsity coaches. The children can choose to do basketball, football, swimming or volleyball. At press time there were still openings for the one-week sports camps.

Mini-University

These two-week camps combine some academic subjects with swimming and outdoor recreation. The children select one module to pursue from a choice of three. The modules focus on science, biology and kinesiology or the humanities.

Engineering and Science Camps

The Faculty of Engineering offers two different one-week camps for children this summer.

The Venture Engineering & Science program is designed for children in Grades 4 to 8. The children do hands-on activities in biology, chemistry and physics. They also do sports at noon and have one pool day during their week.

The Adventures in Engineering Computing program is for children in Grades 5 through 10. Children who attend this camp will do lots of computing activities from Web design to taking old computers apart to see what's inside, in addition to swimming and sports activities. There will be an all-girls Adventure Camp the week of July 23.

Shad Valley Experience

The Shad Valley Experience is for senior high school students interested in science, technology and engineering. Fifty-two students from across Canada and Scotland will spend the month of July on campus, living in residence, while they attend lectures and workshops. During the month of August the students do work placements at sponsoring companies across Canada.