Download a full list of classes and descriptions:
Pre-Kindergarten
Full Day
Hop Into Kindergarten!
(Students currently completing PreK entering Kindergarten in the Fall of 2025)
Heading to kindergarten this fall? Then head here first! Our Hop Into Kindergarten class is a fun-filled week of readiness activities designed especially for incoming kindergartners. We’ll hold a mini kindergarten day complete with a morning meeting, writing, math games, read-a-loud stories, recess, science experiments and more. This class is a great way to gain confidence and get excited about the coming school year! Open to any children going into kindergarten (at any school).
Kindergarten
Full Day
Kindergarten Kids
(Students currently completing K and entering 1st in the Fall of 2025)
A little bit of this, a little bit of that and a whole lot of FUN! Students will experience a myriad of activities designed to bust summer boredom all themed around amazing storybooks. Combining many activities and themes, the K class gives your child a chance to experience some of the best we have to offer at Cub Camp- math, science, literacy, and more!
Class Descriptions
STEAM Camp (Grades 1-3) Get ready for a week of creativity and discovery in this exciting STEAM-focused class! Students will engage in a variety of hands-on activities that combine science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Projects include making bottle rockets, creating colorful paintings, crafting slime, building boats, and even making the famous "elephant toothpaste!" Students will get to put their problem-solving skills to work while exploring the fascinating world of STEAM. Instructor Jordan Hileman.
Storytime Adventure (Grades 1-3) Students will embark on a storytelling journey, learning how to write and illustrate their own books. They’ll start by brainstorming characters and settings, then move on to creating their plot and illustrations. With guided support, each child will create their own storybook, combining their imagination with writing and drawing skills. By the end of the course, they’ll have a completed book to take home and share with family and friends!
Art with Eric Carle (Grades 1-3) Step into the colorful world of Eric Carle! This art class is inspired by the beloved children’s author and illustrator, students will explore his unique collage techniques to create their own masterpieces. Using painted papers, scissors, and glue, they’ll craft vibrant animals, plants, and scenes just like those found in The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear. By the end of the class, students will have their own story-inspired artwork to share, celebrating their creativity and love for art!
Exploring Our Backyard (Grades 1-3) They crawl, they fly, and they pollinate. With binoculars in one hand and magnifying glass in the other we’ll dig deep into the secrets of the backyard to gain an understanding of where our food comes from, and an appreciation of the beauty and magic of the natural world. We’ll discover seeds and roots, vegetables and fruits, wiggling worms, butterflies, bugs, and more!
Junior Engineers (Grades 1-3) Get ready to design and build like a real engineer! In this class, students will tackle fun challenges that introduce basic engineering concepts. Using everyday materials like paper, straws, and blocks, they’ll create bridges, towers, and even simple machines. Each activity will focus on teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, giving students the tools to think like engineers. Perfect for curious minds who love to tinker, this class makes engineering fun and approachable for young learners!
Ready Vet Go! (Grades 1-4) Who doesn’t at some point want to be a vet? This session helps that passion come alive with fun and educational programming using role play, activities and crafts to explore the world of veterinary medicine. Students will learn to assess the health of animals, learn about animal nutrition, learn how to care for stitches and check for ticks, learn about the many veterinary professions there are and much, much more. Instructor Jordan Hileman.
Soccer (Grades 1-5) - Learn how to dribble like Messi, shoot like Ronaldo and create goals like Pulisic! This class will focus on next level soccer skills to improve your footwork, speed, ball control and accuracy.
Bump, Set, Spike Volleyball (Grades 1-6) Bump, set, spike! Yes, it’s volleyball time! Volleyball Camp focuses on developing fundamental skills and knowledge of the rules. Campers will experience a small player to coach ratio giving them ample time to work on their skills with SSU's own volleyball team!
The Power of Children (Grades 1-6) Explore the incredible stories of four extraordinary children—Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, Ryan White, and Malala Yousafzai—who changed the world through courage, resilience, and determination. In this engaging and interactive class, students will dive into the heritage and backgrounds of these inspiring figures through art, webquests, games, roleplay, and even cooking. Along the way, they’ll discover how their own actions can make a difference in their communities and beyond. This class is a journey of empathy, empowerment, and understanding for young changemakers!
Color Your World (Grades 1-6) Explore and create with this fun and engaging session! Students will be provided in-depth opportunities to explore art-making with emphasis on all stages of the creative process: conceptualization, planning, and execution.
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
Cheerleading Champs! (Grades 1-8) Students will learn the fundamentals of cheerleading, including crowd-pumping sidelines, cheers, and band chants that make every game thrilling. Using poms, signs, and proper spiriting techniques, campers will master motions, voice inflection, jumps, and even crowd-pleasing stunts. The week will culminate in a performance for the Cub Camp audience, where each cheerleader will showcase their newfound skills. Get ready to cheer with confidence and style! Taught by Jenny Kinker Cole.
Slammin’ Sluggers Softball (Grades 3-6) Softball players of all ability levels and positions will benefit from a week in the softball session. Students will participate in a variety of offensive, defensive, and situational softball drills that they can use as the foundation for their future softball career.
eSports (Grades 3-8) Learn the tips and tricks to competitively crush Hero, League of Legends, Mario and Smash Brothers by examining VOD reviews and learning tips from the pros.
Shark Tank (Grades 3-6) In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship by creating their own business from the ground up! Through a series of fun and interactive activities, students will explore key concepts such as identifying a market need, developing a product or service, and building a brand. They will brainstorm ideas, develop a business plan, and refine their pitch. At the end of the course, students will present their business ideas to a panel, just like real-life entrepreneurs do when seeking investors.
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
Game Programming in Scratch (Grades 4-6) Discover the basics of programming in this class led by SSU’s Associate Professor and Engineering Technologies Chair, Jason Witherell. Using the Scratch online programming tool, students will learn how to think like a programmer and build skills that translate to more advanced coding languages. Perfect for beginners, this class starts with creating simple scenes and gradually adds interactivity, sounds, and advanced elements. By the end of the week, students will have a custom project to share, setting the stage for future coding adventures!
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
Crochet Creations (Grades 4-8) Ready to get hooked on crochet? This creative class will introduce you to the world of crochet, where you can turn yarn into anything from scarves and blankets to adorable stuffed animals! You’ll learn the essential skills to get started and explore different types of yarn and the variety of projects you can create. As you work through the basics, you'll begin your own crochet journal, a place to track the patterns you learn and the progress of your projects. Whether you're a beginner or just looking to refine your skills, this class will help you take your first steps toward creating beautiful handmade items. Taught by Emily McGinniss.
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
The Game of Life (Grades 4-8) Dive into the world of possibilities as you explore exciting careers! In this class, students will take a job interest survey and research various professions. Learn directly from community members through engaging videos that highlight their daily tasks, career journeys, and the training they pursued. Wrap up the week by creating a vibrant poster showcasing your favorite career, which will be proudly displayed for everyone to see! Activities include a career scavenger hunt, poster creation, and inspirational career stories from real-world professionals. Instructor, Kaitlyn Wilson.
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
Game Programming in Roblox (Grades 6-8) Join SSU’s Associate Professor and Engineering Technologies Chair, Jason Witherall, to dive into game development using Roblox Studio! Students will plan, design, and script their own simple game using the Lua programming language and tools like Blender. By week’s end, participants will have a working game to share and an introduction to game development. Students should be comfortable with a keyboard and mouse and bring their free Roblox account info.
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
D&D 101 (Grades 6-8) In this Dungeons & Dragons class, students will immerse themselves in the basics of the game, including character creation, understanding the mechanics and rules, and most importantly, learning how to work as a team. On Day 1, campers will dive into the exciting process of crafting their own unique characters, choosing race, class, and abilities to shape their adventurer. Day 2 will focus on a detailed tutorial that explains how to play, from understanding the dice rolls to navigating the core mechanics of the game. The final two days will bring these skills to life as students engage in a short-form campaign, using teamwork and strategy to solve quests and face challenges together. By the end of the week, campers will be ready to embark on their own D&D adventures with confidence and collaboration. Taught by Derrick Parker.
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
Pop Culture Trivia Challenge (Grades 6-8) Students will test their knowledge of pop culture, covering everything from music and movies to travel, TV shows, artists, and books. But there’s a twist—correct answers won’t earn you points unless you can “score” in the game of the day! Each trivia question will be paired with a fun and competitive game, like trashcan basketball, picking numbers, and more. The excitement builds as students answer questions and race to complete challenges for points. It’s a thrilling combination of brains, creativity, and physical skill—perfect for anyone who loves trivia and fun games! Taught by Jordan Hileman.
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
Dance, Dance, Dance! (Grades 6-8) Step into the spotlight in this energetic and exciting dance class that combines ballet, jazz, and hip hop! Students will start by learning the foundational movements and techniques of ballet, then be introduced to the expressive and dynamic world of jazz, before diving into the fast-paced rhythms and choreography of hip hop. On the final day of camp, students will showcase their skills with a live performance for the Cub Camp audience! Instructor Jenny Kinker Cole.
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
A Journey Through Our History Explore The Murals (Grades 7-8) Students will delve into the vibrant history of Portsmouth, Ohio, through its iconic floodwall murals. These murals serve as a visual storytelling medium, highlighting key events, figures, and cultural aspects of the city. Students will begin by analyzing these artworks, engaging in discussions about the historical events and themes they depict. Then, students will work in groups to design and create their own mural, inspired by a significant event, person, or era from Portsmouth’s past. The camp will culminate in a mural presentation where students will share the historical importance of their chosen topic and explain how it is represented in their mural design. Taught by Lora Alexander.
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
Mystery Makers: Writing & Solving Whodunits (Grades 7-8): Unleash your inner detective and author in this exciting introduction to mystery writing! Taught by SSU faculty member Eric Brown, this class combines the thrill of solving a live murder mystery with the art of storytelling. Students will analyze clues, map out suspects and motives, and use visual organizers to craft compelling mystery plots. Through interactive activities, participants will create physical or written clues, design logic puzzles like coded messages or riddles, and workshop their own short mystery stories. The week concludes with a thrilling final project: a flash fiction mystery paired with a custom logic puzzle. Sharpen your deductive reasoning and storytelling skills in this immersive and creative journey!
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
Future Doctors: A Hands-On Exploration of Anatomy, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology (Grades 7-8) Curious about what it takes to be a doctor? This in-depth, hands-on session from Shawnee State University's Pre-Med Department offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into the sciences that are essential to the medical field. Through exciting laboratory experiments, students will explore anatomy, microbiology, and molecular biology. Activities include dissecting animal organs, isolating and taking home their own DNA in a personalized necklace, growing bacteria, and even making ice cream with liquid nitrogen! Students will also culture bacteria from their own throat and skin, giving them a real-world understanding of the microorganisms that both protect and challenge our bodies. This immersive session offers a glimpse into the medical profession, providing students with valuable, practical experience in the science of medicine. This session takes up both afternoon sessions, you will need to register for this class for session 2 and 3.
*Approved for funding from the South Central Ohio ESC Scholarship Program, if camper is eligible*
Download a full list of classes and descriptions:
Cub Camp Schedule
8:30-9:00 Drop-Off
9:00-9:30 Opening Assembly
9:45-11:15 Session 1
11:15-12:00 Lunch
12:15-1:45 Session 2
2:00-3:30 Session 3
3:30-4:00 Pick-Up