Camp Norse is a summer day camp opportunity for students entering grades 2-3 and 4-6. Camp introduces students to in-demand careers and a taste of college life. Nearly 200 campers will participate in one-week themed camps between June-August. Camp Norse inspires and challenges the next generation of thinkers and leaders while offering them a glimpse into the opportunities for their future.
Camp includes:
Additional Details:
Camp runs 9:00 am - 4:00 pm with pre- and post-camp options. Camp takes place entirely on NKU's campus unless otherwise communicated to parents in the event of a field trip.
We are offering two half-day camps in partnership with CINSAM. Select one of our half-day camps and one of their half-day camps to create a full-day program. Additional costs apply, including $10-15 for supervised lunch time - students must bring a packed lunch for half-day campus. Pre- and post-camp available for half-days.
Registration opens January 30!
$300 - Staff, Faculty, Students & Alumni
$325 - Community members
5-Day Half Day Camps
$150 - Staff, Faculty, Students & Alumni
$162 - Community members
$285 - Staff, Faculty, Students & Alumni
$310 - Community members
$270 - Staff, Faculty, Students & Alumni
$295 - Community members
(This project is supported with funding from the Kentucky Historical Society. For more information, see history.ky.gov.)
Free for all students.
$35: Pre-camp early drop off (7:30 - 9:00 am)
$35: Post-camp late pick up (4:00 - 5:30 pm)
June 9-13: Board Game Design
June 16-18: Life Skills Lab
June 30 - July 3: America 250: Kentucky's Role: funded in part by the Kentucky Historical Society
July 7-11: Storytelling Through Comics
July 14-18: Creative Inspiration
July 21-25: Science of the Human Body (Half Day - Morning - Grades 4-6); Science of Superpowers (Half-Day - Afternoon - Grades 2-3)
July 28-August 1: Emerging Leaders Camp
August 4-8: Vikings & Valkyries
Board Game Design
Students study, analyze, and then create their own games based on a topic/subject of their choosing, with the intent of furthering literacy, art, critical thinking, problem solving, research, and cooperation skills. The game development process has been proven to deepen abstract and critical thinking skills. By creating their own Roll & Move game, students may also be better equipped to tackle problems in their own lives or communities, interrogate choices they and others have made, and probe difficult subjects in ways previously unavailable to them.
Life Skills Lab
A holistic approach to prepare young folks for the challenges of adulthood. Covering twelve essential modules, including financial literacy, job application strategies, and effective communication, the program integrates theoretical knowledge with hands-on training. By fostering practical application and soft skills, our initiative aims to empower students with the comprehensive tools needed for successful adulting in both academic and personal spheres.
America250: Kentucky's Role
Unlock history through games! This camp invites students to dive into American history as we celebrate 250 years of America in an exciting, hands-on way. Using game-based learning, campers will explore significant events like the American Revolution, women’s suffrage, and the Underground Railroad, as well as the Mississippi Flood of 1927 and historic games spanning 250 years. Through interactive activities, primary sources, and project-based learning, campers will gain 21st-century skills like creative problem-solving, collaboration, and empathy. By designing their own game inspired by Kentucky history, they’ll discover that resilience grows through trial and error. The week concludes with a presentation of their original games to peers and family.
Storytelling Through Comics
Students examine and explore comic literature with the intent of furthering literacy and introducing students to book culture in the larger scope. Campers will not just enhance their reading and art skills, but engage in discussions about the texts that may help them tackle problems in their own lives and local communities.
Creative Inspiration
Designed to spark curiosity and cultivate innovation as participants explore creativity in “work.” Students will learn new skills through activities that span the creative arts.
Science of the Human Body - Morning - Grades 4-6
The Science of the Human Body camp dives into the basics of bodily functions such as the mechanics of movement, senses like sight and sound, the balance of internal systems working together and automatic responses to the external world. Students learn the wonders of the body with activities like running for one minute, measuring heart rate and calculating approximately how much energy was expended. In addition, students learn the importance of refueling the body with proper nutrition after physical activities. Maintaining health and fitness is a lifelong endeavor, and this camp is the perfect introduction for students to learn the basics!
Science of Superpowers - Afternoon - Grades 2-3
Many of the world most famous superheroes modeled their identities after creatures with unique abilities by using engineering and design techniques. Students will be given an opportunity to dissect these skill-sets and uncover the science behind such super skills. With 12 hands-on lessons, biology, engineering, and technology concepts are discussed through the lens of comic book heroes!
Not only does this camp explore the science aspect of superpowers, but dives into what makes a true hero in the community. Who in your local community is a hero and what do they give back to the community like a superhero does? Sometimes heroes are as close as the room next door. Through
collaboration and a community awareness students identify these real-life role models!
Pair these programs with half-day programs at CINSAM!
Emerging Leaders Camp
Campers spend the week developing their unique leadership style by learning about the elements of leadership, assessing their own strengths, and learning about leaders throughout history. Campers participate in service-learning projects to benefit local community partners.
Vikings & Valkyries
Explore the history of the people who inspired NKU’s mascot Victor E. Viking. Make Viking age crafts and play games. Learn about Norse mythology and make your own stories inspired by the Norse.
Participants will be provided lunch and snacks throughout the day.
Participants are encouraged to submit any food/allergies within the application. Our chefs at Norse Commons make adjustments to meals based on these requirements.
If students opt into pre-camp, they have an activity planned that is related to the week’s camp. For example, board game camp week will provide a variety of games for them to play as inspiration for their own designs. Snack is also provided.
After check-in, students participate in a variety of morning activities related to the topic, then break for lunch around noon. Lunch is provided at Norse Commons, our on-campus cafeteria. Parents and students can view the weekly menus on the Norse Commons website. After lunch, they participate in themed activities until the end of the day.
Post-camp is a chance to wind down from the day’s activities with a provided snack and light planned activities.
Camps take place on NKU’s campus, primarily in the academic buildings. They may also visit the Student Union, Campus Rec, and the library.
All camp staff are trained in CPR/AED and First Aid. In the event of an emergency, we are located close to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Fort Thomas.
When you are registering for camp, you will have the option to choose AM or PM care for each camp session.
If a participant cancels before the standard registration date (two weeks before the start of the program), they will receive a refund less the 10% non-refundable registration fee. Cancellations after the standard registration date are nonrefundable.
A child exhibiting any of the following signs and symptoms is required to be promptly isolated and released from care, or excluded from care until 24 hours symptom free, medication free:
If a student is discharged or excluded from camp due to illness, they must remain at home until (at least) 24-hours after their symptoms have resolved. This means if a child is vomiting at 5:00 p.m., they are required to be excluded from camp the next day. This is to ensure that viruses do not spread quickly through camp. Exclusions are made to this rule for fevers, ONLY if a physician confirms an ear infection, in which case - the student can return to school with a doctor’s note and completion of TWO doses of prescribed medication.
Call our main line: (859) 572-5100 and our Administrative Specialist will communicate the update to the camp staff.
The camp application has many fields available for sharing the names of multiple people who can pick up your child. If you need someone else to pick up your child, you can email us the day prior or call (859) 572-5100 the day of.
Water bottle
We will provide a list of activities to families ahead of camp. Each week we will send a wrap up of what we did, as well as pictures from their time at camp. We will also offer a chance for families to participate in an activity with campers at the end of each week.
We have spaces for 24 students in each week of camp with a 1:8 staff-to-camper ratio.
Our professional staff is Carolyn Noe, Danielle Turner, Shirley Hoffman, and Madelyn DiFilippo. Carolyn and Danielle are informal educators who help lead the programs. Shirley is our admin who will be helping with communication. Additionally, NKU students serve as camp counselors.
Absolutely!
Northern Kentucky University
Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Local: +1 (859) 572-5100
Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in HIC 225
