Franklin College’s annual summer camp, CampGRIZ, offers middle and high school students, grades 5-10, with experience and insight into the value of higher education. The camp strives to prepare youth for the future with information, resources and the mindset to experience the world with curiosity, understanding and self-confidence.
Campers are encouraged to choose from one of five hands-on learning experiences:
Aquaquest: A Deep Dive into Stream Ecology – Dive into the fascinating world of stream ecology with a team of expert ecologists! Explore the hidden wonders of local streams. Learn to fly fish and paddle along scenic waterways in kayaks. From water sampling to identifying macroinvertebrates and fish, you’ll work with the tools and techniques environmental biologists use to keep waterways healthy.
CSI: Franklin – Put yourself in the mind of a crime scene investigator to solve mysteries this summer! Learn all there is to know about the science behind collecting and analyzing evidence from a crime scene, including DNA and fingerprint analysis, unknown power investigation, and more. Investigate and solve a crime scene yourself!
The ElectroKART Lab – Build. Charge. Race! Are you ready to hit the fast lane? Join us this summer for an electrifying adventure where you will uncover the secrets behind electric vehicles and clean energy! Design, build and race your own electric go-kart, power it using solar-charged stations you create and learn how the sun drives all the excitement!
Game On: Start to Finish – Time to level up your video development and professional skills this summer! Learn how game studios use marketing techniques and business principles as you explore video game console wars of the past. Collaborate and innovate with a team to strategize game design and advertising. Join us as we determine what it really takes for studios to release your favorite games!
Clay Creations – Discover the magic of building clay pieces from the ground up! Try out cool techniques like slab, coil and pinch construction. Create a masterpiece on the pottery wheel. Finish your pieces with glaze and fire them in the kiln. It’s going to be hands-on fun!
CampGRIZ strives to embolden campers to curiously engage with the world around them and gain understanding and confidence in themselves. Campers will learn from Franklin College faculty in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the arts, and interact with Franklin College students and alumni to gain a real-world perspective on the benefits of higher education.
The cost of the camp is $275 per camper; however, students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch through their school can register at no cost. The camp will provide breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks for campers at no additional cost.
The day camp will last from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, June 9 -13, 2025. Campers can be picked up as late as 6 p.m. For Marion County and rural Johnson County campers, limited free bussing will be offered to those who are interested. Financial assistance is also available to those driving their campers to campus from outside of Johnson County. To request bussing reservations, after-hour childcare and/or transportation support, please contact Youth Programs Coordinator Mackenzie Taylor at mtaylor@franklincollege.edu or 317-738-8861.
The camp is sponsored by Lilly Endowment Inc. and Hubler Chevrolet.
For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.
By: Katie Thoman ’26
Franklin College Pulliam Fellow