Program Categories
Art & Humanities Programs
Empowered Women, Empower Women
Empowered Women, Empower Women was developed to introduce women’s empowerment principles and skills through various sessions from the faculty and staff of the College of Liberal Arts. Through a range of activities and sessions students will explore how leadership and mentorship are critical to their own empowerment as young women. Students will learn about the complex history and reality of women’s experiences, and how this reflects their own experiences.
For more information, email maryrose.stark@unlv.edu.
Meaning of Life
What is the meaning of life? This is a question many have asked and many have tried to answer. Socrates said that the unexamined life, the kind of life that lacks meaning, is not worth living. What does it mean to live a life of meaning? Meaning of Life asks students to consider how these philosophical ideas connect to how we lead our own lives. Throughout the week, connections will be made between leading a meaningful life and preparation for the journey of college.
For more information, email maryrose.stark@unlv.edu.
Witnessing History: The Mob Museum Summer Camp
Step into the past to uncover the stories that shape American society as we know it with Witnessing History: The Mob Museum Summer Camp hosted by UNLV’s College of Liberal Arts and The Mob Museum. Through various activities and sessions led by our faculty and staff, students will learn about the important role of museums in building public memory. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the history of organized crime in America through exclusive access to museum artifacts and exhibits at The Mob Museum. This three-day summer camp will have students embark on a unique journey to explore the vital role museums play in preserving and shaping our collective understanding of the past.
For more information, email maryrose.stark@unlv.edu.
Debate
Rebel Debate Institute
The Rebel Debate Institute is designed to prepare middle school students to communicate and argue effectively in civil contexts. Students learn to speak in an impromptu fashion, conduct research to develop cases to debate about, and present their work in a debate and speech event for parents. Speech and debate experts with over 40 years of experience guide students through drills, research, and construction of arguments providing a launch pad for future speech and debate competition at the high school level. Our prior students have excelled to the highest levels of competition, and graduates of the UNLV debate team have been actively engaged in the legal field, politics, journalism and a multitude of other professions. We train students to be effective communicators that are sought after in the workplace and provide a foundation for future academic success.
For more information, visit Rebel Debate Institute.
UNLV Model United Nations
Join UNLV Model United Nations for the tenth annual NVMUN Conference – a weekend of public speaking, debate, problem solving, and teamwork. Students will be assigned a country, world leader, historical figure, or fictional character to represent within one of four committees. They will give short extemporaneous speeches from the perspective of their assigned country or individual, discuss and debate their committee topic with fellow delegates, and work in small groups to write mock resolutions and directives for action. Committee topics for 2025 include: the role of women in politics and conflict zones, the G20 Summit of 2015, and the Liberators' civil war following the assassination of Julius Caesar.
Students will be expected to read their committee background guide and come prepared with a basic understanding of the topic beforehand. Students will also be expected to understand the basics of what Model UN is, however beginners are welcome. Students who wish to attend but are not part of a Model UN group at their school are highly encouraged to reach out to unlvmun@unlv.edu for additional guidance.
For more information, visit UNLV MUN website or email unlvmun@unlv.edu.
Financial Literacy Programs
Pathways to Success
Pathways to Success is designed to prepare students for their future lives, through financial and professional development. Under the guidance of our faculty and staff students will gain the confidence and knowledge to be financially literate individuals. Financial literacy provides students with the understanding of the skills that lead to a lifetime of financial well-being.
For more information, email maryrose.stark@unlv.edu.
Reading & Writing Skills Programs
Institute of Reading Development
Since 1990, UNLV Continuing Education has proudly partnered with the Institute of Reading Development, a nationwide leader in reading instruction, to help students of all ages build strong reading skills and a lifelong love of books.
These programs teach key reading skills for every grade, from phonics and sight words for younger children, to comprehension, textbook strategies and writing skills for older kids, and everything in between.
For more information, visit Institute of Reading Development or email ce-assistant@unlv.edu.
Southern Nevada Writing Project (SNWP)
As one of nearly 185 writing project sites affiliated with the National Writing Project (NWP), the SNWP offers a writing institute for K-12 educators each year, along with a writing camp for K-12 students. Teachers conduct project-sponsored programs in their own schools and in neighboring schools and districts aimed at two purposes: developing teacher knowledge and leadership in their home communities and putting this knowledge and leadership to work to improve student achievement.
- Register for SNWP Spring Writing Camp (2/21, 2/28, 3/7)
- Register for SNWP Spring Writing Camp (2/21)
- Register for SNWP Spring Writing Camp (2/28)
- Register for SNWP Spring Writing Camp (3/7)
For more information, visit the Southern Nevada Writing Project website or email sophie.ladd@unlv.edu.
Research Programs
Summer Program Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK)
The Summer Program Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK) is an immersive research experience that develops research skills and expands research readiness amongst middle school and high school students. The beginner camp is designed for students who are new to conducting research or want to develop their basic research skills. The camp will introduce students to the types of research as well as provide hands-on activities within each research stage. The camp will provide participants with a solid foundation in research, empowering them to pursue advanced research projects in the future with confidence. The intermediate camp is designed for students who have a basic understanding of research but want to deepen their knowledge and skills, particularly in the area of data literacy. The camp will build on foundational research methods, diving into more advanced topics such as hypothesis testing, data analysis, and interpreting results. Specific focus will be placed on utilizing data software and developing and improving data literacy skills.
For more information, email rafael.oganesyan@unlv.edu.
STEM Programs
Beal Bank USA Southern Nevada Regional Science and Engineering Fair
The Beal Bank USA Southern Nevada Regional Science & Engineering Fair promotes an interest in STEM for elementary, middle, and high school students in primarily southern Nevada counties including Clark County and the Clark County School District.
Held at UNLV and hosted by the UNLV College of Sciences, the fair is sponsored by Beal Bank USA. The high school division of the fair is in early March annually, and the middle/elementary division is in late March. Registration for the fair typically comes through your child’s school, but registration of individual students may be allowed based on fair director approval.
For more information, visit Beal Bank USA Science & Engineering Fair or email erica.corliss@unlv.edu.
Note: This is not a summer camp.
Camp Cosmos
Camp Cosmos is a week-long astronomy camp for middle school students (post 5th grade to pre 9th grade). It features lessons and activities about stars, planets, galaxies, and the universe, tours of UNLV facilities, access to a network of robotic telescopes (good for one year), new friends, and lots of learning.
For more information, visit Camp Cosmos or email campcosmos@unlv.edu.
Nevada Science Olympiad
Nevada Science Olympiad is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of K-12 science education for all genders and minority groups by fostering their interest in science. Our goal is to create a technologically-literate workforce, and recognize the outstanding achievements of student participants in Science Olympiad tournaments and non-competitive events, as well as teachers who incorporate Science Olympiad into classroom curriculum and attend teacher training institutes. Nevada Science Olympiad is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
For more information, visit the Nevada Science Olympiad website or email sharon.jalene@unlv.edu.
Saturday STEM Program
Saturday STEM Program is a series of model-based, inquiry experiences designed to provide interesting and exciting opportunities in STEM for elementary and middle school students. The program provides K-8 students with the opportunity to explore a major integrated STEM theme for five weeks in the fall and spring semesters.
For more information, visit the Saturday STEM Program page or email unlv.saturday.stem@gmail.com.
Summer Bridge Math Program
Summer Bridge Math Program will help minimize students’ loss of skills by giving them an instructor-led environment in which to review and practice skills learned or receive guided instruction on key topics covered in the grade they are entering.
For more information, visit the Summer Bridge Math Program page or email ce-assistant@unlv.edu.
Tech Trekker
Tech Trekker provides educators with access to science and engineering equipment, as well as standards-based lessons, in order to increase student engagement in STEM. We even send a student along to manage the equipment, allowing teachers to focus solely on teaching. This free service (sponsored by Nevada National Security Sites) is available to all educators in the Las Vegas Valley.
For more information, visit the Tech Tekker site or email techtrekker@unlv.edu.
UNLV STEM Camp
The UNLV STEM Camp stands as a beacon of innovation and learning, offering middle and high school students immersive experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through a diverse array of modules including robotics, cybersecurity, programming, advanced mathematics, AI, etc. students engage in hands-on learning guided by expert instructors from the UNLV College of Engineering. The program runs multiple sessions throughout the year, including summer intensives and spring/fall Saturdays workshops, serving a culturally diverse student body. What sets this program apart is its commitment to practical application – students don't just learn theory, they build robots, write code, explore cybersecurity challenges, and tackle real-world engineering problems.
For more information, email stemunlv@unlv.edu.
Wellness & Recreation Programs
Jr. Rebels Camp
Jr. Rebels Camp is a youth program offered by UNLV Campus Recreational Services that provides a variety of fun activities to allow children to explore new skills, foster new friendships, and promote health and wellness.
For more information, visit Jr. Rebels Camp or email srwc.youthcamps@unlv.edu.