Annual Events

Illini Summer Academies

June 26-28, 2008
University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana

The Illinois 4-H Leadership Convention has been replaced by the Illini Summer Academies. We have totally redesigned this 3-day event to provide Illinois teens new opportunities to explore the University of Illinois campus; study potential careers or leadership skills; and meet youth from across the state.

Illinois Summer Academies promotional video

In general, Academies are open to ANY Illinois youth who will be an incoming high school freshman to senior this fall and who falls within the 14-18 age range as of September 1, 2008. (In other words, if you are graduating from high school this spring, even though you may fit into the age bracket, you will not be able to attend an academy.) In addition, some of the academies have restricted their attendance to incoming juniors and seniors (current sophomores and juniors) only. Those restrictions are listed below.

All academies will take place from June 26-28 on the University of Illinois campus in Champaign/Urbana. Delegates will live in college dormitories and have opportunities to tour the campus. This is a live-in academy; delegates will not be allowed to commute to the campus for daily activities. Joint activities for all delegates will be scheduled for each evening, as well as an opening and closing session, offering delegates a chance to meet and socialize with teens attending different academies and from across the state. A formal banquet is also scheduled for Friday evening at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel & Conference Center. Bus transportation will be provided for delegates to and from the banquet.

Academy Information

Five different academies are being offered – each providing 15 hours of interactive activities and study in a specific field of interest. Space is limited – each academy has set a maximum number of youth delegates they will accept. Some have also placed a high school level restriction on their academy. Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Academies will be held at locations throughout the campus, including classrooms, labs, and the residence halls. Some academies may also provide off-campus visits in their curriculum.

When you register, if the academy you are interested in is full, please e-mail Danielle Rice at and ask to be placed on a waiting list for that academy. (She’ll need your e-mail address and a phone number to reach you.) Danielle will be monitoring academies to make sure age restrictions are being adhered to; if cancellations occur, she can notify you regarding possible attendance.

2008 Academy Offerings

Aerospace Engineering Academy
How do aircraft fly and spacecraft orbit? That question and others will be addressed in this hands-on Aerospace Engineering session. Delegates will conduct experiments in rocket propulsion, flight mechanics, and fluid dynamics. You’ll have the opportunity to design a spacecraft with a mission to Mars, and explore your creativity in our “What Would MacGyver Do?” challenge. 20 delegates maximum.

Applied Health Sciences Academy(Limited to incoming juniors and seniors)
Delegates in this academy will take an in-depth exploration of the opportunities and potential careers obtainable from The College of Applied Health Sciences’ four majors: Community Health; Kinesiology; Recreation, Sport and Tourism; and Speech and Hearing Sciences. Explore methods and engage in activities to help others live better, healthier, and more meaningful lives. From audiology to physical therapy; health planning to health education; recreational activities to sports management; athletic training to medicine to speech pathology – delegates in this academy will experience hands-on activities and become familiar with what this Academy and College has to offer. 25 delegates maximum.

Horticulture Academy
Discovery, Wonder, and Fun. Cutting grass, Pulling weeds. If that’s your idea of the world of horticulture, then you need to join us as we discover that horticulture is so much more! Experience the many facets of horticulture from the traditional to today’s trends; hear from people in the profession, and best of all – experience hands-on activities including plant propagation, flower arranging, and more. Several activities will be outdoors; off-site field trips may be included. Horticulture is contagious. Catch the enthusiasm and become a little 'greener!' 12 delegates maximum.

Leadership Academy
Get Motivated! Reach for your horizon as a leader by joining this ACTIVE academy. Socialize with new friends as you focus on communication skills, team-building, goal-setting and new partnerships. Individual and group challenges will enhance your influences as an effective leader. Immerse yourself in this diverse experience to prepare you for future leadership roles. 100 delegates maximum.

Veterinary Medicine Academy (Limited to incoming juniors and seniors)
Are you interested in animals, medicine, and science? Do you like helping people? Do you like unraveling mysteries? Do you like real challenges? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the wide world of veterinary medicine just may be for you! Veterinarians have a strong interest and ability in science. They enjoy working with people, as well as animals. Take a step into the world of veterinary medicine and see what veterinary school is like, learn about the different aspects of veterinary medicine and more. Delegates in this academy will learn about the science of veterinary medicine; the biology of skin; anatomy; immunology; bacteriology; parasitology; wildlife medicine, large animal medicine, agro-terrorism; and more. Participate in clinical equine rounds, streak and read bacteriology slides; learn how to suture a wound; tag along with University of Illinois staff veterinarians and so much more. 25 delegates maximum.

Additional Speakers and Activities for all participants

Tentative Schedule

Chaperones

Adult chaperones must be screened by the University of Illinois Extension’s Volunteer Screening Procedures and must be age 21 or over. If a high school teacher or youth group leader wishes to serve as a chaperone, a copy of their approved school screening must be placed on file at their local University of Illinois Extension office and a State Police check must be run. All chaperones must also have reviewed the University of Illinois Extension Overnight Chaperone Orientation website at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/4hchaperone/. Local Extension staff should have copies of the chaperone’s completion of this site on file in their local offices.

Chaperones receive a 1/2 fee discount!! Chaperones will not be expected to participate in academy workshops. They will be expected to ensure their assigned delegates are “out the door” in the morning and then have the day free until approximately 4:30 p.m.. Adult chaperones will be expected to be available and “on duty” from 4:30 p.m. until curfew and “on call” until the morning breakfast. Chaperones stay in the dormitories. The chaperone fee covers meals, housing, and extra activities. Chaperones are responsible for no more than 10 youth of the same gender.

A teleconference orientation for chaperones will be held in early June. In addition, chaperones will receive a complete Orientation packet that describes their responsibilities during the event. Chaperones will be required to attend an on-site meeting on the first day of the Academy to again review the packet, their responsibilities, and any changes to the program.

 Fees and Registration

Each academy has set their own registration fee according to the activities and experiences they are providing. All fees also include a 2-night stay in University Housing (2 delegates per room); seven meals; programming materials; transportation when needed, and special activity insurance.

A limited number of scholarships for Illinois 4-H members will be available through the Illinois 4-H Foundation. You may download this application here:

4-H ISA Scholarship Application (pdf - type in form)

All registration must be done on-line – no mail-in registrations will be accepted. However, in order for registration to be completed, we must receive (mailed in) the Emergency Medical Form and Code of Conduct/Media Release, complete with signatures. Due dates for those pieces are April 25 for the Early Bird Discount or May 30 for regular registration fee. Academy registration will “close” when the academy is full OR May 23, whichever is first.

Required Medical and Release Forms (pdf - type in form)

Fees for each of the academies is listed below. Please note there is a $25 early bird discount for registrations received before April 15.

Refunds

All cancellations and refund requests must be received in writing by the State 4-H Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the date specified in order to receive any portion of a refund. Requests may be faxed (217/333-9287) or e-mailed to Danielle Rice ().

• Cancellations before or on May 23 will receive a complete refund.
• Cancellations between May 24 and May 30 will receive a 50% refund.
• No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 5:00 p.m. on May 30.

Illini Summer Academy Registration

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