Innovative Thinkers Camp is open to Michiana area seventh- through ninth-graders. The camp is sponsored by numerous Notre Dame departments, as well as Intel, Lenovo, the Lincoln Division of Ford Motor Company, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., La Casa De Amistad, 100 Black Men of Greater South Bend, and the Memorial Health Center Pfeil Innovation Center.

 

In addition to helping area students explore their potential, the camp also aims to cultivate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Michiana region by nurturing the pipeline that feeds local economic development. This experience is designed for students to participate over three consecutive summers:

 

• Year one, rising seventh graders will focus on learning about entrepreneurship and the skills necessary for individual success;
• Year two, rising eighth graders will focus on project-based learning and will develop the competencies needed to be an effective member of a team;
• Year three, as rising ninth graders, students will polish the skills acquired in the previous two summers with a capstone project that incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines and sustainability.

The camp will be held June 11-22 at Notre Dame Downtown, 217 S. Michigan St., South Bend, bringing together 20 youth from four non-profit organizations within the City of South Bend: The Emerging Young Leaders Program, sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; La Casa de Amistad; the Freedman’s Academy sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Greater South Bend; and the Robinson Community Learning Center (RCLC).

Participating Notre Dame departments are Community Relations-ND Downtown, the Hesburgh Libraries, Multicultural Student Programs and Services, TRiO and RCLC.