Just Released

Drake University Announces 2026 Youth & Teen Summer Camps

5/5/2026

DES MOINES, Iowa — This summer, Drake University will offer students of all ages a myriad of opportunities to immerse themselves in a college campus environment. Students can explore their diverse interests, develop their athletic skills, and prepare for their academic futures across fields such as vocal performance, healthcare, journalism, faith, business, and athletics. Below is a list of summer camp offerings for 2026.

Academic & Special Interest Camps

Drake University Voice Intensive (DUVI), June 8–12, 2026

Designed for young singers ages 14 and up, DUVI helps students build confidence in performing, auditioning, vocal pedagogy, acting, and diction. Students work directly with renowned voice faculty and can participate in opera, acapella/jazz choir, show choir, or musical theatre scenes. At the end of DUVI, students take what they have learned and host a final showcase in which friends and family are invited to attend.

Details: Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Students have the option to add one-on-one voice or piano lessons with faculty members for an additional $35.
Click here to learn more and to register.

BullD.O.G.S. in Healthcare, July 9–11, 2026

This program introduces students to various health professions, with a special emphasis on nursing, occupational therapy, and pharmacy. Participants will engage in hands-on lab experiences, educational sessions, and interactions with Drake students and faculty to understand patient-provider relationships and prepare for college admission.

Details: This overnight experience costs $200 (financial assistance may be available) and includes a two-night stay in an on-campus residence hall, meals, and an off-campus field trip to a local health organization. Open to 9th–12th graders in the 2026/2027 academic year, as well as 2025 or 2026 graduates. Registration closes on June 1, 2026.
Click here to learn more and to register.

Media Now, July 7–10, 2026

Aimed at students interested in expanding their media and journalism skills, Media Now offers a variety of deep-dive tracks, including design, editorial leadership, motion graphics, photography, sports broadcasting, and video storytelling. Participants stay in the dorms, tackle hands-on projects, and showcase their final work at a campus-wide awards ceremony.

Details: Cost for the four-day overnight camp is $575 until June 10. Registration is $650 after June 11. Pricing includes food and housing.
Click here to learn more and to register.

Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp, July 9–13, 2026

Co-hosted by the Des Moines Area Religious Council and The Comparison Project at Drake University, this camp allows students to explore the diverse religious communities within the Des Moines Metro. Campers visit different communities for worship services and meals, learning about their neighbors’ faith experiences while exploring their own personal journeys.

Details: There is no cost to participate. Applications are due May 31.
Click here to learn more and to apply.

Athletic Camps

Basketball Camps

Men’s Day Camps: Led by Head Coach Eric Henderson, these camps focus on complete player development, teamwork, and attitude. Session 1 runs June 8–11, 2026, and Session 2 runs June 15–18, 2026.

Click here to learn more and to register.

Girls Basketball Camps:

There are several camp options tailored to girls in grades K-12 (based on Fall 2026 enrollment).

Little Dribblers (Grades K-2): Two sessions available, running June 8–11 and June 23–26.
Big Dog Day Camp (Grades 3-6): Three sessions available, running June 8–11, June 15–18, and June 23–26.
Shooting Camp (Grades 3-8): Two one-day sessions available on June 12 and June 19.
Junior High Skills Camp (Grades 7-8): One session running June 15–18.
Elite Camp (Grades 9-12): A single one-day camp on June 22.

Click here to learn more and to register.

Football Camps

Designed for boys and girls entering grades 3-5, the Bullpups Youth Camp features fundamental skill development, bracket-style 2-hand-touch games, and interactions with current Drake players. Two sessions are available: June 8–10 and June 22–24, 2026. Registration is $202 for the first child.

Click here to learn more and to register.

Volleyball Camps

Hosted by Head Coach Darrin McBroom, these camps offer a variety of options throughout the summer for different age groups. Highlights include Middle School and Elementary School Camps (July 6–9 and July 13–16), Girls High School Camp (July 10–12), and specialized Drake Prospect Camps for older players (May 28 and July 7).

Click here to learn more and to register.

Soccer Camps

Drake offers an extensive lineup of soccer camps for both boys and girls of various ages:

Boys

Junior Bulldogs Youth Soccer Camp: Scheduled for June 22–26 for kids in 1st–8th grade (ages 6–13). Please note that this camp is currently waitlisted.
Junior Bulldogs Youth Skills Camp: Runs from July 13–16, 2026, for 2nd–8th graders (ages 7–13).
Drake ID Camps: Designed for high school players (9th–12th grade as of Fall 2026, ages 14–18), these one-day camps are offered on July 5 (Session 1) and July 19, 2026 (Session 2).

Girls

Elite Girls Academy: Runs from July 6–9, 2026, for players in 3rd–7th grade (ages 8–12).
Premier Girls ID Camps: Two sessions are available for older players. The June session (June 12, 2026) is for 9th graders through college seniors (ages 15–21), while the July session (July 18, 2026) is geared toward 7th–11th graders (ages 13–17).

Co-ed