UW-Stout welcomes more than 1,100 community members, area children for summer activities

Polytechnic experiences offered at hands-on STEAM camps, professional development workshops, Murals in Menomonie festival
Abbey Goers | June 1, 2026

The academic year may have ended, but the summer is just heating up at UW-Stout with community classes, youth camps and a mural festival, featuring some of the world’s best mural artists.

As part of UW-Stout’s year-round campus activities, more than 1,100 community members and area children will join in hands-on, applied learning in campus labs and studios. 

Registration for many opportunities is still open:

And for four days, international artists will descend upon the city during Murals in Menomonie, featuring the Walldogs. From Wednesday, June 24, to Sunday, June 28, artists, residents, and visitors will come together to celebrate creativity, wellness and community pride in this one-of-a-kind event. The mural created for the UW-Stout campus will be painted on the eastern side of the Administration Building, facing the Clock Tower Plaza.

Students sew garments in the Fashion Design Lab.

STEAM Experiences for young campers

Each STEAM camp is designed to engage and provide hands-on learning experiences and is led by UW-Stout faculty and university students. Unique tracks within the disciplines of STEAM include:

  • Science & Health: Freshwater science, fish conservation, anatomy, molecular ecology, psychology and gardening
  • Technology: 3D-printing, robotics and virtual reality 
  • Engineering: Construction, packaging and plastics engineering
  • Art & Design: Claymation, comics, game design, fashion, cinema production, interior design and drawing.

The STEAM programs are sponsored by the Menomonie, Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire school districts, the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, the National Science Foundation, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Xcel Energy and the UW-Stout Foundation & Alumni Association, in partnership with Continuing Education & Conferences.

Students complete obstacle course challenges with small robots they built.

Continuing Education classes for community members

Continuing Education & Conferences is collaborating with faculty and staff to develop in-person courses. Explore details and register to join on campus:

Continuing Education & Conferences is also conducting a survey for community members to understand public interest in personal enrichment classes and usage of university labs, studios and other spaces.

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Sports and activities

Athletics offers multiple summer sports camps led by university coaches, staff and student athletes. Camps include baseball, softball, basketball, football, flag football, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, track, volleyball and dance.

Youth Climbing League offers introductory activities, designed to empower kids ages 6 to 12. Experienced instructors lead activities for all skill levels. Two sessions will be held from Tuesday, June 9, to Wednesday, July 15; and Tuesday, July 21, to Wednesday, Aug. 26.


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UW-Stout Polytechnic students, staff help turn community into a canvas during Murals in Menomonie Featured Image

UW-Stout Polytechnic students, staff help turn community into a canvas during Murals in Menomonie

Muralists from around the U.S. and world join university artists and volunteers for public art event
High school students complete university-level project to create spaces that inspire Featured Image

High school students complete university-level project to create spaces that inspire

Interior design camp, industry-standard software introduces campers to career paths in residential, commercial design
Construction camp introduces young students to careers, degree paths  Featured Image

Construction camp introduces young students to careers, degree paths

Tour led by Boldt Company in Chippewa Falls gives campers a behind-the-scenes look at construction site