ACES Family Academies offer kids a taste of the college experience
Every summer, kids ages 8-13 and their ACES alumni relatives and friends gather on the U. of I. campus for a 3-day immersive experience, providing a sampling of what the College of ACES has to offer. This year’s event runs July 8 to 10, 2026.
Kids can choose from a variety of classes designed to combine fun and discovery. Participants will explore hands-on workshops on topics from food and agriculture to human development, technology, economics, marketing communications, and the environment.
“ACES Family Academies provides an opportunity to learn about all the areas of study within our diverse ACES curriculum,” said program organizer Meghan Brockamp, the coordinator of alumni engagement at ACES. “We design workshops to reflect the richness of an ACES education while making it accessible and fun for younger learners.”
Kids can choose from more than 20 sessions ranging from wildlife discovery to meal planning, including the ever-popular “What’s Poppin’” session, which this year will showcase how breeders in ACES made the new popcorn hybrid Illini SuperPopTM and the science behind why it pops.
Participants stay overnight at a campus residence hall and enjoy meals in the Ikenberry Dining Center. The cost to attend is $200 per participant, and space is limited.
Registration is now open online and closes on June 7, 2026. For questions about the event, including any accommodation needs, please contact acesalumni@illinois.edu.
High school students who want a deeper dive into college life can join the Illini Summer Academies, hosted by Illinois Extension 4-H. This immersive, five-day experience, held every year in June, features interactive sessions led by Illinois faculty, including sessions hosted by the College of ACES. Registration for this year’s event is full; look for next year’s event information in Spring 2027.
ACES Family Academies is proudly supported by the College of ACES Alumni Association. To help ensure ACES Family Academies continues to inspire the next generation, consider making a gift to support this program. Select “other” as your gift designation and enter “ACES Family Academies Fund #338631” to directly support this program.