History Camp at Indiana University Bloomington

A one-week summer program for high school students

Update: The History Summer Camp scheduled for July 2026 has been canceled. We appreciate your interest and look forward to offering the program again next summer.

Dates: July 20-24, 2026 (cancelled)

Location: Indiana University Bloomington 

Hours: 9 AM - 3 PM 

Cost: $185

About the Camp

History Camp at IU Bloomington gives high school students a hands-on introduction to historical research. Working alongside IU faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate research assistants, campers will explore how to piece together the past from unexpected sources: corporate records, images, oral histories, museum collections, and even scientific data.    

The 2026 theme is elephants in history. Ride with Hannibal across the Alps. Meet Jumbo. Find out what the DNA inside ivory antiques teaches us. Professor Jonathan Schlesinger, a historian of environmental history, will lead this year's session.        

What to Expect

A week of activities including museum visits, interviews, and hands-on work with historical objects and records. No prior experience required.  Just curiosity about the past! 

Who Should Apply

High school students with an interest in history, university life, and/or elephants.  

Registration

Registration is closed for Summer 2026. We plan to offer the program again next summer; please check back in early spring for 2027 registration details.

Contact:

histca@iu.edu