Global Challenges Summer Camp: Environmental Innovation and Leadership

University Honors Program and College of Arts and Science's Pre-College Institute
The Global Challenges Summer Camp is an opportunity for high school students to engage with environmental issues by creating community with faculty members, college mentors, and elementary-aged youth in Lincoln. Since the best way to learn is to teach, high school students will work alongside UNL students to create hands-on activities and appropriate environmental lessons to help Nebraska youth understand environmental challenges and become environmental stewards.
Additionally, campers will learn how to engage in advocacy work to promote a more sustainable world.
As a member of the Global Challenges Summer Camp, you will:
- Start each day with a "spark talk" about a new environmental issue, topic, or challenge
- Learn beginner language skills in one of three strategic languages: Chinese, Russian, or Spanish
- Visit Reller Prairie to see sustainability in action
- Engage in discussions, simulations, and hands-on workshops
- Mentor K-5 youth from Lincoln Community Learning Centers
- Learn about the college application process
- Connect with local activists and UNL faculty members
- Belong to a community of students who are highly motivated and enjoy intellectual challenges
- Collaborate with Nebraska Honors Students
- Create a research project proposal or an Honors club
- Discover the ongoing sustainability efforts and challenges in Nebraska
- Express your passion through art and advocacy
Fast Facts
- When: July 17-30, 2022
- Where: University of Nebraska - Lincoln campus with field trips to Reller Prairie Field Station
- Residential students will be housed in Knoll Residential Center
- Commuter students will return home each night
- Cost: $1,500 for residential students, $1,000 for commuter students
- Cost covers: three meals a day, all camp activities, and housing for residential campers
- Scholarships: Need-based scholarships are available. Click here to apply.
- Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors Capacity: 40 students
Questions? Reach out to Amelia-Marie Altstadt (altstadt@unl.edu, 402-472-2023).
Application Instructions & Deadlines
Prospective Students
This camp is intended for rising high school juniors and seniors who:
- Have a passion for environmental policy and/or science.
- Are interested in learning a new language to spark a global conversation.
- Want to create cross-generational community and to serve as mentors for future leaders.
To apply, complete the following steps:
- Request the most recent version of your unofficial, high school transcript. In 300 words or less, write up your answer to the question:
- "Why do you hope to attend this camp and what do you hope to to learn?" Complete the camp application here.
- If applicable, apply for a need-based scholarship here.
Questions? Reach out to Amelia-Marie Altstadt (altstadt@unl.edu, 402-472-2023).
We encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. We especially encourage students from racial and ethnic minorities, students who are the first in their family to apply to college, and students who face economic challenges accessing high education and opportunities such as this one, LGBTQA+ identified students.
Applications Open | Application Deadline* | Notification Date | Registration Fee Due |
---|---|---|---|
February 2022 | Monday, May 23rd, 2022 | Tuesday May 24, 2022 | Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 |
Need-based scholarship applications are also due on May 23 and their notification date is May 24.
*Deadline extended from original deadline of April 15.
Faculty Mentors for the Global Challenges Summer Camp

Kim Morrow
Camp Director, Author, Lincoln's Climate Action Plan
Expertise in:
- Climate action and resilience planning
- Sustainability planning and implementation
- Sustainable behavior change program design

Patrice McMahon
University Honors Program Director & Professor of Political Science

Sophia Perdikaris
Director of the School of Global Integrated Studies & Professor of Anthropology

Nora Martin Peterson
Associate Professor of French Chair, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Kathleen Lodl
Associate Dean of Nebraska Extension and Nebraska 4-H Program Leader

Daizaburo Shizuka
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

John P. Carroll
Director of the the School of Natural Resources

Tamy Burnett
University Honors Program Associate Director

Rebecca Baskerville
University Honors Program Associate Director

Jacob Schlange
University Honors Program Assistant Director

Amelia-Marie Altstadt
University Honors Program Coordinator