The ALI's Summer Camp focuses on improving participants' overall English language ability in an immersive U.S. cultural context. This program provides participants university-level instruction in English reading, vocabulary, speaking, listening, writing, and applied grammar, and cultural programming that includes on-campus and off-campus cultural activities. Check our our program details below. Once you're ready to apply, head over to our Admissions page to get started on an application. Have questions? Contact us at ali@umkc.edu. 

Program components 

• English language Instruction
• Cultural Activity Package
• Service Learning Opportunities
• Housing

English Language Instruction

June - July

• Class sessions are four days per week, 4.5 hours per day, for 18 total hours of English instruction per week for groups of 10+ students.
• The ALI customizes classes based on the participants' English proficiency and needs. 

More information about CALIOPE

Cultural Activity Package

The program includes at least one activity per week, sometimes more. The ALI will arrange special activities for participants. Below is a list of possible activities. Specific activities will depend on the time of year, group size, and participant interest.

• City Farmer’s Market
• Fourth of July Celebration at the Worlds of Fun amusement park
• Jazz Performance
• Kansas City Royals Baseball Game
• Outdoor Theater Performance
• Sporting KC Soccer Game (Kansas City is home to the 2026 World Cup!)
• WWI Museum and Liberty Memorial
• Nelson Atkins or Kemper Contemporary Art Museum
• Guided Tour of Kansas City's downtown 
• Movie Night at Crown Center
• On-Campus Sporting Events

Service Learning Opportunities

The ALI's service learning program provides students with the opportunity to practice English in a real-world setting. Since the program began in Fall 2021, students, faculty, and staff at the ALI have volunteered with more than 10 organizations and completed more than 400 hours of service in the Kansas City community. 

The ALI will plan at least one service learning opportunity for participants. 

Housing 

Participants of the Summer Camp can choose to live in homestays or on-campus dormitories. 

Participants living in a homestay have a private room in an American home; bathrooms can be private or shared. The cost for a homestay is $1000 per month and includes breakfast and dinner. 

UMKC on-campus housing provides private or shared rooms and bathrooms. The cost varies depending on the semester and the type of room. 

More About Housing

Program Costs (fixed)

<sup>1. Includes tuition and placement exam.
2. Summer Student Life fee for up to 3.99 credit hours, as of Summer 2024.
3. All students with a J-1 visa are required to purchase health insurance through UMKC (https://www.umkc.edu/isao/admitted-students/health-insurance.html). Health insurance is $223 per calendar month.</sup> 

Costs not included above (variable)

• Participants will purchase textbooks on their own. Textbook costs can vary based on level placement. Contact the ALI about pre-purchasing textbooks.
• Summer participants should budget for approximately $50 per day for meals, if not living in a homestay. Homestay participants can expect to spend approximately $12 per day on lunch. Exact meal costs will vary based on individual choices. 
• Homestay costs are paid directly to the host. Participants will have the opportunity to communicate directly with their host prior to arrival to agree upon a method of payment. Homestays cost $1000 per month.
• Participants who choose to live in dormitories will be billed by UMKC for housing. Dormitories cost $30.48 per day (fall/spring), and $30.36 per day (summer). Linen packages cost $5 and there is a $25 application fee. 

Ready to Apply?

Apply to this Camp