Grandparents U

2025 Grandparents U — Outer Space: To CMU & Beyond!

Grandparents U is a special opportunity for CMU grandparents and grandchildren to experience life as a Central Michigan University Chippewa. The wildly popular, three-day summer camp offers a variety of classes to choose from, a stay in the residence halls and the chance to make memories that last a lifetime.

Registration for 2025 Grandparents U is closed. Stay tuned for 2026 event details!

Event details and information

Grandparents U offers three fun days on campus for grandparents and their grandchildren, ages 8-12.

Registration

Regular Rate: Register between April 1-May 19, 2025

$215 | Adult 
$195 | Child

Registration includes:

• Housing (Tuesday & Wednesday nights)
• Meals (starting with dinner Tuesday, ending at breakfast Thursday)
• Access to five, hands-on learning sessions
• Evening activities
• Signature T-shirt
• Entrance into the closing raffle

Activities and classes

Campers will enjoy five, hands-on learning sessions taught by faculty, staff or community members. Evening activities such as movies, games and swimming in the Student Activity Center keep the fun going long after class ends!

Class sizes are limited and will be assigned based on the date your registration is received. Once registered, you will receive an email in May with a list of class offerings. You will then rank your top choices. The sooner you register, the more likely you are to receive your top preferences.

Sample class offerings:

• Egg Drop Competition
• Behind the Scenes of CMU Public Television
• Summer Cooking for Kids
• One-Room Schoolhouse
• Paws in Action
• Art with Art Reach
• Tour with CMU Police Department

Adult and child attendance

Grandparents U is designed for children ages 8-12. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. No more than two children can be accompanied by one adult, and no more than two adults can accompany one child. If two children attend with one adult, they must attend the same classes. If two children attend with two adults, each adult/child pair can attend different classes.  

Housing

Campers enjoy campus life with a stay in one of the residence halls starting Tuesday night and ending with check-out Thursday morning. 

Please note that due to scheduled maintenance in the residence halls, air-conditioned rooms are limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. After all air-conditioned rooms are reserved, participants will be placed in non-air-conditioned rooms in the same residence hall.

Meals

Starting with dinner Tuesday and ending with breakfast Thursday, Grandparents U participants enjoy meals in the dining hall — just like students!

Grandparents U t-shirt

All participants receive a special Grandparents U t-shirt to commemorate their summer camp experience.

Raffle entry

Registration gives participants automatic entry into our Grandparents U closing raffle.

Contact

For questions and additional information about Grandparents U, please contact Alumni Relations.

The term Grandparents University® is a registered trademark originated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is used with permission.