Beginning in June, more than 10,000 youth and adults will be heading for the Ball State campus for a variety of conferences, camps and events.

According to Rita Stewart, director of conferences and special events, nearly 70 summer conferences are currently scheduled with an anticipated attendance of more than 10,000 persons.

This year's summer conference schedule involves several groups new to Ball State and the Muncie community. The Indiana Association for Career and Technical Education will attract more than 300 professionals dedicated to career and technical education in the state July 25-27. High school athletic trainers will develop knowledge and skills in the Athletic Training Workshop scheduled June 27-30.

The elite Aria International Summer Academy, a premier summer workshop for budding young musicians from around the world, will return to campus June 27 and continue through July 24. The study will be led by organizer and music faculty member Mihai Tetel.

Academic workshops are offered in science, mathematics, architecture, art, music and journalism. In addition, sports-related camps include swimming, basketball, field hockey, gymnastics, tennis and volleyball.

Cheerleaders may choose from seven cheer and dance camps sponsored by training groups that include the Universal Cheerleaders Association, the National Cheerleaders Association and Cheerleaders of America.

In addition to providing revenue from otherwise unused facilities, summer conferences provide employment for university housing and dining service personnel who otherwise would be idle. Additionally, conferences that bring high school students to campus can influence the students' choice of Ball State for their college careers.

Other benefits include revenue to local merchants as conference participants purchase food and services in the community.

More information on summer conferences is available at www.bsu.edu/conferences.