MUNCIE, Ind. -- Nearly 10,000 persons are scheduled to participate in 74 summer conferences and workshops at Ball State University, according to David C. Stout, director of Conferences and Special Events.

Twelve events are new to campus, joining a roster of other popular events repeating on this summer's schedule.

The largest single event is the National Women's Music Festival (NWMF) which brings 1,200 participants to Muncie June 25-28. The event, previously held at Indiana University, attracts participants from across the nation. Many will stay in local hotels while others will be housed in university residence halls. They will use Pruis Hall, Emens Auditorium and other campus facilities for their intensive program.

Other new events include the USTA/PVA Wheelchair Tennis Camp (June 4-7); Indiana Ambassadors of Music (June 13-16); Honors College Fine Arts Academies (June 14-26 and June 28-July 10); Indiana Writing Project Institute (June 28-July 25); Golden Elders (July 26-31); Summer Dance Intensive (July 26-Aug. 8); Lebanon High School Band Camp (July 27-Aug. 1); USA Women's National Wheelchair Basketball (July 28-Aug. 2) and WSUSA Wheelchair Basketball Camp (Aug. 2-9).

Sports-related camps include men's basketball camps, swimming and diving camps and volleyball camps. Academic workshops are offered in music, journalism, physics and astronomy, art, and Chinese and Japanese. The Honors College summer program lets talented high school juniors earn college credit during their summer stay July 12-24. The popular Elderhostel program for senior citizens is scheduled June 19-25.

Tennis events include the Junior Wightman Cup Tennis Tournament (June 19-22) and the Midwest Open Junior Championship (July 24-Aug. 1). Three high school band camps are on campus during early August, preparing for the State Fair band contest and the upcoming football season. Cheerleaders may choose from five different cheerleader and dance workshops.

Student leaders from around the state can participate in the Student Leadership Institute and Student Leadership Camps throughout the summer. Sponsored by the Indiana High School Principals Association, this is the fifth year the programs have been held on campus.

In addition to providing revenue from otherwise unused facilities, summer workshops provide employment for housing and dining service personnel who otherwise would be idle, Stout said. Additionally, workshops which bring high school students to campus can influence the student's choice of Ball State for their college career.

Other benefits include revenue to local merchants as students and their parents purchase food and gasoline and, in some cases, stay in local hotels and motels during a student's participation in a campus conference.