UT Tyler Hosts “Swoop Investigators” Summer Camp for High Schoolers June 2 – 5
Camp Gives Grade 9–12 Students Glimpse into Criminal Justice World
TYLER, Texas (May 18, 2026) – The University of Texas at Tyler will offer a four-day summer camp for East Texas high schoolers interested in criminal justice careers. “Swoop Investigators” Summer Camp will be Tuesday through Friday, June 2 – 5, at the Forensic Simulation Complex, located at the UT Tyler Health Science Center.
Participants will step into the role of investigators as they follow a case from the crime scene to the courtroom. They will examine age-appropriate evidence, uncover clues and explore how professionals in criminal justice and forensic science work together to solve cases. Cost is $250 per camper and includes all materials and supplies. To register or for more information, visit the Criminal Justice Summer Camp Page. Space is limited.
“Our first-ever Swoop Investigators Camp is such an exciting opportunity for high school students to step into the world of criminal justice and forensic science in a real, hands-on way,” said Dr. Jennifer Wooldridge, UT Tyler professor of criminal justice and camp coordinator. “Instead of just learning about crime scene investigation from television or textbooks, students will actually work inside our Forensic Simulation Complex to process mock crime scenes, collect evidence, interview witnesses and learn how investigators think through complex cases. It’s a fun, immersive experience that gives them a true glimpse into the field and helps them imagine themselves in these careers.”
Snacks, water and a lunch will be provided to campers each day, Wooldridge added. Sponsors are the UT Tyler College of Arts and Sciences and Division of Criminal Justice. For additional information, contact Wooldridge at jwooldridge@uttyler.edu.
With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,500 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.