Summer Spark Week
No tests. No grades. Just the joy of learning.
Ignite your curiosity
Looking to learn something new this summer? Hosted by Butler’s Lifelong Learning Collaborative, Summer Spark Week is a series of diverse educational opportunities designed for adult learners.
From cooking workshops to lectures on forensic science breakthroughs, select from a diverse menu of 30+ classes, hands-on activities, and behind-the-scenes experiences to build a custom itinerary. All classes are led by Butler faculty, staff, and expert guest speakers on Butler’s beautiful campus in Indianapolis.
Next year, join us for one day, multiple days, or the full week June 7—10, 2027.
What’s included:
- Over 30 sessions to choose from
- Continental breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks
- Optional morning wellness activities and evening social events
- An immersive campus experience alongside other lifelong learners
- Spark Week T-shirt and swag
Frequently asked questions
Full experience, June 7–10: $550
Past participant and alumni $50 discount code: GoDawgs50
Single days: $160 per day
Group Discounts: Email bllc@butler.edu instead of registering through the registration link to access group discounts.
- 2–3 participants: 10% off
- 4–5 participants: 15% off + 1 complimentary registration
- 6–7 participants: 20% off + 1 complimentary registration
- 8+ participants: 25% off + 1 complimentary registration
You decide: attend every day of Summer Spark Week at a discounted rate or register for select days to work around your schedule.
At Summer Spark Week, you’ll build and customize your schedule around each days’ offerings, with 3 topics to choose from per session. You can attend one day, multiple days, or the full week.
Daily schedule sample
- Optional Morning Activity: Gentle Movement and Strength Training
- Continental Breakfast
- Morning Session: Dangerous Charisma: The Allure and Peril of Toxic Leaders
- Lunch and Conversation Groups
- Afternoon Session 1: Behind the Curtain: Clowes Memorial Hall
- Snacks and Social Time
- Afternoon Session 2: Beginner Pickleball
- Optional Evening Activity: Mocktail Mixology
Participants may choose to stay in one of Butler’s dorm rooms on campus, find accommodations at a nearby Butler partner hotel, or commute daily.
Staying in a dorm
If you’re interested in staying in a dorm, let us know in the normal Summer Spark Week registration form. Once your registration is completed, you will be emailed with a separate dorm registration form.
- Room Layout: Single, doubles, and suites/pods with four individual rooms are available.
- Roommates: In the dorm registration, you will be asked if you would like to share a room or be put in a room within a suite. There is also a place in the form to indicate roommate preferences.
- Linens: Linens (sheets, blankets, and towels) will be provided to you.
Butler hotel partners
When you call to make reservations, please identify yourself as a member of the Butler family and ask for the Butler rate.
- Marriott in Carmel
- Residence Inn in Indianapolis and Carmel
- SpringHill Suites in Indianapolis and Carmel
Book your corporate rate for Butler University
Questions? Email bllc@butler.edu.
Bring anything you require to be a comfortable, healthy human. Below are some considerations:
- Attire: Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably and bring along any additional change of clothes (if desired) for “active sessions.” We also recommend bringing a warm layer such as a cardigan or light jacket, as the building temperatures can fluctuate.
- Classes: No need to pick your classes ahead of time; you will have the flexibility to choose the classes you want to attend while here.
- Food: We will have breakfast and lunch provided each day. Beverages will be provided throughout the day as well as light snacks.
This series was organized, formatted, and executed just right. There was an atmosphere of scholarship without any stuffiness or pressure. It was great to be back in the classroom, and I enjoyed being around people who love to learn as much as I do.
It was great to flex mental muscles I hadn’t flexed for awhile; I enjoyed getting to know new people and reconnecting with old friends. Just enough down time for socializing.
Spark Week is just a magical experience for anyone who’s a lifelong learner.
You can’t beat the value for the money; you can’t beat the variety of the classes and the quality of the instruction!
Summer Spark Week is so fulfilling to the soul. I feel like I’ve been enriched by all the people’s ideals, the sharing, the opening up—it’s just been wonderful.
Very impressed with the staff, faculty, and facilities. Communication was excellent. Glad this is part of the community and hope to do more.
I attended Spark Week for an intellectual challenge and fun on Butler’s campus. I enjoyed the varied topics and interaction with other participants.
Summer Spark Week through the years
