Which Camp is the Best?

 

As co-owner of a summer science camp, part of my job that I really enjoy and look forward to is telling parents about our camps. I love describing how fun and learning is seamlessly blended to give kiddos twenty different hands-on activities each week, all aligned to topics and themes that they are interested in. As I talk about different camps, I often get asked “Which camps do you recommend?” or “Which camps are the best?” The simple truth, and the answer that I share, is that it’s not an answer I can give. Because each of our fifty camps are different and themed to different topics and careers, it depends on what your kiddo likes and what their interests are. I may think that Little Chemist is the best camp, but if your kiddo doesn’t like getting dirty and playing with slime, it’s probably not the best camp for your camper. Jr. Robot Engineer may have the coolest, take-home Snap Circuit Rover, but if your kiddo doesn’t have patience when it comes to building and putting things together, it’s probably not the right fit. That’s what I really love about our camps and why I enjoy talking about our camps. Each camp is unique and different, tailored to kids’ interests, giving them the opportunity to more deeply experience and explore topics that interest them or that they are curious about. This isn’t a camp where every camper does the same thing or where every camper does a little of everything.

For our youngest campers (PreK-K), our camps are themed to popular topics like space, dinosaurs, being a doctor, and animals. These are perfect for kiddos who have an interest in one of those things. We also have camps that are themed more by skill than topic, like building things and making lots of different potions and concoctions. And for kiddos who like a little of everything– don’t worry, we have you covered! Little Scientist is a camp that covers a little bit of everything, with activities from all different branches of science.

For our 1st-3rd graders, we have camps that are themed by topic as well as themed to different careers. We also have camps that offer variety with differen topics and skills covered. Here’s a quick guide:

• Camps themed by topic: Jr. Paleontologist is for dinosaur lovers. Jr. Robot Engineer is for kiddos who love to build things, are interested in robots, and can follow directions to build and create things. Cosmos is perfect for kiddos who want to be a pilot or an astronaut and are fascinated by all things related to space. They even build and launch a model rocket! For campers who love their American Dolls, Jr. American Doll Adventures is  the perfect camp for them! It combines their love for their doll, crafts, and exploring new things.
• Camps themed by skill: For computer savvy kiddos who like video camps, we have Minecraft Game Design and Jr. RPG Game Design. If they are interested in coding, we have Dash & Dot Robotics which is a great introduction to coding and great for kiddos who are skilled with using tablets and enjoy robots. Smart Car Coder includes a little more coding and uses a computer to code their robot.
• Camps with variety:  Pokemon Professors, while all about different Pokemon, offer lots of different activities and experiments, including topics from all branches of science. Jr. Scientist is similar, except has nothing to do with Pokemon 🙂 It offers lots of variety, perfect for kiddos who prefer to go from one thing to another.  Sea Adventures is also a camp that offers lots of variety. From pirates to geography to sharks to seashells to compasses, this camp offers both variety and adventure. Eco Explorers is the perfect camp for kiddos who love nature and life sciences. It’s a good balance of crafts, models, and experiments.
• Camps that are career-oriented: Jr. Vet Medicine, Jr. Physicians, Jr. Meteorologist, and Jr. Entomologist, while technically themed to a topic,  tie directly to STEM careers. These camps are perfect for kids who show an interest in “being a doctor” or “being a vet” or wanting to work with bugs or weather.

For our 4th-7th graders, most of the camps are career-oriented, and the skills and concepts are definitely a little more involved than “surface level”. These camps teach campers both skills and concepts and gives them the chance to use both the skills and knowledge. Here’s a quick guide:

• Careers in Biology & Medicine: Emergency Vet Medicine and Young Surgeon. Both camps include dissections and give campers the chance to learn about different body systems and skills related to each career.
• Careers in Technology, Gaming & Robotics: RPG Video Game Design gives campers experience building and creating their own games. Our Beginner Coding with Roblox teaches campers to code.They use coding to build their Roblox games. This camp is definitely a little more challenging than our other computer camps. While they do play Roblox, it is a coding camp. There is nothing to play if they don’t code the games. For those interested in robotics, we have Deep Space Robotics and Advanced Logo EV3. These camps are truly STEM camps that incorporate lots of different skills and concepts all while using LEGO Mindstorms.
• Careers in Art: These camps are definitely considered STEAM, and incorporate art into many, if not all, of the activities. Great Masters is  perfect for kids who enjoy drawing, painting, and creating. 3D Creator is a blend of art and technology as they use 3D pens to create things in 3D. Campers also do a little with engineering. Wizarding World is for campers who love all things Harry Potter. Many of the activities involve using different art mediums and techniques to make things from the books. Special Effects gives campers the experience to learn the magic behind movie make-up and other special effects. They also work in groups to create their very own stop motion animation movie!
• Other great STEM Camps: Forensic Detectives is perfect for campers who love playing detective, finding clues, and figuring out mysteries. Campers will learn the skills that forensic detectives use to solve a cold case murders from the 1800s. Crazy Contraptions is our newest camp for this age group. This camp gives campers lots of different hands-on experience with engineering, creating, and building.

 

No matter which grade-level group your kiddo is in, what is the “best camp” has more to do with your kiddo than the camp. Think about the topics that interest your kiddo, the things that they tend to gradate towards if given the choice. Ask them what job they think they might like to do when they grow up. Let them look at the different camp titles and descriptions and ask them what they’d like to do. Also think about how your kiddo learns best and is most successful. Do they need to be doing and experience things hands-on or are they better with working on a computer or tablet, staying focused on the same thing for a sustained period of time. Do they enjoying trying things outside of their comfort zone and trying new things  or do they prefer sticking to things they know and know they enjoy?

No matter what your kiddo’s interests, all of our camps will give your kiddo a week full of fun and learning that they won’t soon forget!