Camp Invention day camp coming to Tzouanakis in June

Camp Invention, the nation's premier summer enrichment day camp program that is supported by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF), is coming to Tzouanakis Intermediate School the week of June 15-19.

The weeklong day camp for students entering grades one through six fosters innovation and creativity while also building self-esteem, teamwork, persistence and goal-setting skills.

Selection of the right summer camp for children can be intimidating and overwhelming as the options continue to grow and become more niche. Camp Invention not only encourages inventive young minds through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in a fun and creative atmosphere, it also incorporates outdoor activities as part of its curriculum.

Camp Invention students experience winning, success and victory, along with an adrenaline rush that comes with competition among students and successful completion of challenging projects. Camp Invention provides an opportunity for inventive young minds to exercise their creativity and use their imagination in ways they don't normally get to -- through real-world problem-solving challenges, they build things, take things apart, explore different types of technology and so much more.

Many times, the students are having so much fun, they don't even realize they are learning and developing new skills.

This year's Camp Invention curriculum is called Illuminate and was inspired by some of our nation's most brilliant minds including experienced educators, inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame and members of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Illuminate will encourage children to explore their inventiveness in the Design Studio: Illuminate module, investigating circuits and taking on a nature-inspired design challenge.

As they dream, build and make discoveries, children will have a chance to build a prototype from scratch and explore math from a new angle when they create origami flight models during team-building exercises.

Local programs are facilitated and taught by educators who reside and teach in the community. Camp Invention serves more than 87,000 students every year through more than 1,300 camps across the nation.

The local program is currently still accepting applications for children to attend Camp Invention. Parents can register their children at www.campinvention.org. Organizers are also still accepting applications for high school aged interns and parent volunteers.

Local businesses can help by sponsoring a child for the week. A full scholarship is $200 and Camp Invention can also accept smaller donations. There is currently a waiting list for scholarships, so help from local businesses would be welcome.

Contact Chelle Thomas at 653-4700 if you would like more information or are interested in helping.