Clarion shares with public through camp

3.19.09 / Features / By Erin Steiner

Summer will be here before one knows it. When the school year is finished, many parents may be interested in finding a way to keep their child occupied. A great way to do this is with a fun and educational summer camp.

The Clarion University Health Science Education Center (HSEC) will be offering many summer camps for 2009. These camps are offered to children in grades K-12, take place from June to August and are free to the community.

One of the camps, “Flipped Over Science Camp” is facilitated by Carnegie Science on the Road. Students will be able to explore chemical reactions, learn how the brain interprets optical illusion, build an earthquake proof structure and much more. This camp is offered from June 1 to 5 for ages 9-12.

Another camp facilitated by Carnegie Science on the Road is “Science Adventures Camp.” This camp will involve a variety of hands on science activities including magnetism, mystery solving and soap clay. It is offered from June 22 through 26 for ages six through eight.

Lifeguard Camp will be available for students ages 15 and up. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive an American Red Cross Certificate in lifeguarding/first aid and an American Red Cross Certificate for CPR/AED. This camp will be available from June 1 to 5.

A camp will be offered from June 8 to 12 for any school aged student with Autism. The camp will help participants learn appropriate communication skills and enhance their social interaction with friends and people in the community. The camp will focus on “Going Green,” and the participants will be able to learn about the environment and how to help keep it clean.

“Marble Camp” will be offered for ages 7 to14 from June 29 through July 2. This will be directed by the 1999 National/2000 World Marble Champion and will show the children how the game is played all over the world as well as a game with giant marbles.

“Junior Disease Detectives Camp” gives children the chance to figure out how people get sick and how disease is spread by playing detective and solving a mystery. This will take place July 6 through 10 for grades four through six.

“Senior Disease Detectives Camp” gives students in grades seven through nine the chance to learn more about public health and the Young Epidemiology Scholars program. This program will be similar to the “Junior Disease Detectives Camp” and give students the chance to solve a mystery. This camp will take place August 3 to 7.

From July 20 to 24 children grades five through seven can focus on teambuilding, motivation, self-esteem and leadership in “The Leading Edge Camp.” Participants will hear from community speakers, travel to locations in Clarion County to learn about leadership and diversity and more. The activities are designed to increase the physical and mental confidence of each camper.

“Dr. Seuss Camp” will be held from July 13 to 17 for kids in kindergarten through third grade. This camp will include lessons and activities focusing on character building and citizenship skills based on the themes in Dr. Seuss’ books.

Finally, students in grades 6 to 9 can participate in “Outdoor Adventure Camp.” From August 10 to 14 students will be able to experience the great outdoors and will learn survival strategies and ways to live in an environmentally friendly way.

Camps only have room for a certain number of participants, many of them with only 25 to 40 openings, and according to Youth Prevention Coordinator for HSEC, Doug Watson, they fill up fast.

If interested in getting a child involved in one of these summer camps mail a registration form to Sandy Amsler at the HSEC. These forms can be found on their website. Be sure to reserve a spot quickly, they fill quick.

Erin Steiner is a features staff writer for The Call.

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