Camp Invention, a summer enrichment day camp program that is supported by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the National Inventors Hall of Fame , is coming to three locations in Hamilton County this summer. The camp will be at Lookout Mountain Elementary School the week of June 1-5; Ooltewah Elementary School the week of June 1-5 and Ganns Middle Valley Elementary School the week of June 8-12.
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, said officials.
Camp Invention is designed to "encourage inventive young minds through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in a fun and creative atmosphere, as well as incorporate outdoor activities as part of its curriculum."
Participants at Camp Invention will go through real-world problem-solving challenges, build things, take things apart, explore different types of technology and more.
"We are thrilled to be offering Camp Invention to students in our community and developing skills that ensure bright futures for our participants," said Nancy Lenihan, Camp Invention director in Sumner, Wa. and classroom teacher. "We are molding inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs and instilling creative problem-solving, which sets this camp apart from the rest."
This year’s Camp Invention curriculum is called Illuminate and was inspired by 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. For additional information, or to find the nearest location for registration, visit www.campinvention.org.