Summer Camp Academy to Host Events
JONESBORO — Area children still have several options when it comes to experiencing educational programs and having fun at the same time during the summer months at varied camps at Arkansas State University’s Summer Camp Academy.
Beginning Monday, July 11, three weeks of A-State camps for children and youth remain and all are open for enrollment with “Summer Scholars,” followed by “Princess in Training” and “Knight in Training,” “Technology Exploration — Star Wars,” “Hour of Code” and “Adventure Land at A-State” are all scheduled for July 11-15.
“Summer Scholars” is instructed by Dr. Julie Lamb Milligan, professor of gifted education at A-State. For details contact her at jlamb@astate.edu or hrogers@astate.edu.
“Princess in Training” is open to pre-K students through third grade and runs from 8 a.m.-noon daily. Campers will learn how to be a princess, including traits and quality it takes to be a great princess. These traits include kindness, considerate and thoughtfulness. Guests are invited to the princess crowning ceremony the final day of camp.
Children in grades one through six can learn how to create their own application or computer game by attending “Hour of Code.” This camp is from 8 a.m. until noon. During the camp, students will use coder apps and websites to learn, including “Frozen” character computer codes, characters from “Angry Birds,” “Flappy,” “Disney Infinity” and others to learn to create their own apps.
Technology and a computer lab are available; however, students may bring their own tablets or laptops. No coding experience is necessary; the camp is self-paced for various skill and ability levels. Participants will begin at a comfortable level and progress at their own rate.
Student campers in grades four through eight can work at learning about bravery and honesty as well as loyalty at the “Knight in Training” camp. Campers will learn from 1-5 p.m., and will go through an official knighting ceremony on the final day of camp. Guests are invited to attend the ceremony.
“Technology Exploration — Star Wars” is open to grades four through eight and runs from 1-5 p.m. This camp will use the Star Wars theme to challenge students to think about dilemmas and implications while playing and having fun with technology. There will be unique and unexpected twists to this fun technology camp.
A new camp, “Adventure Land at A-State,” is being introduced this summer for grades one through six. The day long camp is from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and a snack and beverage are included. Campers should bring their lunch. This indoor and outdoor camp includes daily adventures and theme activities, including but not limited to dinosaur exploration, Harry Potter, fashionistas, among others.
Many opportunities for fun and adventure will be provided. An added bonus is a technology component — the hour of code for students interested in technology and wanting to learn more about computer coding.
Each day campers will have many adventures with a variety of themes and topics, ranging from building and constructing to science and nature, with some technology and fun cooking and food experiences. Older students will have an opportunity to delve into topics such as Harry Potter, robotics and other themes and adventures appropriate for their age, developmental and interest levels.
A-State is pleased to have offered scholarships for camps based on specific criteria. The A-State STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Summer Camp Academy that ends on July 8 is a scholarship program funded by a $50,000 grant providing camps for students from diverse backgrounds with interests in the STEM fields.
The North Jonesboro Neighborhood Initiative funded camps for students living in the North Jonesboro area and meeting income eligibility criteria identified by participation in free and reduced lunch or SNAPP programs. A first-time three-way partnership between A-State, JPS and NJNI, provided STEM, literacy and character building camps for PK -2nd graders held at the new Jonesboro Pre-K Center, north on Johnson Avenue.
A-State is able to provide a variety of camps to serve the unique interests, income and eligibility levels of children and families within the community and area. For additional information about the remaining Summer Camp Academy, call (870) 680-8358 or go online to www.AState.edu/youth.
