View Finder: Abiding Savior Lutheran Hosts Camp Invention

Abiding Savior Lutheran School served as a host site for Camp Invention June 20-24. Created for children entering grades one through six, the weeklong program immerses its participants in hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, math, history and the arts.

“We are focused on the subject areas that will help the United States address a critical shortage of scientists and engineers in the global workforce of the 21st century,” said Michael J. Oister, COO for the nonprofit Invent Now, Inc, which operates Camp Invention, in a statement. “Our programs nurture creative thinking in children, providing them with open-ended opportunities to explore ideas, make mistakes and reinvent solutions.”

Each day, children rotate through five integrated modules that employ creative thinking to solve real-world challenges. Children learn vital 21st century life skills such as problem solving and teamwork through imaginative play.

New to the 2011 Camp Invention lineup is the SPARK program. Children at Abiding Savior Lutheran School will construct life-sized clubhouses made of PVC piping where they will work to crack puzzling codes and solve a mystery in The Curious Cypher Club™ module.  In the Bounce! An Atomic Journey™ module they investigate polymer science and create their own bouncy balls to take home.  Children will also explore innovative survival traits of the planet’s W!LDest animals in the W!LD:  Wondrous and Living Designs™ module.  By popular demand, all Camp Invention programs include a module in which children participate in high-energy games that challenge their minds and bodies, as well as a renowned invention module, where children upcycle pieces and parts of discarded household appliances and other donated materials to create new machines.

Check out the photo gallery from the tour with the Director of Camp Invention, Jocelyn Wofford, of the campers at work.