Students can learn everything from cooking and woodworking to military exploration and engineering during Warsaw Community Schools’ Summer Enrichment Program.
This is the second year the enrichment camps have been offered by WCS and it continues to grow, according to Summer Program Coordinator and Edgewood Middle School Principal JoElla Smyth.
“This year we have quite a bit more scholarship money, and we will find money for all children to participate who want to,” she said.
In summer 2011, the program had 15 scholarships available. This year, Smyth said they have 30 with people standing by to provide more scholarships for qualifying students.
Camps are available for students in kindergarten to 12th grade. Camps are offered July 9-13, July 16-20 and July 23-27. Camp is in session from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with breakfast and lunch provided.
At the end of each week, participants will demonstrate what they learned with a community showcase on Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The cost is $100 per student per camp. To be cost neutral to WCS, at least 15 students must enroll in a camp.
“It is an exploration of the arts, and some of the courses we don’t get time to offer,” Smyth said. “There’s no pressure. Students come in and learn something they’re interested in.”
Students don’t have to attend or live in the Warsaw school district to participate in the camps, Smyth said. However, Warsaw only provides transportation to anyone living in the district or who is able to be picked up by bus within the district from a generalized location.
The camps can also make accomodations for students if given notice, Smyth said.
Smyth said this is the first year for a camp for high school students. Military Exploration is taught by David Clark and is offered for students in 10th through 12th grade.
Topics include military law, customs and courtesies, the history of each service, and how to incorporate self-management skills into school work and everyday life.
Science Central from Fort Wayne is partnering with WCS for two camps. It is bringing its own people and curriculum.
During July 16-20, Science Central is providing the camp “Young Engineer” for kindergarten through third grade. From July 23-27, Science Central is offering “Introduction to Robotics” for third- through sixth-graders.
“If you have a kid close to the grade, go ahead and put them in,” said Smyth. “If you feel your child really wants to do it, then do it.”
Most camps will be at Edgewood Middle School, but some may be at the high school. Students will be notified of the location.
Camp teachers are all WCS employees, except Science Central camps.
WCS staff also will teach the curriculum of Camp Invention, but WCS is just hosting the camp. Smyth said it’s a camp separate from the enrichment camps and costs more, but will be offered this summer.
She said more students are needed to sign up for Camp Invention. She said it’s a one-week program where students learn to make their own inventions out of supplies provided.
A different registration form is available online for Camp Invention at www.campinvention.org or via telephone at 800-968-4332.
Smyth said the camps offer students an opportunity to explore different areas.
“There are so many neat opportunities,” she said. “We’re the only school corporation I’ve found that is offering this extensive amount of opportunities.”
Parents can enroll more than one child in a camp, and students can enroll in more than one camp.
The application for WCS’s Summer Enrichment Camps is available online at www.warsaw.k12.in.us or at the front desk of every Warsaw school. They can be mailed or delivered to Edgewood Middle School, attention JoElla Smyth, at 900 S. Union St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
For more information, contact Smyth at 574-371-5096 or at jsmyth@warsaw.k12.in.us
