CampInvention Moorestown/Cinnaminson 7/29-8/2 openings!

Calling all young scientists and inventors—a full day summer camp for the curious and creative is coming to Moorestown July 29 to August 2nd! Camp Invention is a weeklong enrichment program for children entering first through sixth grade. The science curriculum will expose children to everything from the earth's natural elements to the physics of a catapult, and allow campers to create their own inventions during the week.Director Ray Kucklinca described the camp as inquiry-based learning where children are encouraged to find their own answers to problems.The camp offers a cross-discipline look at the sciences, explained Kucklinca, who teaches environmental science at Moorestown High School. Camp Invention has a national curriculum, and Moorestown’s will follow the Geo-quest program this year.In the morning, campers rotate through four modulesExpedition teams embark on a quest to explore the Earth in the sky, underwater, on land, and underground in the Ecoverse™ module. Throughout the journey, teams design and invent tools to reveal and retrieve the Earth’s hidden messages; deciphering nature’s patterns. As children master the elements, they earn glyphs and create an illustrated narrative for a petrosphere journal, their own ancient symbol of power and knowledge!

In the Cache Dash™ module, children are recruited to become global expedition team members. As part of their weeklong training, they must work in teams to navigate their way to treasure-filled caches. The caches contain virtual missions from youth around the globe challenging the trainees to invent solutions to real-world problems in France, Singapore, Honduras, Hawaii, Cuba and Sudan.

In the I Can Invent: Launchitude™ module, expedition teams are challenged to launch international rubber ducks to their country origin and race to destroy competitor duck territory! Teams put physics (trajectory and velocity) into practical use as they take apart broken appliances and re-engineer the gears and gadgets, along with upcycled objects, to invent the ultimate Duck Chucking Device. Throughout the week, children will explore physics, entrepreneurship and invention though practical hands-on challenges.

Expedition teams travel the globe to investigate five extremes of the natural world: heat, height, crystals, water, and cold in the Amazing Atlas Games™module. Through hands-on science fun and high-energy games, they’ll turn the world inside out!Then, in the afternoon, campers summon their creative spirit to make their own inventions. The kids channel Thomas Edison’s innovative approach to making something new out of old materials.“They bring what we call ‘take aparts,’ things like a broken computer or VCR or phone … and recycled material like paper, cardboard or fabrics,” Kucklinca said. “We give them a topic and then they come up with a new invention.”Three teachers lead the sessions, and couple education with fun activities, Kucklinca said.Karen Davenport, a Moorestown mom, says her children are returning for a third year, and of all the different camps they have attended, this is their favorite.  "They love the active, hands on approach to learning outside of the traditional classroom and it helps them develop an appreciation for nature and what it has to offer. They are creating and inventing but in a venue other than on the TV or computer." Furthermore, she adds, "Ray Kucklinca has such great energy and awareness of how to encourage the children to ask questions and be inquisitive.”According to Kucklinca, “Our national math and science scores in the United States are lower compared to many countries. And girls especially can fall behind in these areas,” he said. “It’s very important at a young age to learn these lessons (taught at the camp) and for kids to work at their own pace to come up with answers.”Camp Invention runs July 29-August 2, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Upper Elementary School on Borton Landing. Currently, spaces are still available.The camp costs $265 if you register online through the national Camp Invention site www.CampInvention.org (go to "locations" and enter 08057 for Moorestown camp) or call 800-968-4332 for more information.Related Topics: Camp Invention and science camp