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Boardman Park camp offers learning adventure
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .During a science activity, kids demonstrated two basic needs for a deer - food and water. Other camp participants acted as deer and chose between the two essential needs.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .As a team building activity, Adventure Camp participants played newcomb ball with each other. Different activities were used to build team comradery.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .While cooling off with popsicles, Adventure Camp director Karen McCallum (left) led a discussion about white tail deer. Camp participants learned about habitats during their science session.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Dodgeball was the game of choice for the Adventure Camp's sports session. Camp participants rotated through various sessions throughout the day.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Boardman Park’s Adventure Camp is back for another summer of education and fun.
From 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., camp participants learned about nature and habitats while doing fun activities. The camp is offered to students who have completed kindergarten through age 12. Camp members are separated by grade level and placed into groups. Each group rotates through various stations that focus on team building, science, sports and arts and crafts.
The station activities are geared toward learning about nature and different habitats. Outdoor Education Specialist Karen McCallum supervised the operation of the camp. She believes learning should be a fun experience for kids which is why she intertwines education with games and craft activities.
One of the camp’s craft projects required the campers to create a habitat that would be ideal for whitetail deer. Some of the science activities involve learning about the basic necessities of specific animals and their living conditions.
The camp follows a strict schedule that allows snack, lunch and water breaks between stations.
“We keep them on schedule and whether they say it or not, they like a schedule,” McCallum said.
The camp began in 2003 and according to McCallum, has a 70 to 80 percent return rate.
Glenwood Elementary’s Janae Cruz has attended Adventure Camp for the past four years. She enjoys the sports activities such as dodge ball and capture the flag, but also likes to learn about the environment.
“I have learned about the habitat and how the animals react to it,” Cruz explained. “I have fun here.”
The camp is used to educate elementary students, but it also gives experience to those who want to be teachers.
“We use college students who are going into education or who are teachers and need a summer job as junior counselors,” McCallum said.
The camp is broken into four sessions over the summer and is offered to Boardman and non-Boardman residents. Each session is two weeks in duration.
Adventure Camp is held Monday through Friday in Masters Pavilion and there is no need to worry about camp session cancellations.
“Rain or shine, we will be here,” McCallum said.
For information on the camp, stop by the park office or visit www.boardmanpark.com.