Camp Invention summer program returns to Henderson

Camp Invention is returning to Henderson to offer weeklong programing for first- through sixth-grade students.

"While some camps are more sports- oriented or physically oriented, this challenges children intellectually," said Annette Phillips, the regional program manager for Camp Invention.

Camp Invention has offered the summer enrichment program in Henderson for the past decade.

"It's a science-based program that promotes innovative thinking," Phillips said.

The goal of Camp Invention is to help students grow in science, technology, engineering and math.

The camp is taught by local teachers, and instruction is typically delivered in five consecutive lessons during the week.

Cheri DiMartino, a facilitator for the Gifted and Talented Education program through the Clark County School District, has been involved with the program for the past six years.

"I believe in the program," DiMartino said. "When I first heard about it, I researched and investigated what it was all about."

After her first summer teaching the program, DiMartino was a believer.

"I believe wholeheartedly this program gets kids excited about learning," DiMartino said.

DiMartino said that each year, she has children who can't wait until the program starts.

"I was talking to a parent," DiMartino said. "She was so tired because her child got her up hours early because he couldn't wait to start the program that day."

Each day, children rotate through different modules.

In one of this year's scenarios, students involved with the camp get to be a part of the magnetropolis module, in which participants are recruited to find an island by navigating hand-crafted upcycle ships to the last known location of the island. Students are expected to use science skills such as buoyancy and magnetism during this lesson.

"Children work as a team to solve daily challenges," Phillips said.

Children then rebuild the island to scale using engineering design and math.

Another session in Camp Invention's summer Envision program includes the Balloon Burst, where students have to figure a way to bust a water balloon using science skills.

Phillips said children are broken up into teams according to their age to work on the module.

The program is slated to be in Henderson from June 11-15 at Gibson Elementary School, 271 Leisure Circle; from June 25-29 at Glen Taylor Elementary School, 2655 Siena Heights Drive; and from June 25-29 at Silver Sands Montessori Charter School, 1841 Whitney Mesa Drive. The program is scheduled to be in the Spring Valley area from June 18-22 at Wright Elementary School, 8425 Bob Fisk Ave., and in the Summerlin area from June 25-29 at Richard Bryan Elementary School, 8050 Cielo Vista Ave.

"It is open to children across the whole valley," Phillips said.

On average, Phillips said the program gets about 40 to 60 children.

"But we have the capacity of going up to 110," Phillips said. "It is usually a 1-to-8 ratio (teacher to child)."

If the program reaches its capacity, Phillips said, it will look at expanding the program to more schools. Phillips also wants to reach out to schools to expand the programs during July or August.

Camp Invention is a nationally known program, Phillips said. Phillips said the program is endorsed by organizations such as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Phillips said all but two states have the program.

"So if you have family in another state, they could be doing the same program as you," Phillips said.

Phillips added that if children register before May 31, they can get a $15 discount. The initial cost is $215. For students who age out of the program, Camp Invention is launching a counselor-in-training program for graduates of previous sessions. Graduates can help in classes.

For more information or to register, visit campinvention.org.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.