INTRODUCTION TO WONDERCAMP

LONGER THREE-HOUR CAMPS!

FULL-DAY OPTION FOR K-1 CAMPS!

DAILY UPDATES FOR PARENTS!

 

Topics & Teachers | Fees, Discounts & Scholarships | Registration


Philosophy
Science is a method of observing, testing, measuring, discovering, and understanding. WonderCamp's primary purpose is to introduce children to the process of scientific inquiry in a relaxed setting. WonderCamp emphasizes extensive hands-on science activities that help children develop critical thinking skills and creative strategies. In general, camp activities are structured, with campers rotating in small groups among science activity stations, with some large-group activities. Scientists and other experts in their field may visit some camps as guests.

Staff
All camps are led by experienced teachers with help from well-trained high school interns. The typical ratio is one staff person for every four to five campers. WonderCamp's director is Mandie Guinn.

Location
WonderCamp is held off-site at University Elementary School, which offers indoor and outdoor amenities not available at the museum itself in downtown Bloomington. Camp sessions take place in air-conditioned classrooms and, as appropriate for the activity, outside on school grounds.

Schedule
Camp is held for five days (Monday through Friday) during four different weeks in the summer (see below). Morning camps are held from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and afternoon camps are held from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. You may register for morning, afternoon, or both camps. Each camp includes a break for a healthy snack. Most camps include a "recess" period on the playground, or, if the weather is inclement, an inside break from concentrated activities.

Children may sign up for the supervised lunch hour between the morning and afternoon sessions. They should bring their own lunches and beverages. The lunch hour includes supervised play with campers of all ages on the school playground, as weather permits, or inside. Children may come to lunch either after a morning camp or before an afternoon camp. Those attending camp all day must sign up for the lunch hour.

Drop Off and Pick Up
Children may not arrive more than ten minutes before the start of camp. The parent/caregiver should accompany the camper to the check-in table and then to the camp classroom. Children should be picked up on time when camp ends, as there is no extended daycare servce. The parent/caregiver should come to the camp classroom to sign out the camper and help carry projects home.

Age of Campers
Children entering kindergarten through grade 6 in the fall of 2009 are eligible to enroll in WonderCamp. Campers are grouped by age as shown below. To help ensure a good experience, please register your child for a camp that is appropriate for your child's age, interests, and abilities. WonderCamp may not be appropriate if your child has not had a successful experience attending a nursery school or daycare program before this summer. WonderLab's summer science programs for other age groups are as follows:

Preschool-Age Children: Discovery Time
Teens: Volunteer Program
High School Teens: Summer Internship Program

Communication With Parents
Each day at pick-up time, parents will be given a Camp Connection card to stimulate discussion between campers and their parents about the day's activities and learning. Parents may find these discussions useful in seeking out more resources to further their child's interest in the subject.

 

JULY 2009 TOPICS & TEACHERS

JULY 6-10	Entering grades K-1		Entering grades 2-3		Entering grades 4-6
9:00 - 12:00	BUGS, BUTTERFLIES, BATS AND BUBBLES Code: CO913 It's the letter B for biology! We'll go on a bug hunt, investigate the lives of butterflies and bats, and, just for fun, experiment with bubbles. Laura Olivera Focus: Biology		TECHNOLOGY OF ART Code: CO915 *Wait list only Explore the technology and history of various printing techniques, painting media, weaving methods, color creation, and types of clay. Lots of creative hands-on activities! Hilary Cannon Anderson Focus: Art & Science		CSI: WONDERCAMP Code: CO917 *Wait list only Join the advanced team of detectives! Keep a notebook of evidence and labwork to see if you can pull together all the clues and solve a major crime by the end of the week! Erika Peek Focus: Forensics
1:00 - 4:00	SCIENCE SAMPLER Code: CO914 Enjoy the excitement of learning about a different science topic every day! We'll bend light, experiment with colors, make chemical reactions, explore a water ecosystem, and more! Kevin Wenzel Focus: General Science		THE DAILY DETECTIVE Code: CO916 *Wait list only Use science to solve a new case every day! We'll learn how to find and collect evidence, dust for fingerprints, discover which pen was used by the suspect, and more! Erika Peek Focus: Forensics		BICYCLE SCIENCE Code: CO918 We'll refurbish a bike to donate to the community and discover the science of hand brakes, gears, shock absorbers, and more. We'll also have a bike rally and helmet egg drop contest! Hilary Cannon Anderson Focus: Engineering & Physics
JULY 13-17	Entering grades K-1		Entering grades 2-3		Entering grades 4-6
9:00 - 12:00	WINTER IN JULY Code: CO919 *Wait list only We'll enjoy a refreshingly cold camp in the heat of July by making ice cream, growing snowflakes, painting with ice, and other "cool" activities! Laura Olivera Focus: General Science		SUPERHERO SCIENCE Code: CO921 Use science to mimic superhero powers, explore genetic traits, make a really special superhero cape, and create a superhero comic book! Brandy Samuel Focus: General Science		WONDERWARTS HOUSE PREFECTS Code: CO923 All house prefects are invited to a week of advanced scientific wizardry! Enjoy old favorites and new activities. Robes and wands are welcome. Kirstin Maxwell Focus: General Science
1:00 - 4:00	I LIKE LIGHT Code: CO920 We'll have fun exploring shadows with puppets, making kaleidoscopes, creating rainbows, investigating natural and other sources of light, and more! Darin Somers Glenn Focus: Physics		HARRY POTTER SPELLBINDING SCIENCE Code: CO922 *Wait list only Experience spellbinding science and dazzling live creatures in a truly magical atmosphere! Enjoy old favorites and new activities. Robes and wands are welcome. Kirstin Maxwell Focus: General Science		ALTERNATIVE ENERGY Code: CO924 Check out renewable energy sources! Cook with a solar oven, experiment with biofuels, design a wind turbine and water wheel, and build a solar-powered vehicle made with recycled materials. Kit charge of $25 added to camp fee. Emily Sprowls Focus: General Science

*We maintain wait lists for camps that have reached capacity enrollment. Last updated 6/30/09.

 

LOCATION

WonderCamp 2008 was held at University Elementary School, 1111 North Russell Road, on Bloomington's northeast side. The closest Bloomington Transit bus stop is on Smith Road at the corner of 10th Street (also known as State Road 45). Please note that there is no crosswalk to get from the bus stop to the school and that it is not appropriate for a child to cross this road without the assistance of an adult.

FEES, DISCOUNTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

Fees for Members	$75 per camp $100 per camp for Build a Robot and also for Alternative Energy (Basic fee includes a $20 non-refundable processing charge per camp) NOTE: Your membership must be current during camp week(s) to apply this discount fee. $10 per week for optional supervised lunch hour. Food is not included.
Fees for the General Public	$85 per camp $110 per camp for Build a Robot and also for Alternative Energy (Basic fee includes a $20 non-refundable processing charge per camp) $10 per week for optional supervised lunch hour. Food is not included.
Discounts	$5 discount per child per camp if that child is registered for four or more camps!
Scholarships	Full and partial scholarships for up to two camp sessions are available for eligible families. Please submit the Scholarship Application with a Registration Form for consideration. The non-refundable processing charge is waived for those receiving scholarships.

 

REGISTRATION

Each camp group is limited to approximately 20 children. Spaces are filled in order of receipt of completed registration forms accompanied by full payment, or completed scholarship application form and processing fee. WonderLab will confirm enrollment by mail within two to three weeks of receipt of registration.

Camp Registration Form | Scholarship Application | Drop-Add Form
These PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

In Person	Completed registration form and payment (cash, check, VISA/MasterCard, Discover)
By Fax	Completed registration form and payment (VISA/MasterCard, Discover)
By Mail	Completed registration form and payment (check, VISA/MasterCard, Discover)
	Note: If you are submitting a scholarship application, no payment is necessary. Just submit a completed registration form and scholarship application.

Withdrawals and Cancellations
If a child withdraws from a camp at least two weeks before the camp starts, WonderLab will refund the camp fee minus the processing fee. No refunds will be given if the child is withdrawn from a camp less than two weeks before the camp's start date. In the unlikely case that a camp session does not have sufficient enrollment, WonderLab will notify parents of enrolled children at least one week before the start of the camp and provide a full refund.

 

QUESTIONS?

Celeste Wolfinger
(812) 337-1337 ext. 11
schedule [at] wonderlab [dot] org

For camp content questions, leave a message:
Mandie Guinn, WonderCamp Director
(812) 337-1337 ext. 19

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