PHILOSOPHY AND STRUCTURE
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 an informal setting. At the same time, children are
introduced to basic scientific concepts and principles. Most of all, we want
children to have fun with and be excited about science!
WonderCamp emphasizes hands-on science activities that help children develop critical thinking skills and creative strategies. Camp sessions take place in air-conditioned classrooms and, as appropriate for the activity, on school grounds. In general, camp activities are structured, with campers rotating in small groups among science activity stations. Some camps may include the showing of a short video related to the science topic or have a guest scientist. 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.
SCHEDULEWonderCamp 2008 will be held the following weeks:
June 16 -20
June 23 - 27
July 7 - 11
July 14 - 18
Morning session: 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Afternoon session: 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Children may sign up for the supervised lunch hour between the morning and
afternoon sessions. They should bring their own lunches. The lunch hour includes
supervised play on the school playground as weather permits. 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.
There is no extended daycare service. Children may not arrive more than ten
minutes before the start of camp. Children should be picked up on time when
camp ends.
AGE
OF CAMPERS Children entering kindergarten through grade 6 are eligible to enroll in WonderCamp. Campers are grouped by age as shown below. Parents of children entering transition grades may consult with Victoria Rogers, education director, regarding in which group the child would feel most comfortable.
• Entering kindergarten-grade 1
• Entering grade 2 - grade 3
• Entering grade 4 - grade 6
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
TOPICS & TEACHERS| JUNE 16-20 | Entering grades K-1 | Entering grades 2-3 | Entering grades 4-6 | ||
9:00 - 11:30 am |
Do you love animals? Meet some live reptiles, mammals and other fascinating critters as you have fun learning about animals and what they need to survive. Teacher: Renee Vandenberg
|
Can you create a mini-habitat for an animal? Find out ways plants and animals live together and what things put them in danger. Teacher: Hilary Cannon Anderson
|
Use your artist’s eye to discover and recreate patterns in nature using various art materials, tessellations, and the techniques of artist M.C. Escher (1898-1972). Teacher: Sheri Curry
|
||
| 12:30 - 3:00 pm | Animal Planet Bloomington (PM) Repeat of morning session. Teacher: Renee Vandenberg |
Crazy About Dinosaurs Are you crazy about dinosaurs? Become an expert on these amazing creatures, and find out about the latest scientific dinosaur discoveries and theories. Teacher: Brandy Samuel |
Save the Earth Investigate the web of life, from the smallest living cell to a huge ecosystem. Design your own environmental landscape and make a plan to protect the earth. Teacher: Hilary Cannon Anderson |
||
| JUNE 23-27 | Entering grades K-1 | Entering grades 2-3 | Entering grades 4-6 | ||
9:00 - 11:30 am |
Have tons of fun while learning about dinosaurs through hands-on activities! Teacher: Brandy Samuel |
Investigate scientific mysteries and weird phenomena through hands-on activities. Teacher: Suzy McAuley |
Design and build an original electronic game! Use what you learn doing advanced experiments with magnets, electromagnets, and electrical circuits. Teacher: Donna Dafoe |
||
| 12:30 - 3:00 pm | Volcanoes, Earthquakes and More! Volcanoes, earthquakes, and other powerful forces change the face of our planet. Learn about these forces and discover the story that rocks tell about Indiana. Teacher: Kevin Wenzel |
Magnets, Electricity Make “shocking” discoveries while working with light bulbs, magnets, circuits and batteries. Create your own simple electronic game. Teacher: Donna Dafoe |
Master of Science Challenge yourself to become a Master Scientist by designing experiments and making your own discoveries. Teacher: Suzy McAuley |
||
| JULY 7-11 | Entering grades K-1 | Entering grades 2-3 | Entering grades 4-6 | ||
9:00 - 11:30 am |
Learn all about the planets in our solar system and discover how rockets work. Teacher: Kevin Wenzel |
Experience the excitement of spellbinding science experiments and dazzling live creatures. The topic is science, but the atmo-sphere is magical. Robes and wands are welcome. Teacher: Kirstin Wetterholt |
Build two take-home robots and see how your robot does on challenging tasks that you create with your design team. Note: This is a beginner experience. NOTE: Additional $20 fee for materials. Teacher: Ben Strawn
|
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| 12:30 - 3:00 pm | Rocket into the Repeat of morning session. Teacher: Kevin Wenzel |
World of Biology Be a biologist and experiment with flowers, pollinators, fungi, and axolotls (a newt-like amphibian). Teacher: Diane Lukasik
|
Wonderwarts House Prefects Wonderwarts invites all house prefects to a week of advanced scientific wizardry! The topic is science, but the atmosphere is magical. Robes and wands are welcome. Teacher: Kirstin Wetterholt |
||
| JULY 14-18 | Entering grades K-1 | Entering grades 2-3 | Entering grades 4-6 | ||
9:00 - 11:30 am |
Enjoy the excitement and fun of learning about a different science topic every day. Be a daring science explorer! Teacher: Jessie Pritchett |
Do you like to build things? Explore a fantastic fun-filled world of physics as you design bridges, airplanes and more! Teacher: Laura Olivera |
Repeat of camp during previous week. Teacher: Kirstin Wetterholt |
||
| 12:30 - 3:00 pm | Science Sampler (PM) Repeat of morning camp. Teacher: Kara Quimby |
Harry Potter Repeat of camp during previous week. Teacher: Kirstin Wetterholt |
Science Brain Busters Take the creativity challenge and have fun solving a variety of science brain busters. Invent your own brain buster to challenge your friends. Teacher: Erika Peek |
||
updated: 4/28/08
We maintain wait lists for camps marked FULL. Depending on how many children are on the wait list for any particular camp, you may wish to consider an alternative camp with openings.
All camps are led by teachers with assistance from high school interns. The
typical ratio is one staff person for every four to five campers.
LOCATIONWonderCamp 2007 will be held at University Elementary School, 1111 North Russell Road, on Bloomington's northeast side. The closest BT bus stop is on Smith Road at the corner of 10th Street. Please note that 10th Street has heavy traffic flow at high speed at that point and may be difficult to cross.
FEES
& SCHOLARSHIPS| Members | $65 per camp special member fee Discount: $60 per child per camp if that child is registered for four or more camps |
| General Public | $75 per camp Discount: $70 per child per camp if that child is registered for four or more camps |
Scholarships are available for up to two camps per child for eligible families.
Optional Supervised Lunch Hour: $10 per week per child
Note: There is an additional $20 fee for the robotics camp.
Members-Only
Registration Days: March 1 - 7, 2008
General Registration: March 8 continuing until camps are full
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.
Camp Registration
Form | Scholarship
Application | Drop/Add
Form
These PDF files require Adobe
Acrobat Reader.
Submit forms any of these ways:
• In person with payment by cash, check or MasterCard/VISA/Discover.
• By fax with MasterCard/VISA/Discover payment. Print
and use black ink.
Fax: 812-330-1337
• By mail with payment by check or MasterCard/VISA/Discover.
WITHDRAWALS AND CANCELLATIONSIf 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?
General Information
Celeste Wolfinger
(812) 337-1337 ext. 11
schedule @ wonderlab.org
Educational Content
Victoria Rogers
(812) 337-1337 ext. 19
victoria @ wonderlab.org
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