Do you have a 1st – 6th grader? One that loves science as much as my kid? Wondering what to do with them this summer? I just found out about Champions Science Adventures. Champions Science Adventures camps are designed to inspire curiosity about how the world works while instilling a love of learning about science through interactive, hands-on experiments and activities. WOW! This is perfect for Tbone! He loves Rockets, Space, Animals, Robots and all of the sessions they have there. There are a ton of locations nationwide to chose from. Lucky for us, there is one only 20 min from our area. I’m signing T up for the Gizmo’s Robot Factory. He is going to LOVE this! I will love it because he won’t be bored all summer with something like this to look forward to between our vacations. The best part?! I won a free week of half day camp!

Champions Science Adventures summer day camps focus on FUN and take science education beyond the classroom to spark a child’s interest in the world of science through exploration and discovery. This year’s four camps are Mystery of the Pharaoh’s Treasure, Go Wild, Gizmo’s Robot Factory and Space and Rocketry. I have a great promo code for you as well! Think the camps are too expensive? You can save $50 on a Champions Science Adventure summer day camp with the following code: summerscience10. Visit www.scienceadventures.com for more information!

As the final days of the school year approach, there are several simple ways to encourage your students to keep their minds working all summer long. Summer vacation is the perfect time for children to discover that learning is fun and can happen anywhere – not just in places called classrooms.  One easy way to learn while on summer break is with educational videos. Try the Champions Science Adventures webisodes found here: (http://www.youtube.com/user/scienceadventures). Filled with amazing footage and information, you’re sure to be engaged from in front of your own computer.

My kids favorite webisode is the animal one here:

Here are some great tips I was given on how to choose the perfect camp for your kid:

1.Ask Your Child: Camp should be about fun so it’s important to ask your kid about their interests and where he/she wants to go for camp. Get thoughts from your child first as that should lead you in the right direction and help shape all your other decisions.

2.Take a Tour: Take time to visit the camp you’re considering, preferably with your child, to preview the program offering. Look for well organized plans of activities, thoughtful preparation and a safe and inviting environment for your child.

3.Consider Specialty Camps: Now, there are camps that are focused on specific activities like sports or science. For example, children that attend the Champions Science Adventures camps learn how to build a robot, become mini-astronauts, solve an Egyptian mystery and leap into a wild animal adventure over four weeks beginning in June.

4.Balance Learning and Fun: While summer should definitely present fun filled activities that give children an experience different from their typical school day, the program you choose should also incorporate some learning activities into the camp day. 

5.Insist on Health and Safety Basics: Look for programs that are licensed and meet stringent health and safety requirements. Make sure to inquire about the medical training of the staff and if medical equipment like a first aid kit is readily available.