Office of Enrichment June 21, 2019 Week 4 Recap Week 4 has come to an end and our camper numbers skyrocketed into the 400s! I loved observing each of them enjoying their camp, snack time, the slip n' slide, and of course, the snack bar.
Math and science camps were in full swing this week with Math Maniacs, Math is FUNdamental, Cell Biology, and Young Scientists: Research and Design. I enjoyed visiting with the young scientists to learn how they were working through the scientific method. This week they bred zebrafish and brine shrimp charting the number of eggs and their growth. They also tested pill bugs' attraction to various types of food including peanut butter and marshmallows. Their findings? Pill bugs like marshmallows! Dr. Holbrook was sure to cover the topic of ethical testing on animals. At the end of the week, they completed the final step of the scientific method as each camper presented their favorite experiment. They capped off their presentations with a visit to the water slide and even Dr. Holbrook got in on the action! Our littlest scientists in Mad Science: Snap, Crackle, Pop also learned important lessons about physical and chemical reactions.
Our resident artists were busy this week drawing cartoon characters, making their own chalk paint, and creating masterpieces with recycled materials. Both our youngest and oldest dancers practiced their plie, releve, and saute in Summer Ballerina Camp, Don Quixote Suite: Intermediate/Advanced Ballet Technique, and Conditioning and Stretching for Dance. Mr. C and Mrs. Lopez are so dedicated to their art, and it shows in the growth of our dancers at the end of the week.
Athletes were everywhere this week in basketball, tennis, golf, archery, and horse camp. Through the heat, it's likely none worked harder than the track and field athletes. Coach Thurchak and his team of coaches worked through a variety of events including the 100, 400, 800, 1600 relay, discus, shotput, high jump, and long jump. On the last day of camp, we watched as each camper participated in a final meet. Many ran or jumped their personal best and we could not be more proud of their progress.
Enrichment camps abounded this week with so many opportunities for fun and personal growth. Campers perfected their cursive, designed entire cities of Legos, and learned cake decorating techniques. They bowled, played chess, and the etiquette campers even had a final closing tea party to demonstrate their finest manners. They tumbled, played with dolls, did Star Wars yoga, explored the world of Dr. Seuss, and even drank pink ink!
After four weeks of camp, I have to give a huge kudos to our summer counselors and volunteers. Your camper simply could not have as much fantastic fun without them. They do heavy lifting with tents and water coolers, endure the heat of carpool, serve snacks and snow cones, and help our instructors in the classrooms and on the fields. They help campers navigate our campus, delivering them safely to their camp and lunch, and most importantly they keep the water slide slick! They are the heartbeat of our operations and we couldn't make summer run without them. Next week, they'll be the ones writing this newsletter, giving you their perspective of Week 5. I know they'll have some great stories to tell!
Sincerely, Laura Baker and the Summer at Saint Mary's Hall Staff
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For more information: Visit us online: www.smhall.org/summer Contact us: (210) 483-9124 or enrichment@smhall.org |