Eastwood
Elementary Magnet
School Hosts Camp Invention
- Article
& photo by Lena Sala
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Monday, June 21 through Friday, June 25, teachers and counselors at
Eastwood Elementary hosted Camp Invention, a weeklong summer program
that teaches 21st Century life skills to children, including teamwork,
problem-solving and hands-on activities.
Students entering first through sixth grades are eligible to
participate in the camp. According to Kim Geho, Kindergarten teacher at
Eastwood, this is the fifth year in a row that this program has been
made possible.
“In order for our students to participate in the program, I had to send
out over 20 letters to surrounding businesses in hope that they would
donate scholarship money so that the cost of the camp would be less
expensive for the parents to enroll their children in,” said Geho.
Out of the 20 letters sent out Geho only received two responses. One
from Johns Hopkins University and one from Baltimore Community
Foundation, who donated just enough money to the school.
Most of the lessons include many real-world math, science and learning
challenges that last from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Throughout the day
students receive snacks as well as lunch, which is provided by the
child’s parent.
“Camp Invention allows students to do something productive with their
day by keeping them out of trouble as well as from sitting inside all
day playing video games,” added Geho.
Back in January is when many of the students began to sign up for the
weeklong summer camp and 41 participants from grades one through six
took advantage of the program. Some of the activities include “Smart,”
where students create different crafts that revolve around science, art
and math; “Hatched,” which is an activity where they can earn play
money to build their own environments; “I Can Invent” where students
can take apart real electronics and use the parts to build their own
robots; and finally “Power’d ™,” which allows them to create tiny
creatures using electronics. Students participating were also able to
have some fun in the sun by taking part in water activities, which
included water balloon fights.
This is also a great opportunity for teenagers in school to earn their
community service hours which are required prior to graduation.
Eastwood Elementary Magnet School is located at 428 Westham Way. For
more information about the program, call 410-887-7034 or visit www.invent.org/camp/default.aspx.
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