“In Toy Company, my friend and I designed toys, and we got to decide the price, and what the ads would look like,” says Amy Chalan, another returning camper. “It was a really fun experience.” This year, one class she’s really looking forward to is Proving Your Case. “Last year, I saw kids pretending to be prosecutors and on juries. It was incredible.” Oscar Pak, who took Proving Your Case last year remembers, “My class and the Crime Scene Investigation class came together and formed an orderly courtroom case. It was a great experience to learn how courtroom procedures work and feel.”
According to camp director Maureen Massaro, “That’s all part of the design of the camp. Learning is fun when you really sink deeply into the world of that subject. And, when you can learn by doing what professionals in the field do, using authentic situations, materials and tools. It also helps to have a ton of choices.”
All of the instructors are certified teachers, most of whom have course-work, experience and/or certification working with gifted and high ability students. Does a student have to be “gifted” or super smart to participate? The best kids for this camp are “kids that are thoughtful and like learning in a fun way,” says Dominic Polycarpou, a returning 4th grade camper. At Challenge camp, learning is definitely fun.
“I’m not sure who’s more excited, me or the kids!” says Dana Pompa. Pompa will be teaching the 2nd-3rd graders Digital Storytelling, Robotics Basics for the 2nd-3rd graders and Utilizing Robotics for the 4th-5th graders. Tarrytown’s Superintendent, Dr. Howard Smith, is also excited. “This year’s camp offerings represent a wonderfully eclectic and creative mix of opportunities designed to actively engage inquisitive young minds. You just can’t get something like this anywhere else, and it is right in our backyard!”
Washington Irving School’s beautiful campus overlooking the Hudson is easily accessible—just off exit 9 on I-87/287, right near the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Camp dates: Monday-Friday, August 1-12.
Camp hours: 8:30-2:30 (or 8:30-12:15 for morning-only students).
[blockquote class=blue]For more information, brochures and registration materials, go to http://challengesummerinstitute.com or contact director Maureen Massaro at: mmassaro@tufsd.org[/blockquote]