Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Summer Science Camp Offers Scholarships

Apply Now for K-5 Summer Enrichment Camp

Camp Invention is coming to Boone in June, and several scholarships are still available for both boys and girls in current kindergarten through fifth grade classes.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer almost $2,000 in scholarship aid this year,” said Camp Director Gail Bastarache. “We hope to spread these funds to the most number of families, so we are mainly offering partial scholarships. However, full scholarships will also be considered.”

Do you know a young person who is curious and creative and would love a great summer enrichment program? Camp Invention, a nationally acclaimed day camp created by the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation, with support from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, makes learning fun! Children participating in this unique summer day program will develop their creativity, teamwork and decision-making skills. They will learn some of the basic principles of science, engineering and creative problem-solving as they build things, take things apart and do hands-on explorations.

ASU’s Office of Conferences and Institutes is hosting Camp Invention and providing logistical support, publicity and staffing support. The ASU Math and Science Education Center is a major supporter as well. Also supporting this science and math enrichment activity in Watauga County is the High Country Branch of the American Association of University Women.

“For Camp Invention, we are looking for children interested in exploring the sciences,” said Bastarache. “Really, for this age group, that would include almost any child, as all young people are naturally curious.”

Local Camp Invention instructors are certified teachers from Boone who are selected for their abilities to excite and motivate children and their enthusiasm for creative learning. Parents who wonder if this camp might suit their children are encouraged to watch the brief video and read information on the camp website at www.campinvention.org. For Camp Invention, children bring their lunch, but everything else is provided by the program, including daily snacks and drinks.

The Camp Invention program will run Monday, June 23, through Friday, June 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The base fee for the week is $205, and the minimum scholarship amount to be awarded is $100. Interested families should indicate interest as soon as possible because the camp is close to reaching capacity for 2008.

Through the generous support of the ASU Math and Science Education Center, scholarships are available for boys and girls of any age, and families of all income levels are welcome to apply. Families that qualify for the school free lunch program do not need to provide any additional financial information, but will need to turn in an application. Forms are available at each area school, or you can call 828-262-2530.

“We know that for many local families, the basics are covered but there is not extra money for special camps,” said a local camp spokesperson. “Due to our generous donors, we are able to extend these scholarships to middle-income families as well, and we hope many interested families will consider applying.”

The American Association of University Women is offering several scholarships to young girls in the High Country. According to a local spokesperson, the mission of the AAUW is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. In fact, since 1881, the American Association of University Women has been the nation's leading voice promoting education and equity for women and girls. To qualify for the AAUW scholarship, girls need to have an interest in exploring engineering, science or math, and express a financial need.

“We have several ways to qualify families,” said Teri Reddick, from ASU Office of Conferences and Institutes. “We are grateful to the American Association of University Women and to the ASU Math and Science Education Center, and are eager to discuss scholarship opportunities with local families as soon as possible.”

If you would like additional scholarship information, email reddickct@appstate.edu or call 828-262-2530. Although Camp Invention is still 10 weeks away, the time to apply is now.