NSU offers Summer Camp for Kids

By Laura Butler
NSU Staff Writer

(Tahlequah, OK)--The Northeastern State University Summer Camp for Kids will again offer learning and cultural experiences for children this summer on the Tahlequah campus.

This is the second year for the camp, which began as Centennial Summer Camp for Kids in recognition of the universitys Centennial celebration.

There are very few cultural activities for kids in the community to participate in during the summer, said camp director Barbara Fuller. NSU recognizes the need and is happy to be able to provide the kids in our surrounding communities the opportunity to participate in an enrichment program.

The first camp consisted of four basic components: Reading, Art, Drama and Science. According to Fuller, the response was so overwhelming and parents were so welcoming that NSU decided to offer the camps again with more options.

The Freaky Science Experiments attracted double the students last year so we have decided to offer two science classes, Fuller said. Also, each camp last year was designed for third grade and up. We have removed those age limits to include ages from 5 and up, depending on the class.

Fuller said each camp offers a hands-on opportunity for kids and was selected and created around the concept of what would a kid like to do? Students from NSUs College of Education are also helping to develop and implement the camps.

The camps are five sessions. The first runs June 28 July 2. The camp is Living in a Glaze, which allows campers to explore their creativity through hands-on art experiences. This camp is for ages 7-over and includes trips to the Philbrook Museum and The Purple Glaze.

The second session is July 5-9 and includes three camps. Buggin Out is for ages 5-6 and allows these younger campers to explore the world of bugs. This camp includes a field trip to the Tulsa Zoo.

Freaky Science Experiments is for ages 7-10 and gives campers a first-person experience in science by conducting wacky experiments. This camp includes a field trip to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum.

Winning the Argument teaches campers public speaking skills through speech, drama and debate. The last day includes a mock competition with area judges. This camp is for sixth grade and up.

The third session is July 12-16 and features the Sci-Fi Science camp. This camp explores science fiction through exploration and interactive experiments. Campers discover which science fiction myths are confirmed and which are busted. This camp is for ages third grade and up or campers who have previously completed Freaky Science Experiments.

Session four runs July 19-23 and features the Be a Star camp. Campers explore the world of acting through plays, improvisation, singing, dancing and even digitally inserting themselves into famous movie clips. The field trip includes a personal tour of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. This camp is for ages 7-over.

The final session runs July 26-30 and features two camps. Reading Between the Lines is for ages 8-up and lets campers recreate the worlds of popular books through art, food, music and other activities.

Photography 101 introduces campers to picture-taking. Students learn how to hold and use a camera and skills such as choosing the right subject, centering, focusing and lighting. This camp is for ages third grade and up.

Each full day of camp is 8:30 a.m. 5 p.m. The cost is $125 for each camp and includes lunch, snacks, camp t-shirt, transportation to and from field trips and admission and special activity costs.

To download registration forms visit http://www.nsuok.edu/summercamps.

For more information contact Fuller at 918-444-3767 or fullerbe@nsuok.edu, Phyllis Wilmon at 918-444-3600 or Dr. Dana Eversole at 918-444-2891.