Sam Odrowski
Science North Camps are returning to Fort Frances for the seventh-straight year, where youths aged four-11 will receive week-long programming aimed at teaching them about science in a fun and interactive way.
Staff scientist Sean Murray is happy to bring these types of summer camps to more remote areas such as Fort Frances.
“What we are proud of is bringing in some really cool experiments and some unique activities to small Northern Ontario towns,” he remarked.
“It gives the kids a chance to see things that they might not otherwise get a chance to see in their small community.”
Murray also noted the parents’ feedback over the past few years has been fantastic.
“We’ve got some really positive feedback from parents and families in Fort Frances,” he said.
“They’re mostly just happy to have the Science North camps in town and get that opportunity.”
New to this year’s camps are two different weeks of programming compared to just the one since the camps first were held here back in 2011.
From June 25-29 and July 3-6, Science North Camps will be available to district residents and will feature three different sets of programming.
The first camp is called “Mix, Make and Move” and is open to four- and five-year-olds.
It encourages kids’ curiosity and dives into the “what if” questions many children have.
Experiments campers will embark on include making a “CO2 Sandwich,” moving a jet engine balloon, mixing a marvellous magnetic masterpiece, and much more.
Youths aged six-eight, meanwhile, can explore their interests by signing up for the “Discovery Camps.”
Those enrolled in this camp will engage in a variety of activities from building space rockets to searching for precious metals in the sand.
They’ll learn about physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as experience new things.
The third camp, for kids aged nine-11, is called “Media Camps.”
It takes a unique approach on how people communicate with each other using technology.
A wide range of topics will be covered in the camp, including green screen techniques, clay animation, playing with lighting, and cameras.
“We’re basically looking at the tools of the trade with people who are doing cinematography, making films, or that sort of thing,” Murray explained.
By the end of the camp, participants will have helped to create their own visual masterpieces.
The camps are meant to be hands-on and interactive to help spark an interest in science among youths.
“It’s a really fun and exciting way to explore science,” Murray enthused.
“It’s really active, there’s lots of really visual experiments, and there’s lots of building challenges, as well.”
He added these camps are different from others in the area because the programming is so diverse and unlike anything else available in the north.
“I know a lot of the kids that come and really enjoy some of our building and robotics challenges,” Murray said.
“It’s really unique and I don’t think Fort Frances has anything else that can compare.
“It’s just a really great opportunity to get kids involved in science activities,” he added.
To register for the camps online, visit http://sciencenorth.ca/science-north/kids/summer/ and select “Fort Frances” or call 1-800-461-4898 for more information.
The camps will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at J.W. Walker School.
“We are looking forward to giving a great experience to more kids in Fort Frances and trying to get more kids involved in science,” Murray said.
