Lego robotics to CSI: campus summer camps offer a lot
University summer camps at a Glance:
By Spencer Griffith
As the thousands of graduation spectators file off the quad after commencement, the University campus takes on a serene nature. Without the normal population of 16,000 students, campus visitors can more easily hear the wind rustle the leaves of the great elms and the water stream down the Orr ditch that feeds Manzanita Lake.
With such an idyllic setting, it is no surprise that the University campus is home to more than a dozen summer camps and coordinates three across the state.
At Kids University (Kids U), the largest camp offered during the summer, campers get to enjoy a variety of classes. Kids will learn as they explore labs and classrooms on campus as well as participate in numerous sporting classes.
Classes offered at Kids U are known for being creative. Campers can sign up to learn how to make robots in the Lego Robotics class or they can learn forensics in one of the most popular classes offered, CSI Kids U.
“Kids University wants to provide kids with a unique educational experience,” said Jim McClenahan, director of management and executive programs with the University’s extended studies department. “The kids get a better experience at the camp then what they would get at daycare or sitting home alone.”
Kids U has become one of the most popular camps offered during the summer. Before the camp started the number of kids who had already signed up reached 2,110 and there were over 900 on the waiting list.
The University also offers more academically focused camps like the Girls Math and Technology Camp, which will take place July 22-27.
That week-long residential camp is designed for middle school girls who possess a special interest in science and math. The camp allows young girls to explore topics such as problem solving, geometry, spatial skills, data analysis, probability and algebra.
“We try to focus on substantial math that is important at the middle school level,” Lynda Wiest, founder of the camp, said. “We look at topics that I think don’t get enough attention at schools.”
Wiest, who created the camp in 1996, said that the camp's concept came from research that showed that girls generally lose interest in math and science in their middle school years.
The College of Engineering will also be offering six different opportunities for students aged 12-18 to learn about engineering. Two introductory camps, one held in Carson City and one on the Reno campus, will be offered as well as four “subject camps” which will also take place at the University. These subject camps will allow campers to get hands-on experience in environmental, electrical, earthquake and geotechnical engineering.
“I try to work with the students on projects like building water bottle rockets or racing boats in a hydraulic flume on campus,” associate civil and environmental engineering professor Eric Marchand said. “This year I am trying to organize a trip to Wild Waters to show the kids how the wave pool works and how they treat the water.”
Research assistant professor Sherif Elfass will conduct the earthquake engineering camp where students will learn what causes earthquakes, how to measure them and how to build and isolate structures from the ground to reduce the risk of collapsing.
“Students will have hands-on activities with each topic,” Elfass said. “They will build bridges from Kenex and balsa wood and test them in the lab.”
The engineering camps run from July 9 to August 11.
The 61st session of Nevada Boys State will be running during the month of June. Boys State is a leadership program designed by the American Legion to stimulate an interest in government. Boys who participate go through mock-elections and even get practice in writing legislation At the end of the session the boys are given the opportunity to pass their legislation on the floor of the Nevada State Legislature in Carson City.
The university is also offering sports, fitness and athletic camps to coincide with the educational programs. There are numerous sports camps for volleyball, basketball, football and soccer. Ages for these camps range from third grade up to twelfth grade, depending on the camp.
The Jr. Wolf Pack Football Camp, which is being run by Nevada Wolf Pack football coaching assistant Cameron Norcross, is designed to teach kids entering grades 3-8 the basic football fundamentals as well as sportsmanship. The non-contact camp, which runs from June 25- 27, gives boys and girls the chance to experience all parts of the game.
On July 23- 27, Nevada soccer head coach Terri Patraw will be heading-up the high school boys and girls soccer camp. This camp will give athletes a chance to experience training sessions of a division-one school. All sessions will be designed to teach technical and tactical aspects of the game of soccer.
“These camps are a great opportunity for kids in the community to come to University and meet the Wolf Pack,” said Rhonda Lundin, the University’s athletic department director of media services. “They can meet some athletes, enjoy our facilities and improve their skills.”
Those who seek to benefit from overall athletic training can take part in the Nevada Wolf Pack Altitude Camp, a cross country and training camp.
The camp, which runs from July 8-13, is a different kind of camp for athletes in grades 8-12. It teaches campers the basics of training theory, nutrition, race strategy and sports psychology. The goal of this camp is to have the campers become better all-around athletes.
For those more musically inclined, The Lake Tahoe Music Camp, which is run by university director of bands A.G. "Mack" McGrannahan III, will be offered this year from July 29- August 4. Musicians entering grades 6-12 can befit from rehearsals, concerts and activities in the Tahoe area.
But no matter what camp, McClenahan hopes all campers will be inspired by their experience.
“We want kids who take Lego Robotics to be inspired to become engineers and ones who take Clay Creations to become artists,” McClenahan said. “We hope we can prepare kids for their future.”
For more information on the summer programs offered at the University please contact The Office of Extended Studies at (775)-784-4046.
Spencer Griffith is a student writer in Marketing & Communications.
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