Science day camp program offered in Pine River

PINE RIVER - A summer science day camp program will be available this summer in the Pine River-Backus area.

Camp Invention is a non-profit science and creativity summer day camp. Pine River-Backus Community Education has been selected to partner with the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio, and the US Patent and Trademark Office to offer this educational outreach program.

Children entering grades 1-6 in fall 2006 will spend one week exploring hands-on, cross-curriculum activities. Staff-to-camper ratios are between 1:6 and 1:8, and the camp size will be between 30 and 110 campers.

Camp Invention is scheduled for the week of July 17-21 at the Pine River Elementary site, though this is subject to change to a different location in the Pine River-Backus School District.

Barb Mann, PR-B Community Education director, recently was hired as the local director. Hiring of teachers and other staff is in process.

Registrations are being accepted by Camp Invention and promotional fliers with registration forms recently were sent home with kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Efforts are taking place to raise camper scholarship dollars for area students to participate in the program at a reduced rate.

Campers participate in five modules each day, which include:

Take Apart/I Can Invent - takes discarded appliances apart and creates new inventions by using the parts.

Problem Solving on Planet Zak - figure out how to survive on an alien planet.

Spills and Chills - crash test cars and skateboards using eggs and water balloons.

Imagination Point: Ride Physics - design an amusement park.

Amazing Games - high-energy recreational activities combining creativity and teamwork.

Call Pine River-Backus Community Education for more information or to help with camper scholarships at (218) 587-2080, or visit Camp Invention at www.campinvention.org.