Students glowed under a blacklight as they learned about bioluminescence while others wore a “blubber glove” to understand Arctic water survival during this week’s Under The Sea Science Camp. 

Kindergarteners through fourth-graders engaged in hands-on science lessons throughout the week. Camp administrator Daniel Beauford said students especially enjoyed painting wooden snakes, learning about ferocious otters living in the Amazon, and creating and eating Great Barrier Reef models.

“The science camp hones in on making school fun,” said Beauford. “Each year we base it on a theme and connect it to science. Students are learning without realizing it.”

Fifth-grader Adelyn Hanna aspires to become an explorer and see the remains of the Titanic when she grows up. The camper enjoys learning about aquatic life, and she even has a freshwater fish tank at home. 

“I’m very interested in fish and different parts of coral,“ Adelyn said. The ocean enthusiast was excited to learn about new things at camp such as the different ocean zones. 

Camper Savvy Fornal wants to be an engineer or artist when she grows up, and she was able to explore the skills necessary for either career by building a house out of construction paper, dough and popsicle sticks during camp. The project tied into a lesson about homes that are built by the ocean that must withstand natural disasters.

“They’re learning about careers they could have,” said camp teacher Kim White. “We’re pulling in lots of different dynamics of real-world experiences.” 

Approximately 300 students from across the district participated in the camp, which has grown in attendance over the past six years. Some students return to the camp year after year and reconnect with fellow campers. For students Savvy and Kiri Chap, that’s just the case.

Savvy and Kiri met each other last year, and this summer their friendship blossomed. They are in the same camp class together and they play together during recess. Kiri also helps Savvy with projects and activities because Savvy is visually impaired. 

For example, Kiri helped Savvy gain a better understanding of a tsunami by holding her hand as a video about the natural disaster played. Kiri pushed or pulled Savvy’s hand when the tide receded or rolled in so Savvy could “feel” it.  

 “It helped me a lot,” Savvy said. “I was nowhere close to visualizing that in my head.”

The camp wraps up Friday where kids will enjoy bounce houses and popsicles to celebrate their hard work.

Out of all the activities, Kiri’s favorite part was making new friends and reconnecting with the old ones. 

“My favorite part is meeting new friends and meeting the friends that were here last year,” said Kiri. “Just being in this camp in general is a fun activity.”