Camp Invention

Ephraim and Azael just completed a weeklong day camp called Camp Invention. They absolutely LOVED it! Azael doesn't get too excited about many things, but one day after I picked them up, he said, "Today was the best day EVER!" They got to take apart electronic items and create their own invention, make working robots, design sports equipment which they made and used, built a new world economy for a virtual world called Hatched, and so on. Azael was a member of the "red team" and Ephraim was on the "blue team" (the teams are basically age groups). Camp Invention runs from first through fifth grades. They would like to go again next year. And Ephraim is already planning way ahead to the day he can be a camp counselor.

Working on the math module. It is crazy hair day. Ephraim is in the red shirt with blue hair.

Ephraim designing his robot. He used styrofoam and golf tees for the legs. He connected a toothpick to the engine, so basically his "animal" went around in circles. But he was happy with it. The counselors let the kids design things all by themselves.

Azael and some teammates doing something with duck tape. This is crazy hat day.

Azael wore three hats!
Azael is taking apart his "take apart item." He decided to turn it into a Homework Machine. It was great to hear him talk about it. He got in the van on Tuesday and said, "Mom, I am making a Homework Machine. And it REALLY works! It will spit out all the homework using this little scanner and the homework will all be done!" I was happy to see he still uses his imagination, even though he's getting older.

Azael and some teammates discussing their plan (problem solving and teammwork was a huge part of the week)

Ephraim and a fellow teammate posing with the store they made for their Hatched economy.

Ephraim with a blue team counselor.

Azael with a red team counselor.