– Marcella M. McCluskey
***The writer is enrolled in Comm 240 News Reporting.***
This summer the Sternberg Museum of Natural History plans to launch the first-ever series of Sternberg Summer Science Camps to give youth the opportunity to learn more about science and get hands-on experience in the field.
“The point of the camps is to get students of different age groups involved in doing science as well as learning science. That’s the big push,” said David Levering, the education director at Sternberg.
Whether campers are interested in paleontology, biology, or ecology, this series has a camp for them, he said. Levering has several years of experience working at science summer camps and said he wants to offer that same opportunity to youth of all ages in western Kansas.
Levering worked for The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Science Camps for four summers, three as a counselor and one as an instructor. He also worked for The Center for Talented Youth through Johns Hopkins University for three summers.
“This is the first time that I have started an entire camps program from the ground up.” Starting an entire series of camps for students kindergarten through 12th grade has involved a lot of planning, Levering said.
“Fundraising is a big part of it–to get the equipment, putting together a schedule, putting together a cost structure, figuring out how much you are going to need from each person to make sure the camps can run,” Levering said. “Deciding what camps to offer, land use, getting the word out, finding discounts for supplies, and putting together curriculum is something I am still working on.” Levering also placed a heavy emphasis on advertising for the camps because this is their first year.
He said that splitting the campers up into different age groups is important in order for them to learn at their age level.
“(By) splitting them up into different age groups, we can use different content.” He added even though the subject matter may be the same, the instructors can go into more depth with older kids.
Camps for students kindergarten through grade 5 will be on June 2, 4, 30; July 2; and Aug. 11. Cost is $60 for museum members and $70 for non-members.
Middle school camps, for grades 6-8, will be June 4-6; June 7-9; June 8-10; June 11-13; June 15-17; and June 18-20. Cost is $250 for museum members and $300 for non-members.
The high school camp, for grades 9-12, is July 13-26. Cost is $1,000 for museum members and $1,100 for non-members.
One component of the summer camps will be camping trips.
“The camping trips portion helps kids form peer groups who have similar interests, gets them outside, exposes them to new ideas and new skill sets…experiences they may not have otherwise,” Levering said.
One of the activities that the high school campers will get to participate in is the excavation of a large marine reptile. Other topics that the camps will touch on include basic wilderness and camping skills, including hydration, proper clothing, camping skills and etiquette.
Although most of the camps will be outside in the fields of western Kansas, the elementary students will not spend time away from the Sternberg Museum’s property.
They will stick to the Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trails and the dome of the Sternberg Museum.
Levering said the older kids “are not just going to be outside all of the time. Middle school camps will go into collections at the Sternberg Museum…looking at different Kansas animals and plants. High school camps will be a week out in the field. Then they will be on campus and at the museum. It will be a well-rounded immersive experience for the kids.”
Those wanting more information may contact Levering at 785-639-5249 or at dalevering@fhsu.edu.