Camp Invention: "Cache Dash"

Camp invention is a week-long summer enrichment program for children entering grades 1 through 6. The goal is to promote science, creativity, and learning. Discounts are available through May 30, and a limited number of need-based scholarships are available.

Last month, the module “Launchitude” was featured. Another great module being taught this summer is “Cache Dash.” Students attend each module once per day during camp. They rotate in groups by age, and the instructors modify the activities to each level of students throughout the day from first grade through sixth grade.

Take a look at what’s planned for the Cache Dash module.

Day One: children get assigned to expedition teams and learn orienteering, letterboxing and geocaching skills. Teams then compete in a challenge course to receive a clue to the cache location. The cache reveals invention tips and contains materials needed for the next day.

Day Two: team members explore challenges from countries around the world: traffic troubles in Paris, running out of living space in Singapore and, marine debris in Honduras. Children rotate through urban planning, structural engineering, and energy transformation stations. After learning more about the challenges, they reorganize their teams based on interest and begin to draft solutions.

Day Three: teams finish developing their solutions and share them with the group. It’s time for the next cache--but there’s a problem--the cache is locked. Teams must navigate a scavenger hunt to find combinations to unlock it.

Day Four: the new challenges require solutions to extreme weather issues in Cuba, Hawaii and Sudan. Teams then visit hurricane, tsunami, and sandstorm stations to learn more about these natural disasters. Children again form new teams and get to work problem solving the challenge that intrigues them most. They will work together to build solutions using the materials from the second cache. 

Day Five: on this final day, a video arrives from Hawaii thanking the students for their problem solving and revealing a final cache. Teams decipher a riddle to locate it and collect their rewards.

Students from Dexter and the surrounding communities are eligible to register for this week-long program which runs from June 24 through June 28 at Dexter High School from 9 am to 3:30 pm.  A sample daily schedule is viewable here. Before camp child care from 6:30 am and after camp child care to 6:00 pm is also available for a nominal fee.

The cost of the camp is $230, or register online by May 30th for the discounted price of $210.  A limited number of scholarships will be available based on financial need. To apply, contact Kathy Wilker.  Parents are responsible for their child's lunch and transportation to camp.

Camp Director Kathy Wilker can provide additional information and be reached at 734 424-4100 Ext. 1303 or wilkerk@dexterschools.org

Space is limited. Enroll today at campinvention.org or call 1-800-968-4332. 

Go to http://www.campinvention.org to register for Dexter's camp.

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Invent Now is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing inventors and invention, promoting creativity, and advancing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. The curricula are STEM-based and align with state standards. All courses include other subject areas such as social studies, literacy, history and art. The skills developed include creative and critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and communication. They foster an immersive, hands-on learning environment that encourages participants to take risks, use creative problem-solving techniques, and develop an entrepreneurial mind-set (I can Invent: Launchitude).