SCORE science camp back following two-year hiatus
The Chase County Schools Education Foundation is gearing up for SCORE Camp 2022 to be held June 20-24.
As in years past, there will be several outreach programs available to the public.
The last SCORE camp was held in 2019. But after two years of COVID concerns since, it is returning with a lot of excitement attached to the upcoming plans, said Charlesa Kline, co-director with Kim Spady.
SCORE stands for Science Camps Offer Rewarding Experiences.
SCORE camp is designed to promote educational and exciting programs and activities that stimulate young scientists and inspire them through hands-on experiences in a variety of Chase County settings.
The theme for this year is “Adventure Science,” and activities are planned to appeal to participants’ imaginations and sense of adventure.
Sessions will be geared toward investigations of exploring weather, discovering the science involved in survival skills, life, earth and chemistry, as well as physical, environmental and health sciences.
Campers will enjoy two days of small sessions exploring hands-on activities and experiments at Champion Lake or Swinging Bridge, Kline said.
These sessions will be taught by local and traveling instructors and will explore all types of science.
All of the campers will have the opportunity to attend large shows on Wednesday at Chase County Schools, to which the public is also invited.
“This year’s programs include presentations from Wildlife Encounters and Wacky Science, STEM exploration by the Exploration Place and survival education by two instructors from The Survival University,” she said.
The highlight of the week will be survivalist Aaron “Hutch” Hutchinson teaching at each camp along with his “buddy in all things survival,” Matthew “Sarge” Sargent.
Hutchinson is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and resident instructor at The Survival University in Cripple Creek, Colorado.
“His incredible generosity, broad skill set and hilarious storytelling assures campers to have a truly unique camp experience,” she added.
Schedules, registration
The camp is open to students who have completed first-sixth grades and will be held at CCS.
First and second graders will attend camp June 20, 21 and 22 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Third and fourth graders will attend on June 22, 23 and 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fifth and sixth graders will attend June 21, 22 and 23 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Registration for SCORE camp is open.
“We encourage you to register and pay by credit card at www.SCOREcamp.com or watch for a brochure to come home with your student,” Kline said.
Extra brochures can be found at CCS, city of Imperial offices and Lied Imperial Public Library.
The cost for the camp is $125 per student which includes a camp shirt, water bottle and personal insulated cooler.
“Space is limited so students should be signed up soon. We’re already at over 70% full,” Kline said.
SCORE is funded by registration fees, grants, monetary donations along with in kind donations, and it’s successful because of the dedicated support from the community, she added.
“If anyone would like to be a contributor towards S.C.O.R.E. please contact Carrie Terryberry, CCS Education Foundation Treasurer, or any S.C.O.R.E. staff member,” Kline said.
A limited number of scholarships are available for students to complete an application and present a need, she added.
Applications for the scholarship are available in the main office at CCS.
For more information about camp, contact Spady at kspady@chasecountyschools.org or Kline at 308-883-8028.
For questions on registration contact Trish Oxford, tox ford@chasecountyschools.org; to donate snacks, Jacci Paisley, jpaisley@chasecountyschools.org or to volunteer at camp contact Chelsea Zuege, chzu ege@chasecountyschools.org.
“We can’t wait to have camp. We’re really looking forward to it,” Kline said.