SPI Camps 2022
REGISTRATION OPENS March 1 at noon at https://spi.jumbula.com. SPI camps are supported by Ariel Foundation.
Hogwarts School
June 6-10 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades 3-5
Your camper has read the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling (or watched all the movies); now it’s time for them to head off to Hogwarts summer session! The Sorting Hat will assign campers to houses and the week will be filled with wand-making, Quidditch, a variety of wizard treats, Harry Potter trivia, a Sorcerer’s Stone challenge, a Horcrux scavenger hunt, and much more. Register now to ensure an owl delivers your camper’s acceptance letter!
Pokemon Power-Up
June 6-10 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades K-2
An imaginative adventure into the world of Pokemon through the vehicles of art and science! If your child hasn’t yet gotten “drawn in” to anime, they will be after this week long art exploration. Pokemon are cool pocket monsters with different creature features who pop in and out of the pockets of human trainers. They are organized in different groupings (types) just like animals are organized by genus and species. Guess what else? They evolve! And they are beautiful. This camp is suitable for kids with lots of different interests - those who like to try out different art techniques, those with active imaginations looking for like-minded peers, those who love animals and might enjoy making connections between various pokemon and their real-world inspirations. No prior knowledge of Pokemon is required; we’ll introduce the trading card game AND allow those who are already hooked some time to geek out together (or teach newbies the ropes). With the help of our co-instructors (a mother and son duo who are both artists) campers will work with a variety of art materials, invent a new Pokemon-inspired creature and a map of its habitat. The schedule will include some active time for play and running around too, but the art elements will require some degree of focus. Parents should consider their child’s ability to effectively manage both active and focused table-time before registering for this session.
Blow Off STEAM
Session 1: June 13-17 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades 3-5
Session 2: August 1-5 from 9am to 12pm; completed grade 3-5
Kids will play together outside just blowing off steam and making new friends, but we will also feature ONE structured exploration each day focusing on the components that make up the acronym STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Kids will have opportunities to experiment, test, observe, build and have fun! NOTE: You’ll register your child for just ONE of these two Blow off STEAM sessions. Session 1 will occur during the same week and at an adjacent venue as Earth Avengers. Parents can register their child for BOTH a morning and an afternoon session, enabling an uninterrupted full day of camp with no need for pick-up in between. We will assure campers' safe movement between the two camps when parents select this option.
Animals All Around Us
June 13-17 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades K-2
What can we learn from animals? How can we take care of them? This camp is dedicated to catering a hands-on experience in which campers have meet-ups with a variety of animals, gain expert advice from professionals and have informative and fun sessions on how to care for a variety of species. Kids will leave the camp with crafts, photos, knowledge and fond memories of time with new friends.
Earth Avengers
June 13-17 from 1pm to 4pm; completed grades 3-5
In this “citizen science” based week, campers will help gather data on barn swallows, determine methods to purify water after an oil spill, explore household-level strategies that have a positive impact on the environment, and even use robotics to design ways to clean up a coral reef! This camp will occur during the same week and at an adjacent venue as Blow off STEAM session 1. Parents can register their child for BOTH a morning and an afternoon session, enabling an uninterrupted full day of camp with no need for pick-up in between.We will assure campers' safe movement between the two camps when parents select this option.
Summertime Squeeze
June 20-24 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades K-2
We’ll squeeze the best of summer fun into one great week! We’ll focus on classic seasonal activities like water play, bike riding, fort building, and county fair style games.
Flight Crew
June 20-24 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades 3-5
Zooming, floating, flapping—these are just a few of the ways we’ll explore flight. You’ll learn how both animals and machines take to the skies, follow the path of a local woman who made history flying around the world, talk with pilots and check out a variety of airplanes up close. Take pride in aviation's Ohio roots, while reaching for the sky with us! (This camp has recurring activities and experiences from last year’s session and is not open to repeat campers.)
Survivor
June 27-July 1 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades 3-5
Zombies are roaming the streets looking for their next meal: your brains! Your challenge is to stay alive until scientists find out what caused these creatures. Be careful! One bite and you will become one of them. This camp investigates how design and technology can help you survive a zombie apocalypse – from making a barricade to keep them out, to practicing basic survival skills like knot tying and fire building, to communicating with other survivors using Morse code. If you want to be prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse, this camp’s for you!
Underground Explorers
June 27-July 1 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades K-2
Calling all junior paleontologists and geologists! Uncover the secrets of deep earth, explore the history of dinosaurs, and dig up artifacts that help you solve a mystery. Experience the techniques scientists use to excavate materials that add to our understanding of history and nature. Along the way, you’ll also discover the difference between rocks, minerals, and fossils…and start your own collection!
AgVentures
July 11-15 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades 3-5
In Knox County you ofter drive by -- or live near -- a farm, but do you know what it takes to run one? See animals up-close, try your hand at a chore or two, and learn a bit about the science and technology that helps feed the world. Solve soil puzzles with the help of experts from our community. This camp will occur during the same week and at the same venue as Session 1 of Mission to Mars. Parents can register their child for BOTH a morning and an afternoon session, enabling an uninterrupted full day of camp with no need for pick-up in between.
Full STEAM Ahead
Session 1: July 11-15 from 1pm to 4pm; completed grades K-2
Session 2: July 18-22 from 1pm to 4pm; completed grades K-2
This is a younger camper’s version of Blow off STEAM! Kids will play together outside just steaming ahead through summer and making new friends, but we will also feature ONE structured exploration each day focusing on the components that make up the acronym STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Kids will have opportunities to experiment, test, observe, build and have fun. Parents should register their child for either session 1 or session 2.
Mission to Mars
Session 1: July 11-15 from 1pm to 4pm; completed grades 3-5
Session 2: July 18-22 from 1pm to 4pm; completed grades 3-5
Become a NASA team member by designing, building, coding and controlling robots to explore the surface of Mars. Participate in challenges inspired by the real Mars missions and explorations. No prior experience with robotics required - kids will get familiar with a starter version of the Vex products used by area robotics teams, paving the way for them to join clubs in middle school and beyond. Session 1 will take place during the same week and at the same venue as our AgVentures Camp. Parents can register their child for BOTH a morning and an afternoon session, enabling an uninterrupted full day of camp with no need for pick-up in between. (Parents should register their child for either session 1 or session 2 of Mission to Mars, not both).
Minions
August 1 -5 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades k-2
Just in time for the summer release of the new movie Rise of Gru! Get ready to have some fun with Bob, Kevin, Stuart, Otto and of course, Gru! We will have a blast playing freeze ray tag, inventing our own Minionese language, designing jumping Minions, and creating wind-powered cars and a security system to defend the secret lab!! If you are a Minion maniac, you won’t want to miss this silly week!
These weeklong camp sessions occur at various outdoor venues in our community including the Brown Family Environmental Center, Ariel-Foundation Park, and the Columbia Elementary Pavillion. You will get advance confirmation of this some time after registration. Most activities occur outdoors all day - with exceptions for some activities and themes.
Most sessions are $60 for the entire week. We offer need-based scholarships for qualifying families.
REGISTRATION OPENS March 1 at noon at https://spi.jumbula.com.
REGISTRATION OPENS March 1 at noon at https://spi.jumbula.com. SPI camps are supported by Ariel Foundation.
Hogwarts School
June 6-10 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades 3-5
Your camper has read the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling (or watched all the movies); now it’s time for them to head off to Hogwarts summer session! The Sorting Hat will assign campers to houses and the week will be filled with wand-making, Quidditch, a variety of wizard treats, Harry Potter trivia, a Sorcerer’s Stone challenge, a Horcrux scavenger hunt, and much more. Register now to ensure an owl delivers your camper’s acceptance letter!
Pokemon Power-Up
June 6-10 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades K-2
An imaginative adventure into the world of Pokemon through the vehicles of art and science! If your child hasn’t yet gotten “drawn in” to anime, they will be after this week long art exploration. Pokemon are cool pocket monsters with different creature features who pop in and out of the pockets of human trainers. They are organized in different groupings (types) just like animals are organized by genus and species. Guess what else? They evolve! And they are beautiful. This camp is suitable for kids with lots of different interests - those who like to try out different art techniques, those with active imaginations looking for like-minded peers, those who love animals and might enjoy making connections between various pokemon and their real-world inspirations. No prior knowledge of Pokemon is required; we’ll introduce the trading card game AND allow those who are already hooked some time to geek out together (or teach newbies the ropes). With the help of our co-instructors (a mother and son duo who are both artists) campers will work with a variety of art materials, invent a new Pokemon-inspired creature and a map of its habitat. The schedule will include some active time for play and running around too, but the art elements will require some degree of focus. Parents should consider their child’s ability to effectively manage both active and focused table-time before registering for this session.
Blow Off STEAM
Session 1: June 13-17 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades 3-5
Session 2: August 1-5 from 9am to 12pm; completed grade 3-5
Kids will play together outside just blowing off steam and making new friends, but we will also feature ONE structured exploration each day focusing on the components that make up the acronym STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Kids will have opportunities to experiment, test, observe, build and have fun! NOTE: You’ll register your child for just ONE of these two Blow off STEAM sessions. Session 1 will occur during the same week and at an adjacent venue as Earth Avengers. Parents can register their child for BOTH a morning and an afternoon session, enabling an uninterrupted full day of camp with no need for pick-up in between. We will assure campers' safe movement between the two camps when parents select this option.
Animals All Around Us
June 13-17 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades K-2
What can we learn from animals? How can we take care of them? This camp is dedicated to catering a hands-on experience in which campers have meet-ups with a variety of animals, gain expert advice from professionals and have informative and fun sessions on how to care for a variety of species. Kids will leave the camp with crafts, photos, knowledge and fond memories of time with new friends.
Earth Avengers
June 13-17 from 1pm to 4pm; completed grades 3-5
In this “citizen science” based week, campers will help gather data on barn swallows, determine methods to purify water after an oil spill, explore household-level strategies that have a positive impact on the environment, and even use robotics to design ways to clean up a coral reef! This camp will occur during the same week and at an adjacent venue as Blow off STEAM session 1. Parents can register their child for BOTH a morning and an afternoon session, enabling an uninterrupted full day of camp with no need for pick-up in between.We will assure campers' safe movement between the two camps when parents select this option.
Summertime Squeeze
June 20-24 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades K-2
We’ll squeeze the best of summer fun into one great week! We’ll focus on classic seasonal activities like water play, bike riding, fort building, and county fair style games.
Flight Crew
June 20-24 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades 3-5
Zooming, floating, flapping—these are just a few of the ways we’ll explore flight. You’ll learn how both animals and machines take to the skies, follow the path of a local woman who made history flying around the world, talk with pilots and check out a variety of airplanes up close. Take pride in aviation's Ohio roots, while reaching for the sky with us! (This camp has recurring activities and experiences from last year’s session and is not open to repeat campers.)
Survivor
June 27-July 1 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades 3-5
Zombies are roaming the streets looking for their next meal: your brains! Your challenge is to stay alive until scientists find out what caused these creatures. Be careful! One bite and you will become one of them. This camp investigates how design and technology can help you survive a zombie apocalypse – from making a barricade to keep them out, to practicing basic survival skills like knot tying and fire building, to communicating with other survivors using Morse code. If you want to be prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse, this camp’s for you!
Underground Explorers
June 27-July 1 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades K-2
Calling all junior paleontologists and geologists! Uncover the secrets of deep earth, explore the history of dinosaurs, and dig up artifacts that help you solve a mystery. Experience the techniques scientists use to excavate materials that add to our understanding of history and nature. Along the way, you’ll also discover the difference between rocks, minerals, and fossils…and start your own collection!
AgVentures
July 11-15 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades 3-5
In Knox County you ofter drive by -- or live near -- a farm, but do you know what it takes to run one? See animals up-close, try your hand at a chore or two, and learn a bit about the science and technology that helps feed the world. Solve soil puzzles with the help of experts from our community. This camp will occur during the same week and at the same venue as Session 1 of Mission to Mars. Parents can register their child for BOTH a morning and an afternoon session, enabling an uninterrupted full day of camp with no need for pick-up in between.
Full STEAM Ahead
Session 1: July 11-15 from 1pm to 4pm; completed grades K-2
Session 2: July 18-22 from 1pm to 4pm; completed grades K-2
This is a younger camper’s version of Blow off STEAM! Kids will play together outside just steaming ahead through summer and making new friends, but we will also feature ONE structured exploration each day focusing on the components that make up the acronym STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Kids will have opportunities to experiment, test, observe, build and have fun. Parents should register their child for either session 1 or session 2.
Mission to Mars
Session 1: July 11-15 from 1pm to 4pm; completed grades 3-5
Session 2: July 18-22 from 1pm to 4pm; completed grades 3-5
Become a NASA team member by designing, building, coding and controlling robots to explore the surface of Mars. Participate in challenges inspired by the real Mars missions and explorations. No prior experience with robotics required - kids will get familiar with a starter version of the Vex products used by area robotics teams, paving the way for them to join clubs in middle school and beyond. Session 1 will take place during the same week and at the same venue as our AgVentures Camp. Parents can register their child for BOTH a morning and an afternoon session, enabling an uninterrupted full day of camp with no need for pick-up in between. (Parents should register their child for either session 1 or session 2 of Mission to Mars, not both).
Minions
August 1 -5 from 9am to 12pm; completed grades k-2
Just in time for the summer release of the new movie Rise of Gru! Get ready to have some fun with Bob, Kevin, Stuart, Otto and of course, Gru! We will have a blast playing freeze ray tag, inventing our own Minionese language, designing jumping Minions, and creating wind-powered cars and a security system to defend the secret lab!! If you are a Minion maniac, you won’t want to miss this silly week!
These weeklong camp sessions occur at various outdoor venues in our community including the Brown Family Environmental Center, Ariel-Foundation Park, and the Columbia Elementary Pavillion. You will get advance confirmation of this some time after registration. Most activities occur outdoors all day - with exceptions for some activities and themes.
Most sessions are $60 for the entire week. We offer need-based scholarships for qualifying families.
REGISTRATION OPENS March 1 at noon at https://spi.jumbula.com.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! As of June 20, 2022 - Mount Vernon City Schools is offering FULL scholarships to SPI camps for students enrolled in the MVCSD school district. This applies to any remaining SPI camps that still have openings. This scholarship may not be used to transfer a child from a session in which they are ALREADY registered and have paid. This scholarship allows us to welcome NEW registrants OR to allow families who have already participated to ADD additional sessions for their child. To take advantage of this amazing opportunity for FREE tuition to SPI camps, simply go to our camp registration site - https://spi.jumbula.com - and select "MVCSD Enrichment Scholarship" as your tuition label when prompted.