Camp Invention opens doors for seventh year

By Leah Rainwater

Despite being out of school, summer provides excellent time for kids to be able to play with friends, participate in clubs and even enroll in summer camps.

One popular camp kicked off its week by introducing kids to different ways to innovate.

Camp Invention is a weeklong camp where kids get to take a step into the STEM world and learn about the fun behind different sciences.

This year, young inventors get to participate in making their own prototypes, solving real-world water challenges, learning about the science behind light and even designing their own game.

“We’ve been very excited to just have this curriculum because it’s made by the inventors, and it’s really unique,” said Devran Brower, the director of program operations for Mosaic Life Care Foundation. “Every year, it changes a lot.”

Brower said kids entering into kindergarten through kids entering into sixth grade were in attendance.

All of the modules were modified to fit the learning levels of each age group.

A lot of the kids said they have different reasons for participating in the camps.

“So me and my mom were talking about this thing. I told her let’s start off small. So she wants to make like a car that’s safe for old people,” said Edith, a 6-year-old participant in the camp. “I told her let’s start off small and I can work on it.”

Edith said she told her mom, “It’s going to take a lot of days,” before she gets that far with her invention.

Llewellyn, who is a 7-year-old participant in the camp, said she had a different motivation to join.

“I like doing crafts and invention things, so I thought it would be kind of fun,” said Llewellyn.

Llewellyn said she’s created her own games before and has tried to make her own slingshot.

All in all, the young inventors seem to have one thing in common: They’re looking forward to creating new things.

But Brower said inventing and creating aren’t the only things they learn in camp.

With each module, comes a life skill to learn. Brower said with their “In the Game” module, they don’t just create their own game.

“They’re gonna learn about teamwork,” said Brower. “They’re gonna learn about what it means to be a good teammate, things like that before they go into those modules.”

Brower said he didn’t realize the impact the camp would have on young kids.

“I know my son used to come here and he still talks about wanting to be, maybe an inventor,” said Brower. “Which, I didn’t think about that.”

Camp Invention will be going on at emPowerU throughout the rest of the week.

By Friday, the kids will have different projects and inventions to bring home.