From June 7 to August 8, Wright State University Office of Pre-College Programs will offer a total of 117 different courses for K-12 students, an opportunity for young students to meet new friends and enjoy the summer while learning at the same time.
Two summer enrichment programs are available on campus, Camp Discovery (for K-6 students) and Camp Odyssey (for grades 7-9). The students can explore various themes such as archeology, cave exploration, inventions, veggie science, chemistry, debate, Spanish culture and music.
According to the Assistant Director of Pre-College Program, Elizabeth Turner, these programs offer academic enrichment and are a good opportunity for children to continue learning throughout the summer in a fun environment.
Students from sixth to twelfth grade can discover the college experience by participating in the Residential Camps and Institutes. Dramatic theatre, forensic science, law and government, science of the solar system and leadership skills are among the classes offered by the residential programs.
For one week, students live in campus residence halls and according to Bill Jobert, an assistant and music instructor of the camps, students grow up a lot in a week, being away from home.
“The residential camps are great for middle school kids because it’s an opportunity for them to experience the life of a college student for one week. They can imagine themselves on a campus and it seems less scary for them,” Jobert said. “Kids like the campus, the staff is very friendly and welcoming. If we do a good job and if students feel welcome and comfortable, it can become a factor at choosing WSU as a college in the future”.
Nick Doolos, a former WSU student in Middle and Childhood education has been working as an instructor for the summer enrichment programs since 2012. According to Doolos, the programs benefit children in many ways.
“They can pick different courses throughout the summer and they only pick the courses they are interested in,” Doolos said. “It’s not like a normal classroom. They work with a lot of material and it allows them to discover different portions of science, maths, etc.”
The Discovery and Odyssey camps are also a good opportunity to work with people from different walks of life.
“It is open to public, to other universities and to people with educational background.”
If you are looking for a summer job, you can apply to become a program instructor or assistant. For more information, contact the Office of Pre-College Program at 937-775-3135 or visit their website www.wright.edu/academics/precollege.
