Inventive kids finish camp
Camp Invention participants Maggie Delay and Reilli Klefbeck take apart a computer drive Tuesday at Camp Invention. Photo by Chrystal Doucette/Columbia Basin Herald
National program develops problem-solving skills
MOSES LAKE - Students from Grant County are spending a week in creative spirit during Camp Invention, which ends Friday.
The program takes place in schools all over the United States, including Moses Lake.
Activities include turning old appliances into new inventions, making a sculpture garden, building a rocket ship and cleaning up a lake.
"Of course, the Camp Invention program isn't launching your children to Mars or turning them into foot soldiers against pollution," stated National Public Relations Coordinator Michael Schwabe. "Rather, they will explore, learn and question if they can find ways to solve challenges and find solutions to these real-life problems - all while having fun."
Director Sharon Freel said 34 students are participating at Discover Elementary School in Moses Lake this year. The students are from the Moses Lake School District, and several are from Royal City, Freel said. They are in first through sixth grade.
"They really end up coming away with an interest in science and an interest in exploration," she said. "It's very hands-on, so they get to work in a group and do a lot of hands-on activities."
Students brought old appliances from home and turned them into a Rube Goldberg machine or a new invention. The students also built a mock rocket ship for a space mission and cleaned water using such items as coffee filters, sand, cotton, pebbles and felt.
"I just wanted to (participate) because I had really nothing to do this summer," said Cameron Forker.
Forker said he was involved with other camps, in California, but not Camp Invention.
Student D.J. Haley said he became involved with the program several years ago when his dad started teaching for it. Haley's favorite part of the program is taking things apart.
Student Quinten Groff said he enjoys taking things apart and he enjoys art.
"I thought it would be fun and most of my other friends were here," said student Reilli Klefbeck.
Maggie Delay said she and her sister enjoy science. Their mom suggested the program might be good for them.
"She was right," Delay said.
Delay brought a hard drive to take apart for a Rube Goldberg machine.
"I like taking apart the stuff and building a new invention," she said.
Freel noted some students received scholarships to attend the program, who otherwise might not be able to. Businesses donated materials or scholarship money.