Harbor Country Day School’s Camp Harbor Announces New Summer STEM Program
St. James, NY - February 4, 2015 - Harbor Country Day School has announced that its Camp Harbor will be launching an extensive, hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) program this summer. The STEM program, which will focus on the real-world application of the STEM disciplines, will be offered to children in first grade through eighth grade during intensive STEM workshops. In addition, the program will be interwoven throughout other camp activities for campers of all ages, including preschoolers and kindergartners.
“Beginning as early as preschool, the science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines are integral elements of curricula at Harbor Country Day, so this STEM program is an exciting development for Camp Harbor,” said John Cissel, Harbor Country Day’s Head of School. “During the school year, Harbor’s students have many unique opportunities to discover and explore the STEM world. Similarly, this new program at Camp Harbor will delve deeply into science, technology, engineering, and math using experiential, hands-on methods within a fun and discovery-based curriculum. Our campers will enjoy exploring how these disciplines work together to solve real-world problems.”
At Camp Harbor, campers in grades four through eight will examine the fundamentals of architecture and urban planning to design their own city. They will learn about the science and technology behind “green energy” in order to develop an environmentally sound energy plan for their city. Using what they’ve learned about environmental science, campers will assess the impact of their city on the surrounding environment. In addition, campers will have the opportunity to learn the basics of coding and computer programming to build their own video game, and utilize Lego WeDo Robotics to learn how to build, manipulate, and operate simple machines.
Campers in first through third grades will learn the basics in chemistry, physics, and astronomy in age-appropriate activities. They will study the life processes of animals and plants, and the ways in which these life forms interact with and adapt to their environment, in order to build a model ecosystem. Campers will draw upon forensic science to examine a crime scene and solve a camp “mystery;” build a bottle rocket based on the laws of physics; delve into earth science by examining extreme weather conditions such as lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes; and become amateur paleontologists, astronomers, and eco-scientists.
Ralph Pepe, director of summer programs at Harbor Country Day, added: “Throughout Camp Harbor’s 20-plus years, we’ve worked to combine a ‘traditional’ camp experience with academic enrichment opportunities. Camp Harbor strives to provide a perfect balance of summer fun and educational experiences. Now, with the introduction of the STEM program, we will be offering enrichment opportunities far above and beyond anything we’ve done in the past -- in a new and exciting way.”
Camp Harbor runs from June 29 through August 14, 2015, with total schedule flexibility. The camp is currently accepting applications, and will continue to enroll campers through August. For more information about Camp Harbor, please visit www.campharbor.org.
About Camp Harbor
Harbor Country Day School’s summer camp program, Camp Harbor, is among the leading summer camp programs on Long Island. Camp Harbor is open to all children, ages three through 15. In addition to the STEM program, the camp offers art workshops through Abrakadoodle, athletics, swimming, an Early Morning Program and After Camp Program, and a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program. The goal of Camp Harbor is to create an atmosphere in which children feel confident to develop their current interests, and excited to explore new ones. For more information, visit www.campharbor.org.
About Harbor Country Day School
Founded in 1958 by conscientious parents, Harbor Country Day School is an independent, co-educational day school for children from preschool through 8th grade situated in St. James’ Village of Head of the Harbor. The school employs a whole-child approach to education, wherein its rigorous curriculum is supported by a broad program in its academic, athletic, advisory, and visual and performing arts departments designed to develop all aspects of each child's talents and interests. The school’s mission to “cherish childhood, cultivate wonder, and inspire confident learners and leaders” underscores every child’s experience at Harbor Country Day School and ensures that all of its graduates are prepared to lead fulfilling lives filled with wonder, confidence, and many successes.
Harbor Country Day School is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and is accredited by and a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). It is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization under section 501(c) (3) of the IRS Code governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees. For more information, visit www.hcdsny.org.