Schools are filled with activities even during summer
Four Murfreesboro City Schools’ sponsored camps are filled with students this week having fun during summer break.
Fifth and sixth grade students from the MCS Extended School Program are enjoying a two-week summer camp, Camp Big Shots, organized specifically for active adventures.
Camp Big Shots includes students from across the district. During the camp, students participate in a wide variety of activities from laser tag to testing their culinary skills in the kitchen.
“Our goal for the camp is to provide a special experience for our older students,” said Kandy Powers, Extended School Program.
Certified teachers are involved with the two-week camp and teach a variety of skills including archery, woodworking, coding, and robotics. Camp Big Shot campers also enjoy field trips to Nashville Shores and canoeing the Harpeth River.
Reading is the focus on Read to be Ready Camp at Hobgood. As a recipient of a Tennessee Read to be Ready Summer Grant, MCS provides a free educational camp specifically for third grade students.
“Read to be Ready camp is designed to be a fun learning experience while bringing books to life,” says Dr. Caresa Dodson, Reading and Intervention Coordinator. “Summer reading loss can be a big issue in the success of a student. Our goal is to make reading an adventure.”
Reading camp includes reading workshops, writing workshops, virtual reality and STEAM programs.
Alpha Code STEM Academy, a camp for rising fifth and sixth grade students, is held in collaboration with the City of Murfreesboro and Tennessee Technology College of Engineering. Student participants are learning robotic programming, building drones, and enjoying virtual reality activities. The camp also features game coding, design circuits, drones and rockets as well as field trips to Nissan, Murfreesboro City Hall, and the Water Treatment Cycle Tour.
“Summer learning is meant to be fun,” says Greg Lyles, Community Outreach Coordinator. “Camps allow students to develop lifelong interest and meet friends from across our district. Whether the children are participating in ESP, Reading, Camp BORO or STEM Camps; they are having fun and gaining knowledge. But, don’t mention the knowledge part, that’s a counselor secret.”
Camp BORO, a free camp designed for students with special needs, rounds out the camp experience. Fifty-six children, in first through sixth grade, are participating in a week filled with square dancing, country critters and all things wild West.
Students are assisted by volunteers including high school students, parents, educators and administrators. Each day covers specific activities and themes based on the country lifestyle including pony rides, lasso lessons and meeting a variety of farm animals. Camp BORO is supported by local businesses and sponsors.
