Hazleton

Summer youth camps planned at Penn State Hazleton

Students get hands-on during one of the 2015 summer camps at Penn State Hazleton. A variety of camps will be offered again this year. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

HAZLETON, Pa. — Penn State Hazleton’s Continuing Education Office will host summer youth camps for students entering first through 12 grade in fall 2016. Camps scheduled at the campus this summer are as follows:

Week of June 20

Critter Camp, grades 2-6, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.Each Critter Camp day will include a high-energy, minimally structured hunt to find and learn about as many different plants and animals as possible. Campers can share their discoveries and use Penn State Hazleton’s lab facilities to examine their specimens under the microscope and use them in simple experiments and creative projects. They will also go on a field trip to a local stream on one of the five days. This camp will spark enthusiasm for the natural world.

Week of June 27

Lego Mindstorms, grades 2-5, 9 a.m. – noonLego Mindstorms are used in this camp, which features compelling activities and hands-on robotic challenges guided by facilitators. After a challenge is introduced, campers will work in teams to design, program and test their robots. Learn how to try different strategies when designing and programming the robots. Through this approach, campers will develop skills involved in teamwork, including communication, problem-solving, engineering and troubleshooting — and learn that often there is not one answer to a practical problem, but a number of possible solutions.

Solar Power, grades 2-5, 1 – 4 p.m.Mini solar building kits teach campers the benefits of solar energy as they create a solar robot toy that is both fun to play with and requires no batteries. With alternative energy playing such a pivotal role in the world’s energy future, there is no better time than now to start learning basic concepts behind these technologies. Campers will be able to take their robots home at the end of the week to enjoy endless hours of play and learning.

Week of July 11

Sing Your Heart Out, grades 2-9, 9 a.m. – noonCampers will learn to strengthen their voice and explore the music world. They will learn where their voice actually comes from and how to sound like a pop star! Tone, breath, control, pitch – this camp will teach it all, even how to tweak the words to avoid going flat. Once the campers learn all these techniques, the group will prepare for an end-of-the-week singing performance. This camp is taught by Cathy Donnelly of Froggy 101, WILK and 102.3 the Mountain.

Broadcasting, grades 2-9, 1 – 4 p.m.This camp is perfect for those who love listening to the radio and wonder what it takes to be a good disc jockey. Is it really just as easy as pushing a few buttons and playing tunes? In this class, campers will find out what’s involved with being “on the radio.” They will learn about sound editing, record their own radio show and hear all the shows at an end-of-the-week radio party. This camp is taught by Cathy Donnelly of Froggy 101, WILK, and 102.3 the Mountain.

Week of July 18

Elementary Olympics, grades 1-4, 9 a.m. – noonThis week of fun will have the children participating in activities that simulate actual events in either the Summer or Winter Olympics. There will be activities including a torch relay, bobsledding with gym scooters, hurdles, long jump, basics of volleyball and more.

Math and Olympics, grades 1-4, 1 – 4 p.m.This camp offers a week of learning math in a fun way. Campers will use computer games to explore operations and computations, conduct measurements and surveys during outdoor games, and use math strategies while playing sports. The class will cover numerous common core standards, but campers will be having too much fun to even realize it.

The Nuts and Bolts of Jewelry, grades 4-7, 9 a.m. – noonA hardware store isn’t only for plumbing and electrical needs anymore; it’s also a great find for creating unique pieces of jewelry. From bracelets made from washers to earrings made from miscut keys, campers can let their imaginations run free as they find hidden gems in a hardware store. The group will create rings, bracelets, necklaces, anklets and more using items from the local hardware store. ‘

Sculpt It! grades 4-7, 1 – 4 p.m.Campers will explore the many ways to create sculptures from a traditional bowl to making masks from different cultures to turning trash into treasure with found objects. Learn techniques to use clay, papier-mâché and recycled materials, along with other media to design unique projects. This class is perfect for any student who likes to work with their hands and isn’t afraid to get them dirty.

Sports camps include:

Week of June 20

Boys’ Basketball School, grades 4-9, 9 a.m. – noonThe Penn State Boys’ Basketball School helps players develop and improve their basketball skills. The staff, dedicated to the highest ideals of sports conduct and play, base their philosophy on the premise that excellence in basketball, as in any aspect of life, requires hard work and perseverance. Staff members encourage this attitude among all players.

Youth Soccer Development Camp, grades 3-10, 1 – 4 p.m.The Youth Soccer Development Camp will offer five days of soccer skill training. The coaching staff, certified by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), will develop and implement all training sessions. Current Penn State Hazleton men’s and women’s soccer coaches, along with current players, will work with campers on improving their fundamental ball skills, reading the game, and increasing speed and agility.

Week of June 27

Soccer Futures Skills Camp, grades 7-12, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.The Penn State Hazleton Soccer Futures Skills Camp will offer five days of training in an intense collegiate atmosphere for youth who are interested in playing college soccer. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)-certified coaching staff will develop and implement all training sessions. Coaching staff from the men’s and women’s soccer teams will train players on topics including fundamental goalkeeping skills, reading the game, and improving speed and agility. Current members of Penn State Hazleton’s men’s and women’s soccer teams will also assist with this camp.

Soccer Futures Goalkeeper Camp, grades 7-12, 1 – 3 p.m.This camp is designed for students with a particular interest in improving goalkeeper skills. The training is developed and taught by coaching staff certified by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Current Penn State Hazleton men’s and women’s soccer coaches, along with current players, will work with campers on improving their fundamental ball skills, reading the game, and increasing speed and agility.

Week of July 11

Girls’ Basketball School, grades 4-9, 9 a.m. – noonThe Penn State Girls’ Basketball School will provide each camper with a great opportunity for growth and success. The staff is composed of enthusiastic, caring, hard-working Penn State coaches who will work with the campers on basketball fundamentals and team concepts of the game. Each camper will improve their basketball skills while having fun at the same time. In addition to teaching basic skills, the staff will provide opportunities for daily competitions.

For additional information and to register for summer youth camps, visit www.hn.psu.edu/CE/youth.htm or contact Continuing Education at 570-450-3110 or dxk40@psu.edu. Space is limited and registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Last Updated June 13, 2016