Penn State Berks Middle School Youth Camps provide fun, educational experiences. Camps run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, except the soccer camps, which run from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and begin on Sunday.
Environmental Ecology and Science
This camp, designed for students entering grades five through eight, will focus on exploring and learning about environment-topical areas including water, recycling, agriculture and forestry. Participants will work with scientific tools and techniques to determine the health of a stream, safely gather and grow bacteria, conduct experiments with microscopic animals, and using the power of observation, gather clues in solving environmental problems. A chaperoned field trip is planned to offer campers hands-on learning experiences. This camp runs June 22-26 and the cost is $185.
Film and TV
Students entering grades five through eight will learn about the three stages of professional television production: pre-production, production, and post-production. Campers will also learn what is involved in bringing a production to life on the screen from a behind-the-scenes and in-front-of-the-camera perspective. They will learn about script writing, various types of camera angles and how they are used, and set design. A chaperoned field trip to a television studio is planned. This camp runs July 6-10 and the cost is $215.
Imagination Station
This camp is offered for students entering fourth through eighth grades and it is designed as an adventure through literature centered around J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Campers will be divided into "houses" for the week's activities. Discussions, drama, science, crafts, math and games are designed to increase students' creativity, self-expression, self-esteem, individuality, sharing capabilities and motivation. A chaperoned field trip will provide a magical experience for the participants. This camp runs July 20-24 and the cost is $215.
Science of Technology
Campers entering grades five through eight will develop an understanding of "how things work" through hands-on activities that demonstrate the principles of simple and motorized machines. They will solve challenges by building bridges with K'Nex building systems and programming robots using the LEGO Mindstorms (RCX) Robotics Invention System. Participants will learn about mechanical and software design, problem solving, and teamwork skills. No prior knowledge of robotics or other engineering technology topics is required. This camp runs August 3-7 and the cost is $185.
NEW Boys & Girls Soccer Camp
Participants entering fourth through ninth grades in both the boys and girls soccer camps will develop ball-handling skills as well as speed training and agility. Camps will be conducted by Penn State Berks NCAA Division III head men's and women's soccer coaches, Laszio "Billy" Balazs and Francisc Munteanu, both former professional European soccer players. The Boys Camp runs August 2-7 and the Girls Camp runs from August 9-14, both from 8:30-11:30 a.m. The cost is $99.
Enrollment in Middle School Youth Campus camps is limited and early registration is recommended. For more information, visit berks.psu.edu/ce or call (610) 396-6225.