Teaching Practice The Changing Course of Summer Camps: Going with the Flow THE LESSON
Scavenger Hunt
Since everything at camp is within walking distance, a scavenger hunt was held the first night. Teams were given clues about different buildings on the grounds. Once the hunt was completed, the teams raced back to the Education Building to see who had won.
Traditional Camp Activities
Sometimes too much technology is overwhelming, so camp classes were interspersed with traditional camp activities. There was horseback riding, swimming, and even a bonfire, complete with s’mores and a joke-telling contest.
Ropes Course
The ropes course offered a challenge to both students and advisors. Some students seemed a little shy at first, but this exercise really helped to break the ice. By the end of the ropes session, students learned to work together as a cohesive unit to make it through the drills successfully.
Classes: Flash, Dreamweaver, PhotoShop and iMovie
Teams attended their choice of three of the four classes offered at camp. These workshops taught the students the basics of the programs and allowed them a little time to develop their own projects. Lab time was available during the evening hours, and the teams took full advantage of it. Some even brought their computers back to the lodge, in order to extend their work time during the scheduled movie. Now that’s dedication! The final projects that the teams created proved that the classes were a huge success. Handouts for the classes are located in the Resources section of this exhibit.
Focus Group
For the focus groups, students left their teams and divided into groups, so they could have a chance to talk about their opinions concerning technology in their schools. Adults acted as facilitators or recorders for the session. The students voiced their appreciation of this exercise, because they said it was nice to know that their suggestions mattered. Handouts and the student responses for this activity are located in the Resources section of this exhibit.
