By Chris Bavender

A unique summer camp has been host to Indiana children for 15 years but this summer – for the first time ever – Camp Invention will be setting up shop in Noblesville. The program isn’t new to Hamilton County, however, it’s been held at St. Louis De Montfort for 12 years.

The week-long camp for students entering grades one through six is supported by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Its goal is to foster innovation and creativity while building self-esteem, teamwork and goal setting skills.

“Camp Invention provides students with opportunities to explore, create and solve problems through hands-on activities that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math,” said Beth Niedermeyer, superintendent of the Noblesville Schools.

Niedermeyer has worked with Camp Invention in two other school districts in the last five years to connect Camp Invention staff with curriculum staff. That’s because Camp Invention reaches out to qualified educators in the local area to act as instructors.

“These talented individuals are selected for their abilities to excite and motivate children and their enthusiasm for creative learning,” said Annie Miller, communications coordinator for Camp Invention.

This year’s Camp Invention curriculum is called Illuminate and will encourage children to explore their inventiveness in the Design Studio: Illuminate module, investigating circuits and taking on a nature-inspired design challenge.

“As they dream, build and make discoveries, children will have a chance to build a prototype from scratch and explore math from a new angle when they create origami flight models during team-building exercises,” Miller said. “They build things, take things apart, explore different types of technology and so much more. Many times, the students are having so much fun, they don’t even realize they are learning and developing new skills.”

Niedermeyer encourages parents to let their children explore all that Camp Invention has to offer.

“Camp Invention is a fun way for students to learn and keep their brains stimulated during the summer,” she said.

This year’s camps will be held from June 22 though26 for Noblesville Schools with the location to be determined. The St. Louis de Montfort camp is June 15 through 19. For more information visit www.campinvention.org/.