Education
Camp Pursuit Yantis wrapped up Friday, concluding a fun-filled week of education and exploration. Activities included 3-D art, rocketry, everyday chemistry, a Godzilla-themed engineering challenge, mathematics arts, optical illusions, ancient Egyptian culture and stop motion moviemaking.
Camp Pursuit is a week long, mixed-age STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) academic summer camp based on the premise that students pursue their passions until they become their talents. Campers are incoming first through eighth graders. The program encourages choice. Campers have the opportunity to choose from a selection of STEAM courses which ones they are most interested in, allowing them to further study subjects they are already interested in or explore new subjects.
“I believe so strongly in STEAM education, promoting creativity, critical thinking skills and problem solving – our rural kids are often underserved with such high-quality programs,” said Kelli Ebel, Camp Pursuit area director. “We’re hoping to have a Camp Pursuit Sulphur Springs next year. This program keeps kids’ brains engaged over the summer and allows kids to keep and grow their skills, as well as developing new ones.”
Camp Pursuit Sulphur Bluff was held June 10-14 with 32 campers from North Hopkins, Mount Vernon, Saltillo, Sulphur Springs, Paris, Rivercrest and Sulphur Bluff participating.
Camp Pursuit Yantis was held July 8-12 with 29 campers from Yantis, Quitman, Mineola, Emory and Winnsboro.
Local sponsors donated $2,000 for the Sulphur Bluff camp and $1,300 for the Yantis camp. The total donation of $3,300 was matched dollar for dollar by Education Unbound, totaling $6,600 donated for STEAM education in this area.
Anyone interested in bringing Camp Pursuit or other enrichment programs to their area is encouraged to visit http://camppursuit.com or contact Kelli Ebel 903-243-8032.