Regardless of the time of the year, children never see summer camps too far from the summer months. Especially for children who’ve never been to summer stem programs, there’s growing anticipation in their minds. How will the camp be? Is it going to be tough? Do we get to have fun with friends? These are some of the questions that might be hovering over your head right now!
Well, rest assured. By the time you finish reading this guide, you’ll have the answer to all the queries.
Below are some of the quick tips mentioned for children to help them make the most out of the STEM camp.
Table of Contents
1. Plan beforehand
You can always choose to direct your focus toward a specific concept that tickles your fancy. Rest assured as you’ll always be free to learn at your own pace. Although you can indeed discover a lot of things while you’re at the camp, it’s still better to plan things ahead. It’s because you’ll have a deeper dive into concepts.
Even though you don’t have any relevant experience in summer camps prior to this, you can still organize what you want to achieve beforehand. On the contrary, if you’re an experienced camper, brainstorm ideas beforehand on how to utilize your camp time to know more about your interest areas.
2. Interact with the campmates
You never know what your campmate might become in the future. He could very well be the next “Bill Gates.” Well, imaginations aside. Summer camps are the best place to make great friends. Your ambition of building the next coolest app or video game might get wings from summer stem programs.
And all of this is only possible when you interact with your fellow campmates. Building connections might pay off in a day, week, month, or even years down the lane.
3. Know the instructors
Summer camps more inclined toward academics are sure to have instructors you should build connections with. They know their stuff and are there for you. They’ll help you develop a specific skill. The staff there might be well-versed in coding, creative arts, game development, robotics, and much more. Most of them are working professionals with established careers in relevant fields.
So, never hesitate to talk to them. The response will be quite valuable as you can get a sneak peek into what your future would look like if you pursue the same career.
4. Never hesitate to participate
Needless to say that you’ll enjoy certain aspects of the camp more than others. So, give it a try, and don’t miss out on the golden opportunity when it presents itself. Don’t forget the fact that everything that happens at the camp is planned and organized by the experts. And they very well know that it’s for your overall betterment. Every activity schedule there is followed by a positive and desired outcome.
5. Ask Questions
When you enter summer stem programs, you’re expected to behave like a modding expert or robotics kid. Although some children have advanced knowledge as compared to others, they’re overall still perceived as novices.
So, there’s no shame in asking questions there. In fact, you should actively jot down questions during the sessions and ask them whenever you get a chance. There’s no compulsion to keep the questions limited to the particular course. You are allowed to have questions for the instructors about their internships, professional experiences, etc. Take notes of how they became what they’re today. Know how they accomplished greater heights or request feedback on your ideas.
6. Explore the outdoors
STEM summer camps are filled with top-notch software, computers, video games, and other interesting indoor activities. At the same time, don’t forget the fact that these camps are held at some of the most renowned university or college campuses. And it’s not every day you can walk into the premises of a reputable institution.
So, when you’ve got the opportunity to explore the premises, grab it. Plus, indulging in such activities will help you unwind from a cluttered mind. Further, it may give a boost to your brain and spark creativity.
7. Share the experience
Only experiencing it is not enough. As a student, you should take the initiative to share how your experience has been at the summer camp with other fellow students. Don’t you want other students to experience the same fun and learning at a summer camp? We bet you do. So, share your experience with your siblings or friends and encourage them to grab this opportunity next time.
8. Give feedback or suggestions
Summer stem programs aren’t always supposed to be perfect. The organizers might go wrong somewhere. The instructors might require feedback on the session so that they can improvise it. Asking questions, giving feedback, and suggestions are all part of the process. So, your feedback is truly valued. The earlier you let the instructors know about your issues such as an unexpected course or any issue with a fellow student, the sooner you’ll have a solution. So, camp organizers definitely encourage feedback and suggestions.
9. Don’t lose touch
Friendships developed at camp can rapidly turn into lifelong friendships; the secret is to keep in touch with those you met there! Whether it’s by playing video games together, hanging out in person, or staying in touch on social media, make sure to stay in touch with your camp buddies.
10. Stay sharp
Summer camps usually act as your stepping stone or give wings to your already existing skill set. In either case, it’s critical to understand that the experience doesn’t finish when camp ends.
Certain camps offer various opportunities, even post-camp, to ensure that students keep learning. Additional opportunities involve online learning sessions and exploring local museums, libraries, and other relevant spaces.
11. Look back on the experience
Although contemplation and further discussion are important to have with kids of any age, this is primarily relevant to older children and teenagers. However, keep in mind that you will soon be applying to colleges, jobs, and internships. Teenagers are frequently asked to explain a time they conquered a hurdle, encountered a mentor who had a significant impact on their life, or had an “aha” moment in interview questions and essay topics on the Common Application.
Conclusion
Summer camps can help you out in ways you cannot even imagine, given that you take it seriously. If you see it as an option to have great fun, it’s definitely true. However, also consider the fact that it’s your chance to utilize your ability to the fullest and make the most out of it. You might not ever get a chance to cross paths soon with scholars or experts who’re present at the summer programs.
Do you also want to enroll in summer stem programs as your friend did? Well, your search for the best summer camps comes to a halt. Super Science For Kids offers a range of programs that you can choose from as per your interest. Want to know more about it? For further queries, you can reach out to us via mail at danbweissman@aol.com or call us at (908) 684-2383.
