YMCA summer camp keeps kids busy

BY BARBARA GREENBERG

DANVILLE June 11, 2008 10:56 am

— With a new theme every week, opportunities for adventure abound in this year’s Danville Family YMCA summer camps.
Although certain parts of campers’ days remain consistent for the 11 weeks of the camp, each week also has a special theme. This week’s was science with an engineering focus and a hands-on approach.
On Monday, small groups of campers, who ranged from kindergarten through middle school, partnered with high school student volunteers and faced a challenge.
They were asked to invent a way to deliver hot dogs to fans at a ballpark using at least four of the different items given to them. They had to keep their invention’s cost in mind as well as its ability to perform the task.
Of course, they were building a model or prototype, but basic engineering principles still applied.
DHS student volunteer Jay Kindle encouraged the youngsters he led.
“You’re doing really good,” he told Brianna and Logan Delva, 11-year-old twins.
“Our whole family once did something like this,” Logan said. “We made our own kite out of construction paper and wood.”
His sister kept him on task. “We need more tape,” Brianna told him.
Other materials used by all the groups included a balloon, a soft drink lid, a straw, a washer, two paper clips, string, and the brown paper bag that held it all. The variety of the younger students’ designs amazed the high school students.
“This was really awesome,” Madhavi Bhavsar, a DHS senior, said. “Once they were given the problem, the kids brainstormed how to do things. After the first try, they wanted to make their design more effective.
“They were really into it,” she said.
Chris Dyer, who teaches introduction to physical science at DHS, said, “All the kids enjoy it, no matter what their age. It’s mentoring for the older ones, but it’s fun for them to have the chance to work with younger kids.
“And the younger kids have a great time,” he said. “So do I.”
Although the science camp ends this week, others coming up have been designed to stimulate campers and combine fun with learning.
Tywon Gouard, YMCA’s youth director, is especially excited about Leaders in Training, the camp that begins next week. She hopes this camp can shape someone’s life.
“I want to help develop the person who might some day take my place,” Gouard said. “I want to show them the skills they’ll need. I want to lead by example.”
Gouard, who will facilitate the camp, described herself when she entered the work force.
“I went to what was then the YWCA when Ellen Morris was the head. She gave me a chance,” she said. “I was young; I had no skills. My opportunities were limited.
“She trusted and believed in me. She taught me skills, but she also taught me how to work with people.
“I remember so much of what she told me,” Gouard said. “Something happens today, and it brings back memories of her.”
For Leaders in Training, several guest speakers will visit the camp including Mayor Scott Eisenhauer, Dottie McLaughlin, who leads I Sing the Body Electric for Provena United Samaritans Medical Center Foundation, and Tom Gregory, director of Vermilion County probation and court services.
The campers also will participate in team building activities. They’ll have some fun at Lincoln Lanes and work up a sweat for Habitat for Humanity.
FYI
Other YMCA camp themes yet to come this summer are:
-- community workers
-- swimming safety
-- God’s armor
-- flags and culture
-- healthy kids
-- all about me
-- talent
-- nature
-- summer Olympics
-- back to school
For more details about the Danville Family YMCA summer camps, call 442-0563 or log onto http://danvilleymca.org.

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