Paul Coletti spent six years trying to make last summer’s Plant City edition of Camp Invention happen. Since it went so well, he’s brought it back for 2015 — and it sounds bigger and better than before.
As the only camp of its kind in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, Camp Invention is a five-day program that teaches its campers how to use critical thinking within the four STEM fields: science, technology, engineering and math. When everything goes according to plan, the appeal of the camp is that the kids don’t even realize how much they’re learning.
“You’re wearing goggles, using tools, getting your hands dirty and working collaboratively,” Coletti said.
This summer’s camps will revolve around the theme, “Illuminate.” This consists of several modules that campers will work in, learning different skills as they progress. The “KartWheel” module, for example, will have campers build their own functioning racing cart from scratch. “Design Studio” will teach kids how to take a concept from blueprint paper to reality, and then market it as entrepreneurs. “I Can Invent: Next Level Gamers” will have kids taking apart recycled appliances and building physical game models.
The program has been around for 25 years, but it’s only the second year Plant City will play host.
The camp is partnered with the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and includes videos and exercises that tie in with the organization in the “Inducted” module.
“It inspires, makes students create, innovate, push their limits and get after problem solving,” Coletti said.
Last summer, First Baptist Church of Plant City hosted the 51 campers and their instructors near the end of June. Those students learned how to make everything for cars to pinball machines, and then showcased their creations for their parents on the camp’s final day.
This year, Coletti was able to move to a bigger location: the John R. Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College. The space will allow Coletti and the staff to set up four classrooms and a large main room for the event, so they’re hoping to bump that number of 51 students up closer to 90 in the coming months.
Coletti said the move wouldn’t have been possible without help from the church.
“I am so thankful that Plant City First Baptist got our feet in the door here,” he said. “I tried for six years to get one established, and now here we are, working on our second year.”
The camp is open to all students, from kindergarten through sixth grade, and will take place from June 15 to 19. In addition to any high schoolers who choose to volunteer, the camp’s staff will consist of hand-picked, certified teachers — “only the best of the best,” as Coletti put it. Visit CampInvention.org for more information.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
INFORMATION
Camp Invention 2015
Where: John R. Trinkle Center, Hillsborough Community College
When: June 15-19, 2015; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $230 per camper; $25 off if registered before March 20.
To register: visit CampInvention.org, or call 1-(800) 968-4332.
For more information and for high schoolers interested in volunteering, contact Paul Coletti at (813) 951-6266, or by email at pacman1988@hotmail.com.