Plant City’s young innovators gathered last week at the Arthur Boring Civic Center for Camp Invention, a nationally acclaimed summer program that transforms elementary school students into tomorrow’s inventors. The week-long STEM enrichment experience, running from June 10 to 14, brought together more than 50 local children for hands-on learning and creative problem-solving activities.
The program, developed by the National Inventors Hall of Fame, featured four modules designed to spark innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. Students participated in activities ranging from sustainable design challenges to robotic engineering projects, all while developing critical thinking and collaboration skills.
“It’s hands-on, minds-on learning,” said Paul Coletti, who served as director for the program. “They really can push their minds to that different level that they don’t even know that they have within them.”
Throughout the week, campers worked on various challenges, including designing their own control panels, teaching them the intricate details used in real-life technology. The program’s hands-on approach to learning particularly resonated with the participants.
Draeden Wilcox, a 10-year-old camper, beamed while describing his experience: “My favorite thing is learning how to wire circuits and improvising!”
The camp’s curriculum emphasized inclusivity of all ages, with campers learning material some would consider too “complex” for their grade. This aspect of the program was emphasized by Leslie Wendt, who served as Camp Mom and a fourth-grade science and math teacher at Walden Lake Elementary. “I think the biggest thing is just break it down and bring it back to their level”, said Wendt. “Everything can be broken down enough for them to understand, and it’s amazing what even a five-year-old can comprehend.”
One of the camp highlights was the Claw Arcade, where students made “something out of nothing” and combined minimal materials to make claw machines. Projects ranged from standard machines to even a vacuum.
Although campers engaged in plenty of STEM-based activities, Camp Invention also provided the space for kids just to be kids.
Rose Price, an upcoming third grader, proudly declared that through all of her learning, she still loved the outdoors: “I liked the game we played the first day, it was capture the flag.”
The program’s success relied heavily on its dedicated staff, including both professional educators and high school volunteers. Many of the high school counselors were campers themselves. Jeremy Brook, a sixth grade US History teacher at Tomlin Middle School who has been involved with Camp Invention for 10 years, noted the program’s evolution. “A lot of my former campers are now these leaders that are helping develop those ideas…they’re doing all these things that we started from the ground floor and now it’s cool to see it come to life.”
Counselors reported noticeable changes in campers’ approach to problem-solving and interest in science. Most education professionals note that keeping children engaged in learning over the summer benefits them in many ways, including preventing any lost knowledge for the following school year. Counselor Kelli Carrigan, a fifth-grade reading/writing teacher at Walden Lake Elementary, agrees. “I think anything that they’re doing, whether they’re learning, creating, reading, coloring, puzzles, going outside, is absolutely beneficial to all of our kids.”
Counselors and campers alike are already looking forward to next year. “It’s just a great program and a lot of kids just go home so excited. I plan to come back next year, yes, of course!” exclaimed Carrigan.
The impact of Camp Invention extends beyond the week-long program. Many past participants have gone on to take biology and physics courses in their schools, carrying forward the spirit of innovation fostered during their camp experience.
It is clear that Camp Invention’s goal is to inspire the next generation of innovators. The combination of hands-on learning, creative freedom, and expert guidance created an environment where young minds could flourish.
Plant City’s Camp Invention program demonstrates the growing emphasis on STEM education in the community and its commitment to nurturing young talent. With another successful year completed, organizers are already planning for an even more engaging experience next summer.
