The annual St. James Science Camp was held last week as fifth grade students from St. James School visited Camp ASCCA for a three-day science camp. Outdoor Education Specialist Cody Graham designed the schedule for the session, and the students were divided into groups of at least ten to rotate from program to program. The goal of the week is for students to gain knowledge about the science in Alabama and enjoy every second of it. The programs offered were Living Streams, Step Out & Fish, Ziptower, Canoeing, Group Elements, Nature Jeopardy, and Forestry.
The students were taught how science is applied in each activity, the importance of critical thinking in tough situations and how important it is to support your classmates. The Living Streams program is located in the streams behind the demo farm, and the students learn about all the creatures that live beneath the mud, leaves and rocks of an Alabama stream. As they found each creature, they were challenged to study it and find out its exact scientific name. At Step Out & Fish, the students were taught the proper techniques of setting up a rod and reel and baiting a hook. Canoeing offered opportunities for students to learn interesting facts about Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa River, as well as the importance of working as a unit in order to get the canoe moving in the right direction. Students had a chance to enjoy the air conditioning of the Dunn Center while learning science facts about Alabama wildlife at Nature Jeopardy.
At Group Elements, the students were challenged through brain teasers and other teambuilding activities that pushed them to communicate with each other and produce the best results possible. The Ziptower is a popular program throughout the year at Camp ASCCA, and the students from St. James enjoyed the challenge of climbing the vertical rock wall and chanting for their friends as they take the challenge. Finally, at Forestry the students were taken on a trail across Camp and given specific leaf patterns to find along the way.
In the evening each day, everyone came together to for dinner and a time of fun during activities like scavenger hunts, campfires and more. On Friday, cars were packed up and farewells were given to the ASCCA staff and students and parents made the trip back home to Montgomery. As always, the St. James Science Camp was a blast, and we hope that the students remember the science lessons learned and the importance of enjoying school every second that you can!
Located in Alabama on Lake Martin, Camp ASCCA offers campers a wide variety of traditional recreational and educational activities with a unique design for accessibility.
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