Camp Invention draws 90 to Coshocton

The capybara robot was a big hit at the Camp Invention held the week of June 1 at Coshocton Elementary School.

“You got to put stickers on them and take them apart to see the motor,” Jace Minosky said.

He came to camp because he thought it sounded like fun, and Drew Davis came because his mom signed him up. Despite their different reasons for attending, both were having a great time.

Minosky and Davis were in the kindergarten and first grade group, but camp was for students all the way up to those entering sixth grade. Almost 90 students attended this year’s camp at Coshocton.

The capybara robots were part of lessons taught by Beth Loomis. When students came to her room, they became detectives helping to solve the case of the stinky spa.

“This is a blast,” Loomis said. “It’s hands-on and engaging. I give them materials and let them run with it. They really get to use their imaginations.”

Third-grader Brantley Williams said he learned a lot about finding suspects, finger printing and even how to build a rocket ship at camp.

Second-grader Reggie Miller said, “This is a lot of fun, and you get to learn new things.”

Fourteen teen volunteers helped at Coshocton’s Camp Invention.

“I like working with kids, and I loved coming to this when I was a kid, so I wanted to help,” said Nora Harstine, freshman at Coshocton High School.

CHS senior Jamie Lassen did not attend camp as a child, but this is her second year volunteering.

“I love seeing the kids have fun and use their imagination to make things,” she said.

Camp Inventions also will be held at Ridgewood Middle School and River View Elementary School this month.

While the local programs are open to all children, any children living in Coshocton County or attending a Coshocton County school can register at a reduced price of $40. This is made possible through the support of the Coshocton Foundation, which includes the Blessings Fund, Edwin F. Mulligan Endowed Fund, Simpson Family Donor Advised Fund and the Ralph D. & Judy P. Wisenburg Fund; local organizations including Coshocton Kiwanis Club, Coshocton Rotary Club, Jones Metal Product Co., McWane Ductile and The Montgomery Foundation; and individual donors.

“Without all of their support, we would probably not be able to have this camp in Coshocton County,” said Caryle Cunningham, camp director. “I’ve been doing this for over 10 years now. At first, I was a teacher’s assistant, and then I became the director here. Every year I come back, I’m amazed with the growth of the kids.”

Camp Invention, a summer enrichment program for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade, is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Using hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes STEM learning and builds confidence, leadership, perseverance, resourcefulness and problem-solving skills.

To find out more about Camp Invention, visit www.invent.org/camp.