By Staff
Danville-Neel School hosts state's only creativity camp
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
This is the first summer creative kids across North Alabama have had the opportunity to attend Camp Invention, and Danville-Neel Elementary was the first school in Morgan County to host the exciting weeklong event.
Camp Invention is a national summer day camp that encourages children to develop their innate creative abilities through hands-on, interactive activities and creative problem solving.
According to Camp Invention Director Paula Kiggins, 31 area second through sixth grade students had a brilliant experience at the camp.
"The kids have been shipwrecked on an island and stranded on a planet with acid rain," Kiggins explained. "These situations have made the kids brain storm, make a plan, put it into action, and find a solution for these situations in a creative way. The atmosphere is fun, wild and crazy, but learning is taking place, too."
Kiggins, who is also a Morgan County Schools gifted and talented teacher, has been assisted by DNES teachers Jennifer Whitley and Heather Defoor and Athens State College graduates and student Kelly McKee, Melea Garner and Devon Drain.
Camp Invention Regional Director Hillary Dunham and Danville-Neel Principal Jeremy Jones helped bring the program to Danville-Neel.
"The interactive activities spark the imaginations of children while combining science, math, history and the arts–but most of all fun! They get kids think out of the books," Jones said.
"This school is just the ideal setting for the camp," Kiggins said. "We have lots of space, inside and out, and the environment is just made for learning and fun."
Cost for each camper is $199, but Kiggins said scholarships were made available through Wal-Mart to the majority of campers, making the cost $100. Pepsi Cola and private sponsors also contributed.
"I think the kids and their parents have really enjoyed the camp," Kiggins said. "And I have been amazed by how these children, no matter their ability level, put their minds to work."
For more information on Camp Invention, visit www.campinvention.org.