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Experiments may spark youngsters’ interest in science.
By Tim Hernandez
Scobee Education Center is gearing up to launch summer camps in June and July for elementary and middle school children.
Two of four camps are filled, but about 10 spaces are available in the Astronauts in Training Camp 8 a.m.-noon June 13-17 for children entering kindergarten, first or second grade.
About 10 spaces also are available in the Cosmic Kids STEM Camp 8 a.m.-4 p.m. June 27-July 1 for children entering third, fourth or fifth grade.
Spots in the Cosmic Kids STEM Camp are open to children eligible for scholarships from the city of San Antonio. To qualify, the children must attend a Title 1 school in the current academic year and qualify as residents of San Antonio.
Parents will need to call to verify they qualify for a scholarship for their child to receive the discount code, said Gina Gutierrez, administrative services specialist at the center.
“It’s important to get the kids exposed to science early,” Gutierrez said. “Our goal is to educate everyone, and this year we are offering twice as many camps as we did last summer.
“We keep the kids busy doing science experiments,” Gutierrez said. “At the end of the week, they get the chance to show their parents what they have been working on all week.”
Parents need to come in on the first day to be oriented to the program so they know when and where they can drop off and pick up their kids, she said.
The Astronauts in Training Camp has a 20-camper limit, and no scholarships are designated for this camp. The cost is $200 and no after camp care is available
Cosmic Kids STEM Camp has a 25-camper limit. After-camp care until 5:30 p.m. is available.
Camps for which registration is closed are the Explorers’ Academy 8 a.m.-4 p.m. July 11-15 for children entering sixth, seventh, or eighth grade; and Camp Challenger: Empowering Young Women to be Leaders in STEM (All Girls Camp) 8 a.m.-4 p.m. July 25-29 for girls entering fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade.
Snacks will be provided; however, campers should bring their own sack lunches each day.
To check if a child qualifies for a scholarship, parents can go to tea.texas.gov and download the Title 1, Part A Campus Listing by Region PDF to identify the schools that qualify for the city of San Antonio scholarships.
Parents must also check if they are in a San Antonio voting districts and can do so by going to https://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/GIS/Maps/2015_CCD_8.5×11.pdf
For more information, contact the Scobee Education Center at 210-486-0100.
