Summer STEAM Camps at Saint Francis University

Kids' College

  • Science Outreach Center
  • SFU for Kids

    • Kids' College 2023

     

    Kids’ College at Saint Francis University is a summer camps program designed for school children entering grades 1 through 10. These two to five day camps introduce children to various STEAM topics, such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, medicine, physics, language, arts and more. In each camp, children become scientists who critically observe the surrounding environment, pose scientific questions, conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and draw their own conclusions. Each camp includes daily (weather permitting) outside activities: field trips, short hikes, games, and physical exercises. 

    Registration Closed

    Please check back for future opportunities.

     

    Registration/General Information

    • Space is limited. Registrations are accepted until three business days prior to the start date of the chosen camp. 
    • Carefully read the camp description for dates, deadlines and PROMO CODES
    • Camps do not provide lunches (please pack lunch for your child); however, snacks are provided throughout the day
    • Questions?  Contact Michael Sell at 814-472-2872 or email scienceoutreach@francis.edu

    Payment

    Payment is accepted via Credit Card or Check 

     

    Credit Card: Please note, there is a processing fee for this credit card service. 
     
    Check: If you wish to pay by check you must enter the PROMO CODE: paylater at checkout.  

    Please make checks payable to Saint Francis University. If you have a PROMO CODE, please deduct its value from the payment.  
     
    Please mail a printout of your registration confirmation and check to: 
     
    SFU Science Outreach Center Kids’ College 
    P.O. Box 600 
    Loretto, PA 15940 

    Forms

    Camp Offerings 2023

    Campers Entering Grades 1-3

    • Creepy Crawlies and the Scientific Method (3-Day Camp) 

      Creepy Crawlies and the Scientific Method (3-Day Camp) 

      From beetles to earthworms, students will use their creepy crawlies to learn the five steps of the scientific method: question, hypothesis, methods, result, and conclusion. 

      • Dates: Monday, June 12 - Wednesday, June 14 

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $120 

      • Registration Deadline: June 7 

      • Register Here

    • Astronomy Adventures (2-Day Camp)   

      Astronomy Adventures (2-Day Camp)    

      What makes up the universe?  What objects make up the solar system?  How do objects move in space?  What are some features of the night sky and how do we observe them? These questions and more will be explored in this camp. 

      • Dates: Thursday, June 15 - Friday, June 16 

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $80 

      • Registration Deadline: June 12 

      • Register Here

    • Flying Wild: Celebrating Birds (3-Day Camp)   

      Flying Wild: Celebrating Birds (3-Day Camp)   

      Birds are an indicator of environmental health; their populations track changes in habitat, water, disease, and climate. Flying Wild Camp provides a wonderful way to introduce students to the study of birds, their adaptations and habitat.   

      • Dates: Monday, June 19 - Wednesday, June 21 

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $120 

    • Engineering and the Design Process (2-Day Camp)    

      Engineering and the Design Process (2-Day Camp)    

      Learn about rockets, sailboats, parachutes and chemically crafted concoctions.  Hands on activities explore aerospace, chemical, civil, environmental, and forensic engineering. 

      • Dates: Thursday, July 6 - Friday, July 7 

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $80 

      • Registration Deadline: June 29 

      • Register Here

    • Grow Lab: An Exploration of Plants (3-Day Camp)   

      Grow Lab: An Exploration of Plants (3-Day Camp)    

      Grow Lab Camp provides activities for growing minds.  How do we decide if a tomato is ripe?  How does a burdock seed “ride” on a sock?  What animals depend on plants? Why are trees terrific?  Students are the scientists, explorers, and problem solvers using their senses and minds to understand the natural world.      

      • Dates: Monday, July 17 - Wednesday, July 19 

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $120 

      • Registration Deadline: July 12 

      • Register Here

    • Chemistry: It's Elementary (2-Day Camp)    

      Chemistry: It's Elementary (2-Day Camp)    

      Chemistry is the study of the make-up of all things and how they behave.  What is matter?  How are atoms and elements, molecules and compounds related?  What makes up solutions and mixtures?  Can I eat a super saturated solution?  How can I measure density?   Hands on activities can give us answers to these questions and more. 

      • Dates: Thursday, July 20 - Friday, July 21  

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $80 

      • Registration Deadline: July 17 

      • Register Here

    Campers Entering Grades 4-6

    • Chemistry in Our World (3-Day Camp)    

      Chemistry in Our World (3-Day Camp)    

      • Dates: Monday, June 12 - Wednesday, June 14 

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $120 

      Ever wonder why ice floats, what makes bread rise, or how thermometers work? Perhaps you've wondered about the elements of the periodic table and how they were discovered. Together we will conduct experiments to answer these questions and many more as we discover how chemistry is an essential part of our lives. 

    • Art through the STEAM Lens (2-Day Camp)    

      Art through the STEAM Lens (2-Day Camp)    

      Have you ever wondered how science, technology, engineering, and math can all be related to art? Learn how in this creative two-day camp! We will study various artistic styles (including but not limited to pointillism, frescos, and architecture), then use our STEAM knowledge to create various artworks of our own! 

      • Dates: Thursday, June 15 - Friday, June 16 

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $80 

      • Registration Deadline: June 12 

      • Register Here

    • Civil War Tech (2-Day Camp)-offered 2 dates

      Civil War Tech (2-Day Camp)    

      The Civil War was one of the most pivotal time periods in our nation’s history.  It is a fascinating time period to study.  What many people do not realize is the rapid technological advances that began to appear at the time of the Civil War.  For these reasons, the Civil War is sometimes called “The First Modern War.’  This camp will explore some of those new technologies, including the use of electronic communication through the telegraph and new and improved secret codes.  We will also study how technology changed the way wars were fought by examining the impact of technology on tactics.  You will also learn the commands used by the soldiers to maneuver on the field of battle, as well as how these tactics had to adapt to changing technologies.  If you enjoy science and history and would like to see how these two fields interact, this camp is for you! 

    • Frankenstein Engineering: Giving life to ideas through prototyping (3-Day Camp)    

      Frankenstein Engineering: Giving life to ideas through prototyping (3-Day Camp)    

      • Dates: Monday, July 10 - Wednesday, July 12 

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $120 

      From idea to design to prototype, this camp explores the prototyping process by creating various prototypes and how each is tested and evaluated. This ranges from displays to physical models, animatronics, and 3D-printed parts. Students will walk away with a basic understanding of feasibility, fidelity, fused deposit modeling (FDM), computer aided design (CAD), concept sketch, why prototyping is essential to the design process, and several creations they make along the way.   

       

    • Don't Just Play the Game, Make it: Developing games for the playground, family game night, and the screen (3-Day Camp) 

      Don't Just Play the Game, Make it: Developing games for the playground, family game night, and the screen (3-Day Camp) 

      There is more to games than the fun experienced by playing them. This camp explores game design's mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics by creating original games such as cooperative outside games, interesting tabletop games, and developing a video game. We will explore the design and development stages for each type of game, with the core objective being fun. Children will walk away with a greater appreciation for the family board games and video games they play, the effort that goes into making them, and basic programming. They will also be given the resources to continue the development of the video game beyond camp if they wish to develop it further.      

      • Dates: Monday, July 17 - Wednesday, July 19 

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $120 

      • Registration Deadline: July 12 

      • Register Here

    Campers Entering Grades 7-10

    • Marine and Freshwater Aquatic Exploration (3-Day Camp)    

      Marine and Freshwater Aquatic Exploration (3-Day Camp)    

      During this three-day camp students will take a survey of marine and freshwater animals such as sharks and other aquatic organisms.  They will also learn about the physics and chemistry of water by learning how things float and the importance of nutrients cycling through aquatic systems. Students will also have hands-on learning while exploring the differences between marine and freshwater ecosystems. 

      • Dates: Monday, June 12 - Wednesday, June 14 

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $120 

      • Registration Deadline: June 7 

      • Register Here

    • Artemis: Moon to Earth (3-Day Camp)

       Artemis: Moon to Earth (3-Day Camp)  

      Imagine an ancient surface covered in craters and frozen lava flows, highlands and lowlands, and a magnificent blue planet visible in the airless sky. Yes, you are on the Moon, you are a part of the Artemis mission, and your goal is to explore the lunar surface: investigate the formation of craters, analyze lunar rocks and dust, and find water and energy sources on the Moon.

      • Dates: Monday, June 19 - Wednesday, June 21 

      • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

      • Program Fee: $120 

       

    Summer Academies 2023

    SFU Summer Academies are one-week, residential, immersive programs for high school students who are currently in grades 10 and 11 (and are at least 15 years old) and are interested in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, arts, or mathematics.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

    Please Read

     

    I hereby acknowledge that I have voluntarily chosen to participate in the following activity(ies) on the premises and/or facilities of SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY. 

    I understand the risks involved in “the activity”.  I recognize that “the activity” involves risk of injury and I agree to accept any and all risks associated with it, including but not limited to property damage or loss, minor bodily injury, severe bodily injury, and death. I am voluntarily participating in “the activity” with the knowledge of the risks involved and hereby agree to accept any and all inherent risks of property damage, bodily injury, or death.

     

    In consideration for the University’s permission to participate in “the activity”, to the fullest extent permitted by law, I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY, its officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers and assigns from and against all claims arising out of or resulting from my use of the facilities. “Claim” as used in this agreement means any financial loss, claim, suit, action, damage, or expense, including but not limited to attorney’s fees, attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, or injury to or destruction of tangible property including loss of use resulting therefrom.

     

    In addition, I hereby voluntarily hold harmless SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY, its officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers and assigns from all claims, both present and future, that may be made by me, my family, estate, heirs, or assigns. I also understand that SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY does not provide any medical or dental insurance to cover bodily injury, illness or death, or insurance for personal property damage or loss, or insurance for liability arising out of my negligent acts or omissions; and I acknowledge that I am completely responsible for my own insurance to cover these expenses. I authorize SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY, its officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers and assigns to take whatever actions that are deemed appropriate regarding my health and safety in the event of an emergency or life-threatening event. This includes placing me at my own expense into a hospital or other health care facility if that is deemed medically necessary. SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY will not dispense over the counter (OTC) or prescription medication to any participant.

    I further understand that this acknowledgment of risk and hold harmless is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Pennsylvania and that if any portion hereof is held invalid, I agree that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. I understand and agree to follow all rules of conduct, safety rules, and time limits imposed by SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY its officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers, and assigns. I understand and agree that, if rules and time limits imposed by SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY are not followed, that SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY may revoke its permission to conduct “the activity”. Participants are expected to be courteous to one another and all staff members. Disruptive behavior or behavioral problems will not be tolerated and will be brought to the attention of the parent/guardian in which disruptive actions may forfeit activity privileges. I will drop my child off and pick my child up according to the instructions provided by the camp overseer.

     

    I attest that I am physically fit to participate in physical activities and that my medical condition to do so has been verified by a licensed physician.

     

    By agreeing to these terms, I/we authorize SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY personnel to photograph, videotape, and/or audiotape my/our child in promotion of SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY programs.

     

    I understand that all such reproductions and statements are and shall remain the property of SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY. I have read the above conditions and accept them as shown by my signature, and my intent to be legally bound.

     

    The undersigned asserts that participant is younger than (18) years of age and the guardians signature approves the activities for this minor.