EDUCATIONAL CAMPS

ALASKA PRUDENTIAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

• Sponsor: Volunteers of America/Alaska and Prudential Real Estate
• Goals and activities: Youth who want to develop leadership abilities to serve the community, make new friends and have fun should sign up for this program. Selected participants learn skills in community assessment, team communication, creativity, project planning, personal goal-setting and decision-making. Those interested in serving their communities must apply and be chosen for a spot at the institute.
• When: Aug. 13-17
• Where: Birchwood Camp
• How much: $50
• Licensed or accredited: No
• Contact: 279-9628 or 279-9634 or e-mail voak@sinbad.com

ALGEBRA WORKSHOPS

• Sponsor: Umoja Community Association
• Ages: Entering grades 7-9
• Goals and activities: This class will give students the confidence and skills to be successful in pre-algebra or algebra. Covered will be the rules of algebra, how to apply the rules and a step-by-step approach to solving algebraic equations. The four-week class consists of one hour per night, two nights per week.
• When: July 17-Aug. 11
• Where: Call for location
• How much: $150 per session
• Licensed or accredited: No
• Contact: Perette Carter, 566-2757

CHALLENGER CENTER CAMPS

• Sponsor: Challenger Center
• Where: Challenger Center in Kenai
• Licensed or accredited: No
• Contact: Wendee Colette, 907-283-2000

Flight Overnight Camp

• Ages: Entering kindergarten through grade 8
• Goals and activities: Students spend one night at the center. They use models, aircraft parts and diagrams to build working models for studying the theory of flight. Simulators will be used to apply concepts learned. Students bring their own lunches for the first day, and Challenger staff provides dinner, breakfast and lunch for remaining meals.
• When: From 9 a.m. the first day until 4 p.m. the second day; Kindergarten-grade 2, Monday-Tuesday; grades 3-5, Wednesday-Thursday; grades 6-8, Friday-Saturday; July 31-Aug. 5
• How much: $100

Spacecraft Designer Day Camp

• Ages: Entering grades 4-8
• Goals and activities: Students team up in small project groups to build satellites, probes and rover spacecraft designed to explore the solar system. Engineering concepts and the elements of deep space travel will be applied to their designs.
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 7-11
• How much: $250

Flight Day Camp

• Ages: Entering grades 4-8
• Goals and activities: Students will discover the elements of flight while practicing with models and simulators. Students also will design a working model airport and understand the functions of air traffic control using the models they design and build.
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 12-16
• How much: $250

Mars City Alpha Day Camp

• Ages: Entering grades 6-8
• Goals and activities: Students will study how they can establish a colony for 25 astronauts. They'll take into account Mars' atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere to design and build small-scale models for the inhabitants.
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 26-30
• How much: $250

Microgravity Day Camp

• Ages: Entering grades 6-8
• Goals and activities: Guest lecturer and presenter Greg Vogt, a NASA astronaut trainer from the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, assists students in discovering the principles and effects of microgravity.
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 10-14
• How much: $250

Cosmic ''Edventures'' Day Camp

• Ages: Entering grades 3-6
• Goals and activities: Students design and build models of Earth's position in space and learn the reason behind the seasons. The students construct scale models of the solar system and explore other planets.
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 24-28
• How much: $250

IMAGINARIUM SUMMER CAMPS

• Sponsor: The Imaginarium
• Location: 737 W. Fifth Ave.
• Contact: 276-3179 or e-mail info@imaginarium.org
• Accredited or licensed: No

Discovery Science Workshops

• Ages: 4-5
• Goals and activities: Young scientists will explore the wonders of a new discovery topic each week.
• When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, June 21-July 26
• How much: $10 per day for members or $12 for nonmembers

Jurassic Journey Computer Camp

• Ages: 6-8
• Goals and activities: With FutureKids, children will explore computer graphics and create their own dinosaur movie using the latest software.
• When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 12-16
• How much: $165 for members; $180 for nonmembers

Mindstorms Computer Camp

• Ages: 9-12
• Goals and activities: Young inventors and engineers join FutureKids to research robots in multimedia encyclopedias and put together machines out of Lego blocks, using autonomous computers, touch and optical sensors, and more.
• When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 12-16
• How much: $165 for members, $180 for nonmembers

Introduction to Magic and Masters of Magic

• Ages: 9-12
• Goals and activities: In the introductory class, learn about the science of magic and some of the wildest tricks with local magician Don Russell. Continue learning about elaborate illusions and put on a show for family and friends with Masters of Magic camp.
• When: introductory class, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 19-23; masters class, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 14-18
• Cost: $115-$130 for introductory class; $165-$180 for masters class

Super Science

• Ages: 6-8
• Goals and activities: Kids discover what makes a ship float, how viruses affect our bodies, how to create electricity from water, and much more.
• When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 26-30
• Cost: $115 for members, $130 for nonmembers

Wild Alaska!

• Ages: 6-8
• Goals and activities: Kids explore a variety of species with the Alaska Fish and Wildlife Service and meet some live Alaska animals from the Alaska Zoo and the Bird Treatment and Learning Center.
• When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 10-14
• Cost: $115 for members, $130 for nonmembers

Science Sleuth and Mystery Science

• Ages: 6-8 and 9-12
• Goals and activities: Visit with the State Crime Lab and learn how to gather fingerprints, hair and other evidence; tour Fire Station No. 1 with a firefighter to learn why things burn and how to keep safe in a fire using a simulator; and find out about security on a visit to the U.S. District Marshal's office.
• When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 17-21 for ages 6-8; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 24-28 for ages 9-12
• Cost: $115-$130 for ages 6-8; $165-$180 for ages 9-12

Up, Up and Away and Invitation to Fly

• Ages: 6-8 and 9-12
• Goals and activities: Kids explore the principles of flight by building and launching their own rockets, touring Merrill Field's aviation facility, experiencing a simulated flight, and more.
• When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; July 31-Aug. 4 for ages 6-8; Aug. 7-11 for ages 9-12
• Cost: $165 for members, $180 for nonmembers

FUTUREKIDS COMPUTER CAMPS

• Sponsor: FutureKids
• Ages: 6 and up
• Goals and activities: FutureKids Computer Camps combine the latest in computer technology with themes kids love. Most camps are organized in one-week sessions and feature small class sizes; hands-on, project-based activities; and challenging technology curriculum. The technology focus includes multimedia, robotics, the Internet, keyboarding, graphics, desktop publishing, programming, spreadsheets, databases, word processing, applied technologies and operating systems.
• When: Morning, afternoon or all-day sessions in June and July
• Where: 900 W. Fireweed Lane
• How much: Most sessions are $179
• Licensed or accredited: No
• Contact: M. Smith, 279-0997 or e-mail alaska_programs@futurekids.com

GRAY DAY ADVENTURES

• Sponsor: Gray Day Adventures
• Ages: 11-18
• Goals and activities: These nine-day, adventure-filled sessions take place in Kachemak Bay State Park. Kids climb, mountain bike, kayak and raft. They learn about emergency first aid, safety, team building, self reliance and low-impact camping. The geology, biology, botany and natural history of the Kachemak Bay area are covered. Guest authors help with the journal writing process.
• When: Sessions start June 16, June 30, July 14 and July 28
• Where: Homer
• How much: $1,125
• Licensed or accredited: SOA (Alaska State Parks)
• Contact: 907-235-5144 or adventur@xyz.net

JUNIOR NATURALIST PROGRAM

• Sponsor: Center for Alaska Coastal Studies, Homer
• Ages: 9-12
• Goals and activities: Four days of adventure and science discovery await junior naturalists. They will explore the forest and the intertidal zone using hands-on techniques. The program consists of two days at the Carl E. Wynn Nature Center on Skyline Drive near Homer, and two days and an overnight at the center's field station in Peterson Bay, across Kachemak Bay from Homer. Activities include forest and meadow hikes, animal tracking, water sampling, plankton tow, microscope studies, games, art, prehistoric culture and orienteering. Parents must provide transportation to and from the nature center and boat.
• When: July 17-20 and July 31-Aug. 3
• Where: Wynn Nature Center and Peterson Bay in Homer
• How much: $120
• Licensed or accredited: No
• Contact: Marilyn Sigman, 1-907-235-6667 or e-mail cacs@xyz.net

LANGUAGE CLASSES

• Sponsor: University of Alaska Anchorage
• Ages: 8-18
• Goals and activities: French, German, Russian, Spanish and Japanese are all offered in this series of language classes. French I for children ages 8-12 features some of the everyday vocabulary, basic grammar, reading, writing, culture and geography. German for children ages 8-12 emphasizes understanding and speaking German by employing a variety of materials and activities. Russian for children ages 8-12 covers understanding and speaking the language, the alphabet, and Russian life and culture.
• Spanish for children ages 8-12 is a beginning conversational class that introduces basic grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing. Culture and geography of Latin American will be included. Spanish II for teens with some knowledge of the language lets older kids ages 13-18 brush up on their pronunciation. They will develop a more active use of vocabulary and sharpen their understanding of the language and contemporary Spanish American culture. Japanese II for teens ages 13-18 is for those with some knowledge of basic Japanese. Comprehensive, bilingual conversations and cultural aspects are emphasized. All language workshops include class time and computer lab.
• When: French for children, 1-4 p.m. June 5-9; German for children, 9 a.m.-noon June 19-23; Russian for children, 1-4 p.m. June 26-30; Spanish for children, 9 a.m.-noon June 12-16; Spanish for teens, 1-4 p.m. June 12-16; Japanese for teens, 9 a.m.-noon, June 26-30
• Where: 4500 Diplomacy Drive
• How much: $149 per class
• Licensed or accredited: No
• Contact: Shari Olander, 786-6751, 786-6755 or e-mail ansro@uaa.alaska.edu

LEARNING ENRICHMENT ADVENTURE SERIES 2000

• Sponsor: Learning Enrichment Adventure Program
• Ages: 14-22
• Goals and activities: In this LEAP program, young people will explore college life and Alaska's outdoors. The program includes time spent in college classrooms and working on an environmental science project. Outdoor activities include a ropes course, a hike in the Chugach Mountains and a trip to Denali Park for rafting, natural history programs and more hiking.
• When: Sessions are offered June 5-16, June 19-30, July 10-21 and Aug. 7-18
• Where: University of Alaska Anchorage
• How much: $600, partial scholarship available
• Licensed or accredited: Association of Experiential Education
• Contact: Larry Michaels, 786-4414 or e-mail ayleap@uaa.alaska.edu

LLAMA BUDDIES KIDS CAMP

• Sponsor: None listed
• Goals and activities: Llama Buddies offers two- and three-day camps that provide educational and adventurous outdoor experiences with llamas. Self-confidence and leadership skills are emphasized, as well as camaraderie and team spirit. Camp begins with a day of ranch-based activities to familiarize participants with the llamas. The following day, campers hit the trail in Hatcher Pass for a day hike or overnight campout. Campers learn low-impact camping skills and to respect Alaska’s wild acres.
• When: Call for details
• Where: Mat-Su
• How much: $250-$385
• Accredited: No
• Contact: Pam Barnes, 1-907-376-8472 or e-mail pam@llamabuddies.com

NATURAL HISTORY SCIENCE DAY CAMP

• Sponsor: Alaska Museum of Natural History, Municipality of Anchorage, Elmendorf Officers' Spouses Club
• Ages: Entering grades 1-4
• Goals and activities: These classes present studies that interpret our connections to Alaska's environment and offer children hands-on and experimental introductions to the natural world. Each week, a variety of classroom, hands-on and field trip experiences focus on a different theme in Alaska's environment. Organizers want to provide a fun ''rough ground'' where children can make contact with and better understand nature. Children will use science-based equipment in the classroom and on field trips.
• When: Weekly sessions are 10 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday, June 12-Aug. 11; some field trips are longer than two hours
• Where: Alaska Museum of Natural History, 11723 Old Glenn Highway, Eagle River (across from McDonald's)
• How much: $10 per day or $40 per week for members; $12 per day or $50 per week for nonmembers; group rates and scholarships available
• Licensed or accredited: No
• Contact: Kurt Johnson, 694-0819 or e-mail education@alaskamuseum.org

SCIENCE CAMP: ''FROM THE FOREST TO THE SEA''

• Sponsor: Prince William Sound Science Center, Cordova
• Ages: 10-15
• Goals and activities: Camp out on the beautiful Copper River delta for six days and five nights. Explore rain forests, wetlands, glaciers, lakes, rivers, intertidal zones and the marine life of Prince William Sound. Learn about the ecology and natural history of the area while camping with other kids from all over Alaska. Scholarships are available, and early applications are encouraged.
• When: June 12-17 or June 25-30 for ages 10-12; and July 16-21 or July 26-31 for ages 13-15
• Where: Cordova
• How much: $250
• Licensed or accredited: No
• Contact: Aaron Lang, 907-424-5800 or e-mail lang@pwssc.gen.ak.us

SUMMER JOURNALISM CAMP

• Sponsor: University of Alaska Anchorage Department of Journalism and Public Communications
• Ages: High school students from across the state
• Goals and activities: The camp offers two weeks of instruction in newspaper and video production. Half the students will produce an eight-page broadsheet newspaper and the other half a 30-minute news video. Students will live in university housing with chaperones.
• When: July 9-22; applications due April 24
• Where: UAA
• How much: $475 (does not include airfare), with limited fee assistance available. Help finding sponsors is provided.
• Accredited: None listed
• Contact: 786-1435

TRAILSIDE DISCOVERY

• Sponsor: Alaska Center for the Environment
• Ages: 4-15
• Goals and activities: Trailside Discovery day camps offer ''Environmental Ed-venture'' opportunities that intertwine education and fun with hands-on experiences. Some of the programs include overnight camping trips. The preschool program for ages 4-5 will offer Water Wonders, Flying Friends, Creepy Crawlers and Forest Prowlers. Programs for ages 6-7 will be Amazing Animals, Woodland Wizards, Wetlanders Quest, Outdoor Skill Adventure I. Programs for ages 8-9 are Science and Nature, Geology Surveyors and Outdoor Skill Adventure II.
• Programs for ages 10-13 include Earth Ranger Explorer, Tidelands to Tundra, Sunship Earth, Young Scientists, Willow Winds I and II, Rocks, Ice, Volcanoes and Quakes; and the following three-day overnight trips, Alpine Trekkers, Marine Science and Kayak Scout, and Fat Tire Bike. Alaskan Quest is a back-country experience offered for ages 13-15, with lessons on natural history, science and outdoor skills. Program offerings include Homer Marine Science, Kayak Kachemak Bay, Denali Backpack and Fat Tire Mountain Bike.
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 19-Aug. 25, for ages 4-13; call for Alaskan Quest trip schedules for ages 13-15
• Where: Campbell Creek Science Center
• How much: Day programs, $160 per week or $440 for four weeks; trips are $350-$550
• Licensed or accredited: ACA
• Contact: Thomas Burek, 274-5437 or e-mail trailside@akcenter.org

TRAILSIDE DISCOVERY IN PALMER

• Sponsor: Alaska Center for the Environment and Alaska Pacific University
• Ages: 9-12
• Goals and activities: In small groups, naturalists teach natural history and natural sciences, nature craft, social growth, and leadership and outdoor skills. Programs emphasize interactive, enjoyable, hands-on outdoor experiences. Participants investigate forests, explore natural forces, tread gently across trails and learn about nature while immersed in it.
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 10-14 or July 17-21
• Where: Kellogg Farm, Palmer; transportation available from Carrs stores in Palmer and Wasilla
• How much: $100 per week
• Licensed or accredited: ACA
• Contact: Thomas Burek, 274-5437 or e-mail trailside@akcenter.org