Camp Blast offers hands-on look at the sciences

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Youngsters will have a blast studying dinosaurs, pond life, space and chemistry.

The University of Missouri Extension’s New Madrid County Camp Blast is three days of hands-on learning for boys and girls entering third through sixth grade, according to Jennifer Hall, 4-H youth development educator. The camp is free and scheduled from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 19-21 at the New Madrid Elementary School.

“Part of our goal is to create more interest in the sciences by providing hands-on experiences and activities that kids might not get to participate in in the everyday classroom,” Hall said. “I think it is going to be a lot of fun.”

Activities will focus on four different aspects of science.

Hall said they will study pre-historic science including fossils and dinosaurs and take a closer look at the environment as they investigate pond life and fishing. The chemistry portion will center on household chemicals and chemical safety.

“We are also going to do space exploration as one of the categories. We are going to have virtual reality headsets that campers will be able to use in that portion of the camp,” Hall said.

In addition time will be set aside for group physical activities as well as lunch.

According to Hall, the camp, one of five offered throughout the Bootheel, was made possible through a grant from Missouri 4-H

“We were encouraged to think out of the box and come up with summer programing. This is what we came up with for our region,” she said. “We are really excited about it because this will be a new opportunity for kids in our area.”

While the camp will be at New Madrid, Hall emphasized it is open to youngsters from throughout the county. However, she added, space is limited to 40 and campers are enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parents can register their children on line at https://forms.gle/mzvkbGGW4gEn5q8t5 or by scanning the QR code on the flyer advertising the camp.

In addition to the camp for New Madrid County youth, Camp Blast will be conducted from June 11-13 at the Lincoln University Building, 214 Lincoln St. in Sikeston, for third through sixth graders in Scott County and from June 24-26 at the Charleston Upper Elementary School for youngsters in Mississippi County. The camp in Stoddard County from July 8-10 is already filled.