Grades 6th & 7th

Join us on an exhilarating adventure at camp! Dive into Brian Young's captivating novel, "Healer of the Water Monster," exploring the link between local land use, culture, and historical sites. Through readings, virtual expeditions, and artifact creation, become a steward of the land, ready to educate others on being a responsible outdoor adventurer! Let's embark on this thrilling journey together!

*Note that Myla, a certified therapy dog, will be joining this camp. 

About the Instructor:

Katie Paetz has been teaching for 16 years and has her Bachelors and Masters in Education. She teaches 5th graders in the Flagstaff Unified School District. While not teaching, Ms. Paetz likes to hike, snowboard, and walk her dog.

Grades 6th & 7th

In this exciting hands-on course, participants will dive into the world of game development using Scratch, a beginner-friendly visual programming language, and then expand their skills by creating a custom controller using Makey-Makey. This course is designed for beginners with little to no prior coding experience, making it perfect for curious minds and budding game developers. During the first part of the course, participants will learn the basics of game design, programming logic, and animation using Scratch. They will explore fundamental programming concepts such as loops, conditionals, variables, and events while creating their own interactive games. From designing characters and backgrounds to adding sound effects and game mechanics, participants will unleash their creativity and build fully functional games. In the second part of the course, participants will move beyond traditional input methods and learn how to build a custom game controller using Makey-Makey. Makey-Makey is an invention kit that allows users to turn everyday objects into touchpads and connect them to a computer, turning imagination into interactive reality. Participants will explore circuitry basics, learn how to connect different materials to Makey-Makey, and customize their controllers to enhance gameplay experiences.

About the Instructor:

Kristine Penca is an enthusiastic and dedicated science and engineering teacher with a passion for STEAM education. With a focus on middle school years encompassing grades 5 through 8, Kristine brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her classroom. She is a firm advocate for integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) into the curriculum, believing in the power of interdisciplinary learning to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in her students. Throughout her career, Kristine has demonstrated a strong commitment to hands-on, project-based learning experiences that engage students in real-world applications of scientific and engineering principles. Her dynamic teaching style encourages curiosity, exploration, and experimentation, creating an environment where students feel empowered to explore their interests and develop a deep understanding of STEM concepts.

Grades 6th and 7th

Join in a culinary fun-filled week learning basic cooking skills as well as professional and technical skills. You'll learn all about safety and sanitation, how to properly use a knife, reading a recipe, and more! Plus you'll be able to cook your own lunches. 

About the Instructor:

My name is Courtney Prajapati aka Chef P, I graduated from the culinary program at Flagstaff High School, attended culinary school, then moved onto working at some of the top hotels and restaurants in the West Coast. I've been a private chef for the NBA and NFL. This is now my second year teaching Culinary at FHS. 

Grades 6th & 7th

Join us on an exhilarating adventure at camp! Dive into Brian Young's captivating novel, "Healer of the Water Monster," exploring the link between local land use, culture, and historical sites. Through readings, virtual expeditions, and artifact creation, become a steward of the land, ready to educate others on being a responsible outdoor adventurer! Let's embark on this thrilling journey together!

*Note that Myla, a certified therapy dog, will be joining this camp. 

About the Instructor:

Katie Paetz has been teaching for 16 years and has her Bachelors and Masters in Education. She teaches 5th graders in the Flagstaff Unified School District. While not teaching, Ms. Paetz likes to hike, snowboard, and walk her dog.

Grades 6th and 7th

This intellectually stimulating camp is designed for young minds fascinated by the intricate world of logic and brain teasers. Throughout the duration of the camp, students will embark on a journey to explore the fascinating realm of logic puzzles, sharpening their critical thinking skills and enhancing their problem-solving abilities. We'll tackle classic riddles, lateral thinking exercises, logic grids, cryptic codes, mathematical brain teasers, and more!  

About the Instructor:

Evan Worthington is a long-time educator most recently in Tucson and Flagstaff, with a passion for student success. With Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Education and a leadership degree in Counseling Psychology, he brings a wealth of academic knowledge and real-world experience to his teaching practice. Evan’s dynamic teaching style incorporates innovative pedagogical approaches tailored to meet the diverse needs of learners. Beyond the classroom, Evan is involved in racquetball and raising his children. Cheese curds are his weakness.

Grades 6th & 7th

In this exciting hands-on course, participants will dive into the world of game development using Scratch, a beginner-friendly visual programming language, and then expand their skills by creating a custom controller using Makey-Makey. This course is designed for beginners with little to no prior coding experience, making it perfect for curious minds and budding game developers. During the first part of the course, participants will learn the basics of game design, programming logic, and animation using Scratch. They will explore fundamental programming concepts such as loops, conditionals, variables, and events while creating their own interactive games. From designing characters and backgrounds to adding sound effects and game mechanics, participants will unleash their creativity and build fully functional games. In the second part of the course, participants will move beyond traditional input methods and learn how to build a custom game controller using Makey-Makey. Makey-Makey is an invention kit that allows users to turn everyday objects into touchpads and connect them to a computer, turning imagination into interactive reality. Participants will explore circuitry basics, learn how to connect different materials to Makey-Makey, and customize their controllers to enhance gameplay experiences.

About the Instructor:

Kristine Penca is an enthusiastic and dedicated science and engineering teacher with a passion for STEAM education. With a focus on middle school years encompassing grades 5 through 8, Kristine brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her classroom. She is a firm advocate for integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) into the curriculum, believing in the power of interdisciplinary learning to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in her students. Throughout her career, Kristine has demonstrated a strong commitment to hands-on, project-based learning experiences that engage students in real-world applications of scientific and engineering principles. Her dynamic teaching style encourages curiosity, exploration, and experimentation, creating an environment where students feel empowered to explore their interests and develop a deep understanding of STEM concepts.

Grades 6th and 7th

This intellectually stimulating camp is designed for young minds fascinated by the intricate world of logic and brain teasers. Throughout the duration of the camp, students will embark on a journey to explore the fascinating realm of logic puzzles, sharpening their critical thinking skills and enhancing their problem-solving abilities. We'll tackle classic riddles, lateral thinking exercises, logic grids, cryptic codes, mathematical brain teasers, and more!  

About the Instructor:

Evan Worthington is a long-time educator most recently in Tucson and Flagstaff, with a passion for student success. With Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Education and a leadership degree in Counseling Psychology, he brings a wealth of academic knowledge and real-world experience to his teaching practice. Evan’s dynamic teaching style incorporates innovative pedagogical approaches tailored to meet the diverse needs of learners. Beyond the classroom, Evan is involved in racquetball and raising his children. Cheese curds are his weakness.

Grades 6th and 7th

Camp Build offers an engaging woodworking experience where participants embark on a series of projects designed to foster hands-on learning and unleash their creativity. Throughout the course, young builders will develop confidence and proficiency with a diverse array of hand and power tools. Emphasizing safety as our top priority, participants will learn to work diligently while finding enjoyment in their productivity. Join us for a day filled with skill-building, teamwork, and the satisfaction of crafting something extraordinary.

About the Instructor:

Hi, I'm Amy Dries, and I'm thrilled to be your woodworking teacher for this summer camp! With seven years of experience teaching middle schoolers the art of woodworking, I'm passionate about sparking creativity and hands-on learning in every student.

In my classes, we don't just learn about woodworking; we dive right in, creating everything from simple projects to intricate designs. My goal is to make learning fun and accessible for everyone, whether you're a beginner or have some experience with woodworking.

Outside of the classroom, I love collaborating with students on community projects, like making mini golf courses or selling items for charity. Woodworking isn't just a skill—it's a way to make a positive impact on the world around us. So get ready to roll up your sleeves, grab some tools, and let's make something amazing together this summer!