Enrichment Programs

List of 66 items.

• Math: Game On! (online)

  Using game-based online resources, students will keep their math skills strong throughout the summer. Competitions, badges and leveling up will engage and challenge throughout the summer months. This camp will enhance existing math skills and keep them strong for the new school year. Students will use iPad apps and school-assigned accounts.  Berkeley lower division instructor Mrs. Tamarah Henderson will be your guide!

   

  Format: An introductory Zoom session with Mrs. Henderson will be held on the first day of camp, with weekly Zoom challenge sessions throughout the summer. There will be virtual office hours for assistance. Apps and accounts will be monitored and reports sent to students and parents.
  
  Weeks 1-6, Weeks 2-7 (incoming 1st-5th graders)

• Adobe Illustrator with Mrs. Farkas: Design Your Dreams

  Have you ever wanted to create your own logo? Or perhaps you’ve wanted to design your own cartoon. Imagine if you could design your very own font! If you can dream it, this workshop can help you design it. Mrs. Farkas will cover the fundamentals of Adobe’s vector-based software which is used by artists and graphic designers to create a variety of digital and printed images. Along with creating a graphic of your choice, you will learn tools, actions, and digital coloring.
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 2 (incoming 7th-9th graders)
  

• Adobe Photoshop with Mrs. Farkas: Your Digital Masterpiece

  Adobe Photoshop is the world’s most advanced digital imaging software; if you’re looking to unleash your creative control over digital images, this workshop is for you. Mrs. Farkas will introduce the fundamental photo editing and paint software used by professionals in the creative industry, from photography, animation, illustrations, and advertisement for multiple platforms. You will learn tools ranging from exposure adjustment to the removal of unwanted elements, plus much more!
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 2 (incoming 7th-9th grades)

• Skateboard Design & Fabrication Workshop with Mr. Q

  In this two-week, half-day workshop led by Mr. Q, Berkeley's Fabrication Studio Assistant, students will be introduced to all the woodworking tools and design processes needed to produce a custom, hand-crafted skateboard of striped mahogany and maple wood. From milling rough lumber to engraving custom designs with a laser cutter, students will have the opportunity to work hands-on in a professional fabrication studio creating their own unique product.
  
  This is a two-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Weeks 2-3, Weeks 6-7 (incoming 6th-8th graders)

• Vector Graphic Designs and Laser-Cutter Projects with Mr. Q

  In this workshop led by Mr. Q, Berkeley's Fabrication Studio Assistant, students will learn fundamental principles of designing vector graphics on PC computers and implement those designs into various laser-cutter produced projects.
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 4 (incoming 6th-8th graders)

• Fabulous Fabrication: Beginning Woodworking

  In this introductory fabrication camp led by Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Q, students will use various beginning power tools, vector graphic software, and the laser cutter to custom design and build three projects: a phone amplifier, pucket game board, and basketball waste can. They will learn the fundamentals of beginning craftsmanship and design in a safe and fun environment.
  
  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 5 (incoming 5th-8th graders)

• Camp Buccaneer

  In this full-day camp with Mrs. Keller, Mrs. Salgado, Mrs. McDonough, and Mrs. Bellegarrigue, children will test themselves in a fun-filled camp that promotes teamwork and team building. Daily challenges will push them academically, mentally and physically in their quest to be the best team. Competitions include reading challenges, STEM activities, math problem solving, cooking and sporting events!
  
  This is a full-day camp for one week. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Weeks 4, 7 (incoming 2nd-5th graders)

• Competitive Math Skills Camp

  Join Berkeley math teacher Mr. Fisher in this unique approach to increasing your math skills. Lessons are designed in competition format for individuals and small groups. Logic problems as well as SAT/ACT type problems will be introduced to the students to further their math knowledge. An online option is available in June and a classroom option is available in July.
  
  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 1 (online); Weeks 5, 7 (classroom) (incoming 5th-9th graders)
  

• C++ Programming for Beginners

  Coding is now mainstream and anyone can learn it. With a little patience and diligence, you can be writing lines of code and seeing your programs come to life. Each day we’ll learn a different skill and create a new program. Steve Jobs once said, “Everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer…because it teaches you how to think.” This camp will be led by Berkeley upper division science instructor and Robotics Club coordinator Dr. Kline.  Campers can install Xcode on their Mac or they can use one of ours.
  
  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Week 2 (incoming 7th-12th graders)

• VEX V5 Robotics & Engineering

  This intensively hands-on workshop, led by Berkeley upper division science instructor and Robotics Club coordinator Dr. Kline, allows campers to design, build, and operate the newest generation of VEX robots called the V5 System. Campers work independently or in teams, problem solve, analyze systems, manage projects, access information, troubleshoot, and document what they learn. In an atmosphere that is dynamic and engaging, campers will discover principles of design and system integration as they tackle problems of robot motion, power, control, and autonomy. They will program in C++ and explore the use of loops and conditional statements to control their robot. By the end of the workshop, campers will have designed and constructed a robot that can sense and respond to changes in its environment as it moves under its own power.  Campers can install VEXcode V5 on their own computer or they can use one of ours.
  
  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Week 3 (incoming 7th-12th graders)

• Brain Teasers, Board Games, & Escape Rooms

  In this camp led by Ms. Jackson and Ms. Gregg, children will challenge themselves in a fun-filled camp that promotes teamwork and team building. Daily games will push them academically and mentally in their quest to solve puzzles, riddles, escape rooms, and compete in classic board games.  
  
  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Weeks 2, 3 (incoming 2nd-5th graders)

• DIY & Dazzle

  In this camp led by Ms. Jackson and Ms. Painter, children will get crafty and create all sorts of dazzling bits & baubles - from hair accessories to jewelry, to gifts for friends and family - all while learning crafting techniques, fostering friendships, and having fun!   
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 5 (incoming 1st-2nd graders)
  

• A Wonderful Week of Wellness

  Children will learn to improve their mind, body, and spirit in a fun-filled camp that promotes health and wellness. In this camp led by Ms. Painter and Ms. Jackson, daily activities will challenge both brains and brawn by focusing on mindfulness, community service, yoga, circuit training, nutrition, and art. Students will strive to become more centered and balanced.
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 5 (incoming 1st-2nd graders)

• Storytime STEAM

  Each day campers will explore their favorite stories and authors with STEAM activities. Enter the world of Dr. Seuss, learn why Dragons Love Tacos, hunt with Baby Shark, and many others. Campers will be challenged with fun and engaging STEAM activities as they build with legos, create slime, play with robots, and much more.
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 1 (incoming grades Pre-K-K)

• Robotics for Little Coders

  Welcome to a fun and action packed week of play with popular robots like Ozobot and Dash. Campers will learn the basics of coding as they teach their robots how to dance, bowl, navigate a maze, and compete in the Robot Olympics!! The fun continues as we integrate toys, games and STEAM activities into this exciting camp. Campers will even build their own bristle bot robot to take home!
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 1 (incoming 1st-2nd graders)

• Programming & Robotics Fun

  In this full-day hands-on camp taught by Berkeley Technology/Makerspace coordinator Mrs. Henderson and Berkeley Lower Division Technology instructor Mrs. Driscoll, eager campers will learn the fun of coding and programming with robotics, coding apps and websites, and Apple Swift language. Using Osmos, Botley, Pro-Bots and more, students will learn to program using code, sound, light and touch; Harry Potter wands, Augie (the Augmented Reality Coding Robot), Botley, Arduino, AdaFruit, circuits, and more. We’ll balance out the gadgetry with hands-on building and play.

   

  This is a full-day camp for one week. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Week 6 (incoming 2nd-5th graders)

• Fun with Stop Motion & Claymation

  Have you ever wondered how stop motion and claymation videos are made?  Have you watched a Lego stop motion video and thought, “that looks fun”?  Then this is the camp for you!  Students will learn to create and edit whiteboard stop motion, 3-D stop motion, claymation, life-size stop motion, and live-action videos using software such as iStopMotion, iMovie, and GarageBand.  No prior experience is necessary.  Join us for a week of stop motion fun!
  
  An AM session and a PM session are offered.
  
  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Week 6 (incoming 4th-8th graders)

• Hand Lettering & Journaling Art Camp

  Have you ever wished you could create journals, signs and memes like the ones you've seen on Pinterest? Then this camp is the one for you. Hand lettering is the art of drawing letters, making each letter a different piece of art. In this camp you will learn to develop your hand lettering style while exploring your creativity. This is a beginning level camp where good handwriting or experience are not necessary. In this camp you will explore different styles of journaling, including bullet journaling, art journaling, and you will even repurpose a book into your own journal to take home. 
  
  

  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Week 2 (incoming 5th-9th graders)

• Hilarious Inventions with Rube Goldberg Machines

  Calling all budding engineers! Do you like to tinker with things? Are you curious about how things work? Then join us in designing and building Rube Goldberg Machines, known as “The World of Hilarious Invention”. Students will design and build inventions to complete simple tasks in a creative and complex manner. Think you can pop a balloon in one simple step? How about if you had to design a machine to pop it using at least 10 steps? Join us to learn how to creatively problem solve simple tasks in a fun and hilarious way!
  
  

  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Week 2 (incoming 4th-8th graders)

• Escape Room: Can You and Your Team Escape in Time?

  Welcome to a new kind of camp.  For five days, your curiosity will be put to the test. You and your team will be required to solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints and strategy. You and your team will be given a time limit to unveil the secret plot which will be hidden in the rooms. It will be an exciting and fun time, equal parts tense, challenging and thrilling. Students will even create their own escape room game. 
  
  An AM session and a PM session are offered.
  
  

  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Week 7 (incoming 4th-8th graders)

• Astronomy & Rockets with Mr. Barnes

  Blast off this summer with Berkeley middle division science instructor Mr. Barnes into an adventurous curriculum of astronomy, the stars, and how rockets work. Have fun learning all about celestial objects, as well as the history of rockets and the most recent rockets that are being developed (and build your own rocket, too!).
  
  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Week 6 (incoming 6th-8th graders)

• Introduction to Debate

  Click here for an excellent article on the educational value of debate. This is a must-read for parents researching summer debate programs.
  
  Policy debate is an outstanding training ground for research, critical thinking, and oral advocacy. The process of learning about a particular topic and assembling arguments on both sides of an issue will help students to understand how to craft positions, defend them with evidence, and extend them into new arenas. Politics, history, communication, philosophy, economics, and other subjects will be covered as students develop arguments in writing and through speech, including the art of asking and answering questions. Studies have concluded that participation in debate leads students to higher levels of academic achievement and this seminar aims to enhance such active learning and expertise in research and critical advocacy.
  
  Introduction to Debate is for new debaters who have not yet attended a tournament. We will learn the basics of debate, begin research on the new policy debate topic, and engage in a number of debates and skills exercises.
  
  

  The primary emphasis in the introductory session will be on research skills and debate technique. We will divide the National Speech and Debate Resolution into multiple categories and engage in specific research assignments. Research groups will be organized around central questions and each individual will contribute to the final product, utilizing a broad range of sources and discussing the qualifications for various types of evidence. In addition to specific research projects, sessions will also include mini-lectures and group discussions on the various techniques of policy debate. We will delve into cutting-edge debate theory involving how framework arguments can shift the judge’s decision calculus, how counterplans can give the negative team a strategic option beyond the status quo, how topicality can work in tandem with both disadvantages and case arguments, and how so-called “kritik” positions can challenge the underlying assumptions of the affirmative plan. We will also engage in micro-debates on very specific issues, full practice rounds, extended cross-examination sessions, and rebuttal re-dos. Different forms of engagement will be deployed so that students learn about judge adaptation and how to respond to opponents with distinct styles. Each afternoon, students will deliver speeches, analyze speeches performed by their colleagues, and discuss ways to improve both style and content. We will use two classic rubrics that have survived the test of time to analyze and compare speeches: Aristotle’s tripartite scheme of ethos, pathos, and logos and the rhetorical canon of invention, arrangement, style, delivery, and memory.
  
  Please contact Dr. Kuswa at kuswakev@berkeleyprep.org with questions.

   

  Week 1 (half day, online) (incoming 6th-12th graders)

   

  About the instructor:

  Dr. Kevin Douglas Kuswa is the co-author of Argumentation and Critical Thought: An Introduction to Advocacy, Reasoning, and Rhetorical Analysis, a textbook used in debate classes at the collegiate level. Dr. Kuswa’s students have been successful at every stage, winning virtually every debate tournament in the country on the high school and collegiate levels. He has been teaching and coaching debate for 25 years at institutions such as the University of Richmond, California State University, the University of South Carolina, and Dartmouth College (where his team won the National Debate Championship). Dr. Kuswa himself won the National Championship debating for Georgetown University where he received a degree from the School of Foreign Service. Earning his PhD in Communication Studies with a specialty in Rhetoric from the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Kuswa has presented his scholarship at numerous conferences and published pieces in the top journals in the field such as the Quarterly Journal of Speech, Rhetoric and Public Affairs, and Argumentation and Advocacy. Teaching has long been Dr. Kuswa’s passion and he is ecstatic to be serving as the Head Debate Coach and Upper Division English faculty member at Berkeley Preparatory School.

• Chess Camp

  “Chess is one of the most powerful educational tools available to strengthen a child’s mind,” writes Dr. Peter Dauvergne in his highly cited scholarly article “The Case for Chess as a Tool to Develop Our Children’s Minds.”  Click here to read the article.
  
  Berkeley Chess Camp is the finest summer chess camp in the southeastern USA. The camp is a “super camp,” which – in chess talk – means a United States Chess Federation-rated tournament camp. The full-day camp includes top instructors (Coach Bryan and Jessica Taylor's staff is comprised of national, state and regional champion coaches), tournaments, swimming, fun games, and more! All levels are welcome!  For over 20 years, the Taylor’s summer chess camps at Berkeley have been one of Summer Programs’ most popular offerings. Thousands of kids have completed the camp which attracts absolute beginners who have never played before to the very advanced. 
  
  This is a full-day camp for one week.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 6 (ages 5-14)

• The Art & History of Electronic Entertainment

  From its inception, video games have been representative of pop culture and at the forefront of every new advancing technology. Now, this multi-billion dollar industry is the largest entertainment platform in the world. Our camp will showcase what makes this industry so special and show campers the true innovation and art of the games themselves. During this exciting week of both fun and education, campers will be engaged with in-depth video game history lessons. We will discuss interesting topics such as "The history of popular Nintendo franchises such as Mario and Zelda," "Evolution of Nintendo consoles," and "Game Design and how to break into the game industry." Campers will also learn new strategies and tactics in popular games, have hands-on play with classic Nintendo games, and participate in multiplayer competitions. Join us on a journey through the history of one of the greatest entertainment platforms ever created!
  
  An AM session and a PM session are offered.
  
  

  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Weeks 3, 5 (ages 8-14)

• iPads & App Programming with Mr. Chase Smith

  During this one-week, full-day camp, kids will learn to program apps on and for their iPads. Kids will start with the basics of programming in a fun, challenging environment, improving their skills by solving more and more complex problems. They will quickly move on to designing and programming their own iOS games that they can play on their own devices. Not only will students finish the week with a working app, they will have the skills and knowledge to produce more apps on their own.
  
  Campers are required to bring their own iPads. This course also requires the one-time purchase of the Codea app (by Two Lives Left) from the App Store. The app costs $15 and must be installed on the student’s iPad prior to the first day of class. This app is only available on the App Store.
  

  
  This is a full-day camp for one week.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 4 (incoming 6th-8th graders)

• Soap Making

  Soap making is an art that goes back to 2800 B.C.  Have some STEM-based fun with Dr. Ackerson as we explore the history of soap making, the different processes used to make soap and the bases and additives that change the chemical and physical properties of it.  A different take-home soap project each day for each participant; we'll also learn how to make hand sanitizer!
  
  

  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Week 1, 6 (incoming 4th-9th graders)

• STEAM & Sports with Mr. Coup

  We are going to bring the worlds of sports and engineering together into one camp! The goal will be to challenge not only your mind with programming and engineering problems, but your body with athletic games and swimming. We will be looking to show how important engineering has become in sports and where we can we go from here!
  
  This is a full-day camp for one week.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 6 (incoming 4th-8th graders)

• To Mars with Mindstorms® with Mr. Coup

  The students will be charged with carrying out the first manned mission to Mars! Build a Mars outpost that can support human life and act as a base for future exploration. It will not be an easy task as it will take precision in building your vehicles, satellites and bases, as well as make sure that they can act autonomously. The students will learn to program using the LEGO Mindstorms® program. They will create algorithms for problems using Boolean statements, loops and sensory responses. The challenge is yours if you choose to accept it!
  
  This is a full-day camp for one week. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Week 5 (incoming 3rd-7th graders)

• BRICKS4KIDZ: LEGO® Chess Camp

  Bricks 4 Kidz is excited to offer this one-of-a-kind camp to the summer 2020 programming at Berkeley! This fun and educational week will be an exciting blend of LEGO® robotics and LEGO® art and the strategic game of chess! Campers will spend half the day in whole group and small group chess instruction using a Smartboard projector and will learn chess fundamentals, tricks, and tactics. The emphasis will be on the joy of the game, but with a close eye to the student’s progress. The other half of the day will be filled with the signature LEGO® motorized robotics, 3D, and mosaic art models of Bricks 4 Kidz, but with a chess twist. Each day campers will build LEGO® models that tie into the game of chess, culminating with the construction of a LEGO® chess set that each camper will take home! This fun, educational, week-long camp is for chess players and LEGO® builders of all levels!
  
  

  All campers will take home fun crafts, have photos taken of all the fun LEGO® models they made throughout the week, and take home a custom-made LEGO® minifigure!
  
  

  We will also be swimming and celebrating a week of fun on Friday with a pizza party! You won't want to miss out on this awesome camp!

  
  

  This is a full-day camp for one week.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

   

  Week 1 (ages 5-12)

• BRICKS4KIDZ LEGO® Theme Mashup

  Bricks 4 Kidz wants everyone to know just how awesome LEGO® can be! In our NEW Summer LEGO® Mashup Camp, you will experience a different LEGO® theme each day such as Star Wars, Superheroes & Villains, Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Pokemon, and much more! Your Master Builder will have a chance to create motorized models, color brick builds and our NEW LEGO® Mosaics. Have fun building LEGO® Tie Fighters from Star Wars, Batman's tumbler, Harry Potter's magical wand, or a T-Rex from Jurassic Park! Explore your super powers with Spiderman one day and build a Minecraft Creeper the next! Can't decide which you like more??? Join us for this awesome Summer Camp and try them all!
  
  

  All campers will take home fun crafts, have photos taken of all the fun LEGO® models they made throughout the week, and take home a custom-made LEGO® minifigure!
  
  

  We will also be swimming and celebrating a week of fun on Friday with a pizza party! You won't want to miss out on this awesome camp!

   

  This is a full-day camp for one week. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Week 2 (ages 5-12)

• BRICKS4KIDZ LEGO® Star Wars - Minecraft Mashup

  A Long Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away, there was a world…. of MINECRAFT. In this classic summer camp, your child will learn science, technology, engineering, math and the arts through the worlds of MINECRAFT and STAR WARS and made from our signature LEGO® model builds! Kylo Ren’s light saber, Poe Dameron’s X-Wing Fighter, Rey’s Millennium Falcon? We have them all! But there is more! MINECRAFT! Ever want to see a 3D LEGO® Creeper? What about moving LEGO® Steve and robotic LEGO® dueling dragons? If these all sound like fun, then this camp is for you!
  
  

  All campers will take home fun crafts, have photos taken of all the fun LEGO® models they made throughout the week, and take home a custom-made LEGO® minifigure!
  
  

  We will also be swimming and celebrating a week of fun on Friday with a pizza party! You won't want to miss out on this awesome camp!

  
  This is a full-day camp for one week.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  

   

  Week 3 (ages 5-12)

• BRICKS4KIDZ LEGO® Video Game Arcade

  Today it’s all about the video game world. Bricks 4 Kidz wants to tie that into our world of LEGO® bricks! In this super interactive summer camp, every day our campers will experience a different video game through the eyes of a LEGO® Master builder. Campers will bring games such as Super Mario Bros, Roblox, Pokémon, and Minecraft to life through the use of our LEGO® robots, LEGO® mosaics, and 3D LEGO® art! We will also bring back some of the Nintendo and Sega classics like Zelda, Duck Hunt, Pacman, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Each day will be a new adventure as the virtual and LEGO® worlds combine!

  
  All campers will take home fun crafts, have photos taken of all the fun LEGO® models they made throughout the week, and take home a custom-made LEGO® minifigure!
  
  

  We will also be swimming and celebrating a week of fun on Friday with a pizza party! You won't want to miss out on this awesome camp!

  
  This is a full-day camp for one week.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Weeks 4 (ages 5-12)

• BRICKS4KIDZ LEGO® City Master Builder

  It’s time to showcase your Master Builder skills! Join us for this week-long construction project, where our campers will be constructing popular motorized LEGO® robotic models from the city, such as cars, airplanes, trucks, bull dozers, and race cars, as well as our very popular LEGO® mosaic art! Campers will also be presented with real life challenges that encourage them to use their problem-solving skills to create a full functioning LEGO® City! They will use their imaginations and creativity to work together to build a busting metropolis, all out of LEGO® bricks! A whole LEGO® City of their own!
  
  

  All campers will take home fun crafts, have photos taken of all the fun LEGO® models they made throughout the week, and take home a custom-made LEGO® minifigure!
  
  

  We will also be swimming and celebrating a week of fun on Friday with a pizza party! You won't want to miss out on this awesome camp!

  
  This is a full-day camp for one week.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Week 5 (ages 5-12)

• BRICKS4KIDZ LEGO® Magic Camp

  The LEGO® has made its name on working with some of the most popular movies and shows your kid’s love to watch! And their magic keeps on coming, so we will be wrapping up the summer with our very first LEGO® Magic Camp!

   

  This week of LEGO® camp will have our campers building magical worlds and characters from some of the most popular movies, tv shows, and toys such as Harry Potter, Trolls, Frozen, How To Train Your Dragon, Jumanji, The Hobbit, and much more! Campers will create LEGO® robotic Harry Potters that fly on their broomsticks and Elsa’s castle, all out of LEGO® bricks. They will make their own magic with Poppy, Branch, and the rest of the Trolls one day, and defend their castles from fire-breathing dragons with magical spells the next. AND they may even learn a few magic tricks along the way!

   

  All campers will take home fun crafts, have photos taken of all the fun LEGO® models they made throughout the week, and take home a custom-made LEGO® minifigure!
  
  

  We will also be swimming and celebrating a week of fun on Friday with a pizza party! You won't want to miss out on this awesome camp!

  
  This is a full-day camp for one week.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

   

  Week 6 (ages 5-12)

• Brain Games

  Prevent summer brain drain!  Brain games are a wonderful way to help your children develop their growing brains; mental exercise is important for keeping brains strong and resilient. Research is finally demonstrating that our brains do better in the long term if they are exposed to novel activities including brain teasers, brain games, and logic puzzles. During this camp led by Berkeley math instructor Scott Montgomery, we will use activities like these to help flex and strengthen your child’s brain.  An online option for this camp is available in June.
  
  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Week 1 (online), Weeks 5, 6, 7 (classroom) (incoming 6th-8th graders)

• Mathematical Game Theory for Middle School

  What do mad scientists, military commanders, billionaires, and computer programmers all have in common? They’re all very, very interested in Game Theory, an exciting branch of mathematics that looks for winning strategies for competitions and conflicts. In this camp led by Berkeley math instructor Scott Montgomery, students will explore the basic concepts of Game Theory and sharpen their math skills while having a lot of fun!
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 6 (incoming 6th-8th graders)

• Cryptology & Code-Breaking

  Cryptology is the study of making—and breaking—secret codes. What few people realize is that if you want to be good with secret codes, you’ve got to know some math! In this fun and exciting camp led by Berkeley math instructor Scott Montgomery, students will spend a week learning about the math and science behind this key part of being a spy. Fun projects will include using math to break real-life secret codes, designing our own encryptions and using them to send secret messages to each other, mastering the code that Julius Caesar used to direct the Roman army, and exploring the ways technology is being used today by cryptographers and cryptanalysts.
  
  

  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Weeks 5,7 (ages 11-14)

• Young Makers

  In this camp led by Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. DePew, little engineers will have lots of messy hands-on projects to build fine motor skills, including scissor skills, painting, sewing and tying, measuring, and building. We'll use lots of real kid-friendly tools and build and create with imagination and fun.
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 1 (incoming grades Pre-K-1)

• Makerspace

  Create, learn, invent and market with Mrs. Henderson!  Learn the skills of young inventors and entrepreneurs to build your own amazing invention. Learn how artists and inventors come up with new ideas while building your creativity skills!  Skill-building projects include woodworking, circuits, marble roller coasters, 3D modeling and printing, molding and form making, prototyping, green screen movie making, and robotics.  Campers will also explore the basics of game and app design and augmented reality.
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 1 (incoming 2nd-5th graders)

• Young Chefs at the Movies

  Bon Appetit! It’s showtime! In this full-day camp led by Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. DePew, our little chef-makers will whip up some creative dishes and maker projects that perfectly capture their favorite films and characters, including Pizza Planet Pizza with Forky and Alien slime, Pikachu mocha (pretend) coffee pudding and felt snuggle pillow, Frozen sno-cones and Olaf aprons, Lego Movie crescent rolls and travel kits, and Timon and Pumba’s grubs and Lion King masks.
  
  This is a full-day camp for one week. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Week 3 (incoming grades K-3)

• Virtual & Augmented Reality Filmmaking

  For aspiring directors, filmmakers and actors, this is the camp to create your original film for summer blockbuster release. In this full-day camp led by Mrs. Henderson, we’ll use iMovie and various supporting apps to create original films, animations and music videos. Using iOS devices and Oculus Gos, we’ll experience existing VR creations and delve into creating our own AR and VR productions. A green screen wall is waiting to transport you to any location in the universe or a place of your own making. All devices will be provided.
  
  This is a full-day camp for one week. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 2 (incoming 2nd-5th graders)

• Mini-Math Explorers

  Explore math concepts in an exciting hands-on format with Ms. McKenna! Campers will have the opportunity to review age-appropriate math concepts and learn new skills through fun activities and projects. We will use technology, play games, and even do some cooking!

   

  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

   

  Week 4 (incoming grades Pre-K-1)

• Virtual & Augmented Reality Filmmaking (Advanced)

  For aspiring directors, filmmakers and actors, this is the camp to create your original film for summer blockbuster release. In this full-day camp led by Mrs. Henderson, we’ll use iMovie for the Mac and various supporting apps to create original films, animations and music videos. Using iOS devices and Oculus Gos, we’ll experience existing VR creations and delve into creating our own AR and VR productions. A green screen wall is waiting to transport you to any location in the universe or a place of your own making. All devices will be provided.
  
  This is a full-day camp for one week. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 4 (incoming 6th-8th graders)

• Math Explorers

  Explore math concepts with Ms. McKenna in an exciting hands-on format. Campers will have the opportunity to review age-appropriate math concepts and learn new skills through fun activities and projects. We will use technology, play games, and even do some cooking! Problem solving and critical thinking are an integral part of the camp, as is the fun!

   

  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

   

  Week 4 (incoming 2nd-5th graders)

• Animals, Animals, Animals, & Habitats Too!

  Learn all about your favorite animals and their habitats with Ms. McKenna and Mrs. Perez!  Campers will integrate books and technology to investigate different types of animals and their homes.  Campers will also have fun creating animal-themed art and cooking projects! Perfect for future zoologists!
  
  

  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 2 (incoming grades Pre-K-3)

• Books, Cooks, & Crafts

  Cooking, Crafts, and Books with Ms. McKenna and Mrs. Perez! We are going to cook up some reading fun!  Campers will create art and cooking projects based on some of our favorite stories.  A delightful way to spend the morning for budding chefs and storytellers!
  
  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Week 1 (incoming grades K-3)

• Letters, Numbers, & Stories - Oh, My!

  Have fun with reading and math readiness with Ms. McKenna and Mrs. Perez! We will explore letters and numbers with tactile hands-on projects, yoga, technology, and cooking!  We will also incorporate stories that feature reading and math!
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 3 (incoming grades Pre-K-K)

• Super Science Slime Factory

  Get ready for slime time with Ms. McKenna and Mrs. Perez! We will create and experiment with many different types of slime and putty. Create your own slime and try new recipes. We will even make edible slime! It will be a gooey and slippery fun for all!
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 3 (incoming grades K-5)

• Science, Technology, & Engineering

  Join Ms. McKenna and Mrs. Perez for hands-on fun experimenting with science, using technology, and creating feats of engineering! Exciting (and messy) science experiments are interspersed with the opportunity to use technology to explore your interests. Campers also spend time solving design challenges and building models.
  
  

  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Weeks 1, 2  (incoming grades K-5)

• Berkeley CSI

  Join Dr. Ackerson in the Berkeley Crime Scene Investigation Lab as students attempt to solve two crimes using forensic science, critical thinking and teamwork.  Each day, students will conduct experiments in one area of forensic science including fingerprint analysis, unknown substance identification, trace evidence, hair and fiber identification and more. Students will sharpen their observation, measurement and mathematics skills while solving daily mysteries.  Lots of fun things to bring home.  Can you catch a criminal?  Join us and find out!
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 1, 5, 7 (ages 11-14)

   

  About the instructor: Dr. Nicole Ackerson grew up in Tampa and earned her Bachelor’s degree in biological science from the University of Notre Dame.  She then returned to Tampa earning a Doctoral degree in medicine from the University of South Florida.  Dr. Ackerson worked as a professional scientist for an additional four years at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, before returning home to teach science at Berkeley.  In her five years with Berkeley, Dr. Ackerson has earned three nationally recognized awards from the National Science Teachers Association and published two articles in peer-reviewed journals. She is the current chair of the science department.

• Learning Latin Using the Greek Myths

  Dive into the Greek myths through an introductory Latin course with Mr. Dillinger.  Learn the basics of the Latin language by exploring the tales and myths of ancient Greece and Rome. Explore the perilous Mediterranean Sea with Odysseus and Jason! Slay the gorgon Medusa with Perseus! Race with Meleager and Atalanta! All the while learning some rudimentary Latin vocabulary and strengthening your English vocabulary. The course will be project and activity based.

  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 1 (incoming 5th-8th graders)

   

• The Sense-ational Camp

  Join Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Painter in a week of sensory fun. Sensory play includes activities that stimulate your camper’s senses: touch, smell, taste, movement, balance, sight and hearing. Sensory activities facilitate exploration and naturally encourage children to use scientific processes while they play, create, investigate, and explore.
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Weeks 4,7 (incoming grades Pre-K-1)

   

• Phonics Parade

  Let’s get ready to celebrate the fun of phonics!  This camp, led by Berkeley LD teachers Mrs. Keller and Mrs. McDonough, is designed to help students learn and review the building blocks of reading.  Through differentiated instruction, learning games, and centers, campers will become more confident readers while developing fundamental literacy skills.

   

  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Weeks 1, 2, 3 (ages 5-7)

• Fine Motor Fun

  The goal of this camp is to aid children with handwriting instruction and the strengthening of fine/gross motor skills through exciting hands-on art projects, letter games, sensory experiences, and other occupational therapy techniques.
  
  Your child can work this summer with a licensed occupational therapist and a Berkeley first grade teacher to solidify their handwriting foundation and strengthen their fine motor skills. Campers will rotate in groups divided by age/ability levels through learning centers that reinforce correct letter and number formation in fun and exciting ways!  We will work to correct reversals while at the same time practice correct pencil grip. The children will also perform specific activities to improve bilateral coordination, hand dominance, and finger strengthening. The children will then rotate through fun art projects to reinforce these skills. Finally, the campers will play to strengthen their core, arms, and legs through movement, games, and outdoor play. 
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Weeks 1, 2, 3 (ages 4-7)
  
  

  About the instructors:  

  Erica Bellegarrigue has been practicing occupational therapy for over 15 years, graduating from the University of Florida Occupational Therapy program. She has extensive training in sensory integration, handwriting without tears, and neurodevelopmental techniques. She has helped children with a variety of diagnoses including sensory processing disorders, developmental delays; orthopedic, visual, neurological conditions, and more. She continues to touch the lives of many children through her fun-loving and collaborative technique.

   

  Monica Salgado has been a Berkeley educator for 10 years and currently teaches first grade. She has a passion for early childhood with extensive experience in Pre-K through first grade teaching, as well as fine arts instruction.

• Effective Communication Through Writing with Mrs. Estes

  In this course led by Berkeley Middle Division English instructor and Assistant Middle Director Mrs. Stephanie Estes, curiosity and choice will drive student writing. Students will discover and analyze ways to infuse their writing with style and will experiment with word choice to ensure clarity and brevity. Instruction will include fundamentals of the writing process such as brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing, as well as a healthy dose of practical grammar and usage applications.
  
  This is a two-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Weeks 5-6 (incoming 6th-8th graders)

   

• Beyond the Tabloids: Discerning Fake News in the Digital Age

  Traditional literacy, simply put, is the ability to read and write. In the twenty-first century, however, it includes media literacy: one’s ability to access, evaluate, and generate media. In this course led by Berkeley Middle Division English instructor and Assistant Middle Director Mrs. Stephanie Estes, students will explore ways to recognize media bias and fake news by utilizing a process of inquiry. Students will leave this class as confident, engaged, and active media consumers.
  
  This is a two-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Weeks 3-4 (incoming 6th-8th graders)

• Middle Division Creative Writing

  Flex your creative muscles in this fun writing workshop! In this course you will learn the craft of poetic and fictional writing. All students will produce an original written and illustrated short story as well as a portfolio of individual poems.
  
  This is a two-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Weeks 5-6 (incoming 6th-8th graders)

   

• SAT/ACT Bootcamp

  Math will meet from 8-11; English will meet from 11:30-2:30.  Class will cover practice tests 1-4.  Students will practice test-specific strategies in a focused, intensive environment in order to maximize their scores on the SAT and ACT.  Class will be taught by Berkeley English teacher Tom Brandt and Berkeley Math teacher Danny Fisher.
  
  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Week 1, 6 (incoming 11th-12th graders)

• Introduction to High School Writing

  Get a jumpstart on your high school writing career with this course! This writing workshop will acquaint you with the Six Traits of Writing and prepare you for the rigor of an upper-level English class. The course is divided into two instructional units that address a number of writing skills, from creative voice and personal reflection to persuasive writing and literary analysis.
  
  This is a two-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Weeks 3-4 (incoming 9th and 10th graders)

  
  

• High School Success Skills

  Technology is an integral part of our Berkeley lives. Whether you’re checking your school email, typing a report, downloading a document, or creating an audio file, you will need some basic computer skills to succeed as a Berkeley student. You will also need basic organizational skills in order to manage, manipulate and store all the information that you will receive and send on a daily basis.  This class will cover topics such as the use of Edline (our school’s information portal), the basics of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook  and OneNote; tips for navigating the Windows operating system, how to back up files and how to organize your Berkeley life.
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 7 (incoming 9th-12th graders)

• Ready Reader One: Battle of the Books Bootcamp

  Get ready to level up your reading game. Whether you are interested in Battle of the Books competition during the school year or you just want to have fun reading high-interest, page-turning books this camp is for you. In this half-day camp led by Berkeley Middle Division librarian Courtney Walker, campers will use the gamer mindset and apply it to reading. Campers will design avatars and create gamer names for the interactive leaderboard that will track camper rankings as they progress through game-based challenges based on the Battle of the Books list. We recommend one book from the list read prior to the camp. List will be provided in late May. Game on! Read on! 
  
  An AM session and a PM session are offered.
  
  This is a one-week session. A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Week 6 (incoming 6th-8th graders)

• Reading, Research, Organization, & Keyboarding: High School Study Skills

  Begin your school year a step ahead with this foundational course! During our two-week session students will read excerpts from, and discuss chapters 1 through 3 of Sean Covey’s landmark book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens while focusing on general study and organizational skills such as, planning and prioritizing, organization of study space, and reading and taking notes from textbooks and during class. Additionally, all students will complete an Executive Function Skills Questionnaire and Learning Styles Inventory to help students further evaluate and identify their individual learning strengths and challenge areas. Students will also practice keyboarding skills using touch-typing techniques to reinforce proper finger placement, typing speed, and accuracy. This class will provide students with intensive instruction on key skills needed to be successful in the Upper Division.
  
  This is a two-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.

  
  Weeks 3-4 (incoming 9th-10th graders)

• Historical Writing, Test Taking, & Time Management Skills for Middle School Students

  This enrichment course is designed to help students with their historical thinking, writing, and test-taking skills. The course will focus on teaching students to form opinions in history and support their opinions with evidence and analysis. This skill is crucial in all levels of middle and high school history courses. In addition to academic writing, students will also strengthen expository writing skills so that they are better able to answer short answer questions on tests that require supporting answers with information from class notes and discussions. The course will also cover test-taking strategies and time management skills that will aid in students’ ability to take tests and quizzes and manage their time across classes in multiple disciplines. The instructor will be Meghan Campagna, Berkeley’s seventh grade academic dean.
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Week 7 (incoming 6th-8th graders)
  

• Type to Learn – Keyboarding, Digital Citizenship, & Note-taking Skills

  Berkeley Learning Specialists Dr. Ceni Tavarez and Kristy Ackerman are offering keyboarding, digital citizenship, and note-taking sessions that highlight technique, ergonomics, key location and note-taking software and strategies. Give your child the opportunity to become familiar with keyboarding, note-taking skills, and ways to keep their computers organized. This is a bring your own laptop or iPad (with keyboard) workshop! Laptops and/or keyboards will not be provided. 
  
  An AM session and a PM session are offered.
  
  

  This is a one-week session.
  
  

  Week 1 (incoming 5th-8th graders)

• Reading Strategies for 5th-8th Grade Students

  Berkeley Learning Specialists Kristy Ackerman and Dr. Ceni Tavarez are offering reading support sessions this summer! If you are looking for an engaging learning environment in which your child can complete a summer required grade-level reading assignment while strengthening reading strategies for both fiction and non-fiction text, register ASAP! Sessions are individualized, encompassing motivational and supportive academic coaching strategies that help readers succeed and strengthen reading skills!
  
  This is a one-week session.
  
  Week 2 (incoming 5th-8th graders)

• Young Writers Unite! Summer Writing Program with Ms. McKenna

  This summer writing program, led by Berkeley lower division instructor and Summer of Excellence director Michele McKenna, is for rising 3rd-5th grade students and supports the Units of Study writing workshop curriculum.
  
  Students can choose one, two, or three genres to explore this summer!
  
  Opinion Writing: And the award goes to…Campers will select topics, develop opinion writing pieces and have a choice of exciting formats to present ideas. Campers will utilize techniques learned from mentor texts and review the writing process while having fun persuading others to see their point of view!

  
  Opinion Writing Session Options (must sign up for entire session by selecting option 1 or 2)
  Option 1: Sunday afternoons, 3:30-5:30 on 5/31, 6/7, and 6/14
  Option 2: Tuesday/Thursday mornings, 7:45-8:45 on 6/2, 6/4, 6/9, 6/11, 6/16, 6/18

  
  Informational Writing: Did you know…? Campers will write informational pieces based on their areas of personal expertise and have a menu of presentation ideas to share their topics. Campers will utilize techniques learned from mentor texts and review the writing process while teaching others about topics important to them.

  
  Informational Writing Session Options (must sign up for entire session by selecting option 1 or 2)
  Option 1: Sunday afternoons, 3:30-5:30 on 6/21, 7/5, 7/12
  Option 2: Tuesday/Thursday mornings, 7:45-8:45 on 7/7, 7/9, 7/14, 7/16, 7/21, 7/23

  
  Narrative Writing: This one time, I…. Campers will write a narrative piece that demonstrates character, setting, and plot development based on a true event or realistic fiction. The use of mentor texts will help inspire writers to try new techniques. Students will have a variety of presentation options to share their final piece!
  
  

  Narrative Writing Session Options (must sign up for entire session by selecting option 1 or 2)
  Option 1: Sunday afternoons, 3:30-5:30 on 7/19, 7/26, 8/2
  Option 2: Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings, 9-11, 7/27, 7/29, 7/31
  
  Incoming 3rd-5th graders