Enrichment Programs

List of 66 items.

• Chess with Board One Chess Academy

  Chess summer camps are the perfect way to introduce the game of chess to beginning students or sharpen the skills of tournament players. Coach Steve and his team of coaches will provide daily classes, opening workshops, and observation of tournament games. Campers will be placed in groups appropriate to their age and skill level. Most of our class time will be dedicated to analysis of student's games; these custom lessons are more engaging and relevant to the campers.  Campers will also participate in recess and other activities.
  
  About the coach:
  Coach Stephen Crookston is the founder and head coach of Board One Chess Academy. His company trains over 1000 chess players every year and its teams have won championships at the state, regional, and local level over the past 15 years. He is excited to begin his first summer with Berkeley Summer Programs!
  
  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 1, 7 (incoming K-6th graders)

• Super Spanish

  Calling all super star Spanish students! Join Berkeley Lower Division teacher Ms. Bloomfield for a week of games, enrichment activities and of course SPANISH! This camp is designed to help students learn and review their Spanish language knowledge through art, music, play, games, and more.
  
  

  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, 4 (incoming grades Pre-K-1)

• New and First Year Debaters Camp

  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.
  
  This introductory debate camp is for debaters with one year experience or less.  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.  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.
  
  

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

  
  Weeks 6, 7 (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 History and Religious Studies faculty member at Berkeley Preparatory School.

• Learn to Program (and Make Things Do What You Want Them To!)

  This class, led by Berkeley middle division instructor Mr. Coup, is for beginner coders who want to learn what coding is and the basics of writing your own code. We will program Jeroo’s and other objects to move around a board and avoid jumping into the ocean! 
  
  

  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 3rd-6th graders)

• Outdoor Adventure

  Learn about the natural world while exploring the wilder parts of Berkeley’s campus with biology teacher and naturalist, Mr. Marfise. Campers in this half-day camp will catch animals, play outdoor games, and gain nature survival skills. Topics and activities will include edible plant identification, fish sampling, orienteering, fire making, bone identification, 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 2 (incoming 5th-8th graders)

• Marine Science

  Learn about the ocean and its many inhabitants in this hands-on science-based camp with Berkeley biology teacher, Mr. Marfise. Campers in this half-day camp will catch animals from the brackish water creek running through Berkeley, learn environmental science techniques, and participate in ocean animal dissections. Topics and activities will include fish sampling techniques, gyotaku (the ancient art of fish printing using real fish), shark dissection, 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 2 (incoming 5th-8th graders)

• Military History: The "What If’s?" of History

  In this half-day class led by Berkeley history instructor Mr. Stoffel, we will be examining the most influential battles and innovations in military history. This course will take us from the Greek peninsula to the beaches of Normandy as we dissect the importance of military accomplishments and their overall effect on our history.
  
  

  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 6th-8th graders)

• Historical Movies: Fact, Fiction, or Fun?

  In this half-day class led by Berkeley history instructor Mr. Stoffel, we will be examining the place of history in modern movies. By watching clips from historical movies and then learning the basis of which they come from, we will be able to learn whether they are fact, fiction, or just for 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 6th-8th graders)

• Design & Print Your Own Stickers!

  Do you love stickers and want to learn how to make them?  In this camp led by Berkeley Middle Division instructor Meghan Campagna,  you’ll learn how to design and print your own stickers both to put on things like water bottles and computers and to use in your planner. You’ll design stickers both for fun and function, and you’ll learn how to design the stickers using software like Canva and then how to print and cut them using a printer and Cricut. You’ll leave the camp both with stickers in hand and the knowledge of how to make them on your own going forward.
  
  

  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)

• Canva, Planners, and Printables!

  Ever wish you could design and create your own planner or desktop wallpaper calendars? In this camp led by Berkeley Middle Division instructor Meghan Campagna, we’ll learn how to use Canva to design and create your own planner, desktop wallpaper calendars, and other planning printables. You’ll leave the camp with the a number of desktop wallpaper calendars and your own printed planner that you can use during the school year. You’ll also know how to use Canva to create printables like planning sheets, coloring sheets, and more! You’ll need an iPad or laptop for this camp, and the planner will be available for pickup about a week after the camp us over.
  
  

  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 6th-8th graders)

• The Grammar Games

  The Grammar Games offers the ultimate grammar review in a fun, game-based environment. In this half-day camp led by Berkeley English teacher Ms. Hughes, students will review various grammar topics taught in middle school including the eight parts of speech, phrases, clauses, and punctuation rules, all while participating in a week-long competition. Will you become the next grammar games champion?   
  
  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)

• 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 graders)

• Skateboard Design & Fabrication Workshop with Mr. Q

  In this two-week, half-day workshop (or one-week, full-day) 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.
  
  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Weeks 2-3, 5-6 (two-week half-day sessions, AM and PM sessions offered; incoming 6th-8th graders)
  Weeks 4, 7 (one-week full-day sessions; incoming 6th-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.
  
  Weeks 5, 6 (incoming 5th-8th graders)
  

• Robotics for Little Coders

  Welcome to a fun and action-packed week of play with popular robots like Ozobot and Dash. In this exciting camp led by Mrs. Fletcher, 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!!  Campers will start the week playing various screen-free coding games as they learn coding terminology.  The fun continues as we integrate iPad coding applications, circuits, and team-building games.  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.
  
  Weeks 2, 7 (incoming 1st-2nd graders)

• Pokemon Go! STEM Edition

  Calling all Pokemon trainers! In this camp led by Mrs. Fletcher, aspiring Pokemon trainers will learn about the world of Pokemon through various STEM activities. We will explore fizzing Pokemon eggs, create Pokemon catapults, build Lego Pokemon battle arenas, and play a screen-free version of Pokemon Go! Campers will also have a chance to make a different Pokemon snack each day. Join camp Pokemon Go! for a week of exploration, adventure, creativity, and fun! This camp is for novice and expert Pokemon trainers alike.
  
  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 K-1)

• Dinosaurs Rock!

  Calling all paleontologists! Join Mrs. Fletcher for an action-packed week of dinosaur discovery! Campers will learn about “all things dino” while they build, create and play through various hands-on activities. Junior paleontologists will make dinosaur eggs, create dinosaur fossils, go on a dinosaur scavenger hunt, and even do a dino dig. We will beat the summer heat with a dino ice-block excavation. Join Dinosaurs Rock! for a week of games, crafts, and STEM activities while we learn all about dinosaurs.
  
  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)

• Pokemon Battle Camp

  Calling all aspiring Pokemon trainers! Join Mrs. Fletcher for a week of everything Pokemon! This camp will be filled with Pokemon battles of every kind. Campers will participate in Pokemon trivia, "Name that Pokemon" identification game, Pokemon card battles, and many more Pokemon activities. Campers will even create their own Pokemon and have a chance to participate in an arena battle as an official Pokemon Trainer. Join us as we “Catch-em All!” This camp is for novice and expert Pokemon trainers alike.
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Weeks 2, 7 (incoming 2nd-3rd graders)

• Can You Escape the Room?

  Do you like to solve puzzles? Are you good at finding clues? Then this is the camp for you!  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 as you race against the clock 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. Each day campers will try and “escape” two different themed escape games. Throughout the week, campers will be taught the mechanics of escape rooms as they create their own escape room game. Join Mrs. Fletcher as we decode, solve, and escape the room!
  
  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 5 (incoming 4th-8th graders)

• Fidget Training Academy

  Welcome to Fidget Training Academy with Mrs. Fletcher, where campers will have the excitement of creating their own DIY versions of the most popular fidget toys around! Prepare yourself for a week of stress-free fun making slime, gobbles, pop-its, squishy toys, stress balls, marble mazes, fidget cubes, floating bead bracelets, putty, and the list goes on! If you love orbeez, glitter, and all things squishy, look no further! Campers will even participate in extreme fidget trading challenges! 
  
  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 2nd-4th graders, AM session; incoming 5th-8th graders, PM session)

• Programming & Robotics Fun

  In this full-day hands-on camp taught by Berkeley Technology/Makerspace coordinator Mrs. Henderson, eager campers will learn the fun of coding and programming with robotics, coding apps and websites, and Apple Swift language. Using Osmos, Blue Bots, Botley, Pro-Bots and more, students will learn to program using code, sound, light and touch.  We’ll balance out the gadgetry with lots of 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 2 (incoming 2nd-5th graders)

• Origami and Paper Arts

  Learn the Japanese art of origami with Ms. Ball, where we will learn to fold paper into beautiful objects and figures.  We will also explore many other paper projects such as creating your own paper; building paper boxes for gift giving; creating decorative garlands for birthday and holiday celebrations, and much, much more!  No prior experience is necessary!  
  
  

  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 4th-8th 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 Ms. Ball 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!
  
  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 1 (incoming 4th-8th graders)

• 3D Print & Play

  3D printing is a valuable and important skill for the future, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be super fun today!  In this camp led by Berkeley science chair Dr. Ackerson, we will learn how to use cutting edge 3D printers and will design and modify our own creations - from desk caddies to magic wands, customized game pieces and everything in between! No special glasses needed for this 3D STEM adventure. A personal laptop is strongly recommended for this camp.
  
  

  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)

• 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 (incoming 4th-8th graders)

• BRICKS4KIDZ: LEGO® Minecraft

  Experience the world of Minecraft with LEGO® bricks in this fun summer camp!  With new builds, campers will delve deeper into the world of Minecraft with Ender dragons, Steve, Creepers, Endermens, Witches and Withers, and all the popular characters Minecraft has to offer! Campers will face new challenges each day, building LEGO® motorized robotic models and crafting key elements from the popular Minecraft game!
   
  Campers will have the opportunity to build their own virtual Minecraft world on iPads before bringing their designs to life by building new characters, mosaics, and custom models incorporating LEGO® bricks.  So, are you ready for the challenge?

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

  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® Brick Masters Theme Mashup

  Bricks 4 Kidz is back with your favorite and updated camp of the summer: our LEGO® Masters Theme Mashup Camp! But this summer, we have added a whole bunch of new themes to the mix! We of course will have our classics like Minecraft, Star Wars, Among Us, Superheroes, Harry Potter, and Pokémon, but we have added some new themes like Beyblades, Fortnite, Roblox, Superheros, The Mandalorian, Super Mario Bros, and much more! 

  
  Campers will experience a different LEGO® theme each day. Your Master Builder will have a chance to create motorized robotic models, 3D color brick builds, LEGO® mosaic art, and learn different design and building techniques using LEGO® bricks! Have fun building LEGO® dinosaurs from Jurassic Worlds, the Super Mario Brothers, Minecraft Zombies, or a Roblox Noob one day, then conjure up magical potions with Harry Potter at Hogwarts the next! Can't decide which you like more? Join us for this super fun LEGO® camp and try them all! 
   
  All campers will take home fun crafts and have photos taken of all the fun LEGO® models they made throughout the week and take home a custom-made LEGO® minifigure!

   

  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® Chess Camp with Board One Chess Academy

  Bricks 4 Kidz and Board One Chess Academy are excited to offer this one-of-a-kind camp to the summer 2022 camp programming! 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!  
  
  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® Star Wars

  With the release of a whole new galaxy of movies and shows on Disney +, we have expanded the exploration into the Star Wars universe with our brand new Star Wars camp!
  
  A long long time ago in a galaxy far far away, the Jedis, Empire, and Mandalorians were all in a battle to reign supreme! And in this classic summer camp, your child will learn the way of The Force by making all of the classic Star Wars characters and spaceships out of LEGO® bricks! Campers will be using their creativity and our signature building methods to create a LEGO® Bobbo Fett, Baby Yoda, Darth Vadar’s LEGO® light saber and chamber, Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing Fighter, The Mandalorian’s armor, Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon, and much more! We have them all! Come explore the Galaxy in this one-of-a-kind Star Wars LEGO® Camp! 
   
  All campers will take home fun crafts and have photos taken of all the fun LEGO® models they made throughout the week and take home a custom-made LEGO® minifigure!

  
  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® Arcade Mania

  Today it’s all about the world of online video games and apps. Bricks 4 Kidz wants to bring the digital world to life with the use of LEGO® bricks! In this hands-on summer camp, campers will bring popular games based on themes like Super Mario Bros, Among US, Sonic the HedgeHog, Beyblades, Minecraft, Pokémon, Roblox, and Fortnite to life through the use of our LEGO® robots, LEGO® mosaics, and LEGO® 3D art! We will also bring back some of Nintendo and SEGA classic themes such as Pac-Man, Contra, NBA Jams, Zelda, and Duck Hunt! Each day will be a new adventure as the virtual and LEGO® worlds combine! 
  
  

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

  
  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® Wizarding World of Magic

  The magic is back at our Bricks 4 Kidz Wizarding World of Magic Camp!  This week of magic LEGO® camp will have our campers building the mythical and magical worlds and characters from some of the most popular movies, tv shows, and toys such as Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, Trolls, Aladdin, Frozen, Jumanji, The Hobbit, and much more! Campers will create LEGO® robotic Harry Potters that fly on their broomsticks and soar on the magic Genie’s carpet, 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 the best part? We will be teaching the kids some amazing Magic Tricks that they can use on their friends at home! 

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

  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)

• 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. As we explore different engineer occupations, we'll build exciting projects and learn how engineers think!  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)

• Carnival!

  Come one, come all to the Carnival! In this full-day engineering-based camp with Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. DePew, we’ll design and create all kinds of carnival games, learning the engineering behind them, and some tips and tricks on how to play them. Our last day of camp will be a carnival day, complete with face-painting, sno-cones and lots of prizes to win!
  
  

  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 grades K-4)

• 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, such as Toy Story (including the latest!), Pikachu, Frozen, Lego Movie, Trolls, and Lion King. Our maker crafts are perfectly suited for little ones and our craft service is the best! 
  
  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)

• Young Chefs at the Movies II

  In this full-day camp led by Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. DePew, we'll continue the fun of Young Chefs at the Movies I with more movies, food, crafts, and some filmmaking!  Different movies, but lots of fun!  Adding to the movie-related fun, we'll put ourselves "in the movies" with some simple filmmaking, animation, and stop motion.  Send your producers, actors, makers, and chefs for a fun-filled week!
  
  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 grades K-3)

• 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 with Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. Thompson, we’ll use iMovie and various supporting apps to create original films, animations, and music videos.  We’ll experience existing VR and AR creations and delve into creating our own AR 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 2nd-5th graders)

• 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 with Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. Thompson, we’ll use iMovie various supporting apps to create original films, animations, and music videos. Using iOS devices, we’ll experience existing VR and AR creations and delve into creating our own AR 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 5 (incoming 6th-8th graders)

• Mini-Math Explorers

  Explore math concepts in an exciting hands-on format with Ms. McKenna and Mrs. Croslin! 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)

• Math Explorers

  Explore math concepts with Ms. McKenna and Mrs. Croslin 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 Mrs. Perez and Ms. McKenna!  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!  Cook up some reading fun with Mrs. Perez and Ms McKenna!  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 3 (incoming grades K-3)

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

  Have fun with reading and math readiness with Mrs. Perez and Ms. McKenna! We will explore letters and numbers with tactile hands-on projects, 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 1 (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)

• Little Cooks

  Little Cooks will help students foster creativity, learn to take risks, follow directions, and try new things through hands-on learning. Join Ms. Vega in the Seivold Center kitchen to cook up some delicious foods, create a cookbook, and personalize an apron. We will plan our meals, gather our ingredients, talk about measurements, and try our meals.
  
  

  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-2)

• 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 (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 you'll be 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 5 (incoming 5th-8th graders)
  

   

• The Sense-ational Camp

  Join Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Forte 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.
  
  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 1, 2 (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 (Mrs. Bellegarrigue) and a Berkeley Pre-K-1st teacher (Mrs. Salgado) 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 2, 3, 5 (ages 4-7)
  
  

  About the instructors:  

  Erica Bellegarrigue has been practicing occupational therapy for over 20 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 over 15 years and currently teaches Pre-K-1st at Berkeley's Center for Science, Engineering, and Technology.  She has a passion for early childhood with extensive experience in Pre-K through first grade teaching, as well as fine arts instruction.

• Reaching the Reluctant Writer

  In this two-week course led by Berkeley Middle Division English instructor and Assistant Middle Director Mrs. Stephanie Estes, we will explore setting goals for writing, implementing focused revision, and persisting through the writing process. Students will explore what actually makes writing, well, good. Through a shared writing community, students will experience one-on-one conferences, risk-taking in the writing process, and a celebration of their writing creations.
  
  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)
  

   

• A Glimpse at Middle Division English

  This one-week class, led by Berkeley Middle Division English instructor and Assistant Middle Director Mrs. Stephanie Estes, is open to any 7^th or 8^th grade students new to Berkeley or returning students who want to know more about Middle Division English and hone some of their English skills. We will explore the pacing and management of the multi-faceted English curriculum to include grammar, writing, vocabulary, and literature. Students will leave with an increased  knowledge of what it takes to be successful in our Middle Division English program.
  
  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 7th-8th graders)

• SAT/ACT Bootcamp

  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 (English 9-12; Math 12:30-3:30), Week 7 (English 9-12; Math 12:30-3:30) 

• 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.
  
  Weeks 3, 7 (incoming 6th-8th graders)
  

• Keyboarding, Digital Citizenship, & Note-taking Skills

  Berkeley Learning Specialist Dr. Ceni Tavarez will lead keyboarding, digital citizenship, and note-taking sessions that highlight technique, ergonomics, key location, and various note-taking methods. Give your child the opportunity to become familiar with keyboarding, note-taking skills, and ways to keep their computers organized. 
   
  Important: 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.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  

  Weeks 1, 6 (incoming 5th-8th graders)

• Get Your Summer Reading Done!

  If you are looking for an engaging learning environment where your child can complete one summer required grade-level reading book while strengthening reading strategies in fiction and non-fiction text, register for this class ASAP! 
   
  Berkeley Learning Specialist Dr. Ceni Tavarez leads this fun, engaging summer reading class.
   
  The week includes: whole group lessons, one-on-one time with the teacher, and academic coaching strategies to help all readers succeed and strengthen reading skills.  Let's read together!
  
  This is a one-week session.  A hearty lunch provided by Sage Dining Services is an add-on option for this camp.
  
  Weeks 2, 5 (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. 

  
  Monday/Tuesday/Thursday on campus from 7:45-8:45 am on 6/6, 6/7, 6/9, 6/13, 6/14, 6/16

  
  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. 

  
  Monday/Tuesday/Thursday on campus from 7:45-8:45 am on 6/20, 6/21, 6/23, 6/27, 6/28, 6/30

  
  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. 
  
  Monday/Tuesday/Thursday on campus from 7:45-8:45 am on 7/18, 7/19, 7/21, 7/25, 7/26, 7/28

  
  Incoming 3rd-5th graders

• Berkeley Boomwhackers!

  Who's got the beat?  Learning to read music can be fun and easy when playing boomwhackers (tuned percussion tubes).  Accessible for all children, regardless of prior musical training.  Have fun and play in your first band, the Berkeley Boomwhackers!  Dr. Ackerson will be the bandleader for this fun morning camp!
  
  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)

• Bucky's Shark Tank

  Introducing Bucky’s Shark Tank, where campers learn what entrepreneurship is and what it is all about! Based on the award-winning show Shark Tank, campers play the role of young entrepreneurs as they start with a treasure of an idea for a product and business and take it through the entire entrepreneurial process.  Campers will develop prototypes, formulate a business plan, and devise a marketing strategy. The teachers, Shark Sydney Hughes and Shark Sue Thompson, will facilitate this experience by teaching wages, profits, and branding concepts. In addition, we will offer attractive design options such as building a board game, creating a delicious no-bake dessert, designing a pet toy, and more!  These young entrepreneurs will apply out-of-the-box analysis, critical thinking skills, creative ideas, and a growth mindset. Finally, the week will conclude with our young executives pitching their ideas to an elite few - a celebrity panel of judges- including Berkley’s very own Bucky the Buccaneer!  Young executives: bring your leadership, salesmanship, and creativity this summer so we can take care of business!
  
  

  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), Week 7 (incoming 5th-8th graders)

• Fairy Factory

  Welcome to the magical world of fairies! Every day of camp will be filled with fairy fun. In this half-day camp led by Berkeley teacher Ms. Hughes, campers will create their very own fairy, design their fairy’s home, create their fairy’s favorite foods, and much, much more! Each day will consist of a craft, a snack (created by the campers), a story, and play. Campers will have a blast while also developing their fine motor skills and exploring cooperative play experiences.
  
  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 (incoming grades K-3)

• Fitness, Fuel, and Fun!

  Fitness, Fuel, and Fun! offers campers an opportunity to explore their own physical, mental, and nutritional wellness.  Students face a variety of stressors throughout their days, and it is important to learn skills to decompress and focus on their own well-being at a young age to set them up for success as they get older. Each day, campers will try a new physical activity, practice mindfulness techniques, and create a healthy, easy-to-make, kid-friendly snack. Come forgo your regular routine, learn something new, and focus on your whole body health in this half-day camp led by Berkeley teacher Ms. Hughes.
  
  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-8th graders)

• Get Your Game On!

  Are you looking for a fun, educational summer camp? Then, we may have just what you are looking for!  There is nothing better than learning while having fun! At the "Get Your Game On!" camp, students will participate as contestants on various game shows. We'll investigate science concepts, work with words, practice our math skills, and explore history through games. Campers will be up and moving, working in cooperative teams, using problem-solving strategies, and more! Games shows like The Amazing Race, Wheel of Fortune, Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? and The Price Is Right will all be transformed to practice essential language arts skills, math concepts, and more for rising third through sixth graders.  Also, campers will experience various board games and even create a culinary snack based on each day's theme. Activities will be age-appropriate and will challenge each student at their level.  Mrs. Stoll and Ms. Thompson cannot wait to learn, play,  and explore with you all this summer!
  
  

  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 3rd-6th graders)

• Mac Out of the Box

  Learn everything you need to know about your new Mac, including hardware and software, how to troubleshoot simple problems, special tips and tricks, and more! Whether you are new to Berkeley or new to a division, get the most out of your Mac with this comprehensive course on using your new computer and its operating system.  This is a late afternoon camp.
  
  

  This is a one-week session.
  
  

  Weeks 6, 7 (incoming 6th-11th graders)