UWF Explore Camps

Thank you, Pensacola! 💚

UWF Explore Camps has been named InWeekly's Best Summer Camp for the second year in a row. Thank you to our Explore Camp families and community members for your continued support of Explore Camps, we wouldn’t be here without you!

Magic School Bus campers had a blast making Metamorphic rocks out of Play-Doh last week and enjoying s'mores made in solar ovens! 🪄 🚌

Jr. Mad Scientists discovered bubble slime and concocted other wacky potions in the lab last week 🧪🧑‍🔬🧫

Campers mixed up some explosive fun while learning about acid and base reactions in Kitchen Chemistry 🧪

💫 All smiles for the third week of Explore Camps! 💫

👽 Extraterrestrial Expeditioners encountered alien rice krispy treats and ventured where no campers have explored before on glow day
🛋️ Art-chitects campers designed their own miniature furniture and room layouts

Meet Maggie and Bailey! ☀️ We're thrilled to have two UWF ABA graduate students providing additional support for campers this summer.

We are excited about our first year partnering with UWF Explore Camps! ABA graduate students are providing behavior support to campers and instructors on-campus this summer.

This week at UWF Explore Camps we unlocked fun, mastered LEGOs and made them move, explored Taiwan, engineered excitement and more! We can't wait for next week's adventures! 💚 😎

Don't forget to cast your vote for "UWF Explore Summer Camps" as Best Summer Camp in the Community, Media & Culture category! Ballots close May 21. ☀️ https://bit.ly/3puoB5j

Thank you for supporting UWF Explore Camps 😎

Vote online for UWF Explore Camps! Cast your vote today for “UWF Explore Camps” as Best Summer Camp in Pensacola for InWeekly’s 2023 Best of the Coast! ✅ https://form.jotform.com/231196553121147

UWF Explore Camps is proud to be the 2022 Best Summer Camp in Pensacola! Help us stand out again this year—cast your vote for "UWF Explore Camps" as Best Summer Camp in the Community, Media & Culture category. 😎 ☀️ https://bit.ly/3AJ93NA

May the Fourth Be With You 💫

Galactic project ahead! 🛸 Explore Camps in Action is calling all future Jedis to assemble your very own Lightsaber Circuit Card and defend the galaxy. Follow along with Mrs. Claire as you create this epic project and learn how circuits work!

The color of your lightsaber will depend on the color drinking straw and LED light you choose. You can use a white LED with a colorful straw like we did since that’s what we had on hand, but the color is richer when the LED light and straw match.

🎬 https://youtu.be/Ekk6PK2w4zM

✨ Supply List
✳️ Paper Circuit Template:https://www.makerspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Light-Saber-Circuit.pdf
✳️ Conductive copper tape
✳️ Transparent tape
✳️ Coin cell battery -3v
✳️ LED diode - green or red
✳️ LilyPad button board
✳️ Straw - green or red
✳️ Scissors and/or Xacto knife

Thank you to makerspaces.com for this out-of-this-world project!

Explore Camps in Action! - Star Wars Day: Make a Lightsaber Circuit Card 💫 The Force is Strong with This One. 💫 Calling all future Jedis to assemble your very own Lightsaber Circuit Card and defend the galaxy. Follow along with Mrs...

Have summer plans? Explore camps is looking for experienced K-12 grade educators for camp instructors to teach a week or more of our amazing camps! Message us on facebook for more info.

😎 Apply at : https://careersmanager.pageuppeople.com/997/cw/en-us/job/494763/explore-camp-instructors-pool-posting

Explore Taiwan: Family Workshops are designed for children ages 5-12 to attend along with a family member. (Adults get to join in on the fun for free!)

Vibrant rows of lanterns are often seen around the temples in Taiwan. The red color represents happiness and auspiciousness, and the round shape represents perfection. The first full moon in the Lunar New Year is an important festival called the Lantern Festival. Traditionally, children in Taiwan make lanterns by themselves, or with the help of a parent, then take a walk outside with the lanterns and enjoy the moon. In this workshop, we will learn about the Lantern Festival events in Taiwan, and then make our own lanterns. After that, we will try solving some Chinese riddles, a common activity at the Lantern Festival.

🏮 Explore Taiwan Family Workshop Series:� Lanterns
🏮 Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.� | Tuition: $25
🏮 Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/2Kau769

Happy Earth Day from Explore Camps in Action! 🌎 This annual holiday is observed on April 22nd to promote environmental awareness. The first Earth Day was in 1970 and is celebrated across the globe with activities like planting trees and picking up litter. Last month, we planted some flowers together. Let’s check on their progress!

🌱 ☀️ 🪴 💧 🌳

How are your plants looking? What was your experience creating your mini greenhouse and watching your seeds grow? Share a picture with us! 📸

https://youtu.be/v3RbQKK7VmU

Explore Camps in Action! - Earth Day: Mini Greenhouse Follow Up 🪴 Happy Earth Day! This holiday is observed around the world every April 22nd to show support for environmental protection. The first Earth Day was in 1970 and...

Explore Taiwan: Family Workshops are designed for children ages 5-12 to attend along with a family member. (Adults get to join in on the fun for free!)

Tang Yuan, or sticky rice balls, are traditionally eaten during the Lantern Festival and on the winter solstice. There are many varieties of Tang Yuan: big or small, with or without filling, sweet or savory. Tang Yuan sounds similar to “reunion” in Chinese, so it symbolizes togetherness and completeness. In this workshop, we will learn about different Tang Yuan in Taiwan and how to make the small red and white Tang Yuan served in hot syrup soup. We will also try creative versions of this dish!

🏮 Explore Taiwan Family Workshop Series:� “Tang Yuan”� Sticky Rice Balls
🍚 Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.� | Tuition: $25
🍚 Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/2Kau769

Upcoming Explore Taiwan: Family Workshops! Cultivate your curiosity toward different cultures, and gain an appreciation for our diverse world! Unique family workshops are designed for children ages 5-12 to attend along with a family member. Parents join in on the fun for free! Learn more and register https://bit.ly/2Kau769

🍙 Explore Taiwan: “Tang Yuan” Sticky Rice Balls - April 22
🏮 Explore Taiwan: Lanterns Workshop - May 6

Announcing Explore Taiwan: Family Workshop Series! Cultivate your curiosity toward different cultures, and gain an appreciation for our diverse world. Unique family workshops are designed for children ages 5-12 to attend along with a family member. Parents join in on the fun for free! Register today https://bit.ly/2Kau769

🍙 Explore Taiwan: “Tang Yuan” Sticky Rice Balls - April 22
🏮 Explore Taiwan: Lanterns Workshop - May 6

March 12 is Plant a Flower Day! Grab your seeds and join Explore Camps in Action and Mrs. Claire create your own mini-greenhouse at home! What will you plant? How long do you think it will take to grow?

Helpful Tips
🪴 Pay attention to how long the packet says it takes for them to grow. Some fast-growing seeds you could try are zinnias, marigolds, sunflowers, radishes, beans, and carrots.
🌱 Using clear plastic cups will let you watch the growth of the seed inside and they keep the warmth and moisture in, acting like a greenhouse.
☀️ A sunny windowsill is the perfect place to watch your seeds grow.

Tomorrow is also the first day of Spring STEAM Camp! Our campers will be completing a similar activity this week.

Thank you to .net for this springtime activity idea!
https://youtu.be/XjPkMqL6VXo

Explore Camps in Action! - Make a Mini Greenhouse 🪴 Follow along with Explore Camps in Action and Mrs. Claire to create your own mini-greenhouse at home! What will you plant? How long do you think it will take...

UWF Explore Camps in the news! 📣

Registration open for UWF Explore Summer Camps - University of West Florida Newsroom University of West Florida Continuing Education is offering more than 50 UWF Explore Summer Camps this year. Since 2006, UWF Explore Camps has provided the opportunity for local children to explore their creativity, challenge their minds and build friendships through award-winning summer programs. T...

Summer registration is live for Explore Camps! 🚀 Sessions are filling fast. Register today and secure your spot in all your favorite camps for Summer 2023. https://bit.ly/37bKGGZ

3 steps to plan a STEAM-powered summer that your kids will never forget:
☀️ Review the 2023 Camps Schedule
☀️ Log in or sign up for our registration portal, CampBrain
☀️ Select your camps and complete registration for each of your campers

⏳ Register before May 1 and receive early bird pricing!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Explore Camps in Action! Follow along with Mrs. Claire for this month’s sweet and simple STEAM activity. 💘 These scientific Valentines are an example of a classic optical illusion toy called a thaumatrope. Create your own illustration or add a Valentine’s Day message for a festive touch! 💌

Explore Camps in Action! - Thaumatrope Valentines 💓 Happy Valentine’s Day from Explore Camps in Action! Follow along with Mrs. Claire for this month’s sweet and simple STEAM activity. These scientific Valentin...

IT'S HERE!! 📣 The 2023 camp schedule has arrived! This year we have the return of camp favorites alongside new and exciting additions to the lineup.

☀️ Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023

📆 Camps fill quickly! We recommend reviewing the schedule early so that you're prepared to reserve your spot in your favorite sessions when registration opens.

😎 View the 2023 Explore Camps schedule https://bit.ly/3DSsG7U

Save the date for sweet summertime! 🚀 Get ready…its almost time for another STEAM-tacular summer with UWF Explore Camps! We're gearing up for a sensational summer ahead and can't wait for you to see all we have in store. Summer sessions fill up fast, so mark your calendar and plan to reserve your spot early in all your favorite sessions!

☀️ Summer schedule announced February 9, 2023
😎 Registration for summer opens February 28, 2023

Ready for Explore Camps fun now? We've got you covered! Spring Break STEAM Camp is happening March 13 - 17. Reserve your spot today https://bit.ly/37bKGGZ

Happy Kid Inventors' Day! ⚙️ We hope this story inspires you to "dream the bold dreams of a great engineer." Follow along with Mrs. Claire as she reads about "Rosie Revere, Engineer" and show us what you create!

Explore Camps in Action! - Kid Inventors' Day ⚙️ What do water skis, earmuffs and popsicles all have in common? They were all invented by kids! January 17 is Kid Inventors’ Day—a day to recognize the unique...

Registration now open for Spring STEAM Camp! ☀️ Learn about plants and Pi Day, tie-dye t-shirts, make golden slime and complete several engineering challenges. Why do we have Daylight Saving time? Could a plant survive without sunlight? Investigate the answers to these questions and more during this hands-on week of camp!

🌸 Spring STEAM Camp
🌿 1st - 4th grades
🦋 March 13-17, 2023
☀️ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
🐞 Extended care not available.

Looking for a fun winter project today? Join Explore Camps in Action and learn the art of paper snowflakes from Mrs. Claire! ❄️

Did you know that no two snowflakes are the same? When the atmosphere reaches freezing temperatures, water droplets in the clouds fuze together and form ice crystals of distinct shapes and what we call snowflakes. As snowflakes fall to the ground humidity and temperature changes continue to shape the microscopic frozen ice crystals—making each snowflake as individual and unique as each of you!

If you’re looking for a fun way to use your finished snowflakes, try hanging them from the ceiling in a hallway or bedroom using tape and fishing wire cut at varying lengths and enjoy a unique, snowy scene all winter long—something we don’t usually get to enjoy here in Pensacola!

“A snowflake is another beautifully ordered example of what simple, natural meteorological processes can produce.” – Lawrence M. Krauss

Share your own celebration pictures using the hashtag and be sure to tag UWF Explore Camps!

Explore Camps in Action! - Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day ❄️ Join Explore Camps in Action this winter break and learn the art of paper snowflakes from Camp Coordinator, Mrs. Claire! Afterward, use them to decorate and ...

Seasons greetings and warm holiday wishes from UWF Explore Camps! 🎄❄️

Mark your calendar for these upcoming dates in the New Year!
🌱 Spring Break Camp registration opens - January 10
☀️ Summer Camp schedule announced - January 31

As a reminder, the UWF campus will be closed for Winter Break on December 21, 2022 - January 4, 2023. We will resume normal hours on Thursday, January 5, 2023.

Save the Date for Spring STEAM Camp! 🌱 Learn about plants and Pi Day, tie-dye t-shirts, make golden slime and complete several engineering challenges. Why do we have Daylight Saving time? Could a plant survive without sunlight? Investigate the answers to these questions and more during this hands-on week of camp!

🌼Registration Opens January 10 at 8 a.m.🌼

🌸 Spring STEAM Camp
🌿 1st - 4th grades
🦋 March 13-17, 2023
☀️ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
🐞 Extended care not available.

We had a blast during Fall STEAM Camp! 🍂 During this experiment, we investigated the question, why do apples turn brown? Fall STEAM campers tested their hypothesis and conducted experiments to see what liquid or solution kept apples from turning brown. 🍎

Did your camper bring home any standout fall-themed knowledge to share with you over fall break? We would love to hear it below! ✍️

Gobble 'til you wobble! We are in full swing prepping for next week's Fall STEAM Camp and can't wait for you to see all we have in store! 🦃🪶

Today is World Kindness Day, a holiday that promotes the importance of being kind to each other and spreads awareness of how simple acts of kindness have the power to bind us all together. Celebrate this day by spreading happiness in your own community with this easy, impactful activity—Kindness Rocks! 🪨💚

Share your pics below of your own kindness rocks and your experience creating and spreading kind words for others! 🌏

Explore Camps in Action! - World Kindness Day - Kindness Rocks Have you heard of kindness rocks before? Whether you've been lucky enough to stumble upon one before or you're just learning about it, these tiny reminders o...

UWF provides resources to bring entrepreneurial ideas to life with Makerspace at Museum of Commerce - University of West Florida Newsroom The University of West Florida’s Makerspace will open at the Museum of Commerce on Nov. 11. The Makerspace, approximately 1,000 square feet dedicated to creative, entrepreneurial and artistic activities, was funded through the Next Big Thing program, led by UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “We....

Happy National Cat Day! 🐱

CATchup with Explore Camps in Action and follow along as Ms. Claire walks us through this CAT-tastic craft! This craft is purrfect for any age and only requires a few materials.

🐈‍⬛ We hope you enjoy this activity and will share a picture below of your cat nesting dolls!
🐈 Thank you to krokotak for this fun activity idea.
😻 https://bit.ly/3sXSycR

Explore Camps in Action! - National Cat Day - Cat Nesting Dolls Craft Join UWF Explore Camps in Action as Ms. Claire walks us through this CAT-tastic craft for National Cat Day on October 29! This craft is purrfect for any age ...

We are honored to have been voted the 2022 Best of the Coast - Best Summer Camp by Inweekly Media. Thank you to all that voted!

Congratulations, UWF Explore Camps for earning Inweekly Media's 2022 Best of the Coast - Best Summer Camp!

UWF Explore Camps provide an opportunity for kids to explore their creativity, challenge their minds and build new friendships during an unforgettable summer camp experience.

Learn more: uwf.edu/explorecamps›

There are still a few spots remaining for Fall STEAM Camp! Why do leaves change color? Why do apples turn brown? What is that red thing on a turkey? Explore the answer to these fall-themed questions and more during this action-packed, three-day camp session!

Don't miss out! Reserve your child's spot today https://bit.ly/2Pqh9DF
🍂 November 21-23, 2022
🌽 1st - 4th grades
🦃 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Extended care not available.)