APRIL 23, 2023
ELKINS--The Kump Education Center will be hosting two exciting week-long summer camps this year that will provide fun and educational opportunities for area youth: Spanish Camp for children ages 4-8 and Camp Blue Planet for rising fifth and sixth graders.
Spanish Camp is set for June 12-16, from 8:30-3:30 daily and is under the direction of Leah Devine. Devine currently teaches Spanish at Elkins High School. Her 17 years of Spanish teaching experience includes middle and high school, and Spanish summer camps, ranging from lower elementary at The Arts Center to weeklong Spanish Immersion camps for high schoolers.
Most recently she directed a Spanish camp for elementary and middle school age youth in coordination with Mountain Laurel Learning Cooperative (MLLC) in Tucker Country.
Spanish Camp will pique young campers’ interest in Spanish through immersive play. With an animal theme, they will learn traditional songs and connect language learning with familiar stories. Repetition of vocabulary will help the students comprehend and communicate in Spanish while campers play games, prepare and sample foods and make art in Spanish.
“I am looking forward to creating a fun and exciting introduction to a new language and spending time with these young learners,” said Devine.
Camp Blue Planet, set for July 17-21, from 8:30-3:30 daily will be directed by Jim Fregonara and Nanci Bross-Fregonara. Jim has more than 25 years of environmental education and outreach experience with the WV Division of Natural Resources.
He has presented wildlife diversity programs throughout the state at camps, workshops, state parks, schools, and non-profit events. He is known for his ability to make learning about the natural world fun and exciting.
Both directors are certified with Project WILD and Project Learning Tree and Bross-Fregonara has directed several environmental themed summer camps with The Arts Center. Campers will explore the natural world with hands-on activities, such as birding and nature identification, outdoor projects, and creative interpretation.
“We are happy to share our love of wildlife with this age group at the Gov. Kump House,” said Fregonara. “This unique location allows us to explore the wetlands area and lead other outdoor activities with the campers.”
Both camps will take place at the Gov. Kump House in Elkins. Campers must provide a packed lunch. Enrollment is limited to 15, and a minimum number of participants is required for each camp. Tuition for each week-long camp is $200.
For more information about tuition fees and registration materials, visit www.kumpeducationcenter.org, or email kumpec@gmail.com.