By Maddie Joiner
For the Opelika Observer
Marble mazes and elephant toothpaste and tornados, oh my! Cub Scout Day Camp, located at the Elks Lodge at 1944 Opelika Road in Auburn, is back this summer with a new theme — weird science. For one week, July 26 to 30, campers get to explore the wacky world of science experiments while having fun and learning things along the way.
“Really it’s a chance for them to get out with their friends,” said Senior District Executive of the Saugahatchee District, Sara Banks. “But it’s also time to learn and develop, and just really have a good time with our scouting materials and our scouting program.”
The camp is open to Cub Scouts, yes. But it is also open to children who just completed kindergarten through fourth grade.
Any camper who just completed kindergarten must have a parent accompany them at camp.
Camp is $100 per Cub Scout and the camp is offering a deal for siblings and non-scouts of $90.
Camp is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with early drop off at 7:30 a.m. and last pick up at 5:30 p.m.
Weird Science Camp will feature many experiments and activities, including creating a tornado in a bottle, sprouting sweet potatoes, Lego chemistry, rock candy and more.
Banks said the experiments are designed to teach campers science and math, as well as team skills and group work.
“They’re going to be learning without really realizing they’re doing that, and it really enforces a lot of the skills that they already will have from school, and it kind of fills in some gaps and makes hands-on fun for them to really dig into,” she said.
In addition to the science experiments and hands-on fun, scouts will be working towards adventure loops, which are the Cub Scout equivalent of badges.
“Each adventure loop is learning a skill that is age-appropriate for that grade level, and it’s working with their peers and their families to learn those skills,” Banks said. “It’s fun with a purpose.”
Scout skills will be taught at camp as well, including knot tying, first aid, environmental safety and citizenship.
The camp will be led by camp Director Jay Knorr, who will be assisted by volunteers all week. Banks said the camp is in need of additional volunteers and anyone interested is highly encouraged to complete the one hour Youth Protection Training found online at My.Scouting.org.
Campers should bring a water bottle every day and a change of clothes in case they get wet. Banks suggests bringing a backpack so campers can take home any artwork or experiments created at camp.
All campers must wear close-toed shoes at all times. Campers must also have an A-B Medical form, which can be filled out the morning of the first day of camp.
Registration is open now and will close July 19 at 5 p.m. Parents must attend an orientation on July 24 at 3:30 p.m. to get a more detailed schedule of events.
For more information or to register for Weird Science Camp, visit 91bsa.org/SADay Camp.