Science summer camp

A 24-year old summer science camp for kids is drawing thousands of children across the Delaware Valley indoors.

Kids across the Delaware Valley are in full summer-camp swing, but many of them are spending it indoors. Thousands of children are participating in a science program whose popularity has outgrown its capacity. This year the continually expanding “Science in the Summer” camp marks more than 100,000 children from the Delaware Valley who have participated over the years.

About a dozen elementary school kids sit on the floor, enraptured by the sight of Sarah House’s hands.

House: Look at all the germs that are showing up all over my hands!
Kids: Whoa…

House rubs a special gel on her hands and illuminates the bacteria growing there. The kids are learning about diseases at the Lansdale Public Library.

House: Aidan, what else do you see?
Aidan: Um, I’m seeing like some like white bubbles.
House: Ah, lots of little air bubbles…

It’s one of dozens of free, four-day sessions held throughout the summer. It takes place at libraries in the five-county region, and provides hands-on lessons in oceanography, physics, and chemistry.

House: It’s always full. there’s always at least 15 kids and there’s a waiting list that goes along with it… We’re hoping to develop an interest and a love of science and also for them to take it with them back to school and ask questions and look at books and learn more generally about science.

House, who is a fifth grade teacher in Elkins Park during the school year, says the program helps kids stay interested in science during the distracting summer months.