Video: Hands On Camp Gives TPSD Students Many Learning Opportunities

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) –  A summer camp is providing adventure, fun and even learning opportunities for youngsters.  As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports,   teachers with the Tupelo Public School District have put months of planning into this camp.

As a teacher and lover of reptiles,  Sherry Willis wants students at Camp Opportunity to lose their fear of snakes.

“So today, we will be dissecting a non venomous snake,” Willis said.

This class at “Camp Opportunity” is called “Snakes and Scales and Turtle Shells.”  It is a hands on learning lab.

“One thing we’ve been teaching them is the difference between a venomous and non venomous snake, we’re also teaching them the importance of all creatures and their importance in the food chain, that snakes are important too, even though they can be scary,” she said.

It is also a chance, for those who dare, to learn about the snake’s anatomy.

“I have learned that snakes have scales and can have up to 20 babies,” said Camper Jay Sanders.

“Camp Opportunity” is held at Lawndale Elementary and features four weeks of classes, with diverse topics such as, pottery,  sewing, fitness and a course called “The Wright Stuff.”

“We are learning about Frank Lloyd Wright, his history, how he became an architect and several of the famous houses he built,” said Teacher Sally Amos.

In fact, using Legos, these campers are reconstructing some of Wright’s most famous houses, along with the Guggenheim Museum.

Teacher Sally Amos hopes students will learn a lot about the nation’s most celebrated architect and maybe develop and cultivate their artistic and designing skills.

“It’s been great, I wasn’t expecting to have a ton of fun, but I’ve had a ton of fun,” said Camper Jacob Jones.

Camp Opportunity runs through the end of June.

Camp Opportunity also integrates core topics, such as science, technology , engineering and math, to help students sharpen their skills for the upcoming school year.