The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is offering a variety of youth camps this year during its annual Summer at Pitt-Bradford, including a new Culinary Camp and Space Art Camp.
This summer’s slate of camps will begin in late June and end in August and will give youths, from as young as 5 to high school seniors, a variety of unique experiences. There is a cost and an enrollment cap for each camp. For additional details and to register, visit www.upb.pitt.edu/summer or contact Conference and Events Services at (814) 362-5053 or campsUPB@pitt.edu.
Summer at Pitt-Bradford kicks off this year in June with a Forensic Science Camp, two STEM camps, and a Competitive Swimming Clinic.
Forensic Science Camp, for 12- to 16-year-olds, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 24 to 28 and taught by Dr. Robin Choo, assistant professor of biology and director of the forensic science program.
Campers will use the tools in the Crime Scene Investigation House to solve a “mock” crime: What happened to Baluga, a prize-winning Yorkie, who is missing along with his owner, Mr. Clen? Students will learn how to lift fingerprints, take shoe castings, study DNA fingerprinting, analyze blood splatter and much more.
The first STEM camp, Extreme Engineering, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 24 and 25. During this camp, which is open to students in grades 5-9, campers will get their hands dirty by taking part in workshops on polymers, Arduinos and engineering testing machines. Students will stretch, launch and break stuff – in a good way.
The second STEM camp, Project Luminary, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 26 to 28 for students in grades 9 to 12. For three days, students will delve into laboratory clinics, gain practical experience with technology, receive guidance and mentorship from mechanical engineering professors and students, and forge lasting friendships with other aspiring engineering from the region.
A Competitive Swimming Clinic for students in grades 8 to 12 will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 24 to 28. Chelsea Schwab, head coach for the men’s and women’s swimming teams, will conduct the peak performance clinic that will include technical analysis and improvement for starts and turns and all four competitive strokes. Campers also will learn more about dryland/weight training, nutrition and sports psychology.
One of the new camp offerings this summer is Culinary Camp for foodies – or foodie wannabees – in grades 8 to 12. The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 10 to 11 and will be taught by chefs Case DeGroff and Mark Kiel.
Students will learn essential kitchen skills from two experienced chefs in Pitt-Bradford’s well-equipped, clean and safe industrial kitchen. Campers will learn how to prepare an entire Italian-themed meal, including chicken parmesan, spaghetti, focaccia and cannolis, then will serve it to their parents/guardians on the second day of camp.
Two camps will be held in July. The first, Youth Soccer Camp, for players in grades 3 to 8, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15 to 18. The camp will be taught by Nate Whitehurst, head men’s soccer coach, and Lorenzo Rodriguez, head women’s soccer coach.
Young artists will explore the wonders of space through their art during this year’s other new camp, Space Art Camp. The camp, for children aged 7 to 11, will be held 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 22 to 26.
Under the direction of Courtney Mealy, director of arts programming, and Julie Mader, campers will experiment with various techniques and materials to create their own cosmic masterpieces, drawing inspiration from the plants, stars and galaxies. The camp will culminate with an exhibition of the students’ artwork in the KOA Art Gallery.
In August, Zach Foster, head men’s baseball coach, will lead two youth baseball camps and one for prospects where ball players will learn the fundamentals of the game, including hitting, pitching and fielding.
The first session of Youth Baseball Camp for youngsters aged 5 to 8 will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 9. The second session for youths aged 9 to 12 will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 10.
A Baseball Prospects Camp for players in grades 9 to 12 will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 31.
