Science Camps

by Carol Bond

• We can learn about the Creator by studying Creation (Romans 1:20) like we can learn about an artist by studying his body of work—include this thought in each class that we teach at science camp as a natural conclusion to each lesson; it shouldn’t be the main lesson or too “preachy” as we seek to teach students that God is the author of science and that Christians should love science.
• At camp we have a classroom not available in the school, in our camp the desert—we want to take advantage of our unique setting to teach in a way that makes the students curious and creates memories.
• At camp we have the ability to make the learning hands-on—the learning is most effective when we allow time to do an activity that reinforces the workbook information.
• An enthusiastic, capable communicator who has a presence that motivates students to listen makes the most effective teacher—this is supplemented by visual aids, personal stories, and hands-on activities.
• If the students hear information, write the key words, and do an activity that applies the information, the learning is more likely to be remembered well beyond camp.

Closing Thoughts

• In Christian schools and home schools, science is often not taught adequately—students come to camp having decided that they don’t like science, so it is important that we help our campers and the sponsors that come with them realize that science is a window on the person and attributes of our Creator.
• If we allow Christian young adults to enter society without a proper view of science, we give away that platform to the world—destroying a person’s faith in the truth of Scripture is as simple as making them doubt the truth of Creation.