THE BOATS ARE READY TO RACE!!!
After an intense day of project building, every group finished their boats. There were requirements to follow regarding height, width, and depth of the design and also the minimum weight of the paddlers. These boats range from simple boxes to elaborate designs frequently illustrating their team names. The girls learned that cutting straight lines, building flush joints and creating stability is quite a challenge with cardboard.
Each group spent time this morning attending a rotation at either the fire institute, the nano-technology lab, or the Hydrology lab. Ask your girls for details because each one is unique and extremely interesting.
The evening was spent as CRCE as the last groups were able to experience African or salsa dancing, or the girls could choose to play sports, swim or do crafts.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Wednesday, August 8
The girls spent the majority of the day working on their boats. After designing intricate blueprints, they were given card stock so they could make scaled down models of their boat. They experimented with how to cut and tape the different pieces together and made modifications on their blueprints. Many of the girls worked so well that they got ahead of the schedule and were able to begin work on their actual boat. They all agree that this is the best part of week so far. The girls are all discussing the design of their boat (sharks, pentagons, air bubbles...), how far along they are, and what their plans are. There's also been a LOT of compromise, as the girls learn to work together on as a team.
For the evening, the girls headed to CRCE for another night of Crafts, Basketball, Swimming, and Dancing. I was amazed at the amount of creativity the girls had in arts and crafts. Using just duct tape, they came made some awesome cell phone holders, picture frames, and purses. In the gym, many of the counselors played a few intense games of basketball with some of the campers. The CRCE pool was awesome, with a water slide, many floaties, and a hot tub. And perhaps the most unique part of the night was the African dancing and Salsa dancing. Two experts came in and led the girls in these 2 types of dancing. The girls had a blast learning the different types of dancing--it was something many of the girls had definitely never experienced before!
For the evening, the girls headed to CRCE for another night of Crafts, Basketball, Swimming, and Dancing. I was amazed at the amount of creativity the girls had in arts and crafts. Using just duct tape, they came made some awesome cell phone holders, picture frames, and purses. In the gym, many of the counselors played a few intense games of basketball with some of the campers. The CRCE pool was awesome, with a water slide, many floaties, and a hot tub. And perhaps the most unique part of the night was the African dancing and Salsa dancing. Two experts came in and led the girls in these 2 types of dancing. The girls had a blast learning the different types of dancing--it was something many of the girls had definitely never experienced before!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Tuesday, August 7th
Tuesday was our second exciting day at Structures camp. The girls attended their finished their lecture series today by attending their third and forth classes. They finally had all the knowledge they needed to begin work on their card board boats.
The ladies were split up into groups of three and four girls and started project work. They each picked a team name to best represent the personalities of its members and set up a design brief to outline the problem and illustrate how best to solve it. Each girl brainstormed their individual ideas for the boat design and they collaborated to create a free hand drawing of their intended design. Upon teacher approval, they began blueprinting.
This was the first evening of CRCE evening activities. The girls were given opportunities to participate in African dancing, salsa dancing, swimming, arts & crafts, basketball, or double dutch. Additional activity details will follow in the coming posts. The girls had a blast all night. We walked back to ISR and the girls got ready for bed after a long day.
The ladies were split up into groups of three and four girls and started project work. They each picked a team name to best represent the personalities of its members and set up a design brief to outline the problem and illustrate how best to solve it. Each girl brainstormed their individual ideas for the boat design and they collaborated to create a free hand drawing of their intended design. Upon teacher approval, they began blueprinting.
This was the first evening of CRCE evening activities. The girls were given opportunities to participate in African dancing, salsa dancing, swimming, arts & crafts, basketball, or double dutch. Additional activity details will follow in the coming posts. The girls had a blast all night. We walked back to ISR and the girls got ready for bed after a long day.
Monday, August 6
The First Full Day!
The day began...early! Still, the girls all woke up much earlier than their 7 am wake up time. By about 6, almost every girl was rolling out of bed in anticipation of the big day! After exploring breakfast at the dining hall, the girls headed out to their very first class. They were split up into 4 different groups, each going to a different class. They either made clay fish to learn about hydrodynamics, practiced blue-printing by making a blue print for their dream basement, learned about different materials, and made a boat out of tin foil. They all learned a lot and had a ton of fun!
After another experience of the University dining halls, the girls walked to the Engineering Quad for a group photo. It was quite the experience in the hot weather, but we all had fun and every girls' face be able to be seen in the picture--quite a feat for our photographer!
After a snack break, girls headed back to classes again, this time rotating to a different class. After about 2 hours of class, they back to their dorm for dinner!
Perhaps the most anticipated part of the day came in the evening: Physics Van! A Physicist at U of I has a presentation full of physics to show students just how exciting it can be. It was full of big bangs, explosions, monkeys falling, spinning, and lots of learning. I'm sure you'll hear all about it when the girls get home!
The day began...early! Still, the girls all woke up much earlier than their 7 am wake up time. By about 6, almost every girl was rolling out of bed in anticipation of the big day! After exploring breakfast at the dining hall, the girls headed out to their very first class. They were split up into 4 different groups, each going to a different class. They either made clay fish to learn about hydrodynamics, practiced blue-printing by making a blue print for their dream basement, learned about different materials, and made a boat out of tin foil. They all learned a lot and had a ton of fun!
After another experience of the University dining halls, the girls walked to the Engineering Quad for a group photo. It was quite the experience in the hot weather, but we all had fun and every girls' face be able to be seen in the picture--quite a feat for our photographer!
After a snack break, girls headed back to classes again, this time rotating to a different class. After about 2 hours of class, they back to their dorm for dinner!
Perhaps the most anticipated part of the day came in the evening: Physics Van! A Physicist at U of I has a presentation full of physics to show students just how exciting it can be. It was full of big bangs, explosions, monkeys falling, spinning, and lots of learning. I'm sure you'll hear all about it when the girls get home!
Monday, August 6, 2007
Sunday, August 5
Welcome to G.A.M.E.S. 2007!
This exciting week began with a bang, as campers and their families rushed to get checked in, meet their counselors, and find their rooms. After registration, we all took a HOT walk to Follinger for an introduction ceremony. Many exciting speakers welcomed the girls to camp, including Ilesanmi Adesida, the Dean of the College of Engineering, Ruth Watkins, the Vice Provost, and Sue Larson, and Engineering Professor and head of WIE. The different camps and counselors were also introduced.
After parents said their goodbyes, the girls headed to the Illini Union for dinner (pizza!) and a game of "Guess the Counselors' Profession". Each group of girls had 1 minute with each counselor to question them with hopes of discovering if they were a scientist, doctor, engineer, or teacher. The girls came up with several great questions to rule out different professions, such as "Are you afraid of blood?" and "Do you like kids?".
At the end of the game, we all headed to Loomis Hall to learn more about our project for the week: boat building! Many, many, many questions were asked and answered as the girls began to understand what they would be doing this week. They were told about the classes they'd take to learn about how to make a great boat out of construction board. After these classes they'll be able to start actually constructing their boats--something we're all very excited about!
Finally, the night ended with some free time for the girls to explore their rooms, roommates, and floormates. We talked, played games, hung out, showered...and slept! After a long, yet exciting day, everyone was ready for bed and excited to see what was in store for tomorrow!
This exciting week began with a bang, as campers and their families rushed to get checked in, meet their counselors, and find their rooms. After registration, we all took a HOT walk to Follinger for an introduction ceremony. Many exciting speakers welcomed the girls to camp, including Ilesanmi Adesida, the Dean of the College of Engineering, Ruth Watkins, the Vice Provost, and Sue Larson, and Engineering Professor and head of WIE. The different camps and counselors were also introduced.
After parents said their goodbyes, the girls headed to the Illini Union for dinner (pizza!) and a game of "Guess the Counselors' Profession". Each group of girls had 1 minute with each counselor to question them with hopes of discovering if they were a scientist, doctor, engineer, or teacher. The girls came up with several great questions to rule out different professions, such as "Are you afraid of blood?" and "Do you like kids?".
At the end of the game, we all headed to Loomis Hall to learn more about our project for the week: boat building! Many, many, many questions were asked and answered as the girls began to understand what they would be doing this week. They were told about the classes they'd take to learn about how to make a great boat out of construction board. After these classes they'll be able to start actually constructing their boats--something we're all very excited about!
Finally, the night ended with some free time for the girls to explore their rooms, roommates, and floormates. We talked, played games, hung out, showered...and slept! After a long, yet exciting day, everyone was ready for bed and excited to see what was in store for tomorrow!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Welcome Structures Campers!
We hope that you are counting down the days until camp starts because we definitely are! Since camp is merely a couple of weeks away, we figured we would introduce ourselves and give you a brief overview of your week at G.A.M.E.S.
Our names are Julie and Tierney and we are your structures coordinators for G.A.M.E.S. 2007. We have been eagerly working all summer to prepare the camp and ourselves for your arrival on August 5th. This year, we are very excited to be introducing a new project to the structures camp. Instead of building bridges, we will be building life-sized cardboard boats. We will also be testing them so do not forget to bring your swimming suits as you will be riding in your boat across the pool!
In addition to working intensely on our boats, we will also be participating in other fun activities. Throughout the week, we will have the opportunities to play basketball and volleyball, go swimming, participate in arts and crafts, and partake in salsa and African dancing. At the end of the week, we will be having an awards ceremony to honor everyone’s hard work. There will also be a luau-themed party following the ceremony. This will include dinner and a talent show…so make sure to pack your festive gear. Hawaiian skirts, shirts, and leis are more than welcome. Also, come prepared to show off your talents as we will ours!
We cannot wait for G.A.M.E.S. to start or to meet you! We are very excited to see what kind of boats you will come up with; we are especially ecstatic about testing the boats as well.
See you in August!
Julie Hernandez and Tierney Howard
Our names are Julie and Tierney and we are your structures coordinators for G.A.M.E.S. 2007. We have been eagerly working all summer to prepare the camp and ourselves for your arrival on August 5th. This year, we are very excited to be introducing a new project to the structures camp. Instead of building bridges, we will be building life-sized cardboard boats. We will also be testing them so do not forget to bring your swimming suits as you will be riding in your boat across the pool!
In addition to working intensely on our boats, we will also be participating in other fun activities. Throughout the week, we will have the opportunities to play basketball and volleyball, go swimming, participate in arts and crafts, and partake in salsa and African dancing. At the end of the week, we will be having an awards ceremony to honor everyone’s hard work. There will also be a luau-themed party following the ceremony. This will include dinner and a talent show…so make sure to pack your festive gear. Hawaiian skirts, shirts, and leis are more than welcome. Also, come prepared to show off your talents as we will ours!
We cannot wait for G.A.M.E.S. to start or to meet you! We are very excited to see what kind of boats you will come up with; we are especially ecstatic about testing the boats as well.
See you in August!
Julie Hernandez and Tierney Howard
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Welcome Campers and Parents-
Camp is almost here and the staff is very excited. We are putting together the finishing touches on all of the programs and will have an information packet mailed out to everyone within the next few weeks letting you know what to bring (and what not to bring), schedules, rules, and other important stuff.
Because we know that campers who are having LOTS of fun, rarely want to call their parents, please use this blog as a way to get information during camp week. Staff members will try to to update the blog daily.
In the meantime, photos from past years are finally up on the website. Feel free to take a look at them and get an idea of how much fun your daughter is going to have!
Until Camp Week,
Kris Pulling
GAMES Administrative Assistant
Camp is almost here and the staff is very excited. We are putting together the finishing touches on all of the programs and will have an information packet mailed out to everyone within the next few weeks letting you know what to bring (and what not to bring), schedules, rules, and other important stuff.
Because we know that campers who are having LOTS of fun, rarely want to call their parents, please use this blog as a way to get information during camp week. Staff members will try to to update the blog daily.
In the meantime, photos from past years are finally up on the website. Feel free to take a look at them and get an idea of how much fun your daughter is going to have!
Until Camp Week,
Kris Pulling
GAMES Administrative Assistant
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