Franklin College is offering a distinctive summer camp tailored for 6^th through  9^th grade students called CampGRIZ, a week-long immersive experience that instills the importance of career-technical education and exploration, postsecondary readiness and digital fluency in a dynamic world. The camp will take place from Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Morning and afternoon snacks, as well as lunch, will be provided to all campers at no additional cost.

Participants in the camp will receive direct instruction from Franklin College faculty, engage with current students and alumni, and explore the advantages of higher education to empower them in achieving their aspirations. Participants will cover diverse fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the arts with the assistance of Franklin College professionals. In addition, the interactions with current students and alumni will provide a practical perspective on the tangible benefits of higher education. CampGRIZ is dedicated to equipping young minds with the knowledge, resources and a mindset that fosters curiosity, comprehension and self-assurance, ensuring their readiness for the future.

The five hands-on learning experiences provided this year for students to choose from include:

• “AquaQuest” – Dive deep into stream ecology with AquaQuest. Join our team of ecologists to explore local streams, learn about water sampling, study macroinvertebrates and discover fish. Experience hands-on techniques used by environmental biologists to monitor stream health and its inhabitants.
• “Catapults and Trebuchets” – Explore hands-on physics in Catapults and Trebuchets. Unleash your scientific curiosity and craftsmanship as you construct and operate a real catapult, discovering the principles behind hurling heavy objects through the air.
• “Clay Creations” – Get hands-on with Clay Creations. Dive into the world of clay, exploring techniques like slab, coil and pinch construction. Discover the joy of crafting clay pieces from scratch in this exciting and creative experience.
• “Creative Writing” – Unleash your creativity in Creative Writing. Explore the art of crafting stories, poems, and personal essays, drawing inspiration from established authors as you craft your own masterpiece.
• “Startup Camp” – Embark on the journey of entrepreneurship in Startup Camp. This dynamic experience blends practical lessons with hands-on creativity, empowering aspiring leaders, builders, and innovators to lay the foundation for their own startups.

The cost per camper is $275. Students who qualify for free-reduced priced lunch can apply to attend the camp at no cost. Limited free bus transportation will be provided for campers in Marion County who can transport to and from one of the designated bus pickup locations.

The camp will conclude on Friday with a late afternoon Family-Community event where campers’ families are invited to campus to view and watch final projects and demonstrations, interact with camp staff and community partners, tour campus and learn about postsecondary opportunities and resources for their children.

CampGRIZ is made possible through the Lilly Endowment Inc. Indiana Youth Programs on Campus (IYPC) initiative. IYPC is an initiative designed to support Indiana colleges and universities in their efforts to create new, expansive and enhanced existing high-quality, on-campus programs for Hoosier youth, ages 5-18. Through this initiative, the Endowment has allocated more than $28.8 million toward planning grants and program implementation grants. Indiana public and private colleges and universities that have a physical campus in the state were eligible to participate.

For more information and to register, visit FranklinCollege.edu/campgriz. Questions regarding CampGRIZ should be directed to Mackenzie Taylor, Youth Program Coordinator, at mtaylor@FranklinCollege.edu, or (317) 738-8861. Questions regarding sponsorships should be directed to Nora Brems, Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement, at nbrems@FranklinCollege.edu, or (317) 738-8864.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.

By: Alona Gilpin ’24, Pulliam Fellow

POSTED Apr 4, 2024