On July 4, 2026, The United States of America will commemorate and celebrate the 250th
Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This special occasion will give us
the opportunity to reflect on our nation’s past and honor the contributions of all Americans.
We will celebrate our nation’s birthday all week by learning about the history of American
independence and connecting the concept of freedom to our own lives. We will engage in
hands-on activities like patriotic crafts, decorations, songs, traditional yard games and a
traditional Fourth of July parade. In addition to honoring our nation’s history, we will celebrate
American culture by hosting our very own Kennedy Center Honors Gala. We will dress in our
finest clothing, walk the red carpet and celebrate American culture, specifically the amazing
contributions notable Americans have made in the performing arts, such as music, dance,
theater, motion picture and television. With handmade colorful ribbons and engraved gold
medals, we will salute our performers with a glamorous lunch and awards ceremony!

Discover the magic of nature and how it helps us solve big problems! Mimic makers wonder
how nature works. They learn from living things such as animals, plants and fungi. They mimic
or copy good ideas to create useful inventions for the modern world. Campers will learn how
to observe birds, bugs, sea creatures and plants to inspire amazing inventions that improve our
lives and help protect our planet. We will study the many professions that can benefit from
biomimicry, such as architects, botanists, biologists and engineers. Campers will wonder,
investigate and learn about the living world to solve problems and make the world a better
place.

Field Trip – The week will conclude with a field trip to Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park’s
Nature Center. A Master Naturalist will lead us for a nature walk and program about what the
local plants, animals and fungi can teach us about innovation.

Campers will explore the amazing world of plants those native to our part of Virginia. Campers
will learn how we utilize plants to meet important needs like food, shelter, medicine and tools.
We will investigate how the plants in our backyard benefit ecosystems by providing food and
shelter for wildlife, helping with soil and water conservation and producing food for people. We
will plant native seeds, observe how certain plants support pollinators and wildlife and learn to
identify local plants.

Nature Walk- We will go on a Nature Walk around the pond next to our school and the creek in the back with a Virginia Plants Expert.

From the wheel to the internet, our campers will discover how inventions have shaped the way
we live, play and connect. We will explore a variety of important inventions such as the
wheel/axle, electricity/light, paper/printing press, telephone/internet and more! Campers will
discover the works of artists, inventors and scientists who have created the many things we use
every day to make our lives easier. We will create our own inventions and display them at our
own Invention Expo!

Future doctors, grab your stethoscopes! Our mini medical school camp will introduce campers
to learning all about the human body and what a career in the medical field entails. We will
learn about the different body systems and organs that keep our bodies alive and functioning.
We will learn how to best take care of our bodies through healthy activity, nutrition and safety
measures. We will explore how broken bones are handled, how x-rays work and how to
administer basic first aid. We will role play using medical instruments as we work on caring for
our “stuffed” friends as patients in our Camp Clinic. Our medical studies and career exploration
in the medical field will surely inspire Healthcare Heroes for the future! E

Field Trip – Our week will conclude with a tour of Stone Springs Hospital which will expose the
children to various medical professions and the opportunity to see imaging, robotics and
monitoring equipment.

The FIFA World Cup 2026, the first to be hosted across three nations – Canada, Mexico and the
United States – promises to be a historic event as the largest FIFA World Cup yet, featuring 48
teams across 16 Host Cities. Host Cities will showcase their unique cultural spirit while
celebrating the unity, diversity, and passion of the world’s most beloved sport. Not only will
our campers learn about the culture/geography of Mexico, United States and Canada, they will
learn all about how to play the beautiful game. Campers will practice soccer skills such as
dribbling, passing and shooting. We will exercise our bodies and work together, recognizing the
important role that teamwork plays in the exciting sport of soccer. We can’t wait to see you on
the pitch!

The FIFA World Cup 26 will be hosted across three nations – Canada, Mexico and the United
States. With 16 cities hosting the tournament, the unique culinary traditions of these regions
will offer opportunities for our campers to explore and taste their diverse fare. We will explore
food traditions from the United States, Mexico and Canada and learn what cuisine each region
is known for. We will try our hand as chefs to prepare and taste recipes from each world cup
host city. We will explore the signature flavors and regional specialties from each host city and
make our own World Cup Recipe Book so the favorites can be recreated at home. Ignite your
appetite and get ready to explore the delicious menus of this diverse food region.

Field Trip – Our week will conclude with a visit to a local Mexican restaurant to observe how
food is prepared and to enjoy a tasty treat!

As we continue our study of World Cup hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States we will
focus on the influential artists from these regions and the significant contributions they have
made to movements including muralism, pop art and abstract expressionism. We will delve
into the themes of their work which focus on cultural identity, social justice and indigenous
heritage. We will study the themes/methods used by Tom Thomson, Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo
and many other well-known artists of these regions. We will learn about the artists’ lives, the
events that transpired around the time they came to fame and what pieces of artwork they
were known for. Campers will be inspired to try their own hand, using the various processes
and techniques that made these artists famous, to create their own works of art.