Explorers (8-14 Years)

Explorers Camp will provide a unique experience that engages campers in a wide range of stimulating, hands-on activities with several themes offered each week for campers to choose from.

Who is it for?
Children ages 8 to 14
(Ages 8-12 for Sports Camps)

When does it run?
Camp runs in one-week sessions. Attend one week, several weeks, or all six weeks.

Cost
$420.00/week
The cost for Week 2 is discounted to $360, due to camp being closed on July 4.  
This includes all field trips, activities, and a morning and afternoon snack. 
​Payment plans available.
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​*Cancelations must be 30 days before the first day of a session to receive a full refund.

Schedule and Sessions Offered

Week 1: June 26-June 30 
Animation Camp​ 
Explore the exciting world of animation. Learn the fundamentals of animation using digital, stop-motion, and green screen techniques to create original projects. Campers will love creating lunch box animations, flip-book machines, digital rotoscopes, zoetropes, and more! A special screening of camp projects will close the week. Students will leave camp with the skills and knowledge to continue creating, communicating, and storytelling through animation.

Game Design  
Ever wanted to know how video games and board games work? This camp delves into game design and how games run! Campers will tinker with the games as a team, building teamwork and collaboration skills. Campers will create their own Minecraft Server and gain an understanding of the coding side of the game!
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Sports Camp: Backyard Games ​ 
Campers will learn new backyard games each day, including volleyball, badminton, basketball, handball, and floor hockey. Each week the sports will change to reflect the theme of the camp. Campers will get the opportunity to play classic "backyard" games in backyard sports or go kayaking and fishing in water sports! 

Master Chef: Backyard Barbecue(Ages 8-14)
Led by professional chefs from Personal Touch, campers will learn the ins and outs of the kitchen. Each week the meals prepared and field trips will change to reflect the theme of the camp. 

Week 2: July 3 - July 7 (No Camp July 4)
Sports Camp: Court Sports​ 
Campers will learn new court sports each day, including volleyball, badminton, basketball, handball, and floor hockey. Each week the sports will change to reflect the theme of the camp. Campers will get the opportunity to play classic "backyard" games in backyard sports or go kayaking and fishing in water sports! ​

Make it and Take it (Ages 8-14) 
Do you like hands-on projects? Are you a budding artist? In this new camp offering, campers will create a variety of art projects each day using conventional and unconventional materials.

Master Chef: Farm to Table (Ages 8-14)​ 
Led by professional chefs from Personal Touch, campers will learn the ins and outs of the kitchen. Each week the meals prepared and field trips will change to reflect the theme of the camp. 

STEM Lab Challenge (Ages 8-14
Campers will participate in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math activities designed to keep young brains entertained and stimulated during this week-long session. They will be tinkering with hydraulics, gear-driven mechanics and will work with robotic motors to form their creations.​

Week 3: July 10- July 14
Water Sports 
Each week the sports will change to reflect the theme of the camp. Campers will get the opportunity to play classic "water" games in water sports or go kayaking and fishing in water sports! 

Writer's Workshop (Ages 8-14)
Do you love to write stories? Are you a budding author? This camp delves into creative writing and offers campers a chance to create their own works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more! Campers will learn the ins and outs of writing in this exciting camp!
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Master Chef: From Scratch (Ages 8-14) ​ 
Led by professional chefs from Personal Touch, campers will learn the ins and outs of the kitchen. Each week the meals prepared and field trips will change to reflect the theme of the camp. This week they will be making creations without using box recipes!

Better Buffalo (Ages 8-14) ​ 
In this camp, campers will help our community by partnering with several area organizations, including Meals on Wheels, Beechwood Nursing Home, community gardens, and more! We are so excited for another summer of creating a Better Buffalo!
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Week 4: July 17-July 21
Fitbit Frenzy
Campers will each receive a new Fitness Tracker for this camp (included in price)! Campers will take to the challenges monitored by their trackers, all while forming teams to work their way up the leaderboards! Each day in camp will introduce a new challenge, and it's up to the campers to work together to figure out how to win! 
(This camp is $470.00 - Early Bird discount does not apply)

Cardboard Creation
Explore how you can make furniture, models, airplanes, and whole cities using just cardboard. Using the simple and advanced design, cutting, and assembling methods, allows for a more broad exploration of innovation and creativity by focusing on one material. Let your camper dive into their creative side with this cardboard exploration!​

Master Chef: International Cuisine (Ages 8-14)​ 
Led by professional chefs from Personal Touch, campers will learn the ins and outs of the kitchen. Each week the meals prepared and field trips will change to reflect the theme of the camp. 

Rube Goldberg Challenge (Ages 8-14) 
Have you ever wondered how the game Mouse Trap works? Or what sets off a chain reaction? In this new offering,  campers will start start with a simple task, such as knocking down a row of dominos, a well calculated swinging object, or a ball rolling down a ramp. They will build on these challenges all week, using precision, patience, and perseverance. At the end of this session, campers will have designed their own Rube Goldberg Machine. 

Week 5: July 24- July 28
Sports Camp: Olympic Challenge
Campers will learn new sports each day, including volleyball, badminton, basketball, handball, and floor hockey. Each week the sports will change to reflect the theme of the camp. Campers will get the opportunity to play popular sports that are being featured in the summer Olympics!

Pixel Perfect (Ages 8-14
Are you a budding photographer? In this session, campers will learn the ins and outs of photography. Campers will have a new photography challenge each day. They will then edit, critique and showcase their newfound photography skills with each other. 

Master Chef: Food of Champions (Ages 8-14)
Led by professional chefs from Personal Touch, campers will learn the ins and outs of the kitchen. Each week the meals prepared and field trips will change to reflect the theme of the camp.  This week will be focused on food that fuels up olympic champions!

Camp NEW: Nutrition, Exercise, and Wellness (Ages 8-14) ​  
In this session, campers will explore different types of exercise from yoga to high-intensity interval training, learn about and taste foods that fuel the mind and body, and engage in activities to empower the mind and be confident and joyful. Come create your best life!

Week 6: July 31 - August 4
Sports Camp: Obscure Sports
Campers will learn new sports each day, including volleyball, badminton, basketball, handball, and floor hockey. Each week the sports will change to reflect the theme of the camp. Campers will get the opportunity to play classic "backyard" games in backyard sports or go kayaking and fishing in water sports! 

Introduction to Drawing
Exploring pencil, charcoal, and other drawing media in teaching campers to draw with their eyes as well as their hands. This camp allows your camper to explore their creative side and explore new drawing techniques. This is based on the traditional intro-level drawing courses. 

Master Chef: Baking Battle (Ages 8-14)
Led by professional chefs from Personal Touch, campers will learn the ins and outs of the kitchen. Each week the meals prepared and field trips will change to reflect the theme of the camp. 

Week 7: Aug 7 - August 11
Sports Camp: Worldwide Sports
Campers will learn new sports each day, including volleyball, badminton, basketball, handball, and floor hockey. Each week the sports will change to reflect the theme of the camp. Campers will get the opportunity to play classic "backyard" games in backyard sports or go kayaking and fishing in water sports! 

Master Chef: Restaurant Wonders (Ages 8-14)
Led by professional chefs from Personal Touch, campers will learn the ins and outs of the kitchen. Each week the meals prepared and field trips will change to reflect the theme of the camp. This weeks camp will be focused on popular restaurant foods and frequent visits to kitchens around Buffalo! 

Introduction to Cartooning (Ages 8-14)
Building skills using pencil, pen-and-ink, and computer tools to design characters, facial expressions, and bodies, and choosing a style to assemble a serial cartoon story! Not only will your camper learn more about storytelling, but they will also learn to draw their cartoon!