Sign up for Camp Invention
Camp Invention, which runs from June 7-11 in Plant City, is a national program that teaches campers persistence, creativity, problem solving and confidence through the magic of invention.
They’ll design and build their own robots, vehicles, microphones and duck launchers throughout the week and will get to keep the items they build when camp ends.
The program is designed for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. Current seventh and eighth graders can register as Leadership Interns (LITs). High schoolers and college students can apply to be staff volunteers for service hours and experience.
New to this year’s program is the “Peace of Mind Promise,” which allows families to adjust their children’s learning experience for hybrid or at-home options.
“For its in-person option, Camp Invention will continue to adjust its programs to comply with best practice safety measures to ensure the health of our campers, teachers, families and communities,” the camp said in a press release. “These precautions may include daily health screenings for all children and Program Team Members; the use of masks; social distancing within classrooms; providing individualized materials to limit sharing; increased sanitation practices and scheduled hygiene checks within the building; and smaller student groups with staggered lunch schedules. Programs will follow all state and regional COVID-19 guidelines. A hybrid program featuring both offline activities and optional online sessions, Camp Invention at home enables hands-on exploration by delivering an Innovator’s Toolkit, packed full of fun materials, directly to each participant. With four themed activities, step-by-step guides and an Innovator Workshop, the program brings imagination, creative problem solving and fun to children’s living rooms. During the at-home format, local certified instructors take the campers through the day’s activities, with the children choosing to attend the four daily online collaborative sessions or move at their own pace.”
This year’s in-person camp will be held at the Arthur Boring Civic Center at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, 2406 W. Reynolds St. Each day runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and extended day hours are available for an extra fee. The cost is $255 per camper.
Register online at invent.org/camp. Call 800-968-4332 for more information about Camp Invention or contact Camp director Paul Coletti at pacman1988@hotmail.com for more information about the Plant City-area program. High schoolers and college students who wish to volunteer should email Coletti.
Last chance to enter Cart-To-Curb Naming Contest
Adults and children alike are encouraged to submit their name ideas for the Cart-To-Curb Naming Contest on PlantCityGov.com by May 28, 2021 for a chance to win.
And those winners who have their name selected will be awarded a family price package at an upcoming City Commission meeting, with prizes that include dinner for four and more.
The trucks will feature a mechanical arm that lifts specially designed carts (trash cans) and dumps them into the truck without the driver having to leave the cab. The new carts will be provided to community members in one of three sizes, with each size carrying a different monthly fee for collection and additional carts available to purchase separately.
The 95-gallon cart will carry a fee of $27.50 while the 65-gallon and 35-gallon carts will carry fees of $25.50 and $23.00, respectively.
The plan to begin transitioning to automated trash trucks was approved in 2020, followed by the purchase of four new trucks that will be hitting the road this year.
On PlantCityGov.com, navigate to the Solid Waste Department under the “Departments & Services” tab to enter your submission for the Cart-To-Curb Naming Contest.