Theme:

Wild Inventions

Location:

Chevy Chase United Methodist Church

7001 Connecticut Ave

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Camper Age:

7-12

Dates/ Time:

8/10/26-8/14/26

8:00am-5:00pm

Big Idea:

Nature is a powerful source of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. Throughout the week, campers will explore the natural world and transform their observations into imaginative, hands-on maker creations. By blending art, science, and design, campers will experiment, build, test, and refine ideas—all while having fun and learning together.

Daily Structure:

Nature Observation /Inspiration (outdoor or visual)

Mini Skill Building Lesson

Plan- using Design Thinking

Maker Build time

Test, reflect, improve

Share/ Gallery walk

Day 1:

Patterns in Nature

Nature’s Patterns!

Campers will explore the ways nature uses patterns, camouflage, symmetry, and repetition. They’ll observe, experiment, and turn their ideas into creative artworks.

Maker-inspired activities may include:

• Nature walks and games to collect visual inspiration

• Printmaking techniques to replicate patterns found in leaves, shells, and other natural forms

• Prompt challenge cards to spark creative designs

• Experimenting with repetition and symmetry in various creative maker projects

Campers will test, refine, and share their patterned creations, discovering how nature inspires artistic design.

Day 2:

Nature in Motion

Move Like Nature!

Campers will study movement in plants and animals, observing how living things are designed to move through air, water, or on land. They’ll translate these observations into 3D forms that express motion.

Maker-inspired activities may include:

• Sketching or modeling animal and plant movement

• Creating sculptures, mobiles, or kinetic art that mimic natural motion

• Using design challenges to problem-solve ways to show movement in materials

• Collaborating and sharing ideas to improve and refine designs

Campers will explore engineering, art, and creativity through motion-inspired projects.

Day 3:

Sounds & Senses of Nature

Nature’s Orchestra!

Campers will explore sound, vibration, and animal senses, discovering how nature communicates and interacts. They’ll design maker projects that use sound or sensory elements to bring ideas to life.

Maker-inspired activities may include:

• Listening to nature sounds and identifying patterns and rhythms

• Building sound-making devices using found objects or simple circuits

• Experimenting with vibration and resonance in their designs

• Creating interactive sound-based art to share with others

Campers will test, refine, and experience how sound and sensory design can inspire creativity.

Day 4:

Invent the Wild

Biomimicry Builders!

Campers will learn how human inventions are inspired by nature and use Design Thinking to create their own innovative, nature-inspired inventions.

Maker-inspired activities may include:

• Identifying problems or challenges to solve with biomimicry

• Sketching and prototyping nature-inspired designs

• Using varied maker materials to build 3D models or functional prototypes

• Experimenting, testing, and iterating creative solutions inspired by natural systems

Campers will explore, invent, and share imaginative creations that fuse science, design, and art.

Day 5:

Invent the Wild (Continued)

Nature Innovators!

Campers will continue designing nature-inspired inventions, refining their prototypes and adding personal creative touches.

Maker-inspired activities may include:

• Finalizing creative solutions using observations of plants, animals, and natural processes

• Collaborative builds or enhancements to existing projects

• Testing, reflecting, and improving for functionality or artistic impact

• Preparing for the Maker Showcase to share projects with families

Campers will celebrate a week of innovation and creativity, showing how nature fuels inspiration and problem-solving.

There will be an abundance of choice opportunities and various access points to tech in many of the projects. Each day, students will have periodic breaks, active play and snack/lunch time built into the day. Please not that onFriday- we will have a Maker Fair for families to attend and hear from the young MakerMinds from 4:00-5:00pm.