AWE+SUM Camp & Reunion 2009

with A Look Ahead to Summer, 2010

- reported by Sue Nissen, AAUW of Utah AWE+SUM Camp Coordinator

AWE+SUM Camp 2009 was held July 6-8 and had 44 campers attend. The wonderful hands on workshops "Stream Team," "Want Fries?," "Programming with Alice," "Wind Chimes," "Math Mobiles," and "Aviation" were back with all the success we've come to anticipate - they just get better and better. New last summer was a "Physics is Phun" workshop created and facilitated by Lindsey Roper and Jenn Demers, two Westminster students who were among the camp counselors. They put a class outline together and rotated the girls through all the physics "toys" to illustrate rotational and projectile motion, waves, kinematics, magnetism and optics. It was very impressive to watch the teaching skills demonstrated by Lindsey and Jenn and the high level of "phun" the campers had while learning. Another addition last summer was a website simulation of a hypothetical air traffic controller situation as part of the Aviation workshop. The girls experienced the responsibility of getting 3 planes from 3 different locations to the Modesto CA airport...without bumping into each other or arriving late and making passengers angry.

The 44 girls who attended AWE+SUM Camp 2009 were invited to return to Westminster College Saturday, February 13, 2010 for reunion activities. This event was preceded by the opportunity to participate in Westminster College's celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which included volleyball, soccer, indoor rock climbing, basketball, and hip hop dance. That opportunity was a positive one; however, with it came the negative placement of the reunion event on a Saturday of a 3-day weekend (President's Day) which always adds an attendance challenge. Although initial response promised attendance of 18-20, there were actually 10 girls who returned for the reunion, and 8 of them also took advantage of the morning sports activities. A pizza, salad, brownies and beverage lunch accompanied the video Emily Hadfield put together of the 2009 camp workshop and dorm activities. Camp Director Dr. Carolyn Connell and Summer Camps Specialist Emily Hadfield put together an excellent camp refresher program with an emphasis on information to assist the girls in registering for their high school course work. Two important guest presenters were Jennifer Muir, math teacher in a Canyons District middle school, and Dr. Cami Collette, a family practice physician. Jennifer Muir talked the girls through a power point of course options available at many area high schools, focusing on AP and IP classes which make it possible for students to graduate with college level credits, lessening somewhat the financial burden of a college education. Dr. Cami Collette talked with passion about how she chose and achieved her medical career. The girls participated in both presentations with their questions and comments. A small but happy and more knowledgeable group posed for a reunion picture before leaving the event.

Expectation for AWE+SUM, 2010

The 2010 AWE+SUM Camp date is July 6-8. The camp will run from Tuesday through Thursday this summer because Monday, July 5 will be the Independence Day federal holiday. All information and registration materials are currently available on the Westminster College website, which can be reached by a link from the AAUW Utah website, www.aauwutah.org . Funding sources for the camp are always needed, but funding seems to be available to support at least the one camp session annually, which in the present challenging economic climate, is extremely good news.

On a Personal Note:

The continuing successes of AWE+SUM camp is exciting, and I am always gratified with AAUW of Utah's financial and volunteer contributions to the project. Whether you are a new or experienced volunteer, I invite you to schedule yourself into the 2010 camp experience. Contact me for details.