WSU Vancouver hosts design, discovery camps

VANCOUVER — Washington State University Vancouver will co-host “FairPlay! Design and Discovery Camps for Girls,” an experience for girls entering grades 7-12 that allows them discover new interests and work with like-minded girls and women engineers.

Now in its second year, the program explores engineering careers and concepts through the design process and hands-on projects. Participants learn about environmental engineering, electricity, surveying, and why Band-Aids are shaped like they are. Traditional camp activities like rock wall climbing, hiking and swimming are also part of the fun. Girls will present their inventions in a Solutions Showcase for parents/guardians, camp staff and practicing engineers at the end of camp.

“FairPlay is a marvelous experience for girls,” said one parent of a 2004 participant. “My daughter had a terrific time learning and applying the principles of engineering in a setting that was comfortable, stimulating and rigorous . . . The encouraging participation of many engineers, especially the women, conveyed to these girls that engineering is a world that women belong in . . . FairPlay helped give her the confidence to ignore the gender stereotype and pursue her interest.”

The resident camp, “Jump into Engineering,” will take place July 5-16 at Camp Arrowhead in Stevenson.

The day camps, “Design and Discovery,” will take place on the WSU Vancouver campus from July 11-22 and at Portland State University from August 1-12. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For application information, visit http://www.girlscoutscrc.org/fairplay.htm or call 800-338-5248, ext. 6519. Scholarships are available. Call for details. Current membership in Girl Scouts is not required to enroll in these camps.