![]() “Friendships are made at camp,” shared Walton, who has seen children go from nervous to confident at camp. One of the things Walton appreciates most about Camp Invention is the program’s ability to provide unique, hands-on STEM learning experiences that boost children’s confidence and collaboration skills. She wants all children to feel welcome within the program, explaining, “I want it to be something that people feel like, ‘This is something for me, this is something for my child.’” She encourages campers to tell friends in their school district and others to join them at camp as well. “Everyone was like ‘When is camp?’” said Walton, as she looks forward to this summer’s all-new program. This excitement has continued as campers and parents look forward to the upcoming 2022 program! Walton says “it means we were successful in our message and in our mission” as she sees both campers and parents expressing their enthusiasm for returning to her camp in 2022. “I had so many parents say how grateful they were because camp would have been inaccessible without it.” “I am so glad that he found value in Camp Invention and was willing to help,” said Walton. Walton’s district superintendent even visited camp in 2021 after helping Walton supply partial scholarships for students to participate in the program. Though the COVID-19 pandemic led to a virtual experience in 2020, her camp’s attendance grew in 2021 as word spread about the program. Walton had the support of her district administration as she hit the ground running with an exciting first year of hosting camp in 2019. “The moment I was done with that, I really knew that I wanted to do camp again.”Īfter getting settled in as a kindergarten teacher at Bascom Elementary School in Leavittsburg, Ohio, Walton once again became involved in Camp Invention – this time as a Director! I love that the youngest kids can get something out of it and the oldest kids can get something out of it, and it grows with you,” Walton shared in an interview with the National Inventors Hall of Fame ® (NIHF). Being an LI made her feel important and allowed her to take on the responsibility of leading a group of students while growing her leadership and communication skills. She saw firsthand the benefits to campers and to her own professional development. The LI experience made a major impact on Walton. The LI program is designed for high school and college students to gain real-world classroom experience as they lead and support K-6 campers through their innovative journey. ![]() Walton volunteered to serve as a Leadership Intern (LI) at Camp Invention. ![]() This opportunity would bring together children and teachers from across the area for a week of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fun and learning.įrom Leadership Intern to Camp Invention Director That was until Walton’s school, Hiram College, shared an education internship where she could be part of several summer camps, including Camp Invention ®. When Stephanie Walton was heading into her senior year of college, studying to be an early education teacher, she had struggled to find opportunities that would help her gain hands-on experience working with kids in the classroom.
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