Destination Science Camps Open In Northern Westchester This Summer

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. – “Destination Science” camp held an open house event Wednesday at Chappaqua’s World Cup Schools in an effort to inspire the next generation of scientists, and to announce its recent extension into Northern Westchester.

This hands-on activity helped youngsters learn the super science of roller coasters.
Photo Credit: *Buzz Creators*

Destination Science camp representatives held an open house event Wednesday at Chappaquas World Cup Schools.
Photo Credit: *Buzz Creators*

by Michael Nocella

05/24/2013 5:00 a.m.

With locations already thriving in California, Washington State, Texas and Long Island, Destination Science will now open locations in Bedford, Chappaqua, Larchmont, Purchase, Rye, Scarsdale, Tarrytown and White Plains this summer. According to the latest statistics, kids who develop a love of the sciences at an early age are more likely to go on to successful careers. This is especially pertinent in Westchester County, which is rapidly becoming the “science hub” of New York (20% of all the state’s biotech jobs are based in this region), and many of those jobs will involve STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

For these reasons, the Destination Science program aims to combine science with fun to garner interest in science from children at a young age. Wednesday’s open house in Chappaqua demonstrated this with a hands-on activity in which Destination Science’s leaders took campers on a journey to design and learn the super science of roller coasters.

“The jobs of the future will all involve some aspect of STEM. So many kids lose interest in science at an early age because it’s not presented in an exciting way,” said Kathy Heraghty, one of the founders of Destination Science.

“In our programs, kids do things like build roller coasters, design and name their own robots, and participate in a bridge-building ‘survival’ exercise – all while learning basic science principles.”

Each one-week camp session focuses on a different aspect of science and discounts are available for multiple weeks. Even the outdoor games and snack time are science-themed, as kids play “Comet Bal” and make “Solar S’Mores.” “We recruit our leaders from among elementary school educators, as well as science instructors. We are looking for the most enthusiastic and energetic team possible,” added Heraghty, who expects Destination Science to employ 15 leaders in Westchester this summer.

The camp is run at schools, community centers, churches and synagogues, and other locations that are “kid friendly.”

For more information on Destination Science locations, dates, programs, or directors, call (888) 909-2822 or visit www.destinationscience.org.

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