Ultimate Summer Camp Experience

July was full of activities for MHC After 3 summer campers. The museum provided outdoor and indoor programming, and kept participants busy learning about science and natural history.

The group from the Spencer Penn Center enjoyed the "Wet and Wild" camp. The kids learned about watersheds and erosion, tested water quality, searched for macro invertebrates in a stream, helped shoot off a water rocket, and went canoeing on Fairy Stone Lake.

The groups from the Collinsville YMCA, Martinsville YMCA, and the Fieldale Community Center tested science myths in the "Mythbusters" camp. Some of the myths they tested: Your shoe is dirtier than a toilet seat; Mentos in soda causes an explosion; M&Ms melt in your mouth, but not in your hand; Water is always frozen at 32 degrees fahrenheit; and more.

Students at the Bassett Community Center, the Martinsville Boys and Girls Club, and VMNH challenged themselves with the "Amazing Challenge" Camp. They travelled to Fairy Stone State Park, Philpott Lake, and the Gravely Nature Preserve to complete a series of challenges using GPS and their natural history knowledge.

Having Fun

We were at the Boys & Girls Club and we are playing a game of sideline soccer. It was very fun.

After a friendly game of sideline soccer, we played basketball (Boys & Girls Club kids versus VMNH kids). Check us out!!!

Self-Sculptures

Students created their very own sculptures using flour, water, and salt. The purpose of this activity was to think of what makes them unique and sculpt that trait using the mixture.

GPS Challenge

While working together to apply their recently acquired GPS knowledge, students participated in a scavenger hunt that involved solving math problems to find hidden treasure.

Josiah Winesberry reads the compass that will lead him to the next cache.

3, 2, 1 Launch!

Trey Hagwood excitedly pumps air into his rocket as other students anticipate how high it will travel.

Bassett Community Center "Lego Challenges"

Students at the Bassett Community Center MHC After 3 Site enjoyed three days of the "Lego Challenges" program. One day was cancelled due to a snow storm!
They created some impressive skyscrapers:

Used their communication skills to try to build similar structures (using words only, no looking):

Created some Lego animal food chains:

And designed some artistic, yet stable bridges:




What a creative and inquisitive bunch of kids!

MHC After 3 site (Fall 2008)

MHC After 3 was filled with fun activities for participants at the VMNH site for Fall 2008:

Students honed their culinary skills as they prepared mouth-watering dishes such as battered deep fried apples and french toast with homemade maple syrup.

Brent Turner demonstrates how to make the perfect piece of french toast.

Kayla Scales, Trevon Hagwood, and April Turner (l-r) taste battered deep fried apples sprinkled with powdered sugar.

During a photography class, Rashid Martin (on the left) focused the camera lens on his subject as he prepared to take the perfect shot. Students learned how to manipulate pictures using Photoshop software and also discovered the history of photography.

Trevon Hagwood takes advantage of one-on-one time with Doug Williams as they collaborate in a songwriting class.

During free time, participants enjoy going outside to the local park behind VMNH, Frank Wilson Park.

Josiah Winesberry, Brandi Morris, Jermel Scales, and April Turner (l-r) spend a sunny, fall afternoon playing a friendly game of basketball with two educators from the Healthy Community Initiative.