Contributed by MaryMargaret Portera
For the past four weeks at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, students from all over the state of Maine, as well as other places throughout the country, gathered to participate in the school’s summer camp program, Summer X. The camp runs for four weeks. The first two weeks involve only male students, with the second week involving older campers than from week one. The third and fourth weeks involve only female students, with the oldest girls being involved in the fourth week.
Contributed photo
Each summer for the past 14 years, the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone has hosted educational summer camps for youth in grades 5-9 who are interested in “having fun” with science, math, technology and engineering. This large group shot includes campers and staff who attended the second week of girls-only camp. Separate camps were held for boys and girls, grouped by age.
The camp is for students between fifth and ninth grade interested in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. Students participate in three classes each day of a great variety. Students may explore alternative energy if they choose to participate in classes such as “Making Waves or Solar Car Extravaganza”, or simply choose to explore their knowledge in classes such as “Chemistry in the Kitchen” or “Casino Royale,” both classes dedicated to taking everyday activities such as cooking or playing card games and learning the science or math behind them.
Though the camp has been running for the past 14 years, the Summer X staff welcomed two new leaders to the program. This year, Lisa Smith, an alumni of MSSM, took on the role of director of the MSSM summer camps. The camp also welcomed Pierre Huntress as assistant director in charge of residential life.
As the end of the four weeks drew to a close, Huntress seemed to be pleased with the overall turnout of the camp. “I was impressed by the variety of campers attracted to the camp, and the quality of the teachers and staff. I had heard good things about this place, and it turned out to be the real deal.”
Though much of the MSSM staff is new, such staff members as Larry Berz, astronomy teacher at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, have been with the camp every year. However, some students have proven to be as dedicated as the instructors. 18-year old Thorsten Moeller has attended the MSSM summer camp for nine years now. He started out as a camper when he was just 9 years old. He spent five years as a camper, spent half of his fifth year and all of his sixth year as a volunteer staff member, one year as a mentor, and chose to spend half his time at the camps this year as a mentor (teenagers hired to guide and help campers) and the other half as a house parent (adult members of the camp’s community).
“Mr. Berz is my biggest inspiration at MSSM summer camps. He has always told me to stick to my dreams,” said Moeller. The camp allowed him to explore his interests as a young student. He discovered his passion for robotics and mechanical engineering at Summer X when he was going into the fifth grade. He has now been accepted to the Brigham Young University’s mechanical engineering program in Rexburg, Idaho where he will be attending in the fall.
Another amazing thing about Summer X is not only the campers’ dedication to the camp itself, but also to the MSSM. Over 50 percent of campers who attend Summer X become MSSM students in high school. Of the nine mentors hired to work for the girls’ weeks this year, seven of them were MSSM students.
Sixteen-year-old Emily Franklin spent one year as a camper, spent the following year at MSSM as a student, and has since returned to the camps to be a mentor for the past two years. “The coolest part of the camp is the classes because they expanded the campers’ knowledge while still being able to excite them about science and math,” she said.
Isaac Caballero is another example of a camper that grew to become a respected member of the Summer X community. He was a camper for four years, spent two years as a mentor, and this year spent his first year as a house parent. “It’s a fun way to earn money and meet new people,” he said.
As the fourth week of the Summer X came to a close, campers left with fond summer memories of camp already eager to come back next year. The campers’ smiling faces day after day were enough to tell me that I, as a mentor had done something really amazing to influence the minds of the campers.
And now, as campers say their good-byes to MSSM, I must do the same. I would like to thank everyone at the Aroostook Republican and Northeast Publishing for working with me during my internship and allowing me to explore my interest in writing in the most amazing way possible. As I say good-bye to the state of Maine and all the friends I leave behind, I also leave my best wishes for the staff that helped me get my start.
