Having fun while learning about outer space is exactly what the 77 kids who are attending Howard Payne University’s Summer Scholars and Young Scholars programs are doing this week.  This is a record attendance for the program according to its coordinators.  The theme this year is “Outer Space:  Out of this World”.

“We want kids to come to our campus and experience learning in a fun and innovative way,” said Dr. Julie Welker, professor of communication at HPU.

The camp runs daily through Friday of this week on HPU’s Daniel Baker College campus.  Studies feature innovative instruction in reading, music, science, computer graphics, physical education and sign language.   Students learned about yoga, the moon, and much more on Wednesday.

Pictured above are Jonathan Morales, Austin Haynes, Jesse Bennett and Britney Daniels (all fifth graders from Brownwood and Early schools) looking at the moon through their teacher Keith Taylor’s telescope.  Another class, led by Melinda Elkins and her assistant Ren Yantis, is pictured below trying a little yoga to learn how to stretch and balance.

The Young Scholars and Summer Scholars programs are designed to provide intense, fun and academically stimulating summer camp programming for children entering grades 1-6. The goal is to challenge school-age children academically as well as expose them to the HPU campus and academic environment.