West Linn resident Katie Topping, a fifth-grade teacher in Portland’s David Douglas School District, created the new camp to provide fun learning experiences the second half of summer for kids.
She said that while kids need summer break, 12 weeks is a long time.
“Camp Kensington is not summer school, but we’ll keep learning, doing fun activities,” Topping said. “It will be like the best days kids have in their school year, like their science day. We’ll do an egg drop and talk physics.”
Topping said she will give camp profits to the nonprofit Music and Arts Partners as well as the West Linn-Wilsonville Education Foundation.
“I have seen kids in my own classroom shine in the arts. I believe in music and the arts, and I want to be sure we fund that,” said Topping, a board member of Music and Arts Partners. “And, of course, I support the foundation, we need more teachers.”
Sarah Wright, president of the nonprofit, appreciates Topping’s generosity. “It will be great for the kids and she just loves MAPS,” Wright said.
The fee for Camp Kensington is $190 per week, with a $15 discount per child for siblings. Half-days are $100. Campers should bring a sack lunch.
The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or half-days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., July 15 through Aug. 23. It will be held in West Linn Lutheran Church, 20390 Willamette Drive.
Campers can sign up by the week, half-day or full day. Extended hours are available an hour before and an hour after for $5 per day.
For information, visit the website or email Topping or call her at 503-764-7701
(Originally published in June 19, 2013 print edition The Oregonian OREGONIAN LINK – CAMP KENSINGTON)
Children ages 5 to 12 can travel the world this summer without leaving West Linn, and help a couple of nonprofits while doing so.Camp Kensington is designed to explore a different country’s culture each week through art, nature walks, drama, scavenger hunts, music, science, games and sports.