Free, online camp engages children, parents in wonders around them

Parents and children now have a new, free way to explore the wonders of the world while piquing children’s curiosities and stemming summer learning loss – Camp Wonderopolis^®. The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL), with support from Better World Books, launched this free, online summer learning camp where parents and children can discover fun science, technology, and world wonders at Camp.Wonderopolis.org.

The 2017 program explores the wonders of construction, engineering, and other topics. From tree houses to train tracks, kids and parents will build their own version of Wonderocity. Questions include: “Why does green mean go?”, “What is a wind farm?”, “Why is the Statue of Liberty green?”, and, “How does a suspension bridge work?”

“Camp Wonderopolis allows for imaginative conversations between parents and children and deeper exploration designed to improve children’s background knowledge, reading comprehension, and vocabulary skills,” said Jon Reigelman, NCFL creative director. “By working together, parents and children form stronger bonds. Additionally, parents become more engaged in their children’s education. That, combined with continued learning over the summer months, helps children succeed when they go back to school in the fall.”

In all, there are 42 interactive learning modules, in addition to six low-cost Maker activities to get parents and children working hands-on to bring learning to life. Maker activities are designed for parents and children of all ages to use everyday household items to create things like a marble run, a solar oven, or a miniature city. The activities foster problem solving and creative thinking.

Camp Wonderopolis also includes easy at-home experiments, field trip suggestions, recommended reading lists, collectible digital Wonder Cards®, dashboards to track progress, digital diaries, and a Wonder Wall. Camp activities are designed to be flexible and can be completed in any order and any timeframe, including throughout the school year.

Since 2014, Camp Wonderopolis has attracted more than 600,000 online users — resulting in 100,000 vocabulary words mastered and 36,000 informational text and vocabulary quizzes passed.

In addition to parents and children working on Camp Wonderopolis at home, libraries, schools, and community-based organizations use the online camp for summer programming. Families and organizations may opt to enhance their Camp experience by purchasing a Campsite Kit. Family Kits are packed with a family guide, supplies for two Maker activities, Wonder Cards®, a Wonder Journal, and fun ways for families to learn together. Program Kits (for organizations) provide online training and support materials to implement Camp Wonderopolis programming. Campsite Kits can be purchased at the Wonder Store, Store.Wonderopolis.org.

Students, parents, and program staff can register to participate in Camp Wonderopolis for free at Camp.Wonderopolis.org. In addition to the 2017 program, families can also participate in any of the three previous editions of Camp Wonderopolis.