Summer Camp at the Grandparents

We’ve encountered an era demanding our talents as grandparents-who-entertain. A grandson is spending his after-kindergarten hours with us on a daily basis, at least for a while. Two granddaughters have been with us on a twice-week basis for eight years.

Last summer we originated Camp Gray for our three grandchildren complete with sleep-overs, and with a repeat experience scheduled for this August. Therefore, a new trove of activities both within the house and abroad are called for. We joined the National Park Service last year with a lifetime senior pass. On this year’s agenda is the USS Oak Victory followed by a trip to the Rosie the Riverter site and the submarine, Pampanito.

But for either after-school activities or less of an ‘up the gangplank’ outing, the Exploratorium’s website is a destination for science-related adventures: The bee hummer, the bottle blast-off, cuica, jitterbug and the stripped down motor are some of the science activities available. The membranophone water bottle includes additional background science connected to its page such as:

Let’s Hear It for the Ear!
Learn about the different parts of the ear and how they work.
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/body/ear_SW.html
Ages: 5-10

The Science of Music
Mix your own songs, join an online drum circle, or learn more about sound on this Exploratorium site.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/music/
Ages: 11+

How Hearing Works
Learn about how sound travels to the ear and how ears work.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/hearing.htm
Ages: 11+

The Tech Museum in San Jose, CA (where we are also members) provides online exhibits such as the MPG Marathon and 2001: Destination Space.

MPG Marathon: See how your design choices and driving strategy affect the performance and energy-efficiency of a hybrid car. Design your car by choosing the body style, size of the gas engine and electric motor, and tires. Then, race it against 2 opponents in real-time. Will your hybrid go the farthest in 2 minutes on a cup of gas?

2001: Destination Space compares the science and technology found in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), and in the artwork of Robert McCall, to real science and technology of today.