Year after year, we work hard at creating safe, educational, & fun environments for your camper to enjoy over the summer! With many different projects & activities, we try to cater to every camper’s interests & plant the seed for lifelong learning & a love for science.
Parents love our camps because of our STEM-focused learning, our top-notch teachers, and the lasting value we provide to their campers. Our fun-filled programs make positive, powerful differences and are designed to use fun science as a tool to grow vital skills for everyday life including: persistence, cooperation, creativity, and especially…curiosity!
Learn More About the Benefits of STEM Programs!
This past week, we asked one of our Destination Science employees a few questions to ask her why she chooses Destination Science year after year, & why you should too!
Here’s Lissette, a six-year veteran at Destination Science.
1. Why do you love working at Destination Science/What keeps you coming back year after year?
I love working for Destination Science for many reasons. One is because of the growth I see each year on a personal and professional level. Each summer I gain new teaching tools that I am able to implement throughout the year with students. The curriculum is in complete alignment with the mission statement of finding the fun in learning. I enjoy the challenge of learning new methods of teaching to accommodate different learning styles. I personally enjoy the DS community, from being in the office to out in the field. I embraced “The DS Way” early on and there’s not another workplace community I’ve found like it. When you work with DS, you become part of the DS family. It’s all about being a team player, encouraging each other along the way and providing campers with memorable summers. Having been with Destination Science for six years, I have had the pleasure of watching returning campers grow as well. A most recent example is a young camper who participated in our camps, became an outstanding Leader in Training, and now applying to be a Site Assistant. It’s a truly rewarding feeling to have been a part of that journey and makes me reflect on the opportunities I have had to grow with different roles in this company.
2. Why do you love science & why do you think it’s valuable for kids to engage with it?
As a younger student, science did not peak my interest. Had I been given the opportunity to attend a program like Destination Science, I think I would have had a much different perspective on the subject altogether. As an adult, I find myself growing more curious and eager learn because of my experience with DS. The curriculum covers a variety of subjects that are made practical and relatable to everyday life. I am always excited to see campers faces light up as they have the same realization. Destination Science provides campers with the opportunity to foster their interest in Science in a unique way. Not only with fun projects and fundamental application, but also in setting a tone of perseverance in the subject as well. Something I have seen in students over the past two summers is an alarming lack of patience paired with fear of imagination. There has been a pattern in the areas I’ve taught in of a need to perfect a skill as quickly as possible. The Ds curriculum enforces the idea that discoveries don’t magically appear but are accomplished through time and steps (The Scientific Method, for example.) Part of the “Terrific” behavior reward system is Imagination. Challenging students to think big because it’s out of that curiosity that our species continues to develop a sense of awareness and advancement.
3. What sets Destination Science apart as a summer/science camp?
The DS staff, on all levels, go above and beyond for campers and each other. I cannot think of an instance in which a campers needs were not made the highest priority. As well as my DS family not supporting me professionally or personally. There is the strongest sense of compassion, joy and passion for learning.
4. What is your favorite camp memory?
One summer, I was at a campsite where at the end of splash time, the site assistant would go to a higher part of the facility and toss a bucket of water over the campers. It had been a great week with teachers who were kids at heart and students who were absolutely exceptional. So, we decided that the students could choose one teacher to I mentioned to the students that for splash time they could vote for a teacher to be splashed with a bucket of water. A total of 50 campers unanimously voted for me to be splashed and I happily obliged.
5. What is your favorite camp activity?
My favorite camp activity is the daily rallies. I enjoy singing silly songs with campers. The joy on their faces when terrific awards are passed out. Best of all, seeing campers finally get the hang of the Destination Science song. It’s a wonderful way to wrap up each day.
