Office of Internal Communications
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May 25, 2004 Young Houstonians can slam-dunk, learn about science or just have fun at one of the many University of Houston’s summer camps. “These programs introduce youth to careers in architecture, engineering and journalism; sharpen their critical thinking skills while exploring science and computers; hone their athletic and leadership abilities; and enhance their artistic talents,” said Susan Rosthal, UH director of advancement outreach. “Children have fun with a purpose as they learn about all the university has to offer.” Each year, UH sponsors dozens of summer camps on campus ranging from engineering to arts to music to sports, and this year is no exception. From June through August, hundreds of boys and girls will flock to the university eager to learn. One of the most popular summer camps is Joe Curl’s 2004 Lady Cougars Summer Basketball Camp. Named after UH’s women’s basketball head coach, the camp provides young girls the opportunity to study from Lady Cougars players and staff. David Jones, an assistant women’s basketball coach, doesn’t promise that participants will leave the camp playing like UH’s former star Chandi Jones, now a member of the WNBA’s Detroit Shock. He does promise that the girls will learn the finer points of the game during two sessions — team and shooting. The shooting session will be offered June 4 – 6 and Aug. 6 – 8. Girls in the ninth through 12th grade also can participate in the team session, which runs from June 11 – 13. Jones encourages parents to attend both camps, especially the shooting camp, which allows them to coach their children. The Lady Cougars Summer Basketball Camp has been held annually for the past six years and has been a success each year, according to Jones. The camp usually attracts 75 to 125 girls, but Jones anticipates an increase in participants because of the highly publicized accomplishments of the Lady Cougars this past season. For the first time since 1992, the women’s basketball team appeared in the postseason NCAA Tournament after winning the Conference USA Tournament. Girls’ basketball is not the only game on campus this summer. Other sports camps include baseball, softball, volleyball, football and boys’ basketball. New head basketball coach Tom Penders will offer a day camp, a post perimeter and father- and-son camps. Pender, his assistant coaches, current Cougar players and several high school and college basketball coaches from the surrounding communities will staff the camps. Far from the basketball court and baseball field, another group of children will focus their energy on science. The Cullen College of Engineering is hosting G.R.A.D.E. CAMP, a weeklong day program designed specifically for entering 9th-to 12th-grade girls wanting to learn about engineering. By the end of camp, participants will have gained valuable insight from Houston-area female engineers and engineering students. Participants who complete the program and subsequently enroll in an engineering, natural sciences or mathematics major their freshman year at UH will receive a $1,000 scholarship. As girls learn about engineering on one side of campus, young would-be artists will dabble with paint and other media during Blaffer Gallery’s Summer Art Workshops. The gallery will offer six workshops, exploring Houston’s natural and built environments, its diverse populations and its communities, according to Katherine Veneman, Blaffer Gallery’s curator of education. They will run from June 23 - July 29. “We not only want them to learn about art, but we also want them to have fun,” Veneman said. She added that children of several faculty and staff members have participated in art workshops in the past. One of those children is Cameron Legge, son of Glen Legge, assistant professor of biology and biochemistry, and his wife, Gina Blakemore. “Cameron thoroughly enjoyed the workshops,” Blakemore said. “He learned about printmaking and making sculptures with mixed media. He also learned about working with light.” Describing a lantern Cameron made, Blakemore said her son, who then was 5 years old, was proud to bring his creations home, and she said that she was proud of him. Now 6, Cameron is eagerly awaiting this year’s
workshops. Another artistic outlet for the young, but not too young, is the Cougar Band Camp. The Moores School of Music (MSM) sponsors many camps, including the High School Piano Institute and the Cougar Band Camp. More than 400 teenagers from across Texas and the nation attend the annual Cougar Band Camp, where professionals teach what it takes to be a successful marching band member. Lessons range from classical chamber music to percussion techniques to music dance and color guard. The camp begins July 11, and participants are expected not only to work hard but also to have some fun, explained John Benzer, camp director and undergraduate adviser. The camp culminates July 16 when students perform before family, friends and the public at a free concert at MSM. “The students love the camp,” Benzer said. “We have many returning students, and some of them have siblings in our marching band. Some of them may one day become Cougars, too.” For more information on all the university’s summer camps, call (713) 743-2255 or see a listing of summer camps at http://www.uh.edu/uhtoday/2004/05may/052504campschdl.html Francine Parker |