More than 500 Central Ohio Students to Participate in 2014 OWjL Camp
Participants in the 2013 OWjL camp program launch a model rocket as they learn about science. (Photo by Matt Wasserman ’14)
DELAWARE, OHIO – More than 500 middle school students from nine central Ohio counties will participate in the 2014 OWjL summer camp program from June 8-27 at Ohio Wesleyan University.
While living on the OWU campus, the talented and gifted students will take part in weeklong classes such as “Microscopic Mythbusters,” “Art and Science of Boomerangs,” “You’re on Trial,” and “Ukrainian Eggs.”
“Probably the greatest impact OWjL has on campers when they leave here is their having realized that there are other kids like them who are smart, who are talented, who are fun,” said Executive Director Susan Paxton.
Pronounced “owl,” the camp’s acronym stands for Ohio Wesleyan/Junior League of Columbus, which founded the program 33 years ago. Ohio Wesleyan is the camp sponsor.
The sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students invited to attend OWjL camp are nominated by principals, guidance counselors, or teachers from schools in Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union counties. The students all have earned high test scores and demonstrated exceptional talent, creativity, or leadership.
OWjL camp offers fun but challenging courses in both arts and sciences. This year’s three weeklong sessions run from June 8-13 (grades six and seven), June 15-20 (grades seven and eight), and June 22-27 (grades six and seven).
In addition to classes, the camp also offers skits, recreational activities, a movie night, and a dance. Paxton said these bonding activities provide important and lasting benefits.
OWjL teachers include university professors, national board-certified secondary school teachers, teachers of gifted and talented students, and other experts in their fields. The counselors are students from Ohio Wesleyan and other Ohio colleges and universities. This year, all but one of the counselors are former campers or current college students, Paxton said.
The OWjL program was developed and founded by the Junior League following a two-year study that determined gifted and talented middle school students were underserved during the school year with programs to promote discovery and foster skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, research, leadership, and communication. More than 10,000 children have benefited from the OWjL experience since the camp was founded. Learn more at https://www.owu.edu/about/offices-services/owjl-camp/.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private, coed university offers more than 90 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations, and competes in 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Ohio Wesleyan combines a challenging, internationally focused curriculum with off-campus learning and leadership opportunities to connect classroom theory with real-world practice. OWU’s 1,850 students represent 42 states and 37 countries. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” listed on the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, and included in the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “best colleges” lists. Learn more at www.owu.edu.