Spark
Ignite Your Passion, Determine His Calling
Whether it’s through science or His word, a spark of discovery ignites imagination and illuminates minds. Join us for SPARK, a three-day academic summer camp on Concordia University, Nebraska’s campus focused on helping students entering 6th-9th grade in fall 2024 light their passions and determine His calling in their lives.
Canceled for 2024
Registration
Commuter Camper - $285
Includes: T-Shirt, Cinch Bag, All Meals & Snacks & Session Materials.
Arrivals Times
Tuesday 6/4- Check-in 8:00 am-9:00 am
Wednesday 6/5 & Thursday 6/6-Check-in 7:30 am-8:00 am
Pickup Times
Tuesday 6/4 & Wednesday 6/5-10:00 pm-10:30 pm
Thursday 6/6-All Campers sendoff at 4:30 pm with family ice cream social
Resident Camper - $360
Includes: T-Shirt, Cinch Bag, All Meals & Snacks, Session Materials & on-campus overnight accommodations for 3 nights Monday 6/3-Thursday 6/6.
Arrival Monday 6/3 for Dorm Check-in – 6:00-7:00 pm
Pickup Time Thursday 6/6-All Campers sendoff at 4:30 pm with family ice cream social
Camp Schedule
Resident Check-in 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
*Eat Supper before coming to campus and checking in*
Big Group Game 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Get Settled in the Dorms 9:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Dorm Rooms
Commuter Check-in 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Janzow
Camp Orientation 9:00 - 9:25 a.m.
Cattle Conference Room
Class #1 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Classroom
Transition, Snack, and Brain Break 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Campus QUAD
Class #2 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Classroom
Lunch with Activity 12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
Janzow
Class #3 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Classroom
Transition, Snack, and Brain Break 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.
JTOP or Campus QUAD
Class #4 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Classroom
Transition Time 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Chapel 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Weller Chapel
Dinner 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Janzow
Color Challenge 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Evening Group Activity 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Campus QUAD
Free Time/Games 9:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Fieldhouse
Commuter Pickup 10:00 p.m. or sooner if needed
Back to Dorms 11:00 - 12:00 a.m.
Lights Out 12:00 a.m.
Breakfast 7:30 - 8:00 a.m
Janzow
Morning Devotion in Color Groups 8:00 - 8:30 a.m
Class #1 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Classroom
Transition, Snack, and Brain Break 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
JTOP or Campus QUAD
Class #2 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Classroom
Lunch with Activity 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Janzow
Class #3 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Classroom
Transition, Snack, and Brain Break 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.
JTOP or Campus QUAD
Class #4 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Classroom
Chapel 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Weller Chapel
Dinner 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Janzow
Color Challenge 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Evening Activity 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Cattle Conference Room
Neon Dance Party 9:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Commuter Pickup 10:00 p.m. or sooner if needed
Back to Dorms 11:00 - 12:00 a.m.
Lights Out 12:00 a.m.
Breakfast 7:30 - 8:00 a.m
Janzow
Morning Devotion in Color Groups 8:00 - 8:30 a.m
Class #1 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Classroom
Transition, Snack, and Brain Break 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
JTOP or Campus QUAD
Class #2 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Classroom
Lunch 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Janzow
Class #3 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Classroom
Free Time/Transition 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.
JTOP or Campus QUAD
Class #4 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Classroom
Family Ice Cream Social & Camp Sendoff 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Cattle Conference Room
Student Pick Up, Checkout and Campus Showcase 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Campus showcase - Parents and students can walk around campus to gather class materials and see what their camper did for the week.
SPARK Packing List
The following is the packing list we ask that campers bring with them when they come in June.
Commuter Camper:
- Bible
- Notebooks
- Pen/Pencil
Resident Camper:
- Bible
- Bedding - fitted sheet, blanket, sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Clothes for 3 days and 3 nights
- Bring Neon clothing and accessories for the Neon dance party
- Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush, shampoo, soap, etc.
- Shower/toiletry bag
- Towel
- Shower shoes
- Sneakers
- Notebook and pen
- Medications that are needed
Academic Sessions Information
| Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3 | Session 4 |
Beekeeping 101 | Beekeeping 101 | DNA: God's Molecule of Life | DNA: God's Molecule of Life |
| Low Challenge Elements | Low Challenge Elements | Get Graphic!: The Art of Reading and Creating Graphic Novels | Get Graphic!: The Art of Reading and Creating Graphic Novels |
| Mathematical Modeling with Excel | Mathematical Modeling with Excel | *Model Rockets | *Model Rockets |
Improv! | Learning to Code with Scratch | **Flying High with Drones | Learning to Code with Scratch |
| Dirt to Dinner, Recycling in Agriculture | **Flying High with Drones | Dirt to Dinner, Recycling in Agriculture | Improv! |
| Banking Basics: Money Skills for Life | Banking Basics: Money Skills for Life |
Session Topic Descriptions
Printable Camp Schedule, Sessions, and Descriptions
Beekeeping 101
They’re one of the most amazing of God’s tiny creations – honey bees! Join on this adventure to learn a bit about honey bees, their structure, their homes and their work. Learn how God designed them to live and work in harmony to help the rest of creation, and get a taste of their handiwork!
Low Challenge Elements
Come enjoy some outdoor activities and games that will teach you how to communicate and collaborate with others as you strategically complete tasks and overcome obstacles. These fun team building activities will boost self-confidence and leadership skills while also working on your balance and coordination.
Mathematical Modeling with Excel
In this class we’ll solve some real-world math problems using the spreadsheet Excel. We’ll talk about how to use data, create graphs, and design simulations. The class is based on a textbook written by the instructor.
Learning to Code with Scratch
Embark on an exciting coding adventure this summer with our Middle School Scratch Programming class! Designed for budding young programmers, this course offers a dynamic and interactive learning experience where students will master the fundamentals of coding through the creative platform of Scratch. From designing their own interactive stories and games to unlocking the secrets of loops and conditionals, this class provides a fun and educational environment for middle schoolers to unleash their creativity and develop essential programming skills.
Dirt to Dinner, Recycling in Agriculture
Learn about the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship and how nutrients vital for plant and animal growth are recycled on a farm. Students will estimate corn yields and learn where all that corn goes on day 1. Day 2 students will develop tasty rations for livestock, that they can eat. Day 3 students will develop and market a new food item and vote for their favorite!
Improv!
In this session, we'll be learning the five rules of improv. Then incorporate the rules in a variety of scenes and exercises.
DNA: God's Molecule of Life
Have you ever wondered what DNA is? It's what God designed to make you, YOU! Learn about the incredible biological molecule that connects all of creation, see what it looks like with your own eyes by extracting DNA from strawberries, and create your very own mini-DNA model to take home and teach others about the awesome biology shared by all living things.
Get Graphic!: The Art of Reading and Creating Graphic Novels
This opportunity will include a deep dive into exploring the elements of graphic novels, virtually visiting with a graphic novel creator, and learning what thought processes go into the development of graphic novels. Participants will then brainstorm and begin creating a graphic novel of their own.
Model Rockets
Students will learn the basics of flight in the study of rockets. Hands on activities includes building and launching a model rocket.
Flying High with Drones
Learn how to safely and legally fly DJI drones. This hands-on class includes assembling, flying, and capturing video and imagery with state-of-the-art drones. Students must have a smartphone to download apps to fly.
For questions or more information contact either:
Kim Clark at Kimberly.clark@cune.edu
Or
Emma Brand at emma.brand@stjohnseward.org