Kids decrypt, build, and create at Summer Camp

Published 12:47 pm Tuesday, July 8, 2025

POLK COUNTY—Fourteen rising 4th, 5th, and 6th-graders from the four Polk County Elementary Schools met for summer camp at Tryon Elementary School from June 2 to June 6. 

The summer camp, called “Mystery, Danger and Heroism,” immersed students in a fictional scenario where they protected their school, Silverquicken, from an enemy attempting to steal the knowledge and technology of this advanced institution. 

The campers learned skills in decoding ciphers, water displacement and siphoning, magnetism, engineering design, and group problem-solving, then used those skills to defeat the enemy. Through hands-on construction and science, mind-cracking thinking and creative design, students developed valuable skills and had a great time.

 Students said it was nice to have these camps, and that they had fun solving mysteries and making new friends.

“We used our imagination,” said one camper. “This camp helped our creativity and made us think in different ways.”

Campers were led by Advanced Learning/AIG Coordinator Andrea Walter, assisted by counselors Amelia and Nate LeCompte. The camp was possible thanks to a generous grant from the Polk County Community Foundation. 

Fourteen rising 4th, 5th, and 6th-graders from Polk County schools recently met for summer camp at Tryon Elementary School