The 2026 ZI3 Summer Enrichment Camps were a wonderful success! Throughout July, students had the opportunity to explore their creativity, learn through hands-on experiences, and discover new interests through four unique enrichment camps.
A special thank you to Mrs. Davis and Mr. Polera for planning, organizing, and leading these exciting summer opportunities for our students. Their creativity, dedication, and commitment helped make each camp a memorable experience for everyone who participated.
Each camp ran Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and offered students the opportunity to learn, create, experiment, and have fun in an engaging environment.
Adventures in Flight
July 6–9 | Students entering Grades 5–8
Students took to the skies during Adventures in Flight, where they explored the science and physics behind aviation through a variety of hands-on challenges.
Campers designed, built, and tested model hot air balloons and paper gliders, learning about lift, air pressure, weight, and aerodynamics along the way. They also tackled the classic Egg Drop Challenge, using creativity and engineering skills to protect their eggs from a high-impact landing.
One of the most exciting highlights of the week was a surprise visit from Dwight Cramer of Airborne Adventures, who brought a real hot air balloon experience right to the students!
Students learned about the science behind hot air balloon flight and discovered how important weather conditions are when preparing for a successful flight. They also had the incredible opportunity to step inside the massive, seven-story-tall lighter-than-air aircraft, giving them a unique perspective on the size and design of a hot air balloon.
The week also included a visit to SUNY Poly, where students enjoyed a drone showcase and learned more about real-world applications and potential career pathways in aviation and technology.
From designing their own aircraft to experiencing a real hot air balloon up close, Adventures in Flight gave students an unforgettable opportunity to explore aviation, engineering, science, and technology in a hands-on way.
A special thank you to Dwight Cramer and Airborne Adventures for providing such an exciting and memorable experience for our students!
Maker Camp
July 13–16 | Students entering Grades 4–6
Maker Camp gave students the opportunity to get creative while exploring art, design, science, and technology.
Campers created pressed flower jars with fairy lights, designed their own DIY dream catchers, and experimented with Matisse-inspired paper art. Students also explored the science of sublimation, using the process to create personalized T-shirts, beach bags, water bottles, and keychains.
A field trip to Spring Creek Lavender added another memorable experience to the week, giving students an opportunity to explore creativity and nature outside of the classroom.
Maker Camp encouraged students to experiment, think creatively, and turn their ideas into something they could take home and enjoy.
Bulldog Kitchen Science
July 20–23 | Students entering Grades 5–8
During Bulldog Kitchen Science, students discovered how culinary arts and science come together in the kitchen.
Campers designed their own charcuterie boards, created edible arrangements, and baked beautiful focaccia art. They also experimented with making ice cream in a bag, painted on cake canvases, and took on a fun “Chopped”-style cooking challenge that put their creativity and culinary skills to the test.
Special guest chefs also joined the campers throughout the week to share their knowledge, experience, and expertise. Students had the chance to learn new techniques while seeing how science, creativity, and teamwork play important roles in the culinary world.
It was a fun and delicious week filled with experimentation, creativity, and plenty of Bulldog pride!
Canine Creations Camp
July 27–30 | Students entering Grades 4–6
The final ZI3 summer camp of the season was Canine Creations Camp, designed for students who love dogs, creativity, and hands-on projects.
Campers took on the Dog Wash Engineering Challenge, putting their problem-solving and engineering skills to work. They also designed and printed their own shirts and created crafts to benefit Diamond In The Ruff rescue, giving students an opportunity to combine creativity with community service.
The week also included a field trip to Canine Sports and Muddy Dog Grooming Salon, where students got to see professionals working with dogs and learn more about the businesses and careers that support our four-legged friends.
The combination of engineering, art, creativity, animal care, and service made Canine Creations Camp a fantastic way to wrap up the summer enrichment series.
The 2026 ZI3 Summer Enrichment Camps provided students with four completely different opportunities to create, explore, experiment, collaborate, and learn outside of the traditional classroom setting.
From aviation and engineering to art and design, culinary science, animals, and community service, each camp gave students the chance to try something new while having fun with their classmates.
A huge thank you to Mrs. Davis and Mr. Polera for all of the time, planning, creativity, and energy they put into making these camps possible. We also thank everyone who helped support the camps and all of the guest presenters, organizations, and community partners who contributed to the students' experiences.
Most importantly, thank you to all of the students who participated and made the 2026 ZI3 Summer Enrichment Camps such a success!
We are proud to continue providing opportunities that encourage our students to imagine, innovate, create, and inspire.
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