USF offers PALs Camp for active learners
Children
who love to play can learn at the same time with
the University of St. Francis Physically Active
Learners (PALs) Camp, during the afternoons of
June 28-July 2.
"The camp will reinforce what kids learned
during this school year and give them a boost
for the next year," said camp coordinator
Lisa Klaas, " Kids will get to play, play,
play and not even know how much they are learning."
The camp will address skills in math, spelling,
reading, science, health and more. "Studies
show that the human brain works better when the
body is active," said Klaas, who is department
chair of the physical education department at
Plainfield Central High School.
The camp, for children entering first through
eighth grades, will meet each day from 1 p.m.
to 3:30 p.m. in the university’s Recreation
Center. Children will be grouped according to
age. Cost is $50 per child. To register or for
more information, call (815) 740-3528.
The camp is run by the university’s College of Education, and USF students majoring in education will teach children in the camp, according to Klaas. Education majors teaching at the camp are required to take a course called Physical Development and Health Education, designed to help them understand how to incorporate active learning into the classroom, said Klaas, who has taught the course for two years.
The University of St. Francis, at 500 Wilcox St. in Joliet, serves more than 4,300 students nationwide. The university offers more than 60 areas of undergraduate study and 10 graduate programs.