Odyssey of the Mind Inspires Critical

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND

Inspires Creative Thinking

by Courtney Cairns Pastor, photos provided by Corbett Prep

Can you tell the story of a historical figure as a musical featuring an optical illusion? Invent a circus unlike any other? Build a vehicle to escape an unusual room? Write a performance about an environmental threat with music, animal characters and … baking soda? Your adult imagination may struggle to keep up with these wild scenarios, but if your child loves out-of-the-box thinking, you could have a future Odyssey of the Mind member in your house.

Each year, the international program – nicknamed OM – presents students with a series of open-ended problems. Students work in small teams to tackle one of these challenges, using their creativity and their strengths as individuals and teammates to offer solutions to present before judges. During competitions, teams also apply their quick thinking to solve a spontaneous problem.

Part performance, part construction and all problem-solving, Odyssey of the Mind is thriving in the Tampa Bay area. The four-county regional tournament that Corbett Prep hosted in the spring attracted more than 500 people. At the state tournament in Orlando, 17 teams from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas scored high enough in their divisions at the state competition that they became eligible for the World Finals in Ames, Iowa, in May.

All four of Corbett Prep’s competing teams placed in the top five in their divisions, with the private school’s two middle school teams ranking high enough to qualify for the World Finals.

Corbett Prep’s seventh-grade classics team – which created a biographical musical about a historical figure – placed second in its division, and the sixth-grade Odyssey ReOMvention team placed third with its performance offering a creative solution to solving an environmental threat. The seventh-grade team will now head to World Finals 2022 from May 25-29, where hundreds of teams from around the world will gather to learn from each other, trade pins and T-shirts, host a creativity festival and showcase their original solutions.

Corbett Prep has a young program, just four years old, and this was its best season yet, said Suzanne Meiners-Levy, the school’s program coordinator. But while competitions teach students about handling pressure and thinking on their feet, the months spent preparing are the “odyssey” of the problem-solving process and the true essence of the OM experience. WHY TRY ODYSSEY OF THE MIND?

For success in OM, Meiners-Levy said students have to develop social-emotional skills to practice kindness and act as supportive teammates. They learn to take an open-minded approach to problem solving. They have to work within a budget and time constraints.

They also must think independently, make decisions as a team and follow through on their plans. Parent coaches are present to supervise, but the ideas, decision-making and execution all comes from the kids. If the team needs a set, the students must figure out how to build a set and what to use. If they need costumes, team members sew or construct them. An adult can show students how to use construction tools, but the students have to independently design, build and revise their vehicles and structures.

The student-driven approach provides a great opportunity for team members to tap into their own talents, whether they are technical wizards, engineering geniuses or star actors. Corbett Prep’s seventh grade team even wrote and sang original compositions for their historical musical. It’s a true STEAM experience with solutions often touching on each area of the educational approach – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Because the students take leadership roles in every aspect, they feel ownership over and take pride in the finished product. They come out of the process with solutions that are unique, an ability to communicate ideas effectively and creatively and increased confidence in their abilities to handle complicated problems and surprise roadblocks.

These types of skills serve students well in all aspects of their education and likely into their future careers as well. Even if they never encounter a strange circus or save the world with baking soda, students benefit from this creative problem-solving journey.

your guide to Tampa Bay Area SUMMER CAMPS

Letimagine camp organizationdo the work for you! Stress Free Summer Camp Planning at ImagineCampOrganization.com

ACADEMY OF THE HOLY NAMES SUMMER ON BAYSHORE 3319 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa 33629 813-839-5371; holynamestpa.org/summer

Fun-loving kids ages 3 and up may choose from themed day camps, STEM, sports and enrichment camps at Academy of the Holy Names’ Summer on Bayshore! From Legos to lacrosse and cooking to coding, there is something for everyone. Full and half-day weekly sessions run from June 6 - July 22 and include complimentary extended care.

ADVENTURE CAMP TAMPA 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., Tampa 33612 813-963-2242; adventurecamptampa.com

Each morning children aged 18 months - 10th grade will get their fill of STEAM activities. As well as hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, language, sports and math projects, afternoon recreational activities will give children the opportunity to explore, experiment and make life-long friendships!

ART CAMPS & WORKSHOPS AT THE MFA 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg 33701 727-896-2667; mfastpete.org

Travel back in time and learn about the art and science of archaeology in our Art & Archaeology Camp (grades 1-5). Discover how animals, plants, weather, water and sky have inspired artists since the dawn of time in our Art & Nature Camp (grades 1-5). Be inspired by historical and contemporary female artists from around the world and practice your own artistic voice in our Art & Empowerment Workshop for young women (grades 6-9). Join us as we explore the world through art at the Museum of Fine Arts!

BARRETT SCHOOL OF MUSIC 2022 SUMMER CAMPS 3902 Henderson Blvd., STE 208-355, Tampa 33629 813-999-2829; musicschoolintampa.com/music-summer-camps-in-tampa

Barrett School of music offers something for everyone! Younger students can try out several different instruments as beginners. Or for our orchestra students, our string chamber ensemble will prepare them for seating auditions in the fall. Maybe your student is into writing their own music, so grab a spot in our Music Creation Camp. And don't forget our Musical Theater Camp for trifecta training! Your kids will love a week with Barrett School of Music.

BERKELEY PREPARATORY SUMMER PROGRAMS 4811 Kelly Road, Tampa 33615 813-885-1673; berkeleyprep.org/summer

With over 120 camps and classes on a beautiful 80-acre campus, Berkeley has an enormous summer catalog of swim lessons, tech camps, fine arts, baseball, chess, volleyball, football, LEGO, basketball, rock climbing, skateboard design, reading skills, lacrosse, tennis, debate, math review and so much more! There’s something for everyone at Berkeley Summer Programs!

BEST HORSE CAMP AT WEST COAST MORGANS 17126 Boy Scout Road, Odessa 33556 813-920-9870; westcoastmorgans.com

JUMP for JOY! The BEST Horse Camp is back! We continue to encourage social distancing, have more riding and outside time and disinfection protocols to protect everyone as best as possible. WCM horse camp experience is amazing with half and full days, single weeks and bulk weeks over summer and winter breaks and family discounts. Beginners through advanced riders can enjoy different weekly themes and days filled with tons of hands-on horse activities as well as guest speakers and MORE! Cost: $160 (half day) to $375 (full day specialty camps) Dates/Times: Weekly June 6 - July 22, 9 a.m. to noon or 4 p.m. Ages: Pre-K3 to grade 9; Coed

Cost: Starts at $236/ week Dates/Times: June 6 - July 28, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. *extended care available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ages: 18 months to grade 10, Coed

Cost: $190 for members; $250 for not-yetmembers *Scholarships Available Dates/Times: July 11-15, 18-22 and 25-29; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages: Grades 1-5 and 6-9, Coed and Female

Cost: $115-$295 Dates/Times: July 11-15, 18-22 and 25-29, times vary Ages: 4-17, Coed

Cost: prices vary per camp Dates/Times: June 6 - July 29, times vary *Extended care available Ages: 4-17, Coed and single sex camps

Cost: $80-$100/day, $400-$500/week Dates/Times: May 31 - Aug. 5, half and full day options, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages: 6+, Coed

SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY | special advertising section

CAMP BAYSHORE 3909 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa 33611 813-839-4297; bayshorechristianschool.org/student-life/camp-bayshore.cfm

Camp Bayshore is a fun, Christian-centered program for campers ages 3 through rising 6th grade. Children from all around the Tampa Bay area are provided an exciting and safe family atmosphere to learn, grow, play and make memories that last a lifetime.

CAMP BLUE RIDGE 355 Playhouse Drive, Clayton, GA 30525 954-665-8686; blueridgecamp.com

Camp Blue Ridge is a family operated, activity-oriented, coed, accredited summer camp. At Camp Blue Ridge, we strive to develop an independent camper within a community setting. We offer children and teens an ever-evolving collection of specialized activities in the areas of aquatics, athletics, outdoor adventure and the cultural arts. Cost: $250-$275/week + registration fee Dates/Times: May 31 - July 29, M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ages: 3 years to rising 6th graders, Coed

Cost: varies by session, *please call for first-time camper rates and camp specials Dates/Times: June 12 - July 30, sleep-away Ages: 5-16, Coed

CAMP CUBBER AT PALM HARBOR UMC 1551 Belcher Road, Palm Harbor 34683 727-781-6343; cubber.org

Provide your child with the best summer possible in a safe, family-friendly environment. Weekly campers enjoy a field trip and special onsite activity plus daily activities like science, art, creative writing, reading, music, game room, active play and much more! It’s almost too much fun to fit into one summer! Cost: $160-$170/week + one-time registration fee Dates/Times: June 6 - July 29; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. *free extended care 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ages: Rising K-8, Coed

CAMP DOVEWOOD 23221 101st Road, O’Brien 32071 386-209-1908 or 386-935-0863; campdovewood.org

Camp Dovewood celebrates 45 years of dynamic Christian camping for girls 7-16 in North Florida. We have an outstanding equestrian program with certified instructors: huntseat, rodeo, dressage, grooming, vet care and trail rides. We also offer swimming instruction, tennis, cheerleading, art, drama, archery, Bible, volleyball, softball, cooking, gymnastics, music and baton. ACA and CHA accredited. Cost: $775-$1,295 Dates/Times: June 12 - July 23, 1-2 week sessions Ages: 7-16, Girls Only

CAMP GILEAD 1445 Camp Gilead Drive, Polk City 33868 863-984-1353; campgilead.com

Camp Gilead is a year-round Christian Camp and conference center that has served central Florida since 1938! Whether your children are seasoned campers or first-timers, we are confident that they will find the friendly atmosphere at Camp Gilead refreshing and exciting. We exist to glorify God by creating a fun, safe, Christ-centered place for children and teens to evaluate their relationship with Jesus Christ and to be challenged both physically and spiritually while making lifelong friends.

CAMP IDLEWILD OF FLORIDA, INC. 7602 Henry Drive, Land O' Lakes 34638 813-996-1226; campidlewildofflorida.com

Camp Idlewild’s program model was developed for children ages 6-17 who have the following super-powers: Autism Spectrum Disorders (including Asperger's Syndrome), Sensory Processing Disorders, Down syndrome and Developmental Delays. We also offer Young Adult Camp (YAC) programs for 18-30-year-olds on select dates. Check our website for more information. Cost: $345 Overnight Camp, $245 Commuter Camp Dates/Times: June 5 - July 22, times vary Ages: K-12, Coed

Cost: $300/weekend; $650-$800/week Dates/Times: Apr. 8-10, Apr. 29 -May 1; June 12Aug. 5, times vary Ages: 6-17; Young Adult Camp Ages 18-30, Coed

CAMP INVENTION® 9020 Imperial Oak Blvd., Tampa 33647 800-968-4332; invent.org/local

Spark your kid’s creativity and confidence with our new Camp Invention® program! At Turner-Bartels K-8 School the week of June 6, campers in grades K-6 will collaborate in hands-on activities exploring fun STEM concepts by adopting a robotic fish, develop inventions for space exploration and more! Visit invent.org/local to secure your spot and save! Cost: $250 Dates/Times: June 6-9 Ages: Grades K-6, Coed