WYLIE ISD

Wylie ISD Offers Cure for Summer Boredom

by Ian Halperin

STEM Camp

Cries of “there’s nothing to do!” will soon be heard in homes as Wylie ISD’s summer vacation begins at the end of May. Parents need look no further than the two Wylie ISD high schools for help with fun, affordable summertime activities. Schools will once again be offering summer camp programs in everything from athletics and theatre to band and STEM.

For those looking for sports camps, Wylie High will host its annual “Camp of Champs,” and Wylie East will again offer “Raider Nation Camps.” Both camps run from May 31 to June 23, depending on the sport. Each sports program runs four days, Monday through Thursday. Both camps are open to all students currently in grades three through eight, regardless of feeder pattern.

“Our summer athletic programs give students a chance to have fun while improving their skills,” says Wylie ISD Athletic Director Kyle Craighead. “Plus it provides an opportunity for our younger students to meet our high school coaches.”

Sports camps are led by Wylie ISD coaches, and each session costs $75. Both high schools are also offering a strength and conditioning camp.

For those looking to hone their acting and stage skills, the popular “Summer on Stage” and “Summer on Stage Jr.” camps are back. The junior program is designed for rising third-grade through sixth-grade students who want to explore theatre and participate in a performance. The full program is for students who will be in seventh through 12th grade next school year.

“Summer on Stage will be packed with exciting workshops including Basics of Tap, Music and Sound Design, Vocal Work for Musical Theatre, and more,” said Polly Harrison, WHS theatre teacher. “In addition to classes taught by experts, there will be four different productions staged for in-person audiences.” Both programs are open to all Wylie ISD students and will run from May 31 to June 4. Musicians will also have a Camp of Champs summer band camp. The camp is hosted at Wylie East HS from June 6-10, 8 a.m. to noon each day. Students will be taught by outstanding district staff members leading sectionals and guest band directors from around the DFW Metroplex. It’s an outstanding week of music-making and great fun that includes a trip to Strike & Reel and a concert. It is open

STEM Camp to all Wylie ISD and Lovejoy ISD students entering grades seven through nine. STEM students will get their chance to explore, create and learn at their camp, held this year at Wylie East. STEM will have theme days for each major type of engineering (robotics, computer, mechanical, civil, and aerospace). Students will have Summer on Stage a daily project (that they can take home) along with center rotations with hands-on experiments. The camp is open to incoming first- through fourthgraders and is staffed by CTE students and teachers from East. For more information on all the summer camp opportunities, including costs and schedules, check the weekly WCN Newsletter or Peachjar. •

Summer on Stage Camp