What’s a pirate’s favorite consonant?  “R-r-r-r!”  Favorite vowel?  “I-i-i-i!”  In science this week, campers got started talking like a pirate early.  On Monday, they floated their ships with hands-on experiments in buoyancy.  Although clay balls sank like a stone, campers mastered the mysteries of shaping their clay balls to float.  Once they discovered the secret relation between boat shape and buoyancy (greater surface area works best), campers floated up to 34 eggs on a tin foil raft!  Campers then created “propulsion systems” to deliver their pirate cargo (Match Box Car & sugar cube) to an island hideaway.

     During the week, camper pirates also used the secrets of water density to dive for treasure with their own “Cartesian Diver” and to water a thirsty mate with a water-pressure bottle.  For a grand finale, kids dropped water-proof treasure chests to a safe hiding place!

     In Art, lords and ladies designed, built and decorated castles with Maid Marian.  Shields, coats of arms and stained glass windows poured out of her studio in brilliant colors!  Campers crafted wonderful illuminated letters, treasure maps and their own pirate style!