PRESENTED BY PARI AND CLEMSON UNIVERSITY CRYPTOGRAPHY & SECRET MESSAGES SET IN A FORMER SPY BASE Campers will explore the origins of codes and ciphers and how they have evolved from written messages to complex digital encryption methods in use today. They will learn how to recreate these techniques themselves and crack the messages sent by their fellow cryptographers, all while reinforcing skills in math, language, and pattern recognition. What better setting than PARI, which once operated as a spy station for the Department of Defense during the Cold War, where messages were being intercepted and deciphered? Another element in the sending of secrets is how you transport them from place to place. We’ll take a look at the technologies, both past and present, that allow information to zip out to distant satellites and back down to Earth. How do we make sure our sensitive transmissions don’t end up in the wrong hands? From messages based on playing with words and numbers, to hiding information in plain sight in images and everyday objects, you’d never suspect all the ways cryptography is used all around us. Campers will leave with an understanding of the principles that drive the world and keep our data... Read More
PRESENTED BY PARI AND CLEMSON UNIVERSITY MISSION: GALACTIC CARTOGRAPHY – MAP THE MILKY WAY AND PLOT A PATH Milky Way Trailblazers is a two week research experience for high school aged campers. Campers will learn to use a radio telescope to find the composition of a region of the Milky Way and measure the speed it is rotating and moving. They will combine the observations and conclusions made by their team with other teams to form a larger understanding of the galaxy we call home. Using a radio telescope to measure regions of space doesn’t create pictures like we see with an optical telescope. The methods to turn the data collected into a map that can guide our way require creativity and hard work. Will the results look the same, or different, than what we see through an optical telescope? Radio isn’t just used for observing space either. Communicating with satellites is a big role that large dishes like the ones at PARI play in human space exploration. Campers will investigate and report on the methods, both historical and contemporary, that are used to accomplish this, and the people who figured out how to do... Read More
Above and Beyond is PARI’s signature camping experience designed to immerse high school students in the world of space science and research while building confidence and critical thinking skills. Originally developed in partnership with Duke University and refined for nearly two decades, this space camp explores the universe through astronomy, physics, and astrobiology, while also providing time for adventure and fun. The process followed by scientists and researchers who’ve made space science their career is modeled to show how new discoveries are made about the universe. Campers are provided the tools and guided through the process by professionals who have made space their life’s work. From determining the expansion speed of a super-nova remnant, to characterizing an exo-planet or finding evidence of dark matter; your data will reveal and your conclusions will add to humanity’s knowledge of the... Read More
Cabin Fever Five Fun Facts about Brevard’s Summer Camps Each summer, Transylvania County hosts thousands of young people from all over the nation and world at the many summer camps in and around Brevard. Ranging from days with backpacks and bug juice to internationally renowned music programs, Brevard’s summer camps are a treasured part of our history and a large contribution to what has made our community so beloved for generations. As we round out the end of care-package season, here are five things you might not know about Brevard’s summer camps: 1 1 SUMMER CAMPS HAVE A RICH HISTORY. Hundreds of children of all ages come to Brevard every summer. The relationship between summer campers and the larger community can be felt all over town, from the camp-specific flavors of ice cream at Dolly’s near the entrance to Pisgah National Forest to the shops downtown that offer camp care packages. The sounds of happy voices filling the forests and waterways with laughter, joy, and imagination echo the seemingly limitless possibilities of summertime when you’re young at heart. 2 2 Brevard’s first summer camp opened in 1913. Camp French Broad opened its doors in 1913, and Camp Sapphire arrived a year later in 1914. Keystone Camp, the area’s first camp for girls, which is still producing new generations of happy campers, started two years later in 1916. 3 3 The Brevard Music Center was originally called Transylvania Music Camp. James Christian Pfohl moved his summertime Davidson Music School from... Read More
Discover and learn in the mountains of WNC this summer with Mountain Roots’ fun and educational day camps! Our camps are focused on the outdoors and connecting campers to each other, their community, and the natural environment. Preschool camp (ages 4 and 5): 9am – 12:00pm. Rising 1st-4th grade: 9am-4:00pm. Operating over the course of 7 weeks, the first 5 weeks will take place at Brevard Academy and the final 2 weeks will be at Fern Leaf Community Charter School. [PLEASE NOTE: Camp is in TWO locations]. See why so many families return to Mountain Roots Day Camp year after... Read More
Discover and learn in the mountains of Western North Carolina this summer! Mountain Roots offers fun and educational day camp adventures for preschool and elementary-aged campers. Both of our camps are focused on the outdoors and connecting campers to each other, their community, and the natural... Read More
7 Tips For Savvy Camp Counselors Being a summer camp counselor in Transylvania County might just be the best gig around for high school and college students. But even counselors need a break from time to time. Here are tips we’ve gleaned from seasoned counselors on how to take best advantage of time off in the Land of Waterfalls. 7 7 Channel your inner artist. Summer camp is all about the outdoors. But if you need an art fix, proceed directly to the Transylvania Community Arts Council (TCARTS) website. Here you can discover every studio, gallery and crafts workplace in the county. Whether you’re interested in a printmaking lesson at the Printing Press, a pottery lesson from Mud Dabbers or just want to peruse the amazing art collection at Haen Gallery, Red Wolf Gallery or Number 7 Arts, this is a great resource. X 6 6 Get connected (and caffeinated). There are lots of places where you can find a comfortable spot, a reliable internet connection and, in many cases, a good cup of Joe. For starters, consider Quotations Coffee Shop, Appalachian Coffee Company, Brighter Day Coffee, Bracken Mountain Bakery, Blue Ridge Bakery or the Transylvania County Public Library. X 5 5 Cool off. AC is a rare commodity at summer camps. Don’t sweat it. Brevard has a ton of great places where you can beat the heat — while you’re having a good time. Consider the Rockin’ Bowl, where you can channel your inner Big Lebowski on 18... Read More
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