Summer Explorer Programs 2025

Explorers will learn the cyclical nature of planting, harvesting, cooking, and composting empowering them to feel like farmers, active stewards of our land, and valued members of the community.  They will learn the art and science of ‘nothing to waste’ in food prep. Activities include: jam making,  bread making, smoothie making, farmer’s market shopping, planting and caring for seasonal vegetables, composting and recycling waste materials, and many others. 

“And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.” Gen.1:11 

Explorers  will experience what makes our coastal environment unique. Students will explore the habitats that make up our beaches and coastlines.  While visiting the Coquina Outcrop, the sound, and the ocean students will discover the organisms that live there, how they are designed to survive in their habitat, and how we can steward and care for these places so many call home to . Morning activities will include pier fishing, surf fishing, seine and cast netting.  Afternoon activities will include organism identification, dissection, and stewardship engineering. 

Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." Genesis 1:26 

Stories and fairytales are so fun to read and explore, but there is always a problem to solve. In this interactive, engineering camp, students will have to put their minds to work and enhance their problem-solving skills as they design. They will create devices such as a wolf-proof house for the three little pigs, an elevator so Rapunzel can leave her tower, and a parachute device so Humpty Dumpty lands safely.  Each day will be filled with new adventures and storybook characters to be rescued as we engineer contraptions to solve their fairy tale problems. Join us for this weeklong STEM experience for little learners. 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.    James 1:5

1st - 3rd Graders will unleash their inner artist and scientist as they explore the fascinating connection between art and science. Students will create pieces of art that feature God's intricate creation while learning how science makes the art work.  Students will be painting, sculpting, dying and doing many more art experiments. Students will also study both famous and local artists that use science to create masterpieces. We will be visiting the Cameron Art Museum to look at how artists have used science to design their art. 

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

In this week-long, ocean themed camp, rising kindergarteners will sing and dance to sailor songs, enjoy sand play and beach balls, simulate ocean waves with sheets and enjoy playing instruments to Calypso music while developing social, musical and motor skills. We will make our own instruments and other ocean themed crafts, count seashells with "5 Little Seashells Sitting on the Shore", and enjoy other songs such as  "SWISH Went the Waves, and Then There Were 4!" Campers will have so much fun with this "over the sea" adventure. 

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16

Explorers will investigate Newton's laws of motion through the lens of engineering. During this week-long investigation - 4th- 6th grades will explore the concepts of motion, friction, energy transfer, etc. by doing labs that demonstrate these concepts. They will design and build roller coasters, rockets, and egg drop devices. During the engineering process, students will perform tests and experiments to better understand the laws that God designed and how they can be used to achieve the goals set within the parameters given. Students will also be traveling to I-fly to experience and better understand the science behind indoor skydiving. 

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

Join us for a adventure-filled week of exploration, investigation, engineering, and play all centered in outdoor natural environments. Preschoolers will take daily walking trips to the forest, garden, creek, and clearings on the property to engage in outdoor activities that tap into preschoolers’ natural sense of wonder and imagination while incorporating math, literacy, art, and social skills.  Some activities include building with natural materials, leaf discrimination and prints, bug collecting, and counting.  

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.  Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?  In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of mankind.  Job 12:7-10

Let's blast off into an interstellar adventure as our aspiring astronauts and space enthusiasts embark on an out-of-this world journey through space. Campers will explore the wonders of the cosmos, build and launch multiple rockets, and learn about the planets, stars, and galaxies that fill our universe.  They will learn what it would be like to live and work in space as an astronaut. Let's start your space training now!

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

Explorers  will embark on a week long study of discovering both the truth of God’s word and evidences that help lead someone to find the truth.   Using forensic science skills such as observation, fingerprinting, castings, powder identification, chromatography, fibers and hair analysis, and trajectory students will uncover mysteries behind various crimes.  The week will also hold a special visit from a guest law enforcement officer and a large culminating mystery challenge to test skills at the end of the week. 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 

 Let's dive into the crazy world of Chemistry!  In this week-long camp, taught by our own MGCS teachers, these 3rd-5th grade students will be mixing, measuring and creating their own amazing experiments. Students will learn the chemistry behind baking and making ice cream, how milk does cool things, what happens when baking soda and vinegar mix, and even how to make invisible ink. They will gain an understanding of the scientific method and be able to set up their own experiments. It’s a week full of exciting experiments all day, everyday.

 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 

Rising Kindergarten students will enjoy, explore, and engage in a week long introduction to kindergarten by highly trained MGCS Lower School teachers. This introduction weaves a Charlotte Mason/Classical unit study of water with the multi-sensory and highly structured approach of Orton-Gillingham. Students will participate in a picture study of Claude Monet’s “Water Lily Pond”, STEM lessons, Orton-Gillingham driven phonics instruction, music/singing, rich literature, and hands-on math readiness activities. Parents may join us the final day of camp for a culminating celebration of our studies.

“In the beginning...the spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Gen. 1:2 

Join us for an adventure-filled week of exploration, investigation, and engineering, all focused on the wonderful world in which we live.  Explorers will take daily walking trips to the forest to study one of our most precious resources- trees and the habitat they co-exist in.  We will dive into birds and how they are uniquely made for individual purposes, explore the world of insects and learn how they help our environment, and even dissect owl pellets to see what all they can consume. Students will travel to Carolina Beach State Park to explore the Venus flytrap trail and get a visit from the raptor center to view God's marvelous creatures up close. 

Colossians 2: 6-7  So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.