Clubs,  Camps and Enrichment

The Gear Up Program, started Summer 2025 with 6th graders, is a seven year grant to support college and career readiness for all students.  

Polk County offers the BOLT Mentorship Program. BOLT stands for “Building Opportunities for Leadership and Trust".

Read more at: https://tryondailybulletin.com/2025/04/17/bolt-mentors-celebrates-second-anniversary-with-polk-schools/ Please contact cbaughman@polkschools.org for more information.

The Advanced Learning Program also maintains a list of available mentors. Community members and alumni, please complete the survey to offer your expertise to our local students. Mentorship could take the form of career day events, classroom presentations, guidance on projects, evaluation of projects, and encouragement/mentorship in a specific field of study or area of passion. 

Please complete this survey if you are interested in being on  the mentor list.

Advanced Learning Survey 2025-26 

Thanks to the generous support of the Polk County Community Foundation, we were able to offer 7 enrichment camps to 3rd through 9th graders. These included the following. 

Computer Science with Sphero Robotics

Jonathan Greene

Are you interested in robotics and computer science? Then this may be the program for you! This seminar will introduce you to basic computer science, robotic programming, and problem solving in a fun, comprehensive approach to STEM.

3D printing with TinkerCad

Matthew Dellinger

Are you interested in 3D modeling and printing? In this seminar you will be introduced to 3D printing and 3D modeling using TinkerCad. Each student will design and print a 3D object. https://polkschools.org/students-master-3d-modeling-and-printing-in-summer-camp/ 

Mystery, Danger and Heroism

Andrea Walter

Campers embark on missions to solve an ongoing mystery and protect the secret (fictional) Silverquicken School from its archenemy! Each day campers train for the mission and then complete it - using their new skills. Campers learn about ciphers, codes, magnetism, mazes, water science (e.g., displacement, siphoning), design thinking, engineering (e.g., creating catapults, airplanes, and table-top forts!), and cooperation, communication, and teamwork. In the end, they work as a team to save the school! https://polkschools.org/polk-county-elementary-students-tackle-mystery-solving-summer-camp/ 

Creative Cultivators

Ginger Rackley

Get ready for an exciting week of hands-on fun and creativity! Students will dive into a world where baking, gardening, art, and science all come together. Each day will be an adventure centered around a different food item, with students baking, planting, creating art, and/or experimenting.  Whether you're growing a garden, creating art, or conducting cool experiments, this week promises tons of fun and learning! Join us for a week of discovery, creativity, and delicious experiments! https://polkschools.org/polk-county-students-blend-science-art-at-summer-creative-camp/ 

Drones - Learn to Fly

Leslie Rhinehart

Students will learn about the parts of a drone, how to change propellers, how to use the onboard camera, how to fly through an obstacle course and more. Come learn the basics of drone flight and race against your friends. https://polkschools.org/middle-school-students-take-flight-in-summer-drone-pilot-camps/ 

So You Want To Write a Novel (or a Screenplay...or a Podcast...)

Jeanne Ferran

In this seminar, students will engage in creative exploration and writing through various exercises in voice, technique, character and plot development so they can prepare for future greatness as the next great American novelist, playwright, or screenwriter. We will analyze film and text of what TO do and what NOT to do to develop plot and characters. Students will workshop and share ideas to develop an outline of a manuscript. Serious writers apply! https://polkschools.org/young-writers-explore-novel-creation-at-aig-summer-seminars-session/ 

Title: Crime Buster:  A Deep Dive into Forensic Science

Elisa Flynn

Watching too much CSI or NCIS? Ever thought about being a Crime Scene Investigator? Here is your chance. This week, we will dive into the world of Crime Fighting and the tools used. During this time, we will learn about fingerprinting, chromatography, and impressions. Students will have the opportunity to study the dynamics of DNA and how powders help solve crimes. Who Robbed the Bank and who is responsible for the Crazy Cookie Caper? Come to camp and let’s work together to find out. https://polkschools.org/polk-students-tackle-forensic-science-during-aig-summer-camp/ 

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