Dates for 2022

Week 1: June 26-July 1, 2022

for those entering grades 5-9

Week 2: July 10-15, 2022

for those entering grades 8-12

Week 2 also includes a Computer Science Camp Track option for those entering grades 9-12.

Each track will accept 20-24 campers

Numbers update as of April 28, 2022

Week 1-24 applications-at capacity-short waiting list accepted

Week 2-22 applications for Math Contest Camp Track

10 applications for Computer Science Track

The camp will not be held if the health of the campers and staff can not be reasonably safeguarded. The camp will not be held if it does not have sufficient application numbers by May 1, 2022.

To apply

Use the form available here to apply for camp. You should receive an auto response on submitting this form. It may be mid-March before you hear other information about the camp. I do not need any camp deposit until mid-March at the earliest.

What is the purpose of the camp?

It is a mission of providing an opportunity for students to have fun and to solve math problems with students who are like them (so they don't have to worry about what others are thinking about their interest in having fun with mathematics). A former camper said it well when he said "Math Contest Camp was my first math camp experience, and it gave me an opportunity to truly connect with people who were as interested in math as I was, and to get to know them as friends rather than mere teammates or fellow competitors. Befriending people who share your passion is a rare gift, and it’s often one that you don’t comprehend the benefit of until you have it. Math Contest Camp not only gave me this gift, but it also opened my eyes to its worth, motivating me to build closer relationships with other math-enthusiast friends I had made over the years."

What do you do? What activities are there?

• • Lots of math problems from contests such as MATHCOUNTS^® , AMC-10/12, and other contests

  • The Computer Science Track in Week 2 will cover some JavaScript Programming and some Python Programming. Meals, recreation time, and dorm time will have both tracks together in Week 2. The separation will come during the "instruction" time of camp.

  • We also have some outdoor rec time

  • Spend some time in the Wellness Center (Pool, gym).

  • Look at other math activities, watch some math videos, hear some math songs.

  • Have a speaker on occasion share about how math, problem solving, and their Christian faith have worked together in their life. Dr. Hopkins also does this on occasion. For an example of what he typically shares, you can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PYMC6gzhZ8&t=71s&index=10&list=PLgQhuyBS3_qb65_uFn4dJ-5_tsuQL-vjS . Dr. Hopkins is also working on collecting various illustrations at https://www.geogebra.org/m/Hq7Y7q7C.

  • Anticipated weekly schedule will be similar to the schedules used in 2021: schedule for week 2 or schedule for week 3 . The schedule is adjusted during the week as I never know the level of campers that will come to know what will be appropriate material or what types of activities most appeal to the campers in any particular week.

  • You can see information from the previous years ( 2011, 2012 , 2013 , 2014, 2015 , 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), such as schedules and evaluations. Information for 2021 was not converted over to the new site format. Hopefully other links still work with the conversion to the new google site format.

Who started the camp?

Dr. Kevin Hopkins. Email: khopkins@sbuniv.edu Phone: 417-399-0182. You can find more info about Dr. Hopkins at https://sites.google.com/site/drhopkinsbackground/ . Dr. Amos Gichamba will be directing the Computer Science track in week 2 of camp. He is Head of the Division of Computing and Mathematics at Southwest Baptist University.

On average, how many kids come to camp?

In the 38 weeks of camp (over 15 years), we have averaged 23 per week, The camp is capped at 24 per week. So send in applications and deposits early to reserve your spot.

How many workers are there?

Usually between 4-6 depending on the number of campers. They all stay in the dorm (including Dr. Hopkins) and stay with the campers all day. Potential workers can complete an online application here. A signed version of this will be required. Additionally a camp vision document will be shared to be sure counselors and Dr. Hopkins are all on the same page. A phone interview will be conducted and references will be contacted.

Where is the camp located?

On the campus of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. It is the personal work of Dr. Hopkins, Retired Chair of the Mathematics Department at Southwest Baptist University. Bolivar is 130 miles from Kansas City, 190 miles from St. Louis, and 25 miles north of Springfield. The Lake of the Ozarks and Branson are nearby attractions families could visit before or after dropping their camper off.

Although not officially sponsoring the camp, Southwest Baptist University is the location of the facilities. Offering Christian higher education since 1878, Southwest Baptist University serves an enrollment of 3,400 students with graduate and undergraduate programs. The views or beliefs set forth in this web page do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Southwest Baptist University.

How much does the camp cost?

$450 for the week-includes room, food, t-shirt, tests, and other things. A $100 deposit is required by May 1 (to be sure there are sufficient numbers to run the camp-if not, deposits will be returned). If the cap is reached before May 1, the website will be updated. If there is still space after May 1 (and enough to run the camp), additional registrations will be accepted until camp begins. All checks should be payable to Dr. Kevin Hopkins. There is a Venmo option this year. Contact Dr. Hopkins for specific details.

What to bring to camp?

I have prepared a 2 page document of what to bring to camp and other information that parents and campers need to know. Follow this link to get that document to have for your reference. You will also need to complete a signed Wellness Center release form and a signed insurance form. This can be submitted with the deposit, when paying the remaining balance, or at camper check-in on the first day of camp (Sunday, check in starts at 4 pm in Meyer Dorm).

Disclaimers

Math Contest Camp is not sponsored by, or affiliated with, the MATHCOUNTS^® Foundation or with the AMC 8/10/12, or with any of the other contests.

This camp is the personal work of Dr. Hopkins. This page is produced by Dr. Kevin W. Hopkins retired from Southwest Baptist University. I hope to redo the webpage some more, but will probably not do that until later. More information is available from the 2019 camp website: https://sites.google.com/site/sbumathcon/math-contest-camp-2019