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If history is any indication, at 8 a.m. on April 27, the phone in Carus Corporation’s community outreach office will be ringing off the hook. April 27 is Summer Science Camp registration day.
“It’s always an exciting day here. Parents race to get their children on the list, and it fills up pretty quickly,” said Kegan Pakula, Carus Community Outreach Coordinator. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
Carus’ 15th annual Science Camp will be held July 11-15 this year at Peru Catholic School. The free science camp runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day and is open to all Illinois Valley area students entering sixth grade in the fall. Campers participate in hands-on activities, learning about chemistry, physics, biology, geology, ecology and astronomy.
Dan Fitzpatrick, who heads the chemistry department at St. Bede Academy, will begin as camp director this year. Fitzpatrick’s resume includes more than 10 years teaching science in LaMoille, where he was head of the science department. He is also an experienced science camp instructor, creating and teaching lessons for the University of Illinois Extension’s Natural Resources Educational Consortium, for Northern Illinois University’s Loredo Taft Campus, and for the Sun Foundation, where he is the lead science teacher for their Art and Science in the Woods program.
“In my career, I have been fortunate to meet a great community of people who look to guide our youth to love science, nature and inquiry. This summer camp is going to be an incredible time for the students, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be the new director,” said Fitzpatrick.
“Dan brings such enthusiasm and knowledge to camp. He knows how to make learning fun and engaging, and that’s what camp is all about,” said Carus CEO Dave Kuzy. “We appreciate this opportunity to work with Dan, with St. Bede and with Peru Catholic.”
Parents interested in registering their children can call Pakula at 815-224-6535 after 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 27. Because registration is first call, first served, parents who attempt to sign up before that date/time will be asked to call back during registration hours.
Carus Corporation is a 100-year-old company founded in LaSalle and headquartered in Peru. Carus produces and supplies specialty chemistries for water treatment, air purification and soil remediation. Carus is a member of the American Chemistry Council and actively participates in the industry’s award-winning Responsible Care® initiative, sharing a common commitment to improve environmental, health, safety, and security performance.