Creativity and fun thrive at Camp Innovate

This year, Camp Innovate’s theme was “Steam Park.” Students studied physics concepts through cooperative activities like building their own roller coasters.

Camp Innovate, and other STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) initiatives in RCS are supported by Meta (formerly known as Facebook). Several officials from the local Facebook Data Center, as well as Meta Community Development Regional Manager Tara Tenorio were in Ellenboro Thursday to observe the camp. Tenorio is based in Tennessee.

“We believe in the work of the Rutherford County Schools,” Tenorio said, while watching the campers.

Initiatives like Camp Innovate help each student develop as a whole person, she said.

“This is more than simply science, or math or technology.”

Tenorio offered high praise for the RCS staff, and particularly Ritchie Garland, RCS director of marketing/community relations, and the AIG coordinator who created Camp Innovate. Garland is quick to give much credit to the AIG staff.

“What we are seeing here is world class programming,” Tenorio said as she watched the students engage with each other. “We are so honored to play a role, and be a supporter of public education in Rutherford County.”

Tenorio said a key quality of Rutherford County Schools is the fact that “they care about the students as individuals. They want every student to find success.”

Meta awarded RCS a 2022 Community Action Grant to fund Camp Innovate this summer including for the first time, and separate camp for middle school students which was held in June.

“This is what can happen, when you dream big, and have big ideas,” Tenorio added.

She reminds the public that the open application period for 2023 Community Action Grants will be coming up in early fall.

“We always keep an open mind with those grant applications,” Tenorio said.