Summer Enrichment Experiences
IU13 offers challenges, learning, and fun through its summer enrichment experiences for students. Each opportunity requires teamwork, flexibility, and social interaction on the part of the participant.
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Check out this video of clips from past years to see how students are challenged and have fun at IU13 Summer Enrichment Experiences!
Below are the 2025 Summer Enrichment Experiences offered by IU13. We are looking forward to more fun and learning this summer.
Chess Exploration: Choices, Pawn-chains, and Checkmates
Who can attend: Students entering Grades 3 through 6 in Fall 2025
Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuition: $55.00/student
Location: The Conference and Training Center at IU13,
Burle Business Park, 1020 New Holland Ave., Lancaster, PA
Registration Deadline: June 3, 2025
Camper Limit: 20
Are you looking for a great way to enjoy summer vacation and learn things that you can practice for years to come? Have you played in the Lancaster-Lebanon Elementary Chess Tournament and want to improve your game for next year? Or do you want to fine-tune your thinking by learning new strategies and changing the way you look at the board? If any of these sound good to you, come join us at IU13 for this summer chess experience! Working with Mr. Jason Shugar, a K-6 STEM specialist and elementary chess coach from Eastern Lancaster County School District, you will build self-confidence, analyze possibilities, solve problems, and discover new approaches in the game of chess. Whether you are new to the game or have experience, you will enjoy time with fellow chess players and build skills that take your game to a new level. Join us for this day filled with strategy, concentration, competition, and fun. Space is limited so register today!
Learn more here:
Questions:
- Email: enrichment@iu13.org
- Call IU13 Gifted Education and Enrichment Services: 717-947-1182
CREEK EXPLORATION: Crayfish, Water Pennies, Stoneflies and More!
Who can attend: Students entering Grades 4 through 7 in Fall 2025
Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tuition: $55.00/student
Location: Lancaster County Central Park, Pavilion #11, 733 Williamson Rd., Lancaster, PA
Registration Deadline: June 11, 2025
Camper Limit: 25
Are you in need of some adventure this summer? Do you like exploring creeks, wetlands, or rivers? Do you like hiking and discovering wildlife in an outdoor environment? If so, this is the day for you! Take a break from the summer heat and spend a refreshing day with Lancaster County Park naturalist Lisa Sanchez and staff from the IU13 Student Services Program. Together, we will investigate and experience the science and fun of water. By jumping in, you will see the connection between water and the living organisms on our planet. You can touch the critters living in the water, learn how to keep our water clean, and explore the woods around the creek for signs of life. When summer temperatures rise, water offers fun, cool refreshment, and awesome opportunities for scientific discovery.
Learn more here:
Questions:
- Email: enrichment@iu13.org
- Call IU13 Gifted Education and Enrichment Services: 717-947-1182
Songwriting 101
Who can attend: Students entering Grades 6 through 8 in Fall 2025
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuition: $55.00/student
Location: The Conference and Training Center at IU13,
Burle Business Park, 1020 New Holland Ave., Lancaster, PA
Registration Deadline: July 3, 2025
Camper Limit: 20
Have you ever wondered how your favorite musical artists—such as Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and others—create their hit songs? The truth is, there is a proven formula behind it! In this workshop, you’ll have the unique opportunity to craft your own hit song. By combining original lyrics, melodies, and chord patterns, we will work together to create catchy songs that are sure to stick in your head (in the best way possible!). We’ll begin by writing a verse and chorus as a group, and then break into smaller teams to explore your own musical ideas. Once the songs are written, we’ll wrap things up with fun band photos and album covers to commemorate our creative work. No prior musical experience is necessary, just a love for music and a curiosity to learn. At the end of the day, we’ll come together to present our finished songs to the group. Join us for a collaborative, fun, and creative experience!
Learn more here:
Questions:
- Email: enrichment@iu13.org
- Call IU13 Gifted Education and Enrichment Services: 717-947-1182
Block Coding Fun with Spheros & Ozobots
Who can attend: Students entering Grades 3 through 5 in Fall 2025
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuition: $55.00/student
Location: The Conference and Training Center at IU13,
Burle Business Park, 1020 New Holland Ave., Lancaster, PA
Registration Deadline: July 15, 2025
Camper Limit: 20
Student interest in coding is on the rise, and it’s easy to see why—it’s a dynamic blend of creativity, challenge, and fun. As a vital skill in today’s digital world, coding not only fosters computational thinking and math skills but also sharpens problem-solving abilities. It encourages a “Fail Forward” mindset, where learning from mistakes is key to success.
Students will spend the day immersed in exciting hands-on activities with the Sphero BOLTS and Ozobot EVO—compact robots that blend color and block coding to ignite curiosity and innovation. Campers will participate in a range of activities, from learning new coding skills to tackling navigation challenges, all designed to foster creativity and problem-solving. They’ll have opportunities for both individual exploration and teamwork, as coding often thrives in collaborative environments.
Activities will be structured to accommodate different learning paces, with personalized attention to ensure every camper’s success. Past participants of IU13 technology camps have consistently demonstrated a strong spirit of collaboration, helping each other as they learn. Join us for a fun-filled day of digital discovery, where curiosity leads the way, and coding brings new adventures to life. Note: This camp is geared toward beginner and intermediate coders. All supplies, including Spheros and Ozobots will be supplied for use by the campers. The camp will feature the NEW Ozobot Challenge Mats!
Learn more here:
Questions:
- Email: enrichment@iu13.org
- Call IU13 Gifted Education and Enrichment Services: 717-947-1182
Survival in the Wilderness: Challenge Accepted!
Who can attend? Students entering Grades 5 through 8 in Fall 2025
Three Days: Tuesday-Thursday, August 5-7, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuition: $175.00/student
Outdoor Location: Lancaster County Central Park, Pavilion #11, 733 Williamson Road, Lancaster, PA
Registration Deadline: July 29, 2025
Camper Limit: 25
This 3-day experience has become an annual favorite for campers as they experience fresh air and exercise out in the woods. Join Naturalist Lisa J. Sanchez and IU13 staff at Lancaster County Park’s Pavilion #11 and learn survival skills in the wilds of Lancaster County. The important things in a survival situation are food, water, shelter, and fire; we will explore all of these. As part of a team, you will have the opportunity to build a shelter and a fire. You will also gather food and water from a variety of locations in the woods and learn if it would be safe to eat in a survival situation. You will also practice the vital skills of teamwork, problem-solving, and collaboration! To have a great day outside, please dress for the weather and bring a water bottle. Arrive ready to meet new people and work effectively to face challenges as they are presented.
NOTE: Dress for the weather and outdoor exploration. Sturdy, comfortable shoes that can get DIRTY are required – no flip flops. We will be outdoors or under a covered outdoor pavilion all day.
Learn more here:
- Survival in the Wilderness Summer Experience 2025 flyer
- Lancaster County Department of Recreation Waiver – required
Questions:
- Email: enrichment@iu13.org
- Call IU13 Gifted Education and Enrichment Services: 717-947-1182.
Enrichment Experience Refund/Cancellation Policies
- IU13 reserves the right to cancel any enrichment experience if there is inadequate enrollment. A full refund will be given.
In the event you cancel your child’s registration, refunds are defined below:
- Notice of cancellation must be submitted to IU13 in writing.
- A full refund will be given if cancellation is received before the registration deadline.
- A refund for cancellation after the registration deadline has passed will be at the discretion of IU13.
- Please allow 4-6 weeks to receive your refund.
