With many summer programs, parents drop off their children so that they can enjoy a day of fun and activities. Freedom Academy, however, is offering a STEAMS (science, technology, engineering, art, math and Scripture) Camp, where families can enjoy spending time together.

The interactive, educational day camp will take place at Freedom Life's main campus, 447 Noble Road, Christiana, from Tuesday, Aug. 1, through Thursday, Aug. 3, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Freedom Academy recently completed is first year as a homeschool co-op, where STEAMS activities were included. "We wanted to offer something fun over the summer for families to continue learning together," explained Freedom Academy director Cynthia Kreider. "The kids do not have to be enrolled in Freedom Academy to participate (in the camp). We welcome all parents and children to enjoy the experience."

Kreider recently conducted the STEAMS Camp at Freedom Life's campus in Centre County, and many of those activities, including building structures, performing science experiments and creating art, will be offered in Christiana. "We made foam puffy paint, and they painted 3-D pictures. We will do an egg drop, and they will build a structure to keep the egg from breaking," Kreider explained. "Depending on the age group, they will make paper roller coasters, and the younger kids will make marble runs with cardboard tubes. We will build catapults and cotton-ball launchers."

A fee will be charged per child, and registration is open for children in prekindergarten through 12th grade. Projects will vary in degree of difficulty according to the age and abilities of the families. Parents are required to remain on-site and assist their children.

"We want to introduce people to Freedom Academy and have something fun and inexpensive for families to do together," said Kreider.

She said that the STEAMS Camp is designed to provide parents with an opportunity to spend quality time with their children as they work on projects together. "One of the things that homeschool families learn is that they get to build a relationship with their kids, and they get to really know their kids," Kreider noted. "It would be fun for parents to see how their kids learn while they are doing things. If they have multiple kids, their youngest and oldest will have different experiences. That multigenerational learning will give them a different perspective."

Freedom Academy offers preschool classes, as well as project-based learning electives, creative electives and core classes, for homeschool students. More than 50 students were enrolled in Freedom Academy in its first year.

Kreider said the goal of the academy is to offer support to homeschooling families. "We want to partner with families as they homeschool to have that community and be a resource for families if they need help," she stated.

For more information about Freedom Academy or to register for the STEAMS Camp, visit http://www.freedom.life/academy or call 610-593-5959. It is recommended that families register before Monday, July 31; however, walk-ups will be accepted.