When school’s out for the summer, Principia Camps 360 kicks into high gear. And this summer, with the addition of 16 different programs, campers were off their phones, active, and exploring Principia’s 360-acre campus where curiosity, creativity, and character grow together. 

Finding the sweet spot between learning and fun was the Camps 360 winning formula—throw in some rock climbing, fire building, a slip-n-slide, and lots of popsicles, and you’ve got a recipe for an unforgettable summer. 

With over 300 campers honing their skills in everything from engineering to wilderness survival training, youngsters from PreK through high school stretched their minds and their legs as they took on the summer with a spirit of challenge and exploration. 

And although camp is all fun and games, there are larger lessons being larned about teamwork, overcoming challenges, and building self-confidence in the process. As Outdoor Learning Coordinator Doug Hoff puts it, “Our whole child approach—setting the standards, making sure we're kind, leading with love—that's what makes us different and is a testament to why families feel safe and feel comfortable here—and it’s why they're spreading the word, which is exciting.” 

During the school year, Principia’s powerful curriculum is seamlessly integrated with experiential learning, and Camps 360 is no different. Leveraging our affiliated college’s award-winning solar car program (Principia College in Elsah, IL), campers learned about renewable energy, donned solar car swag, got on a bus, and served up some sun-powered spirit for Principia College’s solar car team as they raced through Clarkson Valley.  

“The number one goal is fun,” said Hoff, “and if we can add learning into that, even better. And if we can add learning from an academic standpoint and social and emotional standpoint, that's the sweet spot.”  

Jordan Poznick director of auxiliary programs was thrilled with the camp’s success: “This year, Principia expanded its offerings campus-wide, drawing new families from outside our community into our healthy curriculum-based camps.” 

With camps from weightlifting and volleyball to youth theatre, 3D printing, and robotics, kids were free to explore their passions. “Families are looking for a space where kids can be safe—kids can be kids—where they’ll walk away with not just a fun time, but an educational time, and something that reaches them on a social and emotional scale as well,” said Poznick. 

Summertime discovery was the overarching theme at Camps 360, with kids from across the community in challenge-mode. “We’re seeing growth everywhere, where kids are trying new things and feeling comfortable growing together, working together, and being kind to each other,” said Poznick. ”That's what we're building, and the kids are feeling that love, which is a testament to our instructors and our staff.” 

With the largest independent school campus in Missouri, Principia has an edge over other programs. “What sets our program apart from other camps is our phenomenal campus,” said Poznick. “We offered a wilderness camp—and we didn't have to leave campus,” he laughs, “Where else can you go where you have a wilderness camp on campus? It’s pretty amazing.” 

Hoff agreed, “Most schools have a playground, a parking lot, a swing set, and a soccer field, so we're pretty fortunate,” he said. “Across our acreage, we've got forests and creeks, ponds and prairies, beehives, gardens, and a challenge ropes course with rappelling that we can leverage for learning.” He continued, “So we’re not just theorizing about what being in a forest is like—we can actually go do it, and that's the best way to learn.”