PERU, IL – Some teachers like to stay away from the classroom during their summer vacation. But not LaSalle-Peru Township High School science teacher Angelique Depenbrock. Over the past twenty-five years she has signed up to instruct for many science camps in Wisconsin and Illinois. This year marks her second time to help with the Summer Science Camp at St. Bede Academy. She is such a huge fan of the Carus-sponsored camp that her daughter and nephew attended in 2019.
“I love this camp because it sparks the sixth graders’ interest in science! They learn things they don’t learn in regular school and that builds their excitement for science when they go back to school,” Depenbrock said. “Even at the end of the camp day their energy levels are still roaring!” She also values the low teacher-to-student ratio the camp delivers. “The kids really get to dig in, ask questions and discover how science affects their daily lives,” she added.
5 Key Reasons Teacher Goes to Camp
1. I’m a life-long learner and teacher
2. Kids get hands-on science experience
3. Great way to give back to community
4. It renews my enthusiasm for teaching
5. I gain new ideas for my high school science students for the next year
Depenbrock shared an example of the camp’s hands-on activities. “We take everyday things like Chapstick, or lip balm and the kids experience how it’s made. They learn about the honey and beeswax, so it connects them to the real world and gives them a deeper appreciation for things they use,” she said.
She enjoys working with Science Camp Director, Dan Fitzpatrick. “Dan is creative! He really knows how to keep sixth graders on their toes – and that’s saying a lot,” she said.
Like other camp leaders, Depenbrock wants the kids to understand what it takes to create a community with a good quality of life. “They take a trip to the local water treatment facility, so they learn what is involved in providing safe drinking water for their homes,” she said. “I think it is very important for us to teach our children about things like our water supply that most take for granted.” She says the more kids understand how to make a community work, the better citizens they will be in the future.
Depenbrock is a big fan the local company that sponsors the Summer Science Camp. “While most local people know the name Carus, not everyone knows what they do for the community,” said Depenbrock. “They make the camp possible, and they also allow me to take my high school science students to their production facility for field trips. Carus sends speakers to our school to demonstrate their products,” she added. Depenbrock appreciates that Carus offers summer internships for both college students and local teachers. She is especially proud that some of her science students now work at Carus. “I am beyond thrilled that we have companies like Carus where our kids can work after college; they have the choice to come back home to great science and chemistry jobs. That means we get to keep our talent here and grow our families here,” she added.
MEDIA COVERAGE OPPORTUNITIES: Contact [email protected] to schedule a media interview with Science Camp teacher, Angelique Depenbrock. Also, let us know if you would like to schedule time to cover this event July 26 – 30 at St. Bede Academy in Peru, Illinois.
(Image Caption: Local science educator Angelique Depenbrock and her family just returned from their summer vacation at a cattle ranch in Montana. From left to right: Angelique, daughters Drew and AnnMarie, and husband, Jason. Angelique is excited to join the Summer Science Camp staff for a second year.)