Camp Invention

Today my son, Will, came home with 4 paper clips, a golf tee, and some other little round wooden thing. He said that he needed some tape. (We should buy stock in scotch tape. That is the "go to" adhesive tool for Will.) Anyway, about 2 minutes later, he had made a dragonfly with his potpourri of items. Two weeks ago, he made a compass (the kind you use at school not the kind you use in the woods) out of a pencil, a ruler, and a rubber band. I asked him if he needed a compass because we do have one somewhere in this house. He said, "No" but that he just wanted to build a compass. And that is my Will. He is always creating something. No, the things he builds don't always actually work, like the Ben 10 car he made out of a cardboard box, but his mental wheels are always turning:)
He is an out-of-the-box kind of thinker - fairly creative - always has been. But until a few summers ago, I don't think he felt confident enough to just create something. I am not sure he really knew where to begin or how to see something beyond what it actually was. But, a couple of years ago and every year since, he has spent a week at Camp Invention. And now, he sees the potential in the practical. I am not sure what their motto is but I think that is kind of what Camp Invention is about. It is about thinking outside of the box to solve problems. It is about using your creativity to expand your possibilities. Whether it is building a floating vessel out of recyclables or taking apart a piece of electronics to then assemble into whatever a child can imagine, Camp Invention challenges the kiddos minds to see the possibility in everything. I like that, and Will has loved it. As I write this, Will has requested some popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, and any and all things crafty. I am not sure what he is up to but I will soon find out.
I must admit that I don't always appreciate the tornado of a mess he creates but I do appreciate that he is creating. Even if he builds me a life size Spongebob Squarepants with moving parts, (Where in the world does that fit into my home decor?) it doesn't matter to me. I'm just thankful that he is able to see the problems and potential out there, and that he is ready and willing to take it all on. Kudos to Camp Invention:)