A GIANT First: Half Day STEAM Camp at PS 33

We had a GIANT first on Thursday, November 2nd — we held our very first STEAM Camp offsite at a school! Public schools around New York City had a half day due to parent-teacher conferences, so we here at GIANT wondered: “what does this mean for after school? The fun and learning doesn’t have to be put on pause just because a bunch of grown ups need to talk!”

PS 33 in Chelsea allowed us to host this very special (and unusual) camp in their school and we are extremely grateful. We have been partnering with PS 33 for four years, holding after school programs at their school, hosting booths at their events, and providing enrichment classes during school hours. We always have an exceptional time learning and creating with their students!

The STEAM Camp was no exception! Students were dismissed at 11:30 AM and our instructors picked up students from their designated areas—transitioning from students to campers! Campers had time to play outside and go crazy. Then, they learned something extra exciting…they were the only kids in the entire school for the whole afternoon!

So with six campers, two instructors, and one BIG building…what do you do? Our instructor, Sam Irwin, had the perfect idea: A SCHOOL WIDE SCAVENGER HUNT!

It started off super simple. Each camper received a piece of paper to make their own origami creation, and then floor by floor, the instructors hid their creations so campers could find them! Each floor was a different level; the first floor was level one, second floor level two, etc.

The campers successfully completed the hunt, but make no mistake, it was no easy feat. GIANT instructors are experts at hiding!

Then, it was the instructors’ turn! Campers hid their origami creations for instructors to find.

Once 2PM hit, it was time for us to resume our regular after school activities. Younger campers went to their Love Your Planet class, and older campers to their Creative Coding and Immersive Experiences class.

All in all, it was an incredibly fun and original experience! Special thanks to PS 33 for hosting us! In the future, we hope to explore what other unique STEAM Camp activities could take place at a school!