Our campers at LifeMoves | Haven Family House became scientists for the morning and participated in a classic experiment: baking soda volcanos! As campers gathered around the picnic benches, counselors explained how the simple ingredients of vinegar, baking soda, laundry detergent, and food coloring could create a fantastic eruption that resembled red-hot lava oozing out of a volcano.
First, the campers got creative and decorated volcanoes. Some drew scenes of an explosion, full of lava and fire, while others covered their volcanoes with smiley faces and hearts. “Can we take them home with us?” a camper asked enthusiastically. When learning that the eruption would be so messy the volcano would not be salvageable, she thought for a moment, then shouted, “Really? AWESOME!”
Next, campers got to work mixing the vinegar solution and measuring out baking soda to put inside their volcano. While campers stirred, counselors filled them in on the chemical reaction of a base and acid like baking soda and vinegar. Silence fell over the campers as the counselors stood with the vinegar mixtures over the volcanoes, ready to count off for each volcano. “3…2…1…” they chanted, and a chorus of exclamations broke out from the campers as each volcano bubbled over before their eyes. In the backyard of LifeMoves | Haven Family House, science came to life in a very exciting way! This small activity truly captivated the minds of our young scientists, and left them craving more science fun.
LifeMoves ACES Summer Adventure Camp 