Chess is one way to practice the thinking processes used in science and math. As I wrote in my book, Science, Math, Checkmate: 32 Chess Activities for Inquiry and Problem Solving, “the critical-thinking processes of scientific inquiry may be practiced with chess activities. . . .Chess is an authentic context for students’ mathematical problem solving.”
If you are looking for a fun way for your child to practice scientific and mathematical thinking this summer, consider registering him or her for a summer chess camp.
Local chess camps run from Monday through Friday during June, July, and August. The Addison (Greenhill School) camp offers chess from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Greenhill School also has other camps (sports, art, etc.), supervised lunch periods, and extended care options if your camper wants a full-day experience. In Coppell (MOSAIC) and McKinney (Chess on the Square), chess camps run from 9:00 a.m. to noon. In Dallas and Fort Worth (USA Chess), camps have various options from 2.5 hours to 7 hours. The Richardson (UT Dallas) camp offers chess from 9:00 a.m. to noon or from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with extended care options in the early morning and late afternoon.
Depending on the other activities each camp offers (rotating to other courses, going to recess, eating, swimming, etc.), between 1.5 hours and 5 hours per day will be for chess instruction and chess game playing. If your child enjoys one week of chess camp, signing up for additional weeks at each camp is possible. Sibling discounts and chess instruction for parents are available at most of the listed chess camps.
ADDISON
Camp name: Greenhill Summer on the Hill Middle School Chess Camp
Camp dates: June 27-July 1 and July 5-8 (closed July 4)
Camp times: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ages: 10 to 17 (Grades 5-12)
Camp name: Greenhill Summer on the Hill Lower School Chess Camp
Camp dates: July 11-15, July 18-22, July 25-29, and August 1-5
Camp times: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ages: 6 to 9 (Grades 1-4)
Register: http://www.greenhill.org/summer
Camp director Vicki Truitt says “Our Chess Camp is taught by some of the finest instructors in the DFW area. This camp provides students with the opportunity to learn problem solving skills while having fun and socializing with children that share the same interest. We hope you’ll join us on our 78 acre campus this summer.”
COPPELL
Camp name: MOSAIC (Coppell Gifted Association)
Camp dates: June 6-10 and July 25-29
Camp times: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 9 to 13 (entering Grades 4-8 in fall 2016)
Register: http://coppellgifted.org/mosaic/
Camp director Tracy Fisher says, “Chess is one of more than 20 courses that are offered in the summer of 2016. Courses are for kids who want to explore the subject matter more deeply and are not limited to gifted students.”
DALLAS-FORT WORTH
Camp name: USA Chess Camp
Camp dates: June 6-10 and July 18-22 (Fort Worth); June 13-17, June 20-24, and July 25-29 (Dallas)
Camp times: Full day 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; or half day 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Fort Worth). Full day 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; or half day 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Dallas)
Ages: 5 to 15
Register: https://www.activelearningcamps.com/index.php
Camp director Mike Borchelt says, “USA Chess has been holding chess camps in the DFW area for 20 years! Our team of experienced children’s chess coaches will teach children of all abilities to learn, improve, and enjoy playing the game. Lessons, practice, tournaments, and problems make the day a varied and challenging experience loaded with fun times that the campers will consider their best camp of the year. Every child receives a notation book, chess set, and trophy!”
MCKINNEY
Camp name: Chess on the Square Summer Chess Camp
Camp dates: July 11-15 and August 8-12
Camp times: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 7 to 15
Register: www.McKinneyPerformingArtsCenter.org (for general information about McKinney Chess; this summer’s dates not yet posted as of February 20, 2016). Call 972-547-2650 to complete registration.
Camp director Susan Berger says, “Intense learning and fantastic fun! Explore the many ideas of chess and exercise your love of learning. Small groups (one teacher for every six students) allow for personal instruction. Every student plays chess one-on-one with Grandmaster Babakuli Annakov during camp and participates in an end-of-camp tournament, rated by the US Chess Federation.”
RICHARDSON
Camp name: UT Dallas Summer Chess Camps
Camp dates: June 13-17, June 20-24, July 18-22, and July 25-29
Camp times: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ages: 7 to 14
Register: http://www.utdallas.edu/chess/education-camp/
Camp director James Stallings says, “Learn from the best! The UT Dallas Chess Team has finished in first place in 10 Pan-American Intercollegiate Chess Championships!”
About Alexey Root:
Alexey Root earned her Ph.D. in education from UCLA. She is the author of several books about teaching and learning chess including Read, Write, Checkmate; The Living Chess Game; Science, Math, Checkmate; Thinking with Chess. She was the 1989 U.S. Women’s Chess Champion and has the “Woman International Master” title awarded by the World Chess Federation (FIDE). As a Senior Lecturer for The University of Texas at Dallas, she teaches online, college-credit, chess curriculum courses. Earlier in her career, she taught social studies and English in secondary schools. In public and private K-12 schools, after-school programs, recreation centers, camps, university courses, and private lessons, she has taught chess to over 3500 people. Dr. Root enjoys teaching at various summer chess camps. Check out her 2015 blog post for talkSTEM, Checkmate! Here is a press release for her latest book:
Click here for Chess Merit Badge information
To visit US Chess Federation, click here
To visit Mongoose Press, click here
If Dr Root has missed a DFW Metroplex chess camp that you think should be included in her article, please “Leave a Reply” to describe that chess camp.