In the Suitcase, Sweetie

Ella was recommended by her teacher to go to a STEM camp this summer. It’s a week long camp where the kids get to make a robot, explore the circulatory system (including dissection of a cow’s heart), and learn CSI techniques to solve crime. Yeah, it sounded cool, so we were like, ok.

The camp has a legit looking website, but what do Phoebe and I know from STEM camps. We don’t know this place. Never heard of it. Plus Ella and I have been watching The Mysterious Benedict Society — where the gifted school is not so much on the up and up — so I called, spoke to an actual person, and got the skinny. They’ve been around for over 30 years and blah blah blah. Ok, fine.

It’s in Deerfield, IL at Trinity University, about an hour away. I had to take Ella for a PCR Covid test (she’s negative) and email it to the camp three days before session. We also had to outfit her with solid navy, khaki, or white shorts (the hem of which needs extend below her fingertips), and solid navy, khaki, or white shirts that cover her midriff and shoulders at all times. Yes, a weird nonsecular vibe to the dress code, but you’ll no doubt remember women weren’t allowed to wear pants on the Senate Floor until 1993*.

We took her last Sunday and I got my first taste of what it must be like to bring your kid to college**, although probably much less bittersweet because Ella’s not even 12…