With school out for the summer, some El Paso-area school districts are offering programs designed to keep children engaged with fun, educational opportunities, including a chess camp held each year at Reyes Elementary School.
“So this is a chess camp that we do every year here at Reyes Elementary,” one organizer said. The camp is aimed at getting kids away from screens while helping them build social and thinking skills. “It’s just a great camp, gets kids off of their devices, allows kids to meet one another, make friends,” the organizer said. “Most importantly, they’re able to learn some life skills, critical thinking, decision making.”
Organizers said the camp is about more than learning the rules of the game. “This camp at Reyes Elementary where kids are not just learning chess, but they’re learning how to work with one another,” the organizer said. “They’re learning a new skill.” The organizer added that students are also learning persistence. “They’re learning how to stay involved and determined and pursue their goals until they achieve them.”…