The STEAM Project: Parent Interview with Daniela Pacitto

Watch our Parent interview with Daniela Pacitto to hear firsthand what children experience and how they grow at The STEAM Project.

Transcript of the interview

What's unique about the program at The STEAM Project that made you want to enroll your child there?

The projects that the kids get to do every day. The best thing about their STEAM-focused projects is that they get to bring them home. The girls really liked that. 

I would also say the camp staff. All of them are extremely supportive. My kids always feel safe.

Was this your children's first experience with camp?

The STEAM Project is the first camp they ever went to that focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. They had gone to some other camps previously, but they really felt engaged at this one, so we've stuck with it.

Was there any change or noticeable personal growth in your children after time at The STEAM Project camp?

Doing this camp really supports their school program. The camp teaches them things that are a little more advanced. So they'll be a bit prepared for the next school year. 

It helped my girls with emotional growth. It increased both of their confidence, getting in there and tackling projects. They were allowed to use equipment that before they wouldn't have been courageous enough to use, such as a soldering iron, a saw, and even something simple like a glue gun. And they really took charge of that equipment in making their projects. They grew very confident using all those tools in doing the projects.

If you hadn't sent your children to The STEAM Project, what's the most important personal growth that they would've missed out on?

They would have missed out on those extra little projects that they probably wouldn't have done at school. The camp pushed them to explore things they’d never learned about before. It also supported them emotionally in terms of just having such a good time. They were so happy. 

I wouldn't have expected this kind of growth from a camp, but they grew so much more mature, happy and loving, because that's how the staff at this camp treat them every day. They're very welcoming and caring.

How can a parent support their child to get the most out of The STEAM Project camps?

A parent could support their child emotionally to go to this camp by telling them to have confidence, to take part in the projects and the challenges, and to put themselves out there. 

My girls especially love the camp challenges. They either cheered on their counselors (because the counselors took part in the challenges on their own), or the different cabins took part in the challenges. For example, the best one was called Sink or Swim. Your counselor and separate cabins had to build a cardboard box boat that would stand the test of going into a backyard baby pool with their counselor in it, without getting the counselor wet or sinking the counselor. I would encourage my kids to take part in those challenges and be confident.

What does your child say about The STEAM Project camp, either to you or that you may have heard them say to friends or others?

Both of my kids especially love the camp because the counselors and all of the staff at The STEAM Project make them feel known. From the minute we get out of the car in the morning, the counselors greet the kids with a friendly wave or a smile. The kids really feel like they belong all the time.  They also feel really safe and well taken care of. 

Also, there are many spirit days and opportunities to have a lot of fun. All of the counselors have such great personalities, and they're funny, making sure that each and every child has a great day every day.

Any final thoughts on The STEAM Project?

The communication at the camp is excellent. If we ever had a concern or were worried about something, we would just email or make a quick phone call, and someone would respond right away. 

For example, one of my daughters had a ski injury before coming to camp. She was injured in  March and was still going through her recovery process. And the communication was just excellent with the camp. The wellness coordinator frequently touched base with me to let me know that she was doing great and asking me what kind of limitations she would have because of her injury. They were really attentive to all of our concerns.

Verified written reviews of The STEAM Project