Dates: June 10-14, 2019
Time: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Fee: No cost
Ages: 7th-12th graders
Contact: Dr. Claire Katz, Camp Director
Aggie Philosophy Camp for Teens will introduce students to some of Western philosophy’s most influential ideas and persistent questions. But you will learn so much more than what some old guys thought many years ago! Taught by Texas A&M University faculty and graduate students, the Philosophy for Teens camp offers students a transformative experience. Philosophy camp students will have the opportunity to discuss and reflect on these big ideas, learn and practice critical thinking, and improve logical and creative thinking. Just a few of the big questions we discussed last summer:
What is the relationship between literacy and democracy?
What is the purpose of education?
Are political parties useful or harmful?
How do we live together when we are so different?
What kinds of material obstacles stand in the way of literacy?
How has our definition of literacy changed over time?
If you ever found yourself wondering about these or similar questions, this camp is for you!
At Philosophy Camp, students will work collaboratively with faculty, graduate student counselors, and, most importantly, with each other to think carefully about important philosophical ideas, that not only appear throughout history and but also in our world today. Expect to challenge yourself to understand better your own perspective and those of your peers. If you are interested in philosophy, or just want to know more about what philosophy is, this camp is the perfect place to start!
2019 Theme: Harry Potter and Philosophy
Monday June 10: Introductions
- Building and caring for friendships
- Respectful Disagreement
Tuesday June 11: Magic, Metaphysics, and Epistemology
Wednesday June 12: Harry Potter and Social Difference
- How does magical ability (or not having it) create social difference?
- What is the significance of Voldemort being a “half-blood”?
- How does gender impact Hermione’s education and friendships at Hogwarts?
Thursday June 13: Wand Making with the Worthwich School of Wizarding!
Friday June 14: Wrap-up and Party!
- Campers will present their creative projects.
- We’ll have cake and give out certificate! Parents welcome.
Do you want to apply to the camp?
Instructions–please read carefully. This form cannot be saved. However, a copy will be emailed to you upon submission and you will be able to return to the form to edit your answers. Parts 2-4 are camper registration sections. Part 5 is the camper application, which requires the camper to answer a few short essay questions. All applicants, even previous philosophy campers, must answer these. If you have multiple campers, you can apply for them (up to 3) on the same application. (Instructions for this are within the app itself.)
Completed application must be received by February 28, 2019 to ensure full consideration.
Camp enrollment is limited.
Click here to fill out the application.
Do you want to volunteer with the camp?
In order to volunteer, you will need to fill out a short application indicating your interest in working with the camp. All volunteers are required to attend pre-camp meetings for planning, as well as training in P4C pedagogy. (If you are coming in from out of state, we can Skype you in for these.) Volunteers largely help camp facilitators in moving the campers from place to place, passing out materials, helping distribute lunches, and other key support functions. Please be aware that for a variety of reasons, we cannot guarantee that all volunteers will have the opportunity to facilitate an actual session. However, all volunteers will gain exposure to the P4C pedagogy by seeing trained facilitators in action. (Volunteers who worked with us on the 2016 inaugural camp need not fill out this application.)
Click here to fill out the volunteer application.
All volunteers and campers are expected to abide
by the Aggie School of Athens’ Code of Conduct, which you can read here.
Many thanks to Hungry Howie’s, the official pizza sponsor of P4C Texas!