| Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Weekly News May 02, 2025 Just for Kids Educational Summer Camps! 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Edison and Ford Winter Estates is offering several summer camp options for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Students are separated into groups according to grade level (K-2 and 3-5). The camps are edu- cational and focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM), and incorporate fun activities. Campers get to invent, design, build, and learn in the same location where famous inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford invented some of the world’s best-known pro- ducts. Summer camp starts on June 9 and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Camp options are listed below. (Sold out camps are not listed) Most camps are nearly sold out but “Electronics Power-up” on July 21-25 (Grades 3-5) still has several spots available! They sell out fast so secure your spot TODAY! Hands-On Chemistry June 9-13 (Grades K-2 and 3-5) In this camp, students will explore the exciting world of chemistry with a series of hands-on experiments throughout the week. The periodic table, structure of atoms, bonds, reactions, and solutions, are all covered. Some experiments include slime, lava lamps, pH indicators for color changing liquids, the popular exploding toothpaste, and more. Cost: EFWE members: $225, non-members: $250 Energetic Engineers June 16-20 (Grades K-2 and 3-5) Campers will learn how to handle the problem space by learning the en- gineering design process and practicing it all week as they are given new design challenges each day. Challenges include a mini paddle boat race, marble roller coasters, bridges, towers and more. Cost: EFWE members: $225, non-members: $250 Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robotics June 23-27 (Grades 3-5) This camp is one part code, one part mechanics, and one part creativity. Campers will learn the code and mechanics of LEGO Mindstorm robot- ics. Using autonomous code and strategy, teams will send their robot into battle against other teams. Campers will design and build a robot that can change its behavior based on sensor data. Cost: EFWE members: $225, non-members: $250 High-Flying Rockets June 30-July 3 (Grades K-2 and 3-5) In this camp, students will learn the physics of lift. Activities include gliders, stomp rockets, parachute design, and water rockets. Newton’s laws of motion are explored as well as Bernoulli’s principle, and the Coandă effect. This camp will also include a demonstration of the Ed- ison Ford unmanned aerial vehicle. Cost: EFWE members: $175, non-members: $200 Machine Makers July 7-11 (Grades K-2 and 3-5) Campers will explore all things in motion in this STEAM camp. Con- cepts learned include the six simple machines, Newton’s Laws of mo- tion, the engineering design process, and rigid design. Campers will rapidly prototype using LEGOs and other common materials as they learn about mechanical advantage and how to apply it. Cost: EFWE members: $225, non-members: $250 Electronics Power-up July 21-25 (Grades 3-5) This crash course in electronics covers the history of electricity, and hands-on circuit design. Concepts of electricity such as current, volts, magnetism, insulation, conduction, and more core concepts will be covered. The week of circuits concludes as campers take home their own custom circuit. Cost: EFWE members: $225, non-members: $250 Code Camp July 28-August 1 (Grades 3-5) In this camp, students will explore the core concepts of code as they design a game, an interactive story, or anything they can think up. Campers will learn about loops, boolean logic, if/else statements, variables, and more. They will get a copy of their project at the end of the week that includes a code library for use after camp. Cost: EFWE members: $225, non-members: $250 Video Creators July 28-August 1 (Grades K-2) This camp is focused on storytelling and the technology behind it. Campers will work on stop motion animation, basic editing, and how to structure a simple scene. In small groups, campers develop their ideas and produce short, animated scenes that they can share with friends and family. Cost: EFWE members: $225, non-members: $250 Design in 3-D August 4-8 (Grades K-5) In this camp, students will explore the world of Computer Aided Design and 3D printing. They will learn how ideas go from con- cept to reality with this critical 21st century skill, then take home their own design. Cost: EFWE members: $225, non-members: $250 Summer Camp Registration is OPEN! Click here to register! Thank you to our Summer Camp sponsors: Homeschool Class at Edison Ford: Transportation Engineering Marvels “Hoover Dam” May 7 & 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Students will explore the engineering of the Hoover Dam. In the “Model of the Hoover Dam” activity, they will build a scale model using various materials. This hands-on experience allows students to learn about the dam’s construction, its hydroelectric power gen- eration, and its impact on water management and irrigation in the region. Classes take place in an outdoor classroom environment (weather permitting). Homeschool classes at Edison Ford are aligned with Next Generation Science and Florida State Standards. Classes are a combination of instruction and hands on activities that are de- signed to facilitate homeschool or virtual science education. Be- come a family member of Edison Ford and receive discounted registration! May 7 & 15: grades 1-3 May 8 & 14: grades 4-6 Members: $15 each or $120 for the series, non-members: $25 each or $200 for the series. Digital Discussion Step into History Digital Edition: The Seminoles – Their Lasting Legacy May 14, 10:30 a.m. Step into history for a few moments in time as historian, Carolyn Furman, takes you on a path to learn about the Seminole legacies. To register, click here. Step Into History archives are available on YouTube. Exhibits Art in the Gardens: “Senses of Innovation” Now through May 9 The Art in the Garden exhibit is OPEN and will be up until May 9! Local schools decorated touchable spheres, using recycled, weather- resistant materials. The spheres are hung in the garden near the Ban- yan Tree where they can be touched by visitors, creating a fun and interactive experience! Become a MEMBER and get unlimited free visits, discounts on purchases in the Garden Shoppe, retail stores, special events and adult education classes! Join today! We are OPEN on Mothers Day! Mothers Day is the perfect day to bring your mother or special ladies in your life to see the gardens! With the increased daylight hours, heat and humidity, many trees and flowers are blooming spectacularly. The Flame Vine on the pergola, next to the Butterfly Garden is bursting with tubular orange flowers; the Blue Sky Vine on the pergola at the entrance to the Garden Shoppe is welcoming visitors with huge laven- der blooms; the Bougainvillea along the side of the community gardens is covered in dark pink bracts; amazing scents are coming from the roses and citrus trees on the Ford property; and bees are actively pollinating all the flowers. After your tour, stop by the Garden Shoppe to buy some- thing pretty for your mother to take home. Ongoing Programs Piano Performance Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Edison Guest House Timeless beauty resides where classical music is performed by Cura- torial Registrar, Chet, on Mina Edison’s 1932 George Steck piano in the guest house. Piano performances are BACK! Included with ad- mission. Step into History Presentations Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Learn about subjects related to Edison and Ford with Site Historians. This program is held in the 15,000-square-foot museum. Included with admission. Yoga Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Class will be held in the River Pavilion (weather permitting). All skill levels are welcome. This class is taught by Bonnie D’Angelo, a certified yoga instructor. Edison Ford members: $15; non-members: $20 per class. Tickets may be purchased online or at the ticket counter. Bring a yoga mat, water, and towel. Admission to the site is not included. THANK YOU! The Edison and Ford Winter Estates won the ‘Overall Attraction’ category for Lee County in the Gulfshore Life “Best of the Gulfshore” contest! Every year they highlight the best businesses in the area within various categories. We were also a finalist in the ‘Sightseeing Tour’ category! Thank you to everyone that voted for us! Help restore our beautiful gardens. 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