IDEA schools to host culture camp

DONNA — Six hundred new IDEA students will be attending "Culture Camp" at all three of IDEA's established campuses While other students are sleeping in, lounging by the pool and enjoying morning video game sessions. 

 
IDEA schools in Donna McAllen/Edinburg and Brownsville have come together to hold the camp between Aug. 11-15.
According to a release from IDEA schools, the five-day event will include team-building initiatives, morning assemblies, and sessions on IDEA's core beliefs and principles.

"The campus culture at an IDEA school is very unique, and we want to give new students a chance to learn and experience this culture before they start their academic year on Aug. 25," said Tom Torkelson, CEO and co-founder of IDEA Public Schools.

The camps will run from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.

According to a release from IDEA, the camp is being held to give students a jump start on getting back into the groove of the school year.

During camp, students will learn about the "IDEA 55," a set of 55 principles designed to teach respect, character and good behavior.

Students will also learn about IDEA's curriculum, and find out what kind of elective courses are available to them.

IDEA Mission and IDEA San Benito, the newest additions to the IDEA school system, are slated to roll their culture camps out during the first week of school, said IDEA officials.

This will be done because all students at those campuses will be new to the system.