SCATS campers form strong bonds

By Sam Oldenburg and Brook Joyner

Despite being together for only a short time, the gifted students at the Summer Camp for Academically Talented Middle School Students (SCATS) form fast friendships surrounded by their intellectual peers.

Grace Spears (left) of Franklin reads her story to Aneesha Edwards of Lexington in Future Authors Thursday, June 15. The class was challenged to write a short story without repeating any words. (Photo by Brook Joyner)

Jack Hayes (left) of Shelbyville jokes with Evie Ellis of Russellville during Communication and Leadership Wednesday, June 14. The class worked on an interactive presentation where they had the chance to respond to prompts and polls. (Photo by Brook Joyner)

Veronica Walker (left) of Elizabethtown and Neva Cline of Pearland, Texas, walk to class together in Gary Ransdell Hall between third and fourth period Friday, June 16. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)

Connor Normand (left) from Bowling Green and Kenyan Wood from Horse Cave look at a book together during hall time Monday, June 12. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)

Tori Edwardson's campers laugh with each other while learning to play the game Werewolf during hall time Monday, June 19. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg) — Tori Edwardson’s campers laugh with each other while learning to play the game Werewolf during hall time Monday, June 19. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)

Will Faulkner of New Haven ties a bandana for Calloway Bills of Russellville before competing in tug-of-war during SCATS Olympics Saturday, June 17. (Photo by Brook Joyner)

Counselor Aaron Bard (left) gives a pep talk to his team before tug-of-war at SCATS Olympics Saturday, June 17. Aaron was one of the two counselors leading team Canada. (Photo by Brook Joyner)

SCATS campers visit with each other after eating dinner in Fresh Food Company Tuesday, June 13. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)

Counselor Ben Guthrie leads his campers in a storytelling game he created during hall time in his room in Florence Schneider Hall Monday, June 19. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)

Emily Holland (left) of Louisville and Caroline Ardizzone of Fort Thomas discuss their projects in the Art of Graphic Design Monday, June 12. On the first day of class, students designed books about their interests. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)

Annora Striegle (from left) of Charlotte, N.C., Lauren Goldsmith of Bowling Green, and Alecia Glenn of Bowling Green form a massage train in Singing 101 Thursday, June 15. Massages are part of the daily warm-up routine for the class before they begin singing. (Photo by Brook Joyner)

Lindsay Whitaker (left) of Lexington and Alecia Glenn of Bowling Green laugh while rehearsing their play in Acting Monday, June 19. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)

Jasmine Miles (from left) of Union, Serenity Johnson of Louisville and Kandi Rogers of Owensboro share a laugh during community time Monday, June 19. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)

Tai Le from Elizabethtown jokes with fellow campers while playing Magic: The Gathering during community time Monday, June 19. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)