Another Successful Calculus Camp

April 19 to April 22 were exciting days for students taking Advanced Placement (AP) calculus AB or BC at Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES). The math department chair and teachers organize an annual event, known as “Calculus Camp,” in order for the students to excel in their AP calculus course and to further pursue new discoveries in their desire to learn.

The number of students taking calculus has increased annually as this year, there were about 200 students, which broke last year’s record. Every year, Calculus Camp takes place in Wrightwood, California at the Lions Camp in Teresita Pines. Located about three hours away from LACES, each of the students has the opportunity to ride tour buses rather than school buses, to camp. Once they arrive, the students get to spend a couple days in the forest studying calculus, a different setting from the classroom or hallway.

The study groups are usually in numbers of five students or less and the teachers encourage the students to work with different people each time. During break time, students have the choice to go hiking, swimming, playing ping pong, running, playing basketball, or even just hanging out with their friends in the large cafeteria.

This academic camp has all the general aspects of a regular camping trip, but with calculus as the focus. “I don’t go to trips with my family often and I’ve never gone camping, so this event is something I’ve been waiting for all year, especially with all of my friends here,” Amit Tsanhani, a junior, said.

With a set schedule meal, study session, free time, meal, study session, bonfire- the students seem to be able to endure the hours of calculus studying because of its new setting, groups of friends, and interesting leisure activities available to them for free time.

“I went hiking with my friends for two hours during free time and I’m so tired, but it was interesting and worth it because it helped me take a good break from all that hours of calculus,” Zoe Gardner, a junior, said.

Some study sessions were deliberately arranged with a mixture of AP calculus AB and BC students. “It’s about giving back from what you received last year by helping the students who are in AB this year because you’ve gone through what they are going through now,” Mr. Vriesman, the math department chair and AP calculus teacher, said.

While juniors were already getting excited with the thought of coming here again next year, this event was the last calculus camp for the seniors.

“After I graduated LACES three years ago, I came back as a teacher assistant—that’s how much I loved Calculus Camp and I still love it,” Terry Kong, a former LACES student, said. “Wherever Calc Camp goes, I go.”

With the increase of students this year, there were also more helpers and teacher assistants compared to the number in the past.

“All of the teachers are so smart here,” Yoonyoung Chang, a junior, said. “They can answer all of my questions and are good at explaining when I need help.”

On Sunday morning, just a few hours before their departure, all of the students took a mock AP exam to test how much they had learned, accomplished, and improved over the past few, yet intense study days.

“My score went up a lot from my pretest,” Ashley Kim, a senior, said. “This time, I got a solid 4.”