June is an exciting month at Edison Estates

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates offers a variety of children and adult programs, special exhibits, discounts and events throughout the month of June.

The June schedule of programs and events include:

• Estates Inventors Summer Camp - programs for grades 4th - 6th and 1st - 3rd

Campers will have a one of a kind experience, discovering, learning, inventing and creating at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates 2008 summer camp program. All camp programs will be filled with hands-on, active learning experiences, designed to make learning fun. Each week will focus on a different exciting theme including:

Session 1 & 2: "The Wizard's World" June 16 - 20; grades 1st - 3rd

Campers will step back in time and explore the history of the Estates and the inventions of Edison & Ford.

Session 3: "The Smarts of Art" June 23 - 27; grades 4th - 6th

Campers will discover how chemistry, optics and physics make great art possible while creating their own artwork using many different types of media.

Session 4: "Science of Sound" July 7 -11; grades 4th - 6th

Campers will explore the power of sound energy as they learn the genius of Thomas Edison and his phonograph.

Session 5: "Animation" July 14 -18; grades 4th - 6th

The perfect mix of science and art, campers will develop characters, write stories, choose between many different animation styles and create a short film.

Session 6: "Movie Making Magic" July 21 - 25; grades 4th - 6th

Campers will act, direct, operate cameras and build sets as they become fully immersed in the art of film making.

Session 7: "Eager Engineers" July 28 - Aug. 1; grades 4th - 6th

"To be a good inventor, you need a good imagination..." said Thomas Edison. Campers will use recycled materials and develop "ecofriendly" inventions as they create robots that will perform a variety of tasks.

Session 8: "Kitchen Chemistry" Aug. 4 - 8; grades 4th - 6th

Campers will experience the best experiments the Estates Wild Wizards have to offer as they learn how to take every day kitchen items and make them do amazing things.

Session 9: "Wild Green" Aug. 11 - Aug. 15; grades 1st - 3rd

Campers will explore the treasures of the Estates gardens as they discover plants and trees from exotic locations. Taste, touch, smell, listen, and see the tropical botanic wonders in this week long adventure of exploring environmental science combined with hands on fun.

All camp sessions will be held in the historic Edison Caretaker's House (airconditioned) although some of the activities will be held in the Estates outdoor program buildings. All sessions begin at 9 a.m. and end at either 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. depending on session. Cost for each camp session varies from $150 and $200 for Estates Members; $175 and $230 for non-members. Registration is required. To register call the Estates Education Department at 334-7419.

Other Estates events

• Book Signing, Author Tom Smoot, The Edisons of Fort Myers, June 14, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., Estates Museum

Just in time for Father's Day, author Tom Smoot will be at the Estates Museum to sign and personalize his book The Edisons of Fort Myers:

Discoveries of the Heart. Smoot's book takes a personal look at Fort Myers most famous resident, Thomas Edison, who spent 46 winters in Southwest Florida.

• Estates Wild Wizard Lab Show "Who, Watt, Why," June 22, 2 p.m.

Who discovered electricity? What is a Watt? And Why should you know?

During this shocking, hair raising, electrifying program participants will see lightning strike... invisible forces... and get a few bright ideas! The Estates Wild Wizards present a series of wild lab experiments exploring some of Mr. Edison's and Mr. Ford's illuminating inventions. Fun for all ages. Estates members are FREE, non members $10 adults, $5 children.

• Celebrate Father's Day at the Estates, June 15

The Estates is offering free admission to any father accompanied with their child on Father's Day. Free admission includes a tour of the newly restored homes, the historic botanical gardens, the Estates Museum and Edison's Research Laboratory.

The Estates is open daily 9 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. and is an official project of "Save America's Treasures" at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a National Register Historic Site and a Florida Historic Landmark. For additional information call 239-334-7419 or visit the website at www.efwefla.org.