Federal Hill Tech Center Launches Summer Camp

City Council President Young (center) and 

Digital Harbor Foundation Co-Executive Director 

Andrew Coy (right) watch as a student uses a 3D printer

 at the new Digital Harbor Tech Center. 

Photo courtesy of Council President Young's office.

Federal Hill’s Digital Harbor Tech Center will launch its first ever Summer Maker Camp, in partnership with the non-profit The Maker Education Initiative and with support from its founding sponsors Pixar Animation Studios, Intel, O’Reilly Media, and Cognizant (an information technology firm).

This unique program, comprised of four 2-week long sessions, will focus on engaging children ages 7 - 17 with technological innovation through hands-on exploration and mentorship. The mission is “to create more opportunities for young people to make, and, by making, build confidence, foster creativity, and spark interest in science, technology, engineering, math, the arts and learning as a whole,” according to their website.

Director of Curriculum Stephanie Grimes says the students that have already been through the school-year program (formerly Rech2Tech) have helped build what will be the new summer camp, literally helping mentors paint and renovate the facility, which is now equipped with a sound studio where students will learn about audio production. “We’re learning a lot from them. Hopefully they’re learning a lot from us,” she says.

The first summer session, “Circuit Adventures,” runs June 17-28 and teaches students how to create lamps, flying propellers, moving motors and musical projects through hands-on activities. “Digital Design & Fabrication” (July 8-19) will explore 3D design composition through use of legos and vinyl with the advanced technology of 3D printers.

During “Game Development,” July 22 - August 2, tech couches will teach kids how to develop their own digital game. “Aerial Pursuits,” the last camp session ending on August 16, will guide students through the exploration of flight as they learn about rocketry, paper planes and remote controlled aircrafts.

“We’re hoping to be able to carry these themes into the fall,” says Stephanie, “sort of that hands-on, immersive exploration.”

Each two-week Summer Maker Camp session has 20 spots, and although there is a fee, scholarship aid is available for those students who qualify.

“We’re agile enough that we can pivot with them, and we work hard to get the funding, tools, and resources they need,” says Stephanie. “For example, one of the kids broke their headphones, and they were like, ‘I can’t afford new headphones, I need to fix these,’ and we’re like, ‘here’s a soldering iron, fix them.’”


Briana Lopes, Intern

Vanessa's Vintage Treasures: Same Great Merchandise, New Location

   

Vanessa has an array of dazzling costume
jewelry, like these mid-century earrings

Upon passing through the lilac-colored, yet unassuming door of Vanessa’s Vintage Treasures, I am greeted with nostalgia for decades long past that, like many young thrifters, I have never even experienced. Cream-colored lace drapes old mahogany wood dressers displaying 1950’s costume jewelry and sterling silver clip-on earrings. Stacks of royal blue china teacups and saucers decorate the shelves like glass flowers. Colorful fabric swatches printed with 19th century scenes hang freely, inviting the adventurous old-spirit to repurpose them with a contemporary flare. Whatever your niche, whatever your price point, Vanessa’s quaint, yet artfully crafted showroom of “old stuff” has a gem awaiting your discovery.

Federal Hill’s cherished antique shop, Vanessa’s Vintage Treasures, after 22 thriving years of business, has relocated to a new space at 1028 S. Charles Street. Though slightly smaller than her previous storefront at 1132 S. Charles, shop proprietor Vanessa White says she’s acclimated to the new space and happily anticipates her re-opening in late May. “I hope all my old customers and new ones will come,” says Vanessa.

As with her first store, Vanessa’s inventory consists of mostly vintage fabrics, such as lace, costume and silver jewelry, and glassware. “I still consider this a linen store, but the jewelry is really my forte. I think it is because I am extremely picky.” Walking through her space now, which is overflowing with eye-catching objects, it’s apparent that one is among a professional collector. “At any given time, you  never know what’s going to be a best seller,” says Vanessa, “I’ve had weeks where I’ve only sold pottery; collectibles go up and down in popularity.” Vanessa has a small network of “pickers” who buy items on her behalf, mostly from estate sales. Although she may have a large collection of, say, 1920’s broaches one day, they may just as soon fly off her shelves the next. “I have very loyal clientele,” she says proudly. “They know what they like.”

A self-identified “old school” Baltimorean, born and raised right here in Federal Hill, Vanessa doesn't use computer technology   company or personal e-mail, social media, a store website   to bolster her business. Instead, she humbly relies on the loyalty of her customers, who have continued to drive her business through word-of-mouth alone. “I plan to go digital in the near future,” says Vanessa. For now, vintage seekers will just have to dig the old-fashioned way.


Briana Lopes, Intern