For anyone interested in solving the scavenger hunt, this article contains spoilers (and probably no clear image)! Instead, head to the dedicated page here. The CAMPers arrive to see the next clue of the day already out. It’s not in an envelope this time, but scrawled across the blackboard instead. Instantly, the CAMPers begin working, discussing with each other the answers to the previous days’ clues and how to fill the eleven blanks. As the time draws nearer and nearer to the start of math class, the clue is finally cracked— the numbers translate into the letters d-o-d-e-c-a-h-e-d-r-o-n using the red and black encyclopedias.

The CAMPers race out to the dilapidated dodecahedron to find another encrypted message. They attempt to solve it too, but they run out of time. Makayla and Ada promise that there will be time to work at the end of math class, or worse case at lunch.

For anyone not versed in the names of polyhedrons, or one who hasn’t fully explored Bard campus, the shape “dodecahedron” might not mean much. A dodecahedron is actually one of the five platonic solids (named after Plato in his Timaeus) along with the tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, and icosahedron. These are all regular polyhedra, meaning each of their sides is a regular polygon — a flat shape with all sides and angles equal, like a square or equilateral triangle — and each vertex has the same amount of faces. There can only ever be five platonic polyhedrons because every vertex has to add up to less than 360 degrees. If you want to learn more, this website does a pretty good job!

The math classes begin by listing observations about the multiplication table they created yesterday. The CAMPers reiterate the fact that each “good” moduli —which are numbers relatively prime to 26, meaning they share no common factors besides 1— appears once in each column and row, rather like a Sudoku. Then they receive each others’ encrypted messages, and decrypt them using the multiplicative inverses listed in the table. CAMPers enjoy working with and double checking each other, especially as some of the multiplication ends up with big numbers.

Learning the Affine cipher is next. It consists of a layered encryption, of a multiplication then additive shift. To decrypt, they use more addition and multiplication to find the inverse function. For example, one of the Affine ciphers has a multiplication of 3 followed by a shift of 4, which can be written in y=mx+b style as y=3(x)+4 where “y” is the ciphertext and “x” is the cleartext. To decrypt, they use modular arithmetic style algebra to add and multiply to isolate x. In the end, they end up with the equation y=9x+16, which decrypts any ciphertext encoded with y=3x+4.

With Fidan in computer science, Tangent reviews everything they’ve learned from yesterday and throughout the week. Then the CAMPers begin with their final assignment— coding a Caesar cipher. They first attempt a +13 shift cipher, which is one of the easiest as they can shift it either way. Fingers hit keys as the room bursts into life, the CAMPers quickly using their programming-pairs to collaborate and create a program. Fidan watches, wandering between them and offering tips when requested. The programs are built before the period ends, so they are assigned to create a program that will do any number shift. The CAMPers continue to work on their task up until the class ends.

In art, Cotangent also begins on their final project. This time, it’s a culmination using at least two of the ciphers they’ve learned throughout the week to write an encrypted sentence in a drawing that represents their time here at CAMP. After planning out their message on a separate piece of paper, the CAMPers get to work on their panoramic art pieces. By the end of the class, they’re all satisfied and happy with the day’s work.

At lunch, the usual groups form as the CAMPers spend their last day with their friends. During this time, they also solve the riddle from this morning, which tells them “Congrats! Collect your prize at open house.”

Instead of having electives today, we use this time to get in our last preparations. This includes every student taking their survey, before trading it in for their requested t-shirt. Once that process has been completed, Japheth leads the way out to the steps of the other physics building to take the annual group picture. A picture of just the CAMPers commences, followed by one with all of the staff added on, and finally one of only staff. The CAMPers head back, helping put up the artworks and math papers until it’s time for their next class. Thank you, CAMPers, for all of your help!

In computer science, Cotangent reviews everything from yesterday. Then they work as a class to simplify the function they all programmed yesterday. Fidan leads them, letting the CAMPers collaborate with each other and bounce ideas back and forth to code it in only one if-statement! Although they may not have thought up the optimized version themselves, they all understand and contribute to the creation. The next thing for the CAMPers to learn is string slicing, which takes a select portion from a string. It takes in three values inside of square brackets [ ] at the end of a string— the start index, the end index, and the step or interval between each index. The CAMPers teach themselves what these three inputs do, then share as a class to get their collective definitions.

Now it’s Tangent’s turn to work on their culminating project! After discussing the meanings to any artworks unable to be discussed earlier in the week, the CAMPers get right to work. Layo walks around, investigating the different ciphers and art styles used. Over the course of the period, ciphertext and color begin to form an image across the papers. The CAMPers leave the class happy with the results!

Then it is open house time! A slideshow cycling through all of the pictures of the week is set up as Frances and Japheth lead an introduction of all the staff members. Then the parents and CAMPers are free to wander around and investigate the contents of this week’s CAMP. Maxwell and Daniel help with the merchandise table as the other staff members mingle with the families.

Overall, it is a great conclusion to a great week! We hope all of the CAMPers learned something that continues to foster their interest in mathematics, computer science, and art. It was so amazing seeing all of the CAMPers genuinely interested in doing more than required, especially with the take-home problems in the scavenger hunt. Thank you, everyone, for making this week such a fantastic experience.

Today, our day begins with the CAMPers trickling into the art room. They resume playing the usual games, and Daniel and Maxwell even begin a group playing The Mind, where each player gets a certain amount of cards (depending on the level) and they have to place down the cards from lowest to highest without communication. Multiple CAMPers continue working on yesterday’s puzzle and even collaborate with others to get the correct answer— 21298.

Most of the ciphers covered during this week have been common and relevant ciphers to kids interested in cryptography now. However, many ciphers are now outdated, using previously revolutionary technology no longer as common or as tough to decode. One such cipher is the telephone dial cipher. It uses the numbers around the rotary phone’s dial, where you’d rotate the dial to each number manually instead of typing it or punching it into a keypad. This cipher used those numbers to represent letters. For example, 2 would be the letters A, B, and C. 3 would represent D, E, F, and so on. Since Q and X/Z were deemed the most uncommon letters, they were grouped into a collection of 4 (7=P/Q/R/S, 9=W/X/Y/Z). These numbers and letters actually appear on some models of smartphones with a numbered keypad to enter in passwords! But how does one determine which letter the numbers correspond to? Well, usually the encrypter includes arrows that go with each number that point to one of three directions: up left, straight up, and up right. In some harder ciphers, the arrows are abandoned altogether, and the decoder must use their knowledge of English words and orthography to determine what the hidden message is.

The CAMPers head off to math, excited to continue learning about modular arithmetic. They learn the official definition of two numbers being congruent mod 26— their difference is a multiple of 26. They are encrypting and decrypting with multiplication ciphers. Yesterday, they began with this type of encryption and its introduction into modular arithmetic. Maya’s ciphertext has a x3 encryption, and the CAMPers figure out that it can be reversed by multiplying the ciphertext by 9. This meant that multiplying by 9 undid multiplying by 3; they are reciprocals, or multiplicative inverses. Then the CAMPers begin experimenting with inverses, two numbers able to be multiplied together to make 1 (mod 26). Some numbers (residues) modulo 26, like 2, have no reciprocal and are “bad”.

After creating a table with every “good” modulo — a moduli that is less than but has no factor in common with 26 (besides 1) — they playfully collaborate to fill in the multiplication table for the “good” residues by having each CAMPer get one of the “good” residues. They walk around, find another CAMPer and multiply their numbers together, take the result mod 26, then add it to the table. By the end, the table is complete, and the CAMPers are tasked with naming patterns. One of the patterns is that each of the “good” moduli appear once per row and column, including 1. They focus on 1, as multiplying to 1 means that you can undo a multiplication cipher because multiplying by 1 means the ciphertext is the cleartext. The CAMPers experiment a bit more with multiplication ciphers, especially the decryption, before the period ends.

Tangent goes to computer science and begins the day with another review session. Then they dive into lists, which are very similar to strings. You can index through both, check whether certain indexes match a certain character (or in the case of lists, a certain data type or value), and more. The main difference is that lists are mutable, meaning you can change the value of indexes. Strings, however, are immutable, meaning you can only cut the ends off or join two strings together. The CAMPers begin to code a program that uses the difference between the index position and the value at the index.

Cotangent starts the period by working on their projects from yesterday. Some CAMPers finish earlier, and they start on the project for today— creating their own cipher, drawing an object from around them, then encrypting a phrase relating to the object in their drawing. They wrap up the day by discussing and decoding each other’s projects.

Most of the CAMPers enjoy lunch outside, though a few stay inside with the air conditioning. Daniel runs a group playing The Mind, which draws the attention of other groups, and CAMPers come over to investigate.

One group heads off with Daniel and Maxwell to play quantum games. Daniel explains quantum chopsticks (where you choose whether you want to split or tap, and your opponent chooses how you split/tap), quantum tic-tac-toe (where every move you place two symbols connected by a string. As soon as a loop is created, the player who didn’t create the loop gets to choose which direction the loop goes, and with that, which squares end up as an X or an O), and Maxwell explains quantum hangman (where you have two possible words until you guess enough letters that the words cannot be the same word, then you choose one word to continue playing with). The CAMPers split up, and by the end there are groups playing many different quantum games.

Another group heads up with Makayla and Ada to make morse code bracelets. Makayla teaches them how to use knots to create the pattern of dots and dashes, with a handy morse code translation sheet to encrypt the messages. The CAMPers pick their own colors and begin knotting, requesting songs to fill the peaceful silence.

The final few follow Gemma to do paper puzzles, like Star Battle, where two stars have to be placed in each row, column, and bolded area. Gemma explains how to play, and they split up to play the different puzzles. It’s silent, peaceful. The kids enjoy their time playing the games together.

Cotangent in computer science begins the period by reviewing everything they learned yesterday, including Booleans and the abs() function. They then began to use these topics in their own code. They define a function that takes in three arguments— integers “val1” and “val2”, and the Boolean “neg”. If the value of “neg” is equal to True, then both “val1” and “val2” have to be negative numbers for the function to output the value True. If “neg” is False, then one of the numbers has to be negative and the other has to be positive for the function to return True. The CAMPers work through the problem in their programming-pairs, writing their functions and testing them until class ends.

Tangent gets their chance to finish their projects from yesterday and begin on the one for today. The CAMPers dive right in, chatting with those around them to fill up the silence as they work. They create their own unique encryption systems and create a key on a separate piece of paper to document the code. The artworks end up colorful as always, and full of hidden messages.

After their last class, the CAMPers resume playing their games. They divide into their groups until the puzzle of the day is released. A crowd of CAMPers huddle around the clue, enthusiastically copying the puzzles down to solve at home. Then some get to work on solving it, eventually cracking the first part before they are retrieved by their parents.

Today’s puzzle:

Final reminders— open house is tomorrow! Parents, make sure to come from 3:00-3:30 to see the CAMPers’ work. It has been so much fun with all of you CAMPers. We can’t wait to round it out with another amazing day tomorrow.

Tuesday’s puzzle: The Super Funny Clue

Wednesday’s puzzle: The Testudo Clue

Thursday’s puzzle: The Arboretum Clue

Friday’s puzzle:

In the morning, the CAMPers slowly trickle in and join their usual groups. They are actively collaborating on many of the same games they have played throughout the week, strengthening their understanding of the rules and patterns. Makayla and Ada direct their attention to yesterday’s puzzle, which only a few kids ended up solving all the way. A poll commences, but the CAMPers decide that the difficulty of today’s puzzle stays at a similar level. Then the group shares the answer— VI and/or VII, or 6/7.

Today, there is a lot of work with modular arithmetic, continuing from yesterday. We actually use modular arithmatic in our daily lives a lot! One of the most common instances is telling the time. In the USA, it is standard to use the AM/PM system instead of the 24-hour clock. This means we use mod 12 to determine the afternoon times— for example, if it was 7am and you wanted to know the time in 7 hours, your answer would be 2pm, not 14:00. We also use it for most of our calendar system, though we use day and month names to disguise the math!

Then the math classes split again. The CAMPers discuss which shifts end up giving the same encryption. Modular arithmetic is the hidden key that relates all of these shifts— if the shifts are equal in mod 26, then they will result in the same encryption. Then the class moves on to a new but similar system, where instead of adding a certain number for the shift they multiply by a number. So “a”, which would be a shift of zero, is multiplied by 3 (to equal 0, no shift), and “b” which is a shift of one would end up being a shift of 1*3 or 3, and so on.

This leads into the discussion of which numbers allow for every letter to have their unique character in cipher text. Again, it relates to 26: if the shift is by 0 or any factor or multiple of 26, there will be multiple translations to cleartext for the same ciphertext character. There is a little review of modular arithmetic from yesterday, including how to find the gcf (greatest common factor) and the correct notation. Then the topic of inverses comes up under the guise of easily finding which cleartext character matches the given ciphertext character.

Tangent begins the class period with going over everything they learned yesterday. The CAMPers are eager to dive right in with strings again, learning about concatenation and adding “not” to the beginning of other strings after checking whether it already has one. They spend more time playing around with the properties of strings by using indexing. Their next task is to write a program that switches the first and last letters of a word. For example, the word “coding” would end up as “godinc”.

In art with Layo, Cotangent reviews their creations from yesterday, and they spend the beginning part of class discussing and decoding together. Then they begin the project for today— to create an abstract art with an encoded message of symbols. Each letter is a grouping of two shapes (circles, squares, diamonds, hearts, etc). The CAMPers spend the rest of class designing their messages and artwork in a way to weave them both together.

The CAMPers divide up into similar groups as yesterday, enjoying spending the time outside. Lunch today is cut short because of our elective: heading out to the Hessel Museum!

After the short walk to the museum, the CAMPers listen intently as one of the workers explains about the history of the museum and the artists’ exhibits within. Our very own Layo knows one of the artists, so she is our tour guide for the day. There is a short detour to drop off bags before they head over to Uman’s exhibit. We see Uman’s kiosk that she decorated and used to sell her other artworks off of.

At the very end, we pass through Marilou Schultz’s art exhibition but don’t have time to go into much detail. The CAMPers adore the tapestry of a working QR code. If you’re around the area, definitely come check it out!

Cotangent starts with reviewing the python terminal commands from yesterday, with Fidan trying her hand at teaching her first class! The topic of functions is brought up, relating it to mathematical functions to make a stronger foundation. The CAMPers get introduced to the abs() function and try different inputs until they discover that it takes the absolute value of the number entered. After that, they dive right into Booleans and how to assign them to variables. The CAMPers learn that the Boolean “True” has a value of 1 and the Boolean “False” has a value of 0 because computers think in binary. They write functions using Booleans and abs(), as well as the “return” statement to have the function output a certain value.

Joining Layo in the art room are all of the Tangent CAMPers. They sit down and discuss the art they saw previously at the museum, as well as how to incorporate similar abstract designs into their own pieces. The CAMPers quickly begin on their own works, getting a rough sketch down on a smaller piece of paper before working on their final project. Using the same code of two symbols, they design their artworks around their secret code.

The CAMPers split again today for the fraction workshops! One group follows Gemma to review more about fractions before beginning on another one of the hard problems from the application set. The CAMPers attack the problem vigorously and learn a lot. Then the problem of the day is given, and all focus turns to that.

The other group goes with Frances to learn about set theory and the Calkin-Wilf tree, which is a mathematical model of every rational number. It works by having every left branch of the fraction a/b convert to a/(a+b) and every right branch become (a+b)/b. The CAMPers are on the edge of their seats the entire time, wanting to learn more about the different applications of fractions. They are left with the question: “Are any rational numbers repeated, and are any numbers skipped? (And how do we prove it?)”

And today’s riddle:

There will be no more fraction workshops tomorrow, so pickup time is back to 3:00-3:30. And a reminder for Friday— our open house is held from 3:00-3:30 so, parents, come and see your children’s work!

A big focus today is on the Vigenère cipher, misattributed to French mathematician Blaise de Vigenère where the cipher got its name. However, the tabula recta (a giant table consisting of every Caesar cipher for every letter in the English alphabet) that this cipher uses was first created by Johannes Trithemius. He used it to create what is now known as the Trithemius cipher: the first letter of the plaintext is shifted by 1, then the second is shifted by 2, then 3, etc. The Vigenère cipher is based on that same tabula recta but with a keyword instead to make it harder to decrypt.

The group divides back into Cosecant and Secant for the CAMPers’ second day of math! Cosecant follows Maya and begins the day cracking ciphers. Secant does the same, after a quick name challenge to see whether they can name all of their classmates. The focus today is on substitution ciphers like the Caesar cipher touched on yesterday, as well as the new keyword and Vigenère ciphers. They discuss different clues used to crack the codes if the key isn’t known, like a frequency analysis to see which letters are more common (like E, T, A, I, O, N, S, etc in English).

Similarly, there are common two-letter combinations that appear more often than others — th, sh, cr, ck, ee, ea, etc. These types of clues are present in Caesar ciphers, but also in cryptoquip puzzles where the letters of the alphabet are scrambled then swapped out. The CAMPers are especially interested when the topic of modular arithmetic comes up, as it is new for a majority of them. The class spends the rest of their class time learning about how modular arithmetic works, with certain numbers being congruent using different moduli.

The Tangent group reviewed everything new from yesterday, then they began an introduction to strings, which are held in quotation marks. They are presented with indexes and indexing to determine the place of different characters in the string, which leads to discussion of the different ways to slice and operate on strings. This leads into a lesson on lists as they have a similar sort of indexing system. The CAMPers get a few practice problems, and they work together in their pair programming duos to complete them. They end with learning about “for loops”.

Cotangent goes to the art room to begin their artwork of the day. There is a quick lesson about the pigpen cipher before the CAMPers get to work. The goal for the day is to create a cardboard construct covered in color, with an encrypted message relating to the shape added on top. The CAMPers work very diligently and end up creating very creative and colorful designs!

The weather permits us to leave the confines of the building, so everyone heads outside for lunch. A few big groups form, and the rest of the CAMPers spend more one-on-one time chatting with the staff or each other.

The CAMPers split into three groups for their elective period. A group goes out with Japheth and Maya to the waterfall. They get close to one waterfall but don’t want to get too close and disturb the other people peacefully viewing, so they continue further. The CAMPers enjoy stopping by the creek and skipping stones, and they make it to the peace garden before finally turning around to head back.

The next group goes inside with Frances and Daniel to learn magic tricks. They learn a trick based on the properties of the number nine and another based on base three. After a bit of a struggle through long subtraction without a calculator, the CAMPers are delighted to figure out that many unique tricks work through the properties of mathematics. Daniel amuses them with a card trick using sleight of hand, and there’s not enough time for Frances to deliver a card trick— hopefully Thursday!

The last of the CAMPers head outside with Gemma, Makayla, and Ada to play lawn games. They play a round of capture the bag that ends with a crazy 4v1. Then they transition to the game “Why were you late?” where a boss attempts to interrogate their worker while everyone else mimes the craziest stories for the worker to repeat. With lots of laughter and mistranslation of mimes, they play a few rounds before it is time to head back.

The Cotangent group starts out in computer science with a review of yesterday. They discuss how to access python 3 via the Mac terminal as well as the syntax. The CAMPers are all interested and chiming in especially as they learn about new commands and the difference between operands (numbers, variables, etc) and operators (the operation being performed, like addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc). With this, they discover that variables and comparison operators (=, <, >) appear in both computer science and math. As they play around with the terminal system, unable to use the Internet to help them, the CAMPers learn numerous skills on trial and error until results appear.

Tangent CAMPers get their chance to build their own cardboard creation. Their class is focused, building intricate shapes and decorating them colorfully as instructed. At the very end, they stick on their encrypted pigpen texts and discuss what they wrote as a class.

The CAMPers split once more today, with one group heading off to discuss Fractran, a simple and Turing-complete (meaning it can solve any problem able to be computed) programming language created by John Conway—the same mathematician who made Conway’s Game of Life! They attempt to prove that 2 is a prime number, and they would have given enough time, although other proofs are a lot easier and faster to prove. They discuss other applications of Fractran, before the riddle of the day is given out in an envelope.

The other group heads to work with fractions. They review addition and converting denominators, and everyone joins in to discuss. They end the day working through one of the hardest problems on the application set together as a group, before the riddle of the day is given. The CAMPers immediately jump to begin solving, eager to continue strengthening their brains.

And here is the puzzle for today:

For tomorrow, there will be no split for electives as everyone will be heading to Hessel Museum (about a 10 minute walk). Lunch period will be a little bit shorter, and CAMPers—make sure to bring walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and anything else for the walk. Also, open house will be held this Friday from 3:00-3:30. Parents, make sure to set aside time to see the CAMPers’ amazing work!

For the past few weeks, Bard CAMP has been undergoing a migration to Substack! All of our previous posts are in the process of being moved, but the blogs for this week will be released on Substack only, not Wordpress. We will be working through this as fast as possible; however, not all pages have been moved yet. Please be patient!

Hiding messages using code has been useful for many years. One of the more famous examples is Julius Caesar, who used what is now called the Caesar cipher to send secure communication around the Roman Empire. The Caesar cipher is a classical substitution cipher that encrypts a plaintext message by replacing each letter with another letter shifted a fixed number of positions forward or backward in the alphabet. This week, the CAMPers will be learning about various codes and cipher systems, the processes of encryption and decryption, the mathematics behind these ciphers, and their uses in art and computer science.

The CAMPers start off the day in the art room, working on different games and puzzles to get their brains warmed up. The room is quickly abuzz with smaller groups working together on set, wooden and metal puzzles, tangrams, car parking puzzles, and more. We introduce our whole staff team after the CAMPers wrap up the activities.

Then the CAMPers split into two groups for math: Cosecant with Maya and Gemma, and Secant with Japheth. Both classes learn about four different transposition ciphers: backwards writing, railfence cipher, twisted path cipher, and scrambling with a key word; as well as the difference between ciphertext, which is conventionally in uppercase, and plaintext, which is usually lowercase.

The students also learn an important lesson about going outside on Bard campus— skcitdnayvinosioproftuohctaw (watch out for poison ivy and ticks, if read backwards). Then they shift to using these ciphers to encrypt their own messages, and the period ends with learning about Caesar ciphers.

The CAMPers leave the class wondering “What if we don’t know the shift or key?”

Again, the CAMPers split into two groups, with the Tangent group heading to computer science with Yulia and Cotangent to art with Layo.

In computer science with Yulia, the CAMPers participate in an icebreaker to get to know each other’s names, favorite snack, and goals for the week— to learn ciphers, more about Python, and have fun! They review what they already know about Python commands like Boolean and logical operations, arithmetic operators, print vs return statements, and how to create variables and functions. Then they use a pair programming system, where one student types and the other instructs what to type, to test their hand at coding. They work in these groups to create a function to determine whether a number is “close” (within 10 of) 100 and 200. It is stressed to condense and simplify their code if possible once it works, with the most optimal solution using only one line. After that, their next prompt is to write a procedure called xor(), which takes in two values and returns True if only one of them is True.

In art with Cotangent, Layo explains different ways of including text and symbols in art, displaying examples up on the board for the CAMPers to see. They are then tasked with creating their own message to encrypt by a Caesar cipher. As it is a secret message, they keep their shifts and plaintext to themselves. The next task is to create a drawing that includes the encrypted text, the number of the Caesar cipher shift, as well as the direction. The CAMPers accomplish this using the various methods discussed earlier in class, and it is a great way for them to let their creativity run loose.

Both of the groups join together for lunch inside, as the campus outside is a little too wet for comfort. Even still, there are many different groups of CAMPers talking with both each other and the staff.

Today’s electives are word puzzles with Makayla and Ada, as well as board games led by Maxwell and Daniel. The CAMPers get experience with numerous board games and vocal puzzles to test critical thinking and attention to detail. Both rooms are full of aha-moments and fun.

Once electives are finished, CAMPers get back into their Cotangent and Tangent groups to switch for the final class period. Cotangent heads to computer science, where they do introductions and discuss the differences in dealing with a human versus a robot. They discuss the importance of being detailed and specific, as the computer does not understand instructions like “make a PB&J” that other humans do. Then they split up into pairs and discuss pair programming, but the class ends before they have the chance to actually experience it.

Tangent heads to art in order to explore the more creative side of ciphers. They learn about different methods of hiding text in their artworks: overlapping text, crossed out, or adding a mirroring effect. Then they create their own piece with a hidden message of their choosing and end the class off by discussing the different clues in their artworks that tell the shift and direction.

Both groups meet back in the art room to resume their morning games, as well as a new cryptography puzzle that draws in a large group of CAMPers eager to use their new cipher-cracking techniques! Many CAMPers were sad to leave, but we are excited for the day to begin tomorrow!

And, as promised, here is today’s puzzle:

A quick reminder about tomorrow and Wednesday— there will be a fractions workshop at the end of both days, so pickup will be closer to 3:25-3:30. Can’t wait to continue the rest of the week with the CAMPers!

Japheth Wood: Co-Director and Math Instructor

I’m Japheth Wood (he/him), a math professor at Bard College and a Bard Math CAMP co-director. CAMP (a Creative and Analytical Math Program) is one of my favorite weeks each year; I love working with my fellow staff members and enthusiastic CAMP students to uncover unexpected mathematical truths. I am overjoyed that the Bard Math CAMP has been meaningful to so many alumni, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside them at CAMP. Outside of math and teaching, I enjoy being outdoors, juggling, communicating, and spending time with my family.

Frances Stern: Co-Director, Math Advisor, and Coordinator

My name is Frances Stern (she/her/hers)! I’ve been teaching math at CAMP since the first year, naking sure our math theme has a connection to art and computer. It’s fun to show students math that they don’t see in school. I’ve retired from daily teaching but continue to teach for the New York Math Circle & students who are seeking more math in their lives. My hobbies include learning to draw, paint, & juggle, reading, walking & folk dancing. I’ve written 2 books for teachers and parents called “Adding Math, Subtracting Tension” (for different age-ranges of children). They pay as much attention to how to keep out of a fight (what many parents told me is a problem) as they do to math.

Maya Schwartz: Math Instructor

My name is Maya Schwartz and this will be my fourth summer at Bard Math CAMP! I was the Program Coordinator in 2017 and 2018, I graduated from Bard with a BA in Mathematics in May 2019, and was a Math TA in 2025. I am so excited to return to CAMP, this time as a Math Instructor! I currently teach sixth grade math in Harlem, New York, and I’ve taught high school math in the past. I am currently a Doctoral Candidate at Teachers College Columbia University, a tower runner, a figure skater, a travel enthusiast, and an anti-AI advocate.

Yulia Genkina: CS Instructor

My name is Yulia Genkina, any pronouns work. I’m really excited to be teaching Computer Science at CAMP this year. In the past, I worked as a math and computer science educator, theater technician, and musician. Bringing art, hands-on problem-solving and exact sciences together is one of my favorite approaches to education. I can’t wait to share it with all of you this summer! For the past few years I have been working as an educator in the Tech industry, creating training and learning experiences for software engineers. Bard is my alma mater and C.A.M.P. has been keeping me connected to it for the past several years. It reminds me and emphasizes how Bard really is “a place to think”. In my free time, I like rock-climbing, volunteering for the circus, making crafts, and dancing.

Layo Bright: Art Instructor

My name is Layo Bright (she/her/hers). I am thrilled to be an Art Instructor at CAMP this year. I’m a visual artist whose art practice explores storytelling, feminism, advocacy and migration. I believe in the power of art to bring about change, and I work with different art mediums including clay, glass, wood, and textiles. I have exhibited my artwork both internationally and nationally including: Altar Ego, de Boer, Los Angeles, CA; Dawn and Dusk, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, CT; Heartwood, Halsey McKay Gallery, East Hampton, NY; Undercurrents, Sean Kelly Gallery, New York, NY; Bode Projects, Berlin, Germany; Phillips, New York, NY; among others.

Gemma Rothschild: Math TA

My name is Gemma, and I will be a Math TA this year. I am from New York City, and have attended CAMP (as a camper, volunteer, and TA) since 2017. I love math, and especially puzzles. Outside of math, I love to play tennis and tabla (the classical indian drums). I am looking forward to this summer!!

Fidan Ahmadov: CS TA

Hello! My name is Fidan, and I will be a CS TA this year. I am interested in math, programming robotics and puzzles. At school I am on an FRC robotics team, Rosie Robotics, where I am the electrical team lead. We went to worlds last year, competed there and got to the district championship this year. It was extremely exciting to experience that and get to see different people’s designs and ideas cultivated into reality. Outside of robotics I have always loved putting thing’s together. Puzzles and Rube Goldberg machines have always been a favorite of mine. Also as additional hobbies of mine, I enjoy swimming and occasionally playing volleyball or tennis. I am looking forward to this summer and meeting everyone!

Lia Roy: CAMP Blogger

My name is Lia Roy. I’m a rising junior from the West Coast. I’ve attended math circles including Bard CAMP since third grade, and this will be my second year working as staff. I adore mathematics because it allows for integration with a variety of other subjects and ideas, like other STEM fields, creativity, and problem solving. I am on a VEX Robotics team through my local organization PART and spend the majority of my (very limited) free time immersed in writing, reading, digital art, puzzles, and investigating to learn as much as I can about the world around me. I cannot wait to be the blogger for this year’s CAMP!

Makayla Robinson: HS Volunteer

My name is Makayla Robinson (she/her), and this fall I will be a senior at Rhinebeck High School. I attended CAMP in 2022 and 2023; during that time, I enjoyed learning new things and playing different math games. My hobbies include playing soccer, rowing crew, and spending time with my dog. I also adore traveling with my family and learning about different cultures along the way. Some of my favorite locations I have visited are Hawaii, Tuscany, Paris, and Amsterdam. The place I wish to travel next is Jamaica, where a large portion of my family lives. I am excited to work with everybody in my second year acting as a high school volunteer.

Ada Wilson: HS Volunteer

Hi! My name is Ada (she/her), and I’m a rising senior at Red Hook HS. I attended CAMP back in middle school and I’m super excited to be returning as a volunteer! I’ve always loved math for its logical, puzzle-like nature and the ways it intersects with some of my other hobbies, including art, music, and robotics. This past year, I presented a piece created in Max at the Bard Math and Music Conference, where I got to combine my interests in mathematics, technology, and music. Outside of math, I’m passionate about film and love reading (especially murder mysteries) which makes this year’s theme even more exciting for me. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and I can’t wait to see what CAMP this year will bring!

Daniel Reiss: HS Volunteer

My name is Daniel Reiss and this is my first year as a HS volunteer at Bard. I am a rising Sophomore at Brooklyn Technical High School and really like math, especially when it is creative! I enjoy Rubik’s Cubes and playing chess, as well as board games like Subterra and Blood on the Clocktower. I am an avid fantasy reader and love to learn. I have been at CAMP for 2 years now, so I am excited to come back as a HS volunteer! Looking forward to seeing everyone in the summer!

Maxwell Finer-Regn: HS Volunteer

Hi, my name is Maxwell Finer-Regn. This is my first year as a High School volunteer but my 4th year at Bard Math Camp. I am a rising Sophomore at Stuyvesant High School, and am on the math team. I enjoy doing and learning new math, and I am excited to start teaching it. In my free time you can always find me working on some project or the other, but for the past couple years this has been dominated by the card game Magic The Gathering. I am excited to be back at Bard, and will see you this summer.

Yousef Alhoumsi: CAMP Publicity

Hello! My name is Yousef Alhoumsi, and I am a Computer Science and Mathematics student at Bard College. I enjoy solving problems, and helping others understand mathematics. I believe math is not only about finding answers but also about developing logical thinking and creativity. Outside of my studies, I like reading about psychology and critical thinking. I am excited to be part of Bard Math CAMP!

The Bard Math Circle provides a supportive environment for children who are self-proclaimed math nerds to explore their passion for the subject. We hope to teach children something new every time we provide a service, and to introduce them to a pre-college community to whom they can relate.

Math is perceived as a hard subject and thus hard to love by the general public. However, we hope to step into these children’s lives and show them math has a lot more beauty to it than what their schools may have time to express. By appreciating this beauty we become part of the math circle.

Subscribe now

The world is constantly changing

And that includes websites. The aging Bard Math Circle Wordpress site is more and more challenging to maintain. It’s filled up with special plugins and extras, and the vanilla Wordpress has also changed. And then we got caught by the Wordpress Pharma Hack, and recovered. So this is the beginning of a move over to Substack.

This may solve two issues: webpage (Wordpress) and email newsletter (Mailchimp). Apparently, Substack can do both.

¡Adelante!

The next stage is to move over as much useful material as possible - webpages, blogposts, and emails. This is an opportunity to declutter and reorganize.

Come with us

Thanks for being part of the Bard Math Circle community. What can we become?

Dear Math Friends,

Whoops! My apologies. I got out the summer update, but messaged up the subject line. If you opened up the email newsletter and read it, thank you!

And if you missed it but are opening this version, it’s the same, but with a more relevant subject line. You don’t need to go back to read the previous one.

Either way, I hope that you are having a mathematical summer!

Best,

Japheth

(Here’s the same email…)

It’s happened again - the semester ended, then the school year ended, and we’re already deep into the summer. Our only program this summer is the Bard Math CAMP, but there are some other items of interest that I’m eager to share with you.

We hope to see you again this fall more more math fun!

Japheth

--

Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College

Bard Math CAMP

It is not too late to apply! We have a few spots available.

The Creative and Analytical Math Program will take place on the Bard College campus, in-person, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm each day.

Admissions is a 3 stage process. The (1) Interest Form is now open. After that, students can complete the (2) Math Activity Packet. Parents of students who are invited to join CAMP will complete the (3) Confirmation Form.

(1) CAMP Interest Form

(2) CAMP Math Activity Packet

If You’re on Campus …

Here are some things you should know about.

Hessel Museum of Art - Free Family Day

Come visit the Hessel Museum of Art’s Free Family Day on Saturday, July 18.

Click on the link or scan the QR code for information and registration.

Bard Farm Stand

Visit the weekly Bard Farm stand from June to October, rain or shine, every Thursday from 12 to 5 pm. They are located on Library Road near Gilson Place. (In case of severe weather you’ll find them in the Campus Center.) This is one of our favorite parts of Summer at Bard.

More Opportunities

International Congress of Mathematicians

The International Congress of Mathematicians will convene in Philadelphia later this month. The Fields Medal winner(s) will be announced. There will also be Art and Music, Math Movies and a Math Festival outreach activities for the public.

If you go, please let us know your experience!

Do you have a Math Opportunity to share?

If you are organizing a math or math-adjacent event, we’d love to publicize it here!

Show Math Some Love!

Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.

Click below

Donate

View email in browser
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|**|END:IF|*
update your preferences or unsubscribe

Dear Math Friends,

Whoops! My apologies. I got out the summer update, but messaged up the subject line. If you opened up the email newsletter and read it, thank you!

And if you missed it but are opening this version, it’s the same, but with a more relevant subject line. You don’t need to go back to read the previous one.

Either way, I hope that you are having a mathematical summer!

Best,

Japheth

(Here’s the same email…)

It’s happened again - the semester ended, then the school year ended, and we’re already deep into the summer. Our only program this summer is the Bard Math CAMP, but there are some other items of interest that I’m eager to share with you.

We hope to see you again this fall more more math fun!

Japheth

--

Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College

Bard Math CAMP

It is not too late to apply! We have a few spots available.

The Creative and Analytical Math Program will take place on the Bard College campus, in-person, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm each day.

Admissions is a 3 stage process. The (1) Interest Form is now open. After that, students can complete the (2) Math Activity Packet. Parents of students who are invited to join CAMP will complete the (3) Confirmation Form.

(1) CAMP Interest Form

(2) CAMP Math Activity Packet

If You’re on Campus …

Here are some things you should know about.

Hessel Museum of Art - Free Family Day

Come visit the Hessel Museum of Art’s Free Family Day on Saturday, July 18.

Click on the link or scan the QR code for information and registration.

Bard Farm Stand

Visit the weekly Bard Farm stand from June to October, rain or shine, every Thursday from 12 to 5 pm. They are located on Library Road near Gilson Place. (In case of severe weather you’ll find them in the Campus Center.) This is one of our favorite parts of Summer at Bard.

More Opportunities

International Congress of Mathematicians

The International Congress of Mathematicians will convene in Philadelphia later this month. The Fields Medal winner(s) will be announced. There will also be Art and Music, Math Movies and a Math Festival outreach activities for the public.

If you go, please let us know your experience!

Do you have a Math Opportunity to share?

If you are organizing a math or math-adjacent event, we’d love to publicize it here!

Show Math Some Love!

Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.

Click below

Donate

View email in browser
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|**|END:IF|*
update your preferences or unsubscribe

Dear Math Friends,

It’s happened again - the semester ended, then the school year ended, and we’re already deep into the summer. Our only program this summer is the Bard Math CAMP, but there are some other items of interest that I’m eager to share with you.

We hope to see you again this fall more more math fun!

Japheth

--

Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College

Bard Math CAMP

It is not too late to apply! We have a few spots available.

The Creative and Analytical Math Program will take place on the Bard College campus, in-person, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm each day.

Admissions is a 3 stage process. The (1) Interest Form is now open. After that, students can complete the (2) Math Activity Packet. Parents of students who are invited to join CAMP will complete the (3) Confirmation Form.

(1) CAMP Interest Form

(2) CAMP Math Activity Packet

If You’re on Campus …

Here are some things you should know about.

Hessel Museum of Art - Free Family Day

Come visit the Hessel Museum of Art’s Free Family Day on Saturday, July 18.

Click on the link or scan the QR code for information and registration.

Bard Farm Stand

Visit the weekly Bard Farm stand from June to October, rain or shine, every Thursday from 12 to 5 pm. They are located on Library Road near Gilson Place. (In case of severe weather you’ll find them in the Campus Center.) This is one of our favorite parts of Summer at Bard.

More Opportunities

International Congress of Mathematicians

The International Congress of Mathematicians will convene in Philadelphia later this month. The Fields Medal winner(s) will be announced. There will also be Art and Music, Math Movies and a Math Festival outreach activities for the public.

If you go, please let us know your experience!

Do you have a Math Opportunity to share?

If you are organizing a math or math-adjacent event, we’d love to publicize it here!

Show Math Some Love!

Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.

Click below

Donate

View email in browser
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|**|END:IF|*
update your preferences or unsubscribe

Dear Math Friends,

It’s happened again - the semester ended, then the school year ended, and we’re already deep into the summer. Our only program this summer is the Bard Math CAMP, but there are some other items of interest that I’m eager to share with you.

We hope to see you again this fall more more math fun!

Japheth

--

Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College

Bard Math CAMP

It is not too late to apply! We have a few spots available.

The Creative and Analytical Math Program will take place on the Bard College campus, in-person, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm each day.

Admissions is a 3 stage process. The (1) Interest Form is now open. After that, students can complete the (2) Math Activity Packet. Parents of students who are invited to join CAMP will complete the (3) Confirmation Form.

(1) CAMP Interest Form

(2) CAMP Math Activity Packet

If You’re on Campus …

Here are some things you should know about.

Hessel Museum of Art - Free Family Day

Come visit the Hessel Museum of Art’s Free Family Day on Saturday, July 18.

Click on the link or scan the QR code for information and registration.

Bard Farm Stand

Visit the weekly Bard Farm stand from June to October, rain or shine, every Thursday from 12 to 5 pm. They are located on Library Road near Gilson Place. (In case of severe weather you’ll find them in the Campus Center.) This is one of our favorite parts of Summer at Bard.

More Opportunities

International Congress of Mathematicians

The International Congress of Mathematicians will convene in Philadelphia later this month. The Fields Medal winner(s) will be announced. There will also be Art and Music, Math Movies and a Math Festival outreach activities for the public.

If you go, please let us know your experience!

Do you have a Math Opportunity to share?

If you are organizing a math or math-adjacent event, we’d love to publicize it here!

Show Math Some Love!

Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.

Click below

Donate

View email in browser
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|**|END:IF|*
update your preferences or unsubscribe

Dear Math Friends,

Our programming has ended for the year with our final Family Math Afternoon and the Purple Comet contest.

We hope to see you again this fall more more math fun!

Japheth

--

Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College

The Family Math Afternoon

Our family math afternoon came to a close on Saturday, April 11. We were joined by Math Education majors from SUNY New Paltz, and featured Math Puzzles, Logic Games, Math Problem Solving and a hands-on Math Artifact to make and take home.

The Family Math Afternoon meets monthly from September to April. Join us next year!

We are expecting the Kingston Library to return to its permanent home at 55 Franklin Street in time for the fall. A warm goodbye to the Cioni Building at 61 Crown Street!

Purple Comet Contest!

We had 4 middle school teams and 1 high school team participate. Congratulations to team Golden Ratio, The Fractal Wolves, The Perfect Squares, team Deltay and Lipgado, and The Equilaterals!

The Purple Comet organizers have published solutions to this year’s contest. There is so much that can be learned by carefullly reading the explanations. Mathematical explanations often only meet you halfway, and can require a lot of work for the needed close reading.

MS Solutions

HS Solutions

Contests and Problem Solving

Each year we invite students to compete in several math contests: The AMC 10 and 12 in November, the AMC 8 in January, and the Purple Comet contest in April, and sometimes more.

We’re seeing a renewed interest in Mathematical Problem Solving, so next year’s programming might include more regular practice sessions and instruction.

Bard Math CAMP

The Creative and Analytical Math Program will take place on the Bard College campus, in-person, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm each day.

Admissions is a 3 stage process. The (1) Interest Form is now open. After that, students can complete the (2) Math Activity Packet. Parents of students who are invited to join CAMP will complete the (3) Confirmation Form.

Applications received by April 30 will receive full consideration.

(1) CAMP Interest Form

(2) CAMP Math Activity Packet

More Opportunities

Apply to a Summer Mathematics Program!

The Summer Mathematics Programs Consortium is a community of mathematically-intensive summer enrichment programs dedicated to improvement and promoting greater access to advanced study in the mathematical sciences for middle and high school students.

If you are a CAMP alum in high school, take a look at our partner programs and let the adventure continue!

The Upstate New York Math Team

Compete with a community of high school math students in the American Regions Math League.

Upstate NY Math Team

Do you have a Math Opportunity to share?

If you are organizing a math or math-adjacent event, we’d love to publicize it here!

Show Math Some Love!

Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.

Click below

Donate

View email in browser
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|**|END:IF|*
update your preferences or unsubscribe

Dear Math Friends,

Our programming has ended for the year with our final Family Math Afternoon and the Purple Comet contest.

We hope to see you again this fall more more math fun!

Japheth

--

Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College

The Family Math Afternoon

Our family math afternoon came to a close on Saturday, April 11. We were joined by Math Education majors from SUNY New Paltz, and featured Math Puzzles, Logic Games, Math Problem Solving and a hands-on Math Artifact to make and take home.

The Family Math Afternoon meets monthly from September to April. Join us next year!

We are expecting the Kingston Library to return to its permanent home at 55 Franklin Street in time for the fall. A warm goodbye to the Cioni Building at 61 Crown Street!

Purple Comet Contest!

We had 4 middle school teams and 1 high school team participate. Congratulations to team Golden Ratio, The Fractal Wolves, The Perfect Squares, team Deltay and Lipgado, and The Equilaterals!

The Purple Comet organizers have published solutions to this year’s contest. There is so much that can be learned by carefullly reading the explanations. Mathematical explanations often only meet you halfway, and can require a lot of work for the needed close reading.

MS Solutions

HS Solutions

Contests and Problem Solving

Each year we invite students to compete in several math contests: The AMC 10 and 12 in November, the AMC 8 in January, and the Purple Comet contest in April, and sometimes more.

We’re seeing a renewed interest in Mathematical Problem Solving, so next year’s programming might include more regular practice sessions and instruction.

Bard Math CAMP

The Creative and Analytical Math Program will take place on the Bard College campus, in-person, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm each day.

Admissions is a 3 stage process. The (1) Interest Form is now open. After that, students can complete the (2) Math Activity Packet. Parents of students who are invited to join CAMP will complete the (3) Confirmation Form.

Applications received by April 30 will receive full consideration.

(1) CAMP Interest Form

(2) CAMP Math Activity Packet

More Opportunities

Apply to a Summer Mathematics Program!

The Summer Mathematics Programs Consortium is a community of mathematically-intensive summer enrichment programs dedicated to improvement and promoting greater access to advanced study in the mathematical sciences for middle and high school students.

If you are a CAMP alum in high school, take a look at our partner programs and let the adventure continue!

The Upstate New York Math Team

Compete with a community of high school math students in the American Regions Math League.

Upstate NY Math Team

Do you have a Math Opportunity to share?

If you are organizing a math or math-adjacent event, we’d love to publicize it here!

Show Math Some Love!

Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.

Click below

Donate

View email in browser
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|**|END:IF|*
update your preferences or unsubscribe

Dear Math Friends,

Join us this Saturday, April 11, 2026, for our last Family Math Afternoon at the Kingston Library. Our Contest Program is also coming to a close: we have one more week of Purple Comet contest practice and then the contest itself.

By the end of April, we’ll be more focused on the Bard Math CAMP. All applications received by April 30 will receive full consideration.

Please read on for more details about these programs.

Japheth

--

Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College

The Family Math Afternoon

Our family math afternoon is coming to a close this Saturday, April 11. We welcome middle school students and their families to join us for mathematical adventures. The afternoon features Engaging Math Problems, Logic Puzzles, and Thinking Games. You will enjoy a selection of engrossing and hands-on math activities. The mathematical fun will be infinite!  No prior registration is needed for the Family Math Afternoon. We meet in the Community Room.

Saturday, April 11, 2–4pm

Family Math Afternoon

at the Kingston Library, Kingston, NY

Join us for a math adventure!

Event Details

Location: Kingston Library, 61 Crown Street, Kingston NY 12401

Schedule: Saturdays, 2-4pm

Dates: September 13, October 18, November 22, and December 20 in 2025; January 17, February 21, March 14, and April 11 in 2026

Parking: The library has plenty of free parking

Purple Comet Contest!

Our contest program this school year concludes with the team-based Purple Comet Contest. We are forming both middle school and high school teams. There are two challenges: solving too many increasingly difficult math problems, and coordinating the team’s efforts towards this goal.

Practices

At the Kingston Library on Mondays, 3–5pm

⭕️ March 9 ⭕️ March 16 ⭕️ March 23 ⭕️ March 30 ⭕️ April 6 ⭕️ April 13 ⭕️

Purple Comet Contest

Monday, April 20, 3–5pm, Kingston Library and the rest of the week at Bard College / Simon’s Rock.

Contest Registration

Bard Math CAMP

The Creative and Analytical Math Program will take place on the Bard College campus, in-person, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm each day.

Admissions is a 3 stage process. The (1) Interest Form is now open. After that, students will be sent the (2) Math Activity Packet. Parents of students who are invited to join CAMP will complete the (3) Confirmation Form.

(1) CAMP Interest Form

(2) CAMP Math Activity Packet

More Opportunities

Apply to a Summer Mathematics Program!

The Summer Mathematics Programs Consortium is a community of mathematically-intensive summer enrichment programs dedicated to improvement and promoting greater access to advanced study in the mathematical sciences for middle and high school students.

If you are a CAMP alum in high school, take a look at our partner programs and let the adventure continue!

The Upstate New York Math Team

Compete with a community of high school math students in the American Regions Math League.

Upstate NY Math Team

Do you have a Math Opportunity to share?

If you are organizing a math or math-adjacent event, we’d love to publicize it here!

Show Math Some Love!

Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.

Click below

Donate

View email in browser
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|**|END:IF|*
update your preferences or unsubscribe

Dear Math Friends,

Join us this Saturday, April 11, 2026, for our last Family Math Afternoon at the Kingston Library. Our Contest Program is also coming to a close: we have one more week of Purple Comet contest practice and then the contest itself.

By the end of April, we’ll be more focused on the Bard Math CAMP. All applications received by April 30 will receive full consideration.

Please read on for more details about these programs.

Japheth

--

Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College

The Family Math Afternoon

Our family math afternoon is coming to a close this Saturday, April 11. We welcome middle school students and their families to join us for mathematical adventures. The afternoon features Engaging Math Problems, Logic Puzzles, and Thinking Games. You will enjoy a selection of engrossing and hands-on math activities. The mathematical fun will be infinite!  No prior registration is needed for the Family Math Afternoon. We meet in the Community Room.

Saturday, April 11, 2–4pm

Family Math Afternoon

at the Kingston Library, Kingston, NY

Join us for a math adventure!

Event Details

Location: Kingston Library, 61 Crown Street, Kingston NY 12401

Schedule: Saturdays, 2-4pm

Dates: September 13, October 18, November 22, and December 20 in 2025; January 17, February 21, March 14, and April 11 in 2026

Parking: The library has plenty of free parking

Purple Comet Contest!

Our contest program this school year concludes with the team-based Purple Comet Contest. We are forming both middle school and high school teams. There are two challenges: solving too many increasingly difficult math problems, and coordinating the team’s efforts towards this goal.

Practices

At the Kingston Library on Mondays, 3–5pm

⭕️ March 9 ⭕️ March 16 ⭕️ March 23 ⭕️ March 30 ⭕️ April 6 ⭕️ April 13 ⭕️

Purple Comet Contest

Monday, April 20, 3–5pm, Kingston Library and the rest of the week at Bard College / Simon’s Rock.

Contest Registration

Bard Math CAMP

The Creative and Analytical Math Program will take place on the Bard College campus, in-person, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm each day.

Admissions is a 3 stage process. The (1) Interest Form is now open. After that, students will be sent the (2) Math Activity Packet. Parents of students who are invited to join CAMP will complete the (3) Confirmation Form.

(1) CAMP Interest Form

(2) CAMP Math Activity Packet

More Opportunities

Apply to a Summer Mathematics Program!

The Summer Mathematics Programs Consortium is a community of mathematically-intensive summer enrichment programs dedicated to improvement and promoting greater access to advanced study in the mathematical sciences for middle and high school students.

If you are a CAMP alum in high school, take a look at our partner programs and let the adventure continue!

The Upstate New York Math Team

Compete with a community of high school math students in the American Regions Math League.

Upstate NY Math Team

Do you have a Math Opportunity to share?

If you are organizing a math or math-adjacent event, we’d love to publicize it here!

Show Math Some Love!

Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.

Click below

Donate

View email in browser
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|**|END:IF|*
update your preferences or unsubscribe

Dear Math Friends,

Join us this Saturday, April 11, 2026, for our last Family Math Afternoon at the Kingston Library. Our Contest Program is also coming to a close: we have one more week of Purple Comet contest practice and then the contest itself.

By the end of April, we’ll be more focused on the Bard Math CAMP. All applications received by April 30 will receive full consideration.

Please read on for more details about these programs.

Japheth

--

Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College

The Family Math Afternoon

Our family math afternoon is coming to a close this Saturday, April 11. We welcome middle school students and their families to join us for mathematical adventures. The afternoon features Engaging Math Problems, Logic Puzzles, and Thinking Games. You will enjoy a selection of engrossing and hands-on math activities. The mathematical fun will be infinite!  No prior registration is needed for the Family Math Afternoon. We meet in the Community Room.

Saturday, April 11, 2–4pm

Family Math Afternoon

at the Kingston Library, Kingston, NY

Join us for a math adventure!

Event Details

Location: Kingston Library, 61 Crown Street, Kingston NY 12401

Schedule: Saturdays, 2-4pm

Dates: September 13, October 18, November 22, and December 20 in 2025; January 17, February 21, March 14, and April 11 in 2026

Parking: The library has plenty of free parking

Purple Comet Contest!

Our contest program this school year concludes with the team-based Purple Comet Contest. We are forming both middle school and high school teams. There are two challenges: solving too many increasingly difficult math problems, and coordinating the team’s efforts towards this goal.

Practices

At the Kingston Library on Mondays, 3–5pm

⭕️ March 9 ⭕️ March 16 ⭕️ March 23 ⭕️ March 30 ⭕️ April 6 ⭕️ April 13 ⭕️

Purple Comet Contest

Monday, April 20, 3–5pm, Kingston Library and the rest of the week at Bard College / Simon’s Rock.

Contest Registration

Bard Math CAMP

The Creative and Analytical Math Program will take place on the Bard College campus, in-person, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm each day.

Admissions is a 3 stage process. The (1) Interest Form is now open. After that, students will be sent the (2) Math Activity Packet. Parents of students who are invited to join CAMP will complete the (3) Confirmation Form.

(1) CAMP Interest Form

(2) CAMP Math Activity Packet

More Opportunities

Apply to a Summer Mathematics Program!

The Summer Mathematics Programs Consortium is a community of mathematically-intensive summer enrichment programs dedicated to improvement and promoting greater access to advanced study in the mathematical sciences for middle and high school students.

If you are a CAMP alum in high school, take a look at our partner programs and let the adventure continue!

The Upstate New York Math Team

Compete with a community of high school math students in the American Regions Math League.

Upstate NY Math Team

Do you have a Math Opportunity to share?

If you are organizing a math or math-adjacent event, we’d love to publicize it here!

Show Math Some Love!

Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.

Click below

Donate

View email in browser
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|**|END:IF|*
update your preferences or unsubscribe

Dear Math Friends,

Join us this Saturday, April 11, 2026, for our last Family Math Afternoon at the Kingston Library. Our Contest Program is also coming to a close: we have one more week of Purple Comet contest practice and then the contest itself.

By the end of April, we’ll be more focused on the Bard Math CAMP. All applications received by April 30 will receive full consideration.

Please read on for more details about these programs.

Japheth

--

Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College

The Family Math Afternoon

Our family math afternoon is coming to a close this Saturday, April 11. We welcome middle school students and their families to join us for mathematical adventures. The afternoon features Engaging Math Problems, Logic Puzzles, and Thinking Games. You will enjoy a selection of engrossing and hands-on math activities. The mathematical fun will be infinite!  No prior registration is needed for the Family Math Afternoon. We meet in the Community Room.

Saturday, April 11, 2–4pm

Family Math Afternoon

at the Kingston Library, Kingston, NY

Join us for a math adventure!

Event Details

Location: Kingston Library, 61 Crown Street, Kingston NY 12401

Schedule: Saturdays, 2-4pm

Dates: September 13, October 18, November 22, and December 20 in 2025; January 17, February 21, March 14, and April 11 in 2026

Parking: The library has plenty of free parking

Purple Comet Contest!

Our contest program this school year concludes with the team-based Purple Comet Contest. We are forming both middle school and high school teams. There are two challenges: solving too many increasingly difficult math problems, and coordinating the team’s efforts towards this goal.

Practices

At the Kingston Library on Mondays, 3–5pm

⭕️ March 9 ⭕️ March 16 ⭕️ March 23 ⭕️ March 30 ⭕️ April 6 ⭕️ April 13 ⭕️

Purple Comet Contest

Monday, April 20, 3–5pm, Kingston Library and the rest of the week at Bard College / Simon’s Rock.

Contest Registration

Bard Math CAMP

The Creative and Analytical Math Program will take place on the Bard College campus, in-person, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm each day.

Admissions is a 3 stage process. The (1) Interest Form is now open. After that, students will be sent the (2) Math Activity Packet. Parents of students who are invited to join CAMP will complete the (3) Confirmation Form.

(1) CAMP Interest Form

(2) CAMP Math Activity Packet

More Opportunities

Apply to a Summer Mathematics Program!

The Summer Mathematics Programs Consortium is a community of mathematically-intensive summer enrichment programs dedicated to improvement and promoting greater access to advanced study in the mathematical sciences for middle and high school students.

If you are a CAMP alum in high school, take a look at our partner programs and let the adventure continue!

The Upstate New York Math Team

Compete with a community of high school math students in the American Regions Math League.

Upstate NY Math Team

Do you have a Math Opportunity to share?

If you are organizing a math or math-adjacent event, we’d love to publicize it here!

Show Math Some Love!

Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.

Click below

Donate

View email in browser
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|**|END:IF|*
update your preferences or unsubscribe

Dear Math Friends,

I have three items for you today:

Pi Day this Saturday

Purple Comet Contest and Practices

Bard Math CAMP

Please read on for more details about these programs, and other math enrichment opportunities.

Japheth

--

Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College

The Family Math Afternoon

Our family math afternoon continues this spring with a Pi Day celebration this Saturday, March 14! It’s for middle school students and their families. The session features Engaging Math Problems, Logic Puzzles, and Thinking Games. You will enjoy a selection of engrossing and hands-on math activities. This month we have a strong Pi-centric theme! The mathematical fun will be infinite!  No prior registration is needed for the Family Math Afternoon. We meet in the Community Room.

Saturday, March 14, 2–4pm

Family Math Afternoon and Pi Day

at the Kingston Library, Kingston, NY

Join us for a math adventure!

Event Details

Pi is a favorite mathematical constant, and celebrated on March 14 (3/14), the International Day of Mathematics. We’d like to see Pi Day celebrations spread around the Mid-Hudson Valley.

Celebrate with us! 3/14 at the Kingston Library and 3/12 at SUNY NP.

Location: Kingston Library, 61 Crown Street, Kingston NY 12401

Schedule: Saturdays, 2-4pm

Dates: September 13, October 18, November 22, and December 20 in 2025; January 17, February 21, March 14, and April 11 in 2026

Parking: The library has plenty of free parking

π = 3.1415926535 8979323846 2643383279 5028841971 6939937510 5820974944 5923078164

0628620899 8628034825 3421170679 8214808651 3282306647

0938446095 5058223172 5359408128 4811174502

8410270193 8521105559 6446229489 5493038196

4428810975 6659334461 2847564823 37867

83165 2712019091 4564856692 34603

48610 4543266482 1339360726 02491

41273 72458 70066  06315 58817

48815 20920 9628292540

9171536436 7892590360

01133 05305 48820

46652 13841 4695

19415 11609

433057

2703

.

.

.

SUNY New Paltz

STEM & PI DAY

Date: Thursday March 12

Time: 5-7 PM

Location: Old Main Building (2nd flr)

Click below to register:

STEM & PI DAY registration

Purple Comet Contest!

Our contest program this school year concludes with the team-based Purple Comet Contest. We are forming both middle school and high school teams. There are two challenges: solving too many increasingly difficult math problems, and coordinating the team’s efforts towards this goal.

Practices

At the Kingston Library on Mondays, 3–5pm

⭕️ March 9 ⭕️ March 16 ⭕️ March 23 ⭕️ March 30 ⭕️ April 6 ⭕️ April 13 ⭕️

Purple Comet Contest

Monday, April 20, 3–5pm, Kingston Library and other dates TBA

Contest Registration

Bard Math CAMP

The Creative and Analytical Math Program will take place on the Bard College campus, in-person, from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm each day.

Admissions is a 3 stage process. The (1) Interest Form is now open. After that, students will be sent the (2) Math Activity Packet. Parents of students who are invited to join CAMP will complete the (3) Confirmation Form.

(1) CAMP Interest Form

(2) CAMP Math Activity Packet

More Opportunities

Apply to a Summer Mathematics Program!

The Summer Mathematics Programs Consortium is a community of mathematically-intensive summer enrichment programs dedicated to improvement and promoting greater access to advanced study in the mathematical sciences for middle and high school students.

If you are a CAMP alum in high school, take a look at our partner programs and let the adventure continue!

The Upstate New York Math Team

Compete with a community of high school math students in the American Regions Math League.

Upstate NY Math Team

Do you have a Math Opportunity to share?

If you are organizing a math or math-adjacent event, we’d love to publicize it here!

Show Math Some Love!

Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.

Click below

Donate

View email in browser
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|**|END:IF|*
update your preferences or unsubscribe