Specialty Camps

Weekly, June 23 – August 1
Full day, 9 am – 3 pm
Ages 5 – 8

Many educators believe that to be successful, the next generation will need skills and knowledge that are not just content based. This upcoming generation will be faced with tasks that require creativity, vision, invention, and risk taking. The days of cubicles and isolation will be replaced by open spaces and teamwork.

Our Specialty Camps are a preparation as well as an exploration of what is to come. It is a place to learn, build, create, visualize, sing, dance, and design. It is, in essence, a snapshot of tomorrow.

Most activities are project-based and some of the students’ works will be interwoven to form more complex projects, e.g. art work and photos from the Art class will illustrate the newspaper produced by the Language Arts students, or music created in the Garage Band will be used in the Broadway and Rock ‘n’ Roll production.

Each student selects one block in the morning and then one block for the afternoon. In addition to discovering or exploring an area of interest, no matter what students choose, they work together to develop skills of leadership, compromise, and cooperation.

Mathematics:
Bringing Math to Life
The world of mathematics is one in which strategies are used to solve everyday problems. In math camp, the children have the opportunity to reinforce their learning of these
strategies by

• Working in a relaxed, fun-filled environment
• Using manipulatives to reinforce their understanding of concepts
• Playing games to help memorize facts
• Reviewing operations
• Using strategies such as locating information, using pictures, making number patterns, guessing and testing, using graphs and organized lists to solve everyday problems.

Projects: Students bring math to life as they explore the world around them in new ways. In the computer lab, they use math to test ideas, run electronic experiments, and create geometric designs, animations, and games. Outside the computer lab, they mix math, science, games, and art to create mobiles and other math art, and they play math games while
learning about probability and game strategies.

Language Arts
Ages 7 – 8

The class is divided into three major sections: writing mechanics (grammar and spelling, parts of speech, paragraph writing), shared reading time, and writing (editorials, letter writing, short stories by genre, and other projects). We incorporate children’s individual interests in a language program of learning. This is not a remedial course.

Project: “CampNews”

Children participate in all aspects of the production of a newspaper: writing, editing, interviewing, reporting and illustrating. The students gain additional writing skills which enhance the language arts program.

Ages 5 – 6

This activity-based program is an opportunity to reinforce and continue skills learned during the academic year. It focuses on expressive skills such as speaking and writing along with receptive skills such as reading and listening. We invite students to listen to stories, participate in discussions or use computers. We strive to create a love of reading by exploring children’s stories through student dramatization, video production, and child-authored stories.

Visual Art:
Studio Art and Digital Photography
Campers use a variety of mediums, including drawing, painting, collage, and mosaic to tour the world, creating art projects from different cultures. They explore a wide range of photography techniques.

Arts and Crafts
Beading: Make gorgeous necklaces, alligator-shaped key chains, dazzling bracelets, and more as you string, knot, and create your very own, stunning collection of wearable art.

Scrapbooking: Take some pictures, flowers, ticket stubs, and other mementos; add colorful graphics, ribbons, fabric, and artwork. Throw in a poem, story, or favorite quote and presto—a unique handmade book you’ll cherish forever

Clay creations: Start with simple shapes in plasticine, then let inspiration be your guide as you learn to create sculptures, useful pottery, and clever clay creatures using coil and slab techniques.

Performing Arts:
Broadway and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Want to be a star? Get ready for the big time when we sing, dance, and perform Broadway show-stoppers and Rock ‘n’ Roll classics from Elvis to the Supremes.

Garage Band
Make your own urban music with empty bottles, garbage cans, guitars, Orff instruments, and anything that makes noise. Led by a trained musician, this class allows campers to experiment with sound and rhythm to create their own music and style, while learning to work individually as well as a group.

Team Sports
Do you like sports? From soccer to ping pong we do it all! Swimming, basketball, football, softball, soccer, Frisbee, bocce ball, water balloon volleyball, ping pong, you name it and we play it. All sports and activities are adjusted to meet everyone’s abilities.

Science and Technology
All ages

Exciting Explorations
Make your own T-shirt dye, build a compass, create a tornado—and get answers to lots of fun questions as we explore the magical world of science through gooey, slimy, and funny experiments.

Computers
Tap dance on the keyboard, design a cool web site, play games—learning computer skills has never been this much fun!
Ages 7 – 8

Robotics
Activities focus on engineering and robotics, using Lego Mindstorms NXT and PicoCricket. Campers have time to explore and invent their own robotics solutions and develop science, technology, engineering, and math skills by building and programming smart robots in a natural, stepby- step hands-on learning process.
Ages 5 – 6

Shoe boxes and Lego
Students use their imagination, fine motor skills and ingenuity to work on their designs, using different materials to build exciting structures. The class encourages students to share ideas and help each other. Children design shoe box houses, sand castles, bridges, and create their own innovative designs. They also work on problem solving and basic constructions to discover and explore the wide opportunities offered by the Lego world.

Chess
June 23 – 27, July 14 – August 1
Learn basic moves or pick up some more advanced strategies with David Paulina, an experienced player and teacher who is one tournament victory from becoming one of the few master players. Campers feel the thrill of the game while sharpening thinking skills. Individual attention and practice games are part of each session. All levels welcome.

Cooking Around the World
French crèpes, Mexican tortillas, Lebanese kebabs, Indian curries. Those are the some of the few recipes children prepare while “traveling” around the world and learning about different cultures. The class emphasizes healthy eating and following a balanced and nutritious diet, as well as good table manners.