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Summer Fun at Camp!

Sunday, February 28, 2010

ARTICLE TOOLS

For many parents, spring’s warming weather signals the promise of summer dreams. That’s because summer camps send out their signup sheets this month, offering a smorgasbord of opportunities—from classic day programs to adventures in activities like fl fishing, robotics, sailing, sculpture and screenplays.

With so many choices, parents may feel they need an excess of imagination, exploration and decision making skills. In fact, the bottom line for selecting a program is easy. Good camps keep children busy, learning—and tired. “It sounds silly but it’s true,” says Notre Dame High School’s Athletic Director Howie Sompayrac. “Parents like their kids to get worn out at camp.”

When schools lock their doors in June, a portal opens for children to explore their passions, learn a sport and have a good time. More than 11 million children attend camps in the United States each summer, according to the American Camp Association. Perhaps because more mothers work away from home, the number of camps in the U.S. has nearly doubled to more than 12,000 in the past 20 years.

Area private schools freely admit their camps’ mission is partly to recruit students. But area camps also aim to build leadership, communication and community living skills as well as self-respect and responsibility. McCallie School stresses sportsmanship, skills training and new experiences, for instance, says Director Bill Eiselstein. “But the main reason to sign up for our camps is to have a good, fun summer experience.”

McCallie 6th-grader Griffin Jayne, for example, ranks enjoyment high on his list of reasons for camping at McCallie for the last six years. “Camps help you make new friends and teach you to cooperate with others,” Griffin says. “And it's a ton of fun to hang out with your friends.”

Camps may also hold the key to children’s health. Michelle Obama recently unveiled a campaign against childhood obesity. In the past 30 years, the number of children who are overweight or obese has skyrocketed. About 30 percent of all children eat too much while exercising too little, scientists report. Nearly all area summer camps focus on fitness.

Outdoor facilities, such as the Metropolitan YMCA of Chattanooga’s Camp Ocoee in Ocoee, Tn., or the Girl Scouts of America’s Camp Juliette Lowe near Cloudland, Ga., naturally play a key role in checking kids’ ever-expanding waist lines. Even chair-bound courses, such as robotics, feature swimming every afternoon, Eiselstein says.

For educators, summer camps can be entertaining. But teaching hundreds of children dozens of crafts, sports and healthy activities in one-week batches can be challenging. “I joke we put in nine months of school time in two months of summer fun,” says Carol Huckaby, director of summer programs and outreach at Baylor School.

While summer camps teach, they do so “without a formal learning environment,” she adds. Rather than writing a paper on global warming, a Model United Nations camper might debate solutions with friends, while rising chefs bake muffi ns, painters prepare their palettes, robotmakers solder circuit boards and budding basketball stars slam dunk.

Local schools such as Baylor, McCallie and Notre Dame off er “all-purpose” programs for those who like samplers. Specialists can choose from a range of programs, from art to woodland living to kayaking to equestrian training.

This summer, art classes paint the scene. A new series at Baylor School, produced by the Association for Visual Artists, introduces older children to 2D and 3D animation, short filmmaking and music videos. Hunter Museum of American Art off ers youth art, including instrument design, T-shirt dyeing, digital animation and classic methods of working in paint, wood or clay.

Sports camps continue to hit home runs. Varsity coaches at McCallie and other area private schools lead athletic camps in basketball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, golf, tennis and more. These camps aim to introduce as many children as possible to new sports. “In all our camps, previous experience is not necessary,” Eiselstein says. “Try it, see if you like it while you’re young.”

Area schools, private institutions and off er classes in such non-traditional sports as rowing and rock climbing. The Urban Gym retooled its indoor climbing camp this year to send children 7 to 15 up a wall. “We’ll keep them on their toes,” says General Manager Jonathan Berry.

As America’s youth continue to master the Internet, new technology camps are also available this summer. Laptop-carrying girls at GPS can jumpstart their multimedia digital animation education at Camp Kaleidoscope (grades K-5), says Kim Leffew, summer programs coordinator. Campers complete a printed comic book, with a CD of the movie version. “They’ll write and design their own comic book,” Leffew says. “And it’s their story start to finish.”

Young children with a science bent might enjoy “Grossology,” a weeklong exploration of the slimy, slippery human body at the Creative Discovery Museum. Aspiring astronauts might like the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Challenger Center’s Cosmic Space Quest Summer Camps where rocketry, aviation and satellites stand ready to be probed.

For parents simply seeking a brief and active break for young children, Th e Little Gym off ers themed camps such as cheerleading or Wild West Adventure. Coordination and gymnastics skills are among the physical training children receive. “We stress that group cooperative activities can be very rewarding.” says co-owner Keith Moreland. “But fun is the underlying theme. When students return to school, their summer dreams hopefully became happy fall memories. For many local campers, it seems, their wishes usually come true. “About 90 percent of our middle school students went to a camp in the past year, and we have a lot of repeat campers,” says Eiselstein. “They must like it.

Baylor school

171 Baylor School Road • Chattanooga, TN 37405

423-267-8505 • www.baylorschool.org

The Baylor School has cultivated its summer camp program since 1947, growing it much like the on-site organic garden which will be used in its summer Cooking Class, among the newest offerings.

“Our campus is just outstanding,” says summer programs director Carol Huckaby. “Th e facilities allow us to run comprehensive programs, offering an extensive lineup, and appeal to a very wide audience.”

Partnerships like this year’s collaboration with Chattanooga’s Association for Visual Arts also contribute to Baylor’s stellar summer schedule, introducing classes including ‘3-D Clay Animation Techniques’ and ‘Making the Music Video.’ Business-minded students might benefit from the American Red Cross Babysitting Camp that provides perspective on professional babysitting.

“We’ve got something for the super-sporty kids,” says Huckaby, adding golf and dance are among the most popular courses, “and we’ve got something for kids looking to stay inside and focus on arts and crafts.” Summer programs are a great way to learn, she says, but Baylor also strives to make individual programs entertaining. “We’re trying not to only off er this wide range of activities, but also to let everybody enjoy their summer, and walk away knowing they had a great time.”

To learn more about or apply for the extensive list of Baylor School’s boarding, day camp, enrichment and leadership summer programs, visit www.baylorschool.org and click the Summer tab at the top. Enrollment is open to 5-year-olds through rising seniors in the community.

Boyd-Buchanan School

4626 Bonnie Way Drive • Chattanooga, TN 37411

423-508-2212 • www.bbschool.org

Programs at Boyd-Buchanan School this summer are aimed at developing both athletic academic abilities.

“From learning how to shoot a basketball, to learning to shoot a picture, participants in Boyd-Buchanan’s summer programs are exposed to a wide variety of opportunities,” says Grant Reynolds, the school’s highly-regarded football coach and summer camp program director.

For more than 25 years, the school’s summer camps have engaged pre-kindergarten students, ages 3 and older, as well as high school seniors. Students enrolled in athletic camps, most of which are held from 9 a.m. to noon, sharpen athletic skills in football, soccer, softball, baseball, cheerleading, gymnastics or agility, and fitness. Boyd-Buchanan camp leaders are experts in their fields—the school is proud to have Reynolds and Amber Nolan, volleyball state champion coach, teaching.

Academic camps are scheduled afternoons, 1--4 p.m. Students can conduct experiments for science or brush up on biology, algebra, art and photography. Last year, photography campers exhibited

pieces at Chattanooga’s Association for Visual Arts. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors concerned with ACT scores can get extra study time during the ACT WizKid camp.

Camp dates are May 26 to July 2. Prices range from $50 to $195. Students can attend morning, afternoon, or all-day camps from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information or to register visit www.bbschool.org or call 622-6177.

Notre Dame High School

2701 Vermont Avenue • Chattanooga, TN 37404

423-624-4618 • www.myndhs.com

Fun is a common thread among Notre Dame’s summer programs.

“The majority of campers return to our camps every year,” says Gayle Schoenborn, director of communications at Notre Dame High School. “I definitely think it’s because they have so much fun. We have some really good, quality programs.”

For prices beginning at $75, students can participate in activities including white water rafting on the Ocoee River, or learn soccer from Jim Schermerhorn, who has been named Coach of the Year twice by the Tennessee High School association of soccer coaches.

“We work really hard to make sure, especially with the sports camps, that children are having fun but also learning,” says Schoenborn. “We’ve had some just-amazing comments from parents, especially from the soccer camp, about how much their child learned in just one week.”

Sport and outdoor camps are probably among the most popular programs, but Schoenborn says students and parents will likely ask about the popular jewelry-making camp, which is on hiatus this year due to its teacher’s new baby. “In the meantime we’ve got some good alternatives,” she says, pointing to new classes including Cooking with Books, Cooking Around the World, and Web Design & Movie Making.

Notre Dame summer camps are open to all school-age children grades 1-12. To learn more or apply, visit www.myndhs.com and click “Discover the Summer Spirit at Notre Dame.

City Parks & Recreation

1102 S. Watkins Street • Chattanooga, TN 37404

423-643-6086 • www.chattanooga.gov

The City of Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department has organized a summer of fun for everyone! The ‘Kidz Kamp’ at City recreation centers will offer four two-week sessions featuring sports, swimming, art, special events, “Being Green” activities, and field trips, as well as other attractions. An “Early Bird” registration discount of $200 per child is now available, through April 1, when signing up for the entire summer. Call Kim Battle at (423) 643-6052.

Outdoor Chattanooga Camps at Greenway Farm include two outdoor adventure venues featuring hiking, biking, paddling, disc golf, and wildlife study. Two Whitewater ‘Kids Club Kayaking

Camps’ for beginners and intermediate paddlers are also available.

Register now by calling Ruth Thompson at (423) 643-6889.

One week sessions of creativity, with field trips, are offered at the Folk Art Camp at Wyatt Recreation Center. Guest artists, outdoor recreation, and a Friday cook-out are included! Call Tracy Wamp at (423) 757-2593.

A tennis camp at Champions Club Tennis Complex includes one week sessions of instruction and skills development taught by professional coaches and instructors. Call Orlando Lourenco at (423) 870-4406

The “ZOO-ABILITY” camp at the Chattanooga Zoo offers oneweek sessions for individuals with cognitive and/or physical disabilities, provided by the City’s therapeutic recreation program

and the Zoo. Call Elaine Adams at (423) 697-1385. Get complete details on-line at: www.chattanooga.gov/parks&recreation!

Valley View Ranch

606 Valley View Ranch Road • Cloudland, GA 30731

706-862-2231 • www.valleyviewranch.com

Budding equestriennes ages 8-17 will thrive at Valley View Ranch, a paradise for horse lovers.

At Valley View, each girl spends as much time as she wishes with her own assigned horse, riding along miles of wooded trails throughout the ranch’s 600 acres, and improving skills through lessons. Instruction appropriate for beginners as well as advanced riders covers English and Western styles in barrels and vaulting.

“We recommend they try it all,” says camp director Nancy Jones, whose parents started Valley View in 1954. “We raise quarter horses, Paints and Appaloosas with the right disposition for young ladies learning to ride. The horses want to perform properly, making it a safe and happy experience for the girls.”

Valley View enjoys a 60-percent return rate, and most participants find out about its extraordinary appeal by word of mouth.

Most campers have an overwhelmingly positive experience, says Jones.

“It’s a great opportunity to try different kinds of horses,” she adds. “If they want to go home and purchase a horse, they’ll be a lot more knowledgeable.”

With a limited enrollment of 60 girls, and one counselor to every five campers, each receives individualized attention during her one- to nine-week stay, which also includes secondary activities like swimming and pottery.

McCallie School

500 Dodds Avenue • Chattanooga, TN 37404

423-624-8300 • www.mccallie.org

Whether constructing a robot, fly-fishing at an Appalachian trout stream, or learning to skipper a boat on Lake Chickamauga, the wide range of activities offered at McCallie’s 18 summer camps test minds and challenge bodies.

Under the supervision of experienced and enthusiastic counselors, students at McCallie learn new skills in a wholesome environment.

“The kids working as counselors are mostly McCallie students or young graduates—highly intelligent, motivated individuals who make great role models for the kids,” says Billy Faires, director

of communication at McCallie School. Participants can enjoy traditional sports camps led by varsity coaches in baseball, basketball, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, wrestling and swimming. New to the program this year is Technology Camp, in which boys learn to create their own robotics or dynamic video game animation.

The 100-acre campus near downtown Chattanooga boasts outstanding facilities, including numerous groomed athletic fields, 14 tennis courts, a football stadium and air-conditioned dorms for the five boarding camps. The award-winning Sports and Activities Center houses an indoor pool, four basketball courts, racquetball courts and a climbing wall.

Faires says the main attraction is the infamous McCallie “Lake,” an outdoor swimming hole complete with 2 water slides.

Limited enrollment camps for art, sailing and fly-fishing are expected to fill up quickly, so early registration is recommended.

St. Nicholas

7525 Min Tom Road • Chattanooga, TN 37421

423-899-1999 • www.stns.org

This year, summer camps at St. Nicholas School will challenge students to stay physically and mentally active.

“Children are encouraged to explore their interests and try new things in a friendly and nurturing environment,” says Kevin Leckenby, summer program director. “We’re always looking to add new adventures and offerings.”

The camp is designed for pre-kindergarten students, ages 4 and over, up to fifth graders.

Leckenby says during a typical week, campers will swim, take music and art classes and attend a field trip. In the past, outings have included educational-but-fun destinations like the Tennessee

Aquarium or the Creative Discovery Museum, as well as more active locations offering bowling or skating.

Campers may also enjoy enrichment classes for swimming, soccer, math, science, cross country, softball, and Spanish. Campers enrolled in enrichment lessons attend from 9:15 to 10:15

a.m. or from 10:20 to 11:20 a.m. each morning before joining assigned groups for daily activities.

A SAMPLING OF BOTH DAY AND OVERNIGHT CAMPS WITHIN AN HOUR OF CHATTANOOGA

A WEEK OF PEACE:

CAMP ALPINE • MENTONE, AL

A traditional summer camp for boys with a christian environment, 10-day and month-long sessions.

CAMP DESOTO • MENTONE, AL

A month of summer camping for girls in the context of a Christian community.

CAMP JOHN KNOX • TEN MILE, TN

A coed, residential Christian camp for ages 4-18

(day camp options available)

CAMP JULIETTE LOW, INC.

CLOUDLAND, GA

Traditional all-girls camp offering 1-2 week sessions for ages 7-17

SEWANEE sUMMER MUSIC

FESTIVAL • SEWANEE, TN

The University of the South offers a month-long program for accepted advanced music students 12 and up.

SEWANEE YOUNG WRITER’s CONFERENCE

SEWANEE, TN

A two-week writing workshop at The University of the South for accepted high school students eager to improve their literary skills.

CAMP SKYLINE RANCH • MENTONE, AL

Traditional all-girls camp offering 1-2 week sessions for ages 6-16

CAMP VESPER POINT • SODDY DAISY, TN

A coed, overnight Christian camp for ages 7-18

CAMP WOODMONT • CLOUDLAND, GA

Traditional overnight camp offering 1-2 week sessions for ages 6-14

YMCA CAMP OCOEE • Ocoee, TN

Traditional overnight camp offering weeklong

sessions for ages 7-17

DAY BREAKS (CHATTANOOGA, TN)

BAYLOR SUMMER PROGRAMS

Traditional day camps, all sports camps, enrichment programs and individual sport clinics for ages 5-15. Boarding camps also available.

BOYD-BUCHANAN SCHOOL sUMMER

ACADEMIC & SPORTs CAMPS

Athletic camps available for ages K-8th grade, academic camps offered for ages K-12th grade

BRIGHT SUMMER FUNSTITUTE

Preschool camp, co-ed day camp and specialty camps available for ages 3-11

CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER

COSMIC SPACE QUEST

Explore math and science in a space themed camp available for ages 4-12

CHATTANOOGA NATURE CENTER CAMPS

Variety of opportunities to explore nature for ages 4-13

CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE

SUMMER ACADEMICS

Acting and dancing activities offered for ages 4-12

CREATIVE DISCOVERY SUMMER CAMPS

Opportunities to explore the museum, take field trips and engage in various craft activities for ages 4-11

SUMMER AT GPs

Day camps, athletic camps and academic/enrichment camps available for girls ages 4-17

HONORS LEARNING CENTER

Offers programs in reading, math, spelling, writing, ACT/SAT prep and more for kids in K-12th grade

MCCALLIE SUMMER CAMPS

Offer a variety of traditional and sports camps for girls and boys ages 5 and up.

Boarding camps also available for boys ages 8-15.

THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL SCHOOL’S OUT SPECIAL

Weeklong specialty classes for ages 3-10 years

NOTRE DAME DISCOVER THE SPIRIT SUMMER 2009

Sports camps, fine arts camps, academic enrichment and spiritual enrichment available for ages 5-14

ST. ANDREWs SEWANEE sCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMs

• SEWANEE, TN

The school offers sports camps, outdoor adventure experiences, and day camps for children from 1st-8th grades.

ST. JUDE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMPS

Traditional day camp, guitar camp, soccer camp and others for both boys and girls of various ages

ST. NICHOLAS SCHOOL SUMMER CAMPS

Traditional day camp experience along with choice of enrichment program for ages 4-12

VANCURA BALLET CONSERVATORY SUMMER DANCE CAMP

Age-appropriate instruction for various dance styles available for ages 3-16

TENNESSEE AQUARIUM’S SUMMER CAMP

Includes underwater exploration at the aquarium and applicable field trips for ages 4-12

YMCA DAY CAMPS • (ALL LOCATIONs)

Sports, swimming, crafts, art, field trips and much more available for ages 5-17 (depending on branch)

SLAM DUNK SPORTS CAMPS

Whether your child wants to boost skills or try out new moves, Notre Dame High school Athletic Director Howie Sompayrac suggests looking for these elements in a sports program:

Low counselor-to-camper ratio: Children thrive, and are safer, when they receive enough adult attention.

Motivational skills and dynamic personalities: “Coaches and counselors should inspire kids to be passionate about the sport,” says Sompayrac. A mix of drills and games so learning stays fun.

Staff who work well with mixed abilities: Except for specialized sports such as golf, most sports camps blend new with seasoned players. Counselors should train advanced players while encouraging and supporting newcomers, all at the same time.

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