MetroKids 0220 DE - CAMP DIRECTORY

FEBRUARY 2020 DELAWARE

CAMP STORIES Find a Camp They’ll Adore All-Girl and All-Boy Camps 2020 CAMP DIRECTORY

mk

Camp

Find a Camp They’ll Love The search can be daunting. Here’s how to narrow the list to find the perfect match.

By Kimberly Blaker Whether you’re looking for enrichment for your child, a way to keep the kids occupied and supervised while you work, or you need a short reprieve from parenting, there’s a summer camp that’s the right fit for your family.

Before you start your search, create a list of the criteria important to you.

Here are some things to consider.

• What is your budget?

• What is the purpose of sending your child to camp?

• Do you want an overnight or day camp?

• Are you looking for a short-term (week or two) or summer-long program?

• Do you want a camp that’s very structured or one that provides your child with lots of freedom and choices?

• What are your child’s passions, such as a particular sport, hobby or other interest?

Now you can begin your search. An excellent place to start is a local parenting magazine (Like this one!). Many summer camps advertise here and online. (You can go to MetroKids.com/Camp to search our Camp Guide, which is sortable by location, type of camp, services provided, and activities offered.)

The American Camp Association (ACA) accredits summer camps. So this is another excellent place to look. The ACA educates camp owners and directors in health and safety for staff and campers as well as program quality. It then accredits camps that meet the ACA’s standards. (The Camp Directory on P. 12 indicates which camps are ACA accredited.)

Once you’ve selected a few camps, share the choices with your child to see what excites her. Be sure to let her know upfront that you still need to thoroughly investigate the camps before making a final decision.

When you and your child have narrowed the list to a manageable number, investigate the camps further.

There are several things to consider.

What is the daily schedule for campers?

Ask for a daily itinerary so you know your child will be getting everything you anticipate from the program.

What are the rules?

Each camp has its own set of rules. Find out whether your child is allowed to call you. If it’s a summer-long residential camp, can parents come and visit? Can kids bring along a cell phone or electronics? Also, how much money can they bring, and how is it managed?

Don’t sweat it

Though there are many great camps, no camp is likely to offer everything precisely the way you want it. Just choose the one that best fits your child and satisfies your most important criteria. Your child will have many summers to try new camp experiences.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer.

Registering NOW! • Academic programs starting at 15 months • FT/PT (2,3,4 and 5 day programs)

What are the staff ’s qualifications?

Many summer camps use teens to staff the camps. Teens make excellent mentors and can bring liveliness to summer-camp programs. However, the programs themselves should be developed by professionals and have professional oversight to ensure kids are getting the most from their camp experience.

• Open 7am-6pm

Summer Camp

June 15, 2020 - August 20,2020

• Come see what makes a Montessori Education so special!

How does the camp ensure your child’s safety?

Find out what kind of safety training the camp provides its staffers. Also, is there someone on hand at all times who knows CPR? What are the camp’s procedures if your child becomes ill, has an accident, or an emergency?

Celebrating STARS lvl 5 as of January 2016

FEBRUARY 2020

MetroKids.com 9

mk

Camp

All-boy and All-girl Camps Some kids thrive at camps where the social pressure to impress the opposite sex is not an issue.

By Rose Destra Summer camp can be a place where memories are made and lasting friendships begin. While sleepaway and day camps are typically coed, some parents and their children prefer single-sex camps in part for their opportunity for empowerment.

Less social pressure

All-boy or all-girl camps are usually smaller, so interactions are more intimate and, because there are no social pressures from the opposite sex, campers feel more confident in their environment.

“I think the boys and girls like to be surrounded by whatever they’re classifying as,” says Alexis Featherman, program manager at Camp Kelly in Tunkhannock, PA. There’s less pressure to act cool or look good and kids can act more authen-

10 MetroKids.com

tically and explore outside their comfort zones.

“For parents of girls, they like the idea of their daughters being at a camp where they are not being judged by their appearance and can feel free to interact with other girls and not have the social pressures that boys would add to the mix,” says Renee Flax, director of camper placement for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey.

“For boys, it is very much the same philosophy. Parents want their sons to have strong role models from the counselors at camp.” At single-sex camps, most counselors are exclusively male or female for the comfort of campers.

Without social anxieties there is more opportunity for growth. “Having an intentional population where kids have the opportunity to engage with their peers who understand them is huge,” says Brian Lux, director of Camp Sequoia in Pennsburg, PA. His camp was created 10 years ago for non-neurotypical boys to improve skills and encourage friendships. “A lot of these kids, they just need the time and space to be able to grow, and if you’re in a situation with too many moving pieces, it’s more difficult to experience the same level of success,” he says. Once camp is over, these lessons are taken back into a coed environment.

Gender-inclusive camps

Some single-sex camps also provide onsite therapists and gender-neutral bunks for nonconforming campers. “At our TriState Camp Conference we offer several sessions about how to be inclusive,” says Flax. “In the past several years we see more and more camps offering specific programming that will make all campers feel comfortable and accepted.”

If your child is transgender or gender nonconforming, ask camps what kind of training they give their staff and the resources available on site. Find a camp that provides a safe environment where your child can grow, have fun and have something exciting to look forward to each year.

How to decide

Parents should understand their child’s interests and comfort level before they decide on a single-sex or coed camp. “If you can come up with a list of five musthaves and then a secondary wish list, it will help you to understand which camps will actually fulfill your needs,” says Flax.

“It is difficult to find one type of camp that will suit all of your requirements, but you can get very close if you research it well.”

Rose Destra is a freelance writer from PA.

FEBRUARY 2020

Wilmington Friends School Summer Camps

DAY CAMP

|

ENRICHMENT

|

SPORTS

June 15 through August 28

FUN FUN

ALLSUMMER SUMMERLONG! LONG! ALL

Lower School Camp, lscamp@wilmingtonfriends.org For children in preschool - 5th grade. Weekly themes, active games, and art; ice skating, swimming, and bowling; optional specialty camps including soccer, tennis, art, STEM Design, cooking, and adventure camps.

Middle School Camp, mscamp@wilmingtonfriends.org For children entering 5th - 9th grade. Choose Base Camp or Theme Camps: art, adventure, sports, STEM, cooking, Hogwarts, App Building and Graphic Design.

towerhill.org/summer 2813 WEST 17TH STREET, WILMINGTON, DE 19806

FEBRUARY 2020

Quaker matters. Come see why.

Visit us at wilmingtonfriends.org or call 302-576-2998.

MetroKids.com 11

Thrilling adventures are in store for children at summer camps throughout the Delaware Valley in 2020! This camp directory includes an ample array of choices for all abilities, ages and interests.

Navigate the directory by focusing on your preferences for: • Geographic area: Camps are grouped by county & outlying areas.

• Category: Each description is prefaced by camp type — day, program, residential, special needs or travel.

• Special features: See the key below.

Find a searchable version at MetroKids.com/camps.

Contact camps to express interest and mention you saw their listing in MetroKids.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS 76ers Camps

Multiple Locations; 610-668-7676 director@sixerscamps.com • 76erscamps.com DAY The #1 Basketball Camp in the NBA celebrates our 36th Year! Fiveto 17-year-olds learn the drills the pros use to take their game to the next level. Age- and skill-specific fundamentals and development for beginners to advanced. Meet players, coaches and other NBA stars.

Arsenal USA Premier Soccer Camps

Multiple Locations; 610-922-8255 rjacobs@esfcamps.com • Arsenalsoccercampsusa.com DAY Arsenal USA premier soccer camps, for boys and girls ranging from ages 6–14, provide players of all skill levels an opportunity to improve their game and be immersed in “The Arsenal Way” philosophy that has helped develop some of the world’s best players.

Paris Saint-Germain Academy Soccer Camps USA

Multiple Locations; 610-922-8255 rjacobs@esfcamps.com • Psgacademysoccercampsusa.com DAY The Paris Saint-Germain Academy USA soccer camps, for boys and girls ranging from ages 6-14, provides players of all skill levels an opportunity to improve their game and be immersed in the same philosophy as the professional academies in Paris. Skill development, team play and team building are facilitated by European coaches.

Phillies Baseball Academy

Multiple Locations; 610-520-3400 campmail@philliescamps.com • Philliesacademy.com DAY Phillies Baseball Academy, the premier baseball camp experience for boys and girls, ages 6–14, offers top-notch instruction, behind-the-scenes tour of Citizens Bank Park and the chance to meet a Phillies player and coach.

YMCA of Delaware Day Camps

4 Locations Statewide; 302-239-2334 candy@delnature.org • Delnature.org DAY Children 3–15 connect with nature through hands-on, outdoor experiences with highly qualified instructors. Children try new activities, develop creativity and enjoy hiking, kayaking, cooking, harvesting, archery, farm animal care, nature photography, fishing, overnights, travel, explorations and dip netting. Staff are certified in first aid and CPR. CIT

Multiple Locations in DE & MD 302-221-9622 • Ysummercamp.org DAY, RESIDENTIAL The YMCA has been hosting camps for 100+ years. Our camps provide youth 5–17 with a safe environment to play, learn, grow and make new friends while fostering social, cultural, physical and emotional development. Options include: arts and crafts, sports, team-building, science and nature, music, teen leadership and more. Staff have background checks and first aid and CPR certification. ACA

Delaware State Parks Summer Day Camps

DELAWARE

Delaware Nature Society Summer Camps

Multiple Locations Rachel.rohm@delaware.gov • Destateparks.com/summercamps DAY Delaware State Parks’ camps are an opportunity for adventure, where your child can learn to rock climb, gain basic survival skills, explore history, practice being a naturalist, and more! Visit our website for a full camp list and registration information.

CIT SN

Kidz, Ink Camp Wow!

2020 Delaware Aerospace Academy

PO Box 125, Bear; 302-834-1978 dasef.outpost@verizon.net • DASEF.org DAY, PROGRAM, RESIDENTIAL Hands-on training in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Grades 1–10. Day Academies: Full-day session offered at the Environmental Outpost in Smyrna, 585 Big Oak Rd.,19977. Destination Discovery (ocean creatures and dinosaurs): June 15–19. Four different sessions offered the same week at the University of Delaware in Newark: Destination Sky and Beyond, Destination Space, Destination Flight and Destination Orbit, June 22–26. Residential Academies: Two different sessions offered the same week at the University of Delaware in Newark: Destination Moon and Destination Mars, July 5–10

Locations in Bear, Dover, Smyrna and Milford (Opening Soon), DE kidzenrollment@kidzink.net • KidzEarlyLearning.com DAY Our summer camp program is packed with many fun activities that include weekly field trips, weekly cooking activities, swimming, music and sports, CSI Thursdays and much more. 6am–6:30pm. Breakfast and afternoon snack included. 1 Songsmith Dr., Bear, 302-838-1500; 1703 Porter Rd., Bear, 302-838-5400; 645 W. North St., Dover, 302-730-4034; 2020 Summer Stage Dance and Theatre Camps 616 W. Glenwood Ave., Smyrna, 302-653-4034.

at Delaware Arts Conservatory

New Castle County Summer Camps

Various locations in New Castle County, DE: Claymont, Middletown, New Castle, Newport, Newark, North Wilmington, DE; 302-395-5632 alexander.stephen@newcastlede.gov • Newcastlede.gov/camps DAY Recreation Camps: Full-day camps at five sites; Half-day camps at three sites. Fun weekly themes and field trips. Weekly swimming at full-day camps. Specialty Camps: Safety Town, full-day and half-day Sports Camps, ArtVentures, Musical Theatre, Fine Arts, Portfolio Building, Science Explorer STEM. CIT SN

723 Rue Madora, Ste. 4, Bear; 302-595-4160 info@delarts.com • DelArts.com DAY Two Summer Stock Camps in musical theatre with Candlelight Theatre in Arden, dance and acting camps in Bear, evening camps in art and music, and more! Day and evening programs for ages 5–14, beginner to advanced, including adult classes. Summer Ballet Maintenance and Dance Intensives for serious dancers. Pursue your passions at DelArts!

SN

Key: Extended hours Offers financial aid Part-day or part-week sessions Provides transportation ACA: ACA-accredited CIT: Counselor-in-training program SN: Some special needs may be accommodated

12 MetroKids.com

FEBRUARY 2020

Camp Directory A Tatnall Summer: Day Camps, Sports Camps, Swim Team

1501 Barley Mill Rd., Wilmington; 302-892-4347 atatnallsummer@tatnall.org • ATatnallSummer.org DAY The Tatnall School opens its 110-acre campus to the community June 22–August 21 with exciting new summer camps and classes serving children ages 3–grade 12. With half- and full-day offerings plus extended day, Tatnall provides a variety of activities, including sports, swimming, science, music, arts, computer design, and more. CIT

Brandywine Zoo Camp

1001 North Park Dr., Wilmington; 302-571-7850, ext. 209 education@brandywinezoo.org • Brandywinezoo.org DAY, PROGRAM Brandywine Zoo offers indoor/outdoor spring break and holiday camps, and full- and half-day summer camps. For ages 5–13, after-care available. Focus on fun, animals, and learning through live animal presentations, crafts, games, stories and learning projects. See Camps section on website.

Camp Arrowhead

35268 Homestead Way, Lewes wlafontaine@camparrowhead.net • Camparrowhead.net DAY, RESIDENTIAL Located on Rehoboth Bay, Arrowhead features an amazing de-centralized program with focus on community living and great fun! We feature canoeing, sailing, kayaking, archery, crafts, high ropes, climbing wall , crafts, environmental education and way more. Our food is the best! CIT

Camp Montessori at Wilmington Montessori School 1400 Harvey Rd, Wilmington; 302-475-0555 Wmsde.org/programs/camp DAY We believe in the magic of childhood and the joy of learning and playing together. Core Camp (ages 1-14) features STEAM activities, cooking, art, sports and games, teambuilding, cultural exploration and environmental science. Kindergarten and older groups swim three times a week. Elementary/middle school campers participate in weekly electives and specialty programs including archery, coding, tutoring and counselor-in-training.

Camp Montessori is located on Wilmington Montessori School’s beautiful 25-acre campus in North Wilmington. One-week sessions. CIT CCArts Fine & Performing Arts Camp

410 Upper Snuff Mill Row, Yorklyn; 302-239-2434 jhartz@ccarts.org • Ccarts.org DAY Come gather, connect, and create this summer at CCArts! Half- or full-day camps with before and after care offer flexibility for busy summer schedules. Professional teaching artists offer painting, drawing, ceramics, fibers, photography, printmaking, mixed media, theater and music.

Centreville Layton School Summer Program

6201 Kennett Pk., Centreville; 302-571-0230 djarrell@centrevillelayton.org • Centrevillelayton.org DAY Centreville Layton School offers a summer program to reinforce academic skills and organizational strategies. Additionally, our afternoon program, offered to ages 3–13, provides a nurturing environment where children can focus on building social skills and having fun. Our program is offered to students ages 3–18. Camp runs from June 22–July 24. SN

Delaware Dance Co. Summer Dance & Theatre Camp

168 S. Main St., Madeline Crossing, Suite 101, Newark 302-738-2023 • Delawaredancecompany.org DAY With over 25 years of experience, DDC dance camps please both those who love dance as well as beginners. Ballet Camp and Jazz Tap for ages 4–10, as well as Contemporary Concepts for ages 6–10. Each camp culminates in a performance at Mitchell Hall. Camps are held June 22–26, July 6–10 and July 13–17. First Focus (10 and older) and Intensive (12 and older) workshops offered June 22–26, July 6–10, and July 13–17. A musical theatre camp is held July 20–31 for ages 6–12 and ages 12–18. Early drop off and late pick-up are included!

Delaware Museum of Natural History

4840 Kennett Pike, Rte. 52, Wilmington; 302-658-9111, ext. 328 education@delmnh.org • Delmnh.org/camps DAY Children completing kindergarten through sixth grade explore science and nature in-depth and up-close. This year features new camps for each age group, with activities such as outdoor fun, gallery exploration, traveling exhibit discoveries and live-animal experiences. For grades 3–6, optional overnight. Museum Babies program for toddlers to age 3, and one week of Museum Peeps (half-day sessions) for ages 4–6.

Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay – Camp Country Center

1051 Sharpless Rd., Hockessin; 302-456-7150 camp@cbgsc.org •Gscb.org/camp DAY Do you love science and technology? GSCB STEM day camps at Country Center have something for everyone — marine biology, Minecraft, digital media, culinary science, robotics and more! Try your hand at ACA archery. Ages 6–18. No prior Girl Scout experience needed.

Hagley Summer Camp

200 Hagley Creek Rd., Wilmington jdurst@hagley.org • Hagley.org/camp DAY Hagley Museum offers three weeks of camp activities. Each week features two themes focused on history and STEM. Camps are divided into two age categories: Ages 7–10 and ages 9–12. Our camps provide fun, hands-on environments for learning while making new friends.

NEW International Ivy Summer Enrichment Program

The Independence School, 1300 Paper Mill Rd, Newark; 908-899-1338 info@iisummer.com •iisummer.com DAY, PROGRAM International Ivy strives to promote creativity and hands-on learning for students between the age of 5–15 in subjects such as robotics, video game creation, computer programming, Minecraft, virtual reality, 3D printing, science, engineering, math, business, language and ACA visual arts.

NEW Summer at Independence

The Independence School, 1300 Paper Mill Rd., Newark; 302-239-0330 swalsh@indyde.org • Summeratindependence.org DAY From our theme-based Day Camps for nine weeks of summer, to our wide range of weekly programs, there’s something for all age groups and interests. The following options are featured: Indy Exploratorium, Visual & Performing Arts, Adventure Camp, STEM, Academics and Sports

Concord Preschool and Childcare

Summer at Tower Hill

1800 Fairfax Blvd., Wilmington 302-654-9629 • Concordpreschoolandchildcare.com DAY, TRAVEL Kids ages 1–9 can join the fun all summer long! Flexible options. FT 7:15am–5:45pm, PT 9am–12noon. 2-day, 3-day and 5-day options available. Safe, fun and nurturing atmosphere where each child is encouraged to play, learn and experiment. Quality teaching and care since 1956. Call for a tour.

2813 W. 17th St., Wilmington; 302-472-7370 summer@towerhill.org • Towerhill.org/summer DAY Summer at Tower Hill offers unlimited opportunities for fun and learning for preschoolers through sixth grade, grouped by age. This year’s weekly themes include science, cooking, art, gardening and the great outdoors, plus field trips. Enrichment and sports camps also offered.

Extended care available. June 10–Aug. 7.

Delaware Art Museum’s Summer Art Camp

St. David’s Episcopal Day School

2301 Kentmere Pkwy., Wilmington; 302-571-9590 artiscreating@delart.org • DelArt.org DAY Delaware Art Museum’s summer art camp provides a fun, creative experience with professional instruction. Young artists will explore drawing, painting, ceramics, and more! Ages 6–16. Full-day 9am–4pm and camper art show. New expanded sessions and age groups!

2320 Grubb Rd., Wilmington stdavidskidsde@outlook.com • Stdavidsdayschoolde.org DAY Theme-based session for children ages 3 to completed kindergarten (3’s must be toilet-trained); 2 playgrounds, A/C spaces; peanut- and tree nut-free snacks provided. Experienced adult staff (CPR/FA, background checks); AED on site; security system, and flexible scheduling for parents.

Registration fee includes t-shirt and most activities.

Key: Extended hours Offers financial aid Part-day or part-week sessions Provides transportation ACA: ACA-accredited CIT: Counselor-in-training program SN: Some special needs may be accommodated

FEBRUARY 2020

MetroKids.com 13

mk

Camp Directory

Win It!

We

Prizes!

Presidents Day is the perfect opportunity to teach kids about national history, and Colton’s Time Machine by Rebecca Massey does just that! The first book in the series follows 10-year-old Colton as he journeys back in time to experience important moments involving the Declaration of Independence, George Washington and Christopher Columbus. ($14.99)

University of Delaware ELC Summer Camps

489 Wyoming Rd., Newark; 302-831-6205 ud-elc@udel.edu • Elc.udel.edu DAY The University of Delaware Early Learning Center provides a summer camp filled with adventures that support a child’s interests through STEAM guided activities. Sign your rising 1st–3rd grader up now! Visit our website for details.

Wilmington Ballet Summer Dance Camp

1709 Gilpin Ave., Wilmington; 302-655-1004 info@wilmingtonballet.org • Wilmingtonballet.org/summer-program DAY Wilmington Ballet offers a Princess Camp for ballerinas in training, Ballet Camp for boys and girls ages 7–10 (no dance experience required), and a pre-professional Intensive training program for boys and girls, with world-class guest teachers. Camps run July-August.

Wilmington Friends School Day Camps

101 School Rd., Wilmington; 302-576-2998 lscamp@wilmingtonfriends.org • Wilmingtonfriends.org DAY June 15–Aug. 28: Lower-school camp features weekly themes, soccer, tennis, art, STEM design, cooking and adventure camps, plus swimming, ice skating, and bowling. Middle-school camp offers Base Camp with swimming, fishing, gardening, hiking, ice skating and bowling plus sports camps and programs in art, adventure, sports, STEM, cooking and 3D printing. Online registration available — early bird discount! Check online for Open House dates.

OUTLYING AREAS Did you know March is Youth Art Month? Snag these prizes just in time! The Crayola Color Chemistry Lab* (7+; $24.99) includes the materials needed to try 16 creative Adventure Camp at Roundtop Mountain Resort experiments. And Yellow Scope’s Art and Science of Color Kit* (8+; $39.99) 925 Roundtop Rd., Lewisberry, PA; 717-432-9631 skiroundtop@skiroundtop.com uncovers the hidden colors in plants, art supplies and candles.

Roundtopmountainresort.com/camps/summer-adventure-camps

Log on to MetroKids.com/winit and enter to win your favorite prize, beginning Feb. 1. Prizes marked with an asterisk (*) must be picked up at the MetroKids office in Center City. Other prizes will be mailed by the provider to the address given on the entry form.

DAY, RESIDENTIAL Book your child’s best week of the summer at

South Central PA’s favorite ski resort where campers enjoy a multitude of adventure-based activities including zip lines, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, archery, paintball, OGO balls, high and low ropes courses, the super slide, chairlift rides and much more. All right here on our beautiful 1,200 acre mountain property. Day and residential camps available.

Residential housing is in air-conditioned mountain chalets CIT

Easterseals Camp Fairlee

22242 Bay Shore Rd., Chestertown, MD; 410-778-0566 fairlee@esdel.org • Easterseals.com/de/fairlee RESIDENTIAL, TRAVEL Camp Fairlee provides a traditional summer camp experience for children (age 6+) and adults with disabilities including developmental, CP, MD, MS and orthopedic impairments. Special Autism weeks with 1:1 counseling. Wall climbing, high ropes, zip-lining, pool, canoeing, kayaking and horseback riding. Nurses on staff 24/7. All facilities are new, including our 12,000-square-foot activity center, health center, expanded dining hall, and four cabins. ACA SN

Whale Camp at the Fundy Marine Institute

Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, Canada 888-54-WHALE • info@whalecamp.com • WhaleCamp.com RESIDENTIAL, TRAVEL No other marine science camp offers as many face-to-face encounters to closely observe and study whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and puffins in their own natural habitat. Board our research vessel for unmatched opportunities to observe marine life. Explore beaches, coastal trails and fishing villages on beautiful Grand Manan Island. Ask about our $40,000 college scholarships, STEM projects and college credits.

YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser

201 Cushion Peak Rd., Reinholds, PA 610-670-2267 • SMYMCA.org RESIDENTIAL We welcome you to our 600 mountain-top acres in Berks County, PA. While we offer a variety of session lengths, most campers opt for 2- or 4-week sessions. We are a coed program for 6- to 17-year-olds. Activities include horseback riding, swimming, boating, athletics, target sports, mountain biking, arts, nature, adventure and teen leadership. We also offer specialty theme camps, adventure trips and international trips. ACA

Key: Extended hours Offers financial aid Part-day or part-week sessions Provides transportation ACA: ACA-accredited CIT: Counselor-in-training progra SN: Some special needs may be accommodated

14 MetroKids.com

FEBRUARY 2020