2018 Spotlight News Summer Camp Guide

April 11, 2018 | SUMMER CAMP GUIDE 1

Spotlight News / The Spot 518

A publication of Spotlight News / The Spot 518 | April 11, 2018

Camp Guide Summer

Field Trips • Swim Lessons • Specialty Camps • and More!

Register online today! www.CDYMCA.org/camp

SPOT.4.18

SAVE 20% See Inside!

CAPITAL DISTRICT YMCA 518.869.3500 www.CDYMCA.org

BETTER TOGETHER — The Capital District YMCA is a leading charity in the Capital Region. For Youth Development • For Healthy Living • For Social Responsibility

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Ready...Set...SUMMER! YMCA Summer Camps

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SUMMER CAMP GUIDE | Resource Directory 5 reasons why summer camp is a good choice for kids

S

ummer vacation offers students a respite from lessons and the routine of school. Children might once have eagerly awaited those final days of classes so they could lounge poolside, skip rocks across ponds and spend the long days of the season playing with friends. But many of today’s youngsters spend much of their summer vacations indoors playing with their digital devices.

Perhaps that’s why one of the last vestiges of the classic summer vacation escape — summer camp — remains such a viable option for parents who want their children to get outdoors once the school year ends.

Although kids needn’t be in camp all summer long, a week or two can benefit campers of all ages. The following are five reasons why summer camp might be the right fit this year.

1. Explore talents. Summer camps help young people explore their unique interests and talents. Under an organized, yet often easygoing, camp schedule, kids can dabble in sports, arts and crafts, leadership, community support, and so many other activities that may not be fully available to them elsewhere.

2. Physical activity. Lots of camps build their itineraries around physical activities that takes place outdoors.

Campers may spend their time swimming, running, hiking, playing sports, climbing, and so much more. This can be a welcome

change for kids accustomed to living sedentar y lifestyles. Regular physical activity has many health benefits and can set a foundation for healthy habits as an adult.

3. Gain confidence. Day and sleepaway camps of fer campers the opportunity to get comfortable in their own skin. Camps can foster activities in self-esteem by removing the academic measures of success and fill in with noncompetitive opportunities to succeed.

Campers learn independence, decisionmaking skills and the ability to thrive outside of the shadow of their parents, siblings or other students.

4. Tr y new things. Camp gives children the chance to try new things, whether that’s learning to cook, exploring new environments or embracing a new sport or leisure activity. Opening oneself up to new opportunities can build character and prove enlightening for children.

5. Make new friends. Camp is a great place to meet new people and make lifelong friends. Campers flood in from areas near and far. This provides kids with a chance to expand their social circles beyond their immediate neighborhoods and schools.

Camps benefit children in a variety of ways. Lessons learned in camp can strengthen values, build confidence, develop coping mechanisms when adversity strikes, and enable campers to make lifelong friends.

Soccer Camp Afrim’s Sports

Come join us this summer at Afrim’s Sports. Join our certified coaches on our bounce houses, fields, and plan to have a blast! Soccer Camp will focus on technical skills, shooting/passing and application of these skills in 3v3 games. Action Camp will involve different games, activities and some outdoor fun.

Contact: 636 Albany Shaker Road, Albany (518) 438-3131 • www.afrimsports.com

Summer Dance 2018 School of the Albany Berkshire Ballet The School of the Albany Berkshire Ballet offers summer classes and camps for ages three to adult. Evening classes for ages 3- adult, beginner level half day dance camps for ages 4-10, full day intensive camps for Intermediate and Advanced Levels ages 10-19.

Contact: 25 Monroe St., Albany (518) 426-0660 • www.schoolofabb.org Continued on page 6

SUMMER CAMPS Ages 6-17!

GAME DESIGN, PAINTING, DRAWING, PHOTOGRAPHY, DIGITAL ARTS, COOKING, POTTERY, MIXED MEDIA, AND MORE!

REGISTER AT

ARTSCENTERONLINE.ORG OR (518) 273-0552 X 231

THE ARTS CENTER

OF THE CAPITAL REGION 265 RIVER ST TROY NY 12180 106021_4

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Spotlight News / The Spot 518

Hey, kid! Phone home!

Keep in touch with kids at camp

S

ummer camp is an exciting way for children to spend their extended vacations from the classroom. Camps cater to various interests, including sports, crafts and even technological hobbies.

Children who attend overnight camps may spend several nights away from home.

Some kids take this in stride, while others, possibly away from home for the first time, may experience some homesickness. Staying in touch while the kids are at camp can help alleviate fears and show children

Your child will likely get homesick and want to connect with you while camping.

You’re likely going to miss your kid, too, so help out by establishing a way to keep in touch.

their parents care.

Camps now handle communication issues differently than they might have when today’s parents were campers. While it once common for campers to send handwritten letters or short missives home to mom and dad, technology has changed that. Today’s campers may have access to email accounts, or they even may be allowed to bring mobile phones along. This can facilitate communication, but it also may take away from the camping experience.

Parents need to find a balance between what might be too little or too much contact with campers. After all, camp is kids’ chance to grow independent for a few days or weeks.

Learn camp rules The camp will likely provide information regarding correspondence. Camps may permit parents to send one-way emails and

regular mail, but limit campers to handwritten letters only. Determine if mobile phones are allowed or should be left at home. Knowing the rules can help parents and kids plan accordingly.

Pack supplies

Send kids to camp with fun papers, stickers, pens, and other crafty items. This way they’ll be inspired to write home once or twice. Provide brief lessons on how to address an envelope for campers who may not know how.

Check blogs and texts

Some camps may blog about campers’ progress, post information on social media or send out mass texts. These messages can reassure parents that their youngsters are doing just fine. Figure out which tech options are available from camp administrators.

Send a care package

Treat the campers to some supplies from home. Pack campapproved snacks and other reminders of home.

Be sure to include enough for the entire cabin and your son or daughter will be the camp star.

Expect some silence

If camp is going well and campers’ days are fun-filled, they may be too busy for daily correspondence. Parents may get nervous when they don’t routinely see or hear from their children, but chances are everything is going swimmingly.

The camp experience is often harder on parents than children, as campers have their friends and activities to keep them busy.

Brief communication helps campers grow more confident and independent.

Summer Program 2018 Monday, June 25 through Friday, August 24 u 7:30 am to 5:45 pm Entering Grades 1 through 6 at School’s Out u 239 Delaware Ave. u Delmar

Fun filled days with activities that engage interests,

build confidence, and promote creativity. Enrichment based program:

u u

Crafts, drama, sports, STEM u Fun and educational field trips Bowling, picnics, swimming and other exciting activities!

Themes:

Wk 1: Sports Kick-Off Wk 4: SOI Private-I Wk 7: Hello Hollywood Wk 2: It’s a Party in the USA Wk 5: Summer Splashdown Wk 8: It’s the Pirates Life for Me Wk 3: Unicorns & Dragons Wk 6: Camping 101: Wk 9: Solar Sun-sations Woodland Creatures & Fun

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Tuition: $225 per week 10% discount for siblings u 10 % military family discount

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For Information and Registration: schoolsoutinc.org 239 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY • (518) 439-9300

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Spotlight News / The Spot 518

Get your nose in a book How to keep kids engaged over school breaks

of summer. Anywhere from between one to three month’s worth of educational achievement can dissipate during prolonged breaks from the classroom. To help ensure that those hardearned lessons are not so easily forgotten, parents can help children remain intellectually engaged in various ways over school breaks.

C

hildren in North America will spend, on average, more than 900 hours attending school in a given year. The average school year in the United States lasts 1,016 hours, the equivalent of 42 continuous days. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, many developed countries begin their academic years in September and end them in June.

Some, like Australia, feature four terms with two-week breaks in between each term.

Others go to school for most of the year — with various holiday breaks in between — and then get the bulk of their time off during the summer.

As much time as kids spend in school, there will be times when they

kids to remember their vocabulary lessons and maintain their fluency and comprehension skills. Children may enjoy picking their own books rather than having a required reading list.

Keep a math book handy

On long car trips or rainy days, children can do a few math problems to keep their skills sharp. This will help keep learning loss Try to maintain a to a minimum. Math schedule similar to workbooks may be school, with children available at bookstores, waking at the same time or parents can look each day and going to online or ask a teacher bed at similar hours. This for a summer to-do will make it much easier packet. to get back into a routine when a new school year begins.

Stick to a schedule

Reading is a great way for students to keep their brains sharp during prolonged school breaks. are left to their own devices, and during these times it’s easy for them to forgot classroom lessons.

Sometimes called “summer learning loss” or “summer slide,” this forgetfulness sees many students fail to retain

all of their lessons over prolonged breaks from school. Studies indicate that students score lower on standardized tests at the end of the summer compared to their performance on the same tests at the beginning

CAMP MAPLE

Encourage reading

Set aside time for reading each day. All it generally takes is 15 to 30 minutes of reading per day for

Plan educational trips

Vacations and day trips can be fun, entertaining and educational all at the same time. Science centers, museums and living history locations can bring to life information learned in

EARLY BIRD MEMBER PRICING THROUGH APRIL 30

The CURE for the Boring Summer!

the classroom, even on family vacations.

Learn at camp

Many children attend camp for a portion of their school breaks. Look for camps that do not simply babysit children, but engage them through enrichment activities

Take a class

Children and families can learn together by exploring new skills.

Enroll in something educational and enjoyable, such as a music or dance class, a STEM seminar or something else that engages the mind and body. This gives everyone a chance to learn something new and have a great time together as a family.

Parents and educators can reduce lesson loss over school breaks by encouraging families to remain intellectually engaged in any way they can.

WE OFFER C AMPS FOR KIDS AGES 3-15

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Have Your Child Spend Their Summer “ OUTSIDE & UNPLUGGED ” More info at:

• Weekly Themes • Wrap Around Care • Lunches Available

mapleskiridge.com

518-381-4700 Summer Dance Madeline Cantarella Culpo, Director

Ballet * Modern * Pointe * Pre– Ballet * Pilates

Experience: • Sports & Games • Arts & Crafts • Nature, Dance & Music • Day Trips • Overnights • Ropes Courses

Beginner - Professional Dance Camps, classes and Intensives Age 3– Adult July 9– August 24 admin@schoolofabb.org * www.schoolofabb.org 518-426-0660 * 25 Monroe Street, Albany, NY

Come Join us this summer for a trip around the world!

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• Great water sports • Sailing, Canoeing, Kayaking • Specialty Camps in STEM & Sports More Info: • Before & After www.albanyjcc.org or Care options camp@albanyjcc.org 105989_4

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SUMMER CAMP GUIDE | Resource Directory Albany JCC Summer Camps Albany JCC

Bob Bellizzi’s Grand Slam Baseball Camp

The Albany JCC offers camps for all ages (3-year olds to entering 10th grade) from our preschool camp onsite to our two offsite camps – Olam and Teen Camp. Interested in STEM, then join us for our week long specialty camps at the JCC. We are a place for everyone.

Since 1993, Bellizzi Baseball Camp has provided an excellent fun & safe baseball camp experience. Skills instruction, scrimmages, games, mid-day supervised swimming, free t-shirt and coach evaluation. Join the fun this summer - weekly sessions July 9th thru August 10th. For more information, visit BellizziBaseballCamp. com, email BellizziBaseballCamp@nycap.rr.com, or call (518)439-0695.

Contact: 340 Whitehall Road, Albany (518) 438-6651, ext. 108 • www.albanyjcc.org

Contact: Elm Avenue Town Park - Delmar, NY (518) 439-0695 • www.BellizziBaseballCamp.com

Bethlehem Children’s School Summer Camp

Capital District YMCA With 10 convenient locations, your premier Day Camp

Bethlehem Children’s School

(Adventure Camp, Guilderland), your premier over-

Every day at our summer camp is a new adventure!

Building on our progressive educational philosophy, we combine engaging workshops from local teachers with plenty of free-play, nature exploration, games, literature, art, music, movement, and time in our gardens. Half-, full-, and extended-day camps for ages 2.5 to 10.

night camp (Chingacghook, Lake George), the Capital

Contact: 12 Fisher Boulevard, Albany (518) 478-0224 • www.bethlehemchildrensschool.org

Contact: 465 New Karner Road, Albany

District YMCA offers something for every child! Fun field trips! Swimming lessons! Cooking fun! Building with LEGOs! Your child will love Y camp.

(518) 869-3500 • www.CDYMCA.org

WEEKLY SESSIONS JULY 9th thru AUGUST 10th

A summer tradition since

• Staffed by teachers, coaches, and area college & HS players.

• Inspected by Albany Co. Health Dept.

• Mid-day supervised swim break.

Held at Elm Avenue Town Park in Delmar 9AM-3PM

$230 per week Multi-week discounts available

Ages 6-16

Download registration form at :

BellizziBaseballCamp.com BellizziBaseballCamp@nycap.rr.com • 518-439-0695 Sponsored by the Mohawk Baseball Club 106000_4

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Spotlight News / The Spot 518

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SUMMER CAMP GUIDE | Resource Directory CMOST Summer Camp

Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County

Are you looking for hands-on, minds-on STEAMbased discovery experiences for your child this summer?

CMOST’s 2018 Summer Camps explore topics from archeology to zoology, paleontology to sustainability science! Camps run weekly 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., from June 25 through Aug. 31. Before and after camp care is available. Designed for children grades K-8.

Educational program topics for youth ages 7-16.

Contact: 250 Jordan Road, Schenectady (518) 235-2120 • www.cmost.org

Contact: 24 Martin Road, Voorheesville (518) 765-3500 • www.ccealbamy.com

The College of Saint Rose

Huyck Preserve

Children’s Museum of Science & Technology

The Summer Academy for Youth is a summer enrichment program for youth in grades six through ten, and we offer classes in art, science, technology, business, music, performing arts, design, sports, history, and math.

We also offer a three-week Broadway Bootcamp for aspiring Broadway performers.

Contact: 432 Western Ave, Albany (518) 454-5144 • www.strose.edu/summer

Hands-On Environmental Education Close to Home!

Contact: 5052 Delaware Turnpike, Rensselaerville (518) 797-3440 • www.huyckpreserve.org

Camp Maple

Maple Ski Ridge contact

K-12 Students Learn Science While Immersed in Nature at the Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville!

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Nature Study for Grades K-2 July 9-13 ~ 1-4pm Nature Study for Grades 3-5 July 16-20 ~ 1-4pm Natural History Day Program for Grades 6-10 July 23-27 ~ 9am-4pm Wildlife Ecology Research for Grades 11-12 July 30-Aug. 10 ~ 9am-4pm Learn more at: https://www.huyckpreserve.org/summer-programs.html or by contacting education@huyckpreserve.org

The Huyck Preserve offers hands-on nature-based science programs for students K-12. 2018: Nature Study for Grades K-2, July 9-13, 1-4 pm; Nature Study for Grades 3-5, July 16-20, 1-4 pm; Natural History Day Program for Grades 6-10, July 23-27, 9am-4pm; Wildlife Ecology Research for Grades 11-12, July 30-Aug. 10, 9am-4pm.

Recycle this paper

Camp Maple is located just minutes from downtown Schenectady and easily accessible from I-90, I-88 and I-89. Camp maple is Outside and Unplugged with a different theme each week your children will enjoy a variety of healthy, outdoor activities and be sure to sleep well each evening.

Contact: 2725 Mariaville Road, Schenectady (518) 381-4700 • www.mapleskiridge.com

Ready...Set...SUMMER! YMCA Summer Camps

SAVE 20% Call Today!

Specialty Camps • Swim Lessons • Field Trips • Free Before & After Camp Care

Register online today! www.CDYMCA.org/camp CAPITAL DISTRICT YMCA • 518.869.3500 • www.CDYMCA.org For Youth Development, For Healthy Living, For Social Responsibility

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SAVE 20% on membership with our Y Buddy Program! Save even more on Summer Camp when you become a member! Ask today about our Y Buddy Program.

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SUMMER CAMP GUIDE | Resource Directory Summer Camp 2018

Mathnasium of Westmere When math makes sense, kids leap way ahead – whether they started out far behind or already ahead in math.

Our formula for teaching kids math, the Mathnasium Method™ has transformed the way kids learn math for over a decade across 800+ centers in the US and Canada.

School’s Out, Inc. The Full-Day Summer Program for children entering 1st-6th grades operates for 9 weeks, beginning June 25, and is located at the School’s Out Enrichment Center at 239 Delaware Avenue, Delmar.

Contact: 1801 Western Avenue, Westmere (518) 456-6284 • www.mathnasium.com/westmere

Contact: 239 Delaware Avenue, Delmar

Proctors and theREP

SPORTIME Schenectady

We offer a wide range of summer programs from acting

We offer an active, safe, and exciting in all 3 camp op-

(518) 439-9300 • www.schoolsoutinc.org

to dance to special effects makeup to filmmaking; with

tions: Pre-School, Multi-Sport, and Tennis Academy.

an emphasis on fun! Our programs are designed to give students of all ages an opportunity to learn more about a creative field.

Amazing camp calendar of events. Discounts for early registration, multi-week enrollment, and siblings.

Contact: 432 State Street, Schenectady

Contact: 2699 Curry Road, Schenectady

(518) 382-3884 • www.school.proctors.org

(518) 356-0100 • www.SportimeNY.com

CAMP ADVENTURE for children entering grades 4-7

SUNNY DAY CAMP for children entering grades 1-3

Six 1-Week Sessions June 25th – August 3rd

B

TO W N O F B E T H L E H E M PA R KS & R E C R E A T I O N

REGISTER NOW! Call 439-4955 (option 3) or see the Park Playbook at townofbethlehem.org for complete registration information.

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oth camps meet at the Elm Avenue Park, 9am–4:30pm.

Activities include swimming, field trips, special events, games, arts & crafts & much more.

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SUMMER CAMP GUIDE | Resource Directory TSL Adventures

Summer Art Camps

The Arts Center of the Capital Region

TSL is a day camp offering a routine-based program rooted in cooperative play and focuses its program components on strong community development. Through daily games, projects, activities, and water play, TSL weaves together classic summer camp fun with a unique culture where every camper feels like part of a family.

Does your child love being creative!? ACCR provides full-day art camps for children 6-17 during summer!

Kids can throw on a potter’s wheel, make stained glass panels, learn game design, woodworking, and more.

Contact: 265 River Street, Troy

Contact: 183 Schoolhouse Road, North Bethlehem (518) 368-2653 • www.tsladventures.net

(518) 273-0552 • www.artscenteronline.org

Camp Sunny Day/ Camp Adventure

The Spot 518 Spotlight News

Town of Bethlehem Parks & Recreation Department The Parks and Recreation Department sponsors two summer camp programs for children entering grades one through seven in September. Activities include games, arts and crafts, special events, music, trips, and more.

When you are looking into fun activities for your child, turn to our monthly Parent Pages magazine for help.

Each month, we have calendars from local libraries and childrens programs. Our trusted columnists also provide helpful advice on the adventurous aspects of parenthood and more.

Contact: 261 Elm Avenue, Delmar (518) 439-4955, ext. 2131 • www.townofbethlehem.org

Contact: 341 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY (518)-439-4949 • www.spotlightnews.com

This Summer, LEARN While Having FUN!

Summer camp 10 Weeks of Adventure-Filled Camps for Children Ages 2.5 - 10!

Half-Day, Full Day, and Extended-Day Options

Environmental & Health Education Camp July 9-August 9 • 10am to 3pm • Ages 7-12 RIDGEFIELD PARK, ALBANY

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4H Youth Agriculture Camp* – Farm to Plate July 23- July 27 • 9am to noon • Ages 10-8

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4H K-9 Camp* – Guest Speakers • Field Trips • Hands-on activities for dog lovers!

July 30-August 3 • 9am to noon • Ages 10-8

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Gardening Camp* – Learn about soils, composting, herbs, cooking • Daily garden-based craft activity June 25-June 29 • 9am to noon • Ages 8-18

week $

week $

week $

week

Campers explore science, art, outdoor education, creative movement, music, and more!

12 Fisher Blvd., Slingerlands, NY

*These camps will take place at our Martin Road location below.

Martin Road Cornell Cooperative Extension 24Voorheesville Albany County 518-765-3500 x3541 www.ccealbany.com

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

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518-478-0224 www.bethlehemchildrensschool.org/ bethlehemchildrensschool.org/wordpress/summer-camp

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Popular Themed Camp Days Include: Game Show Showdown  Olympic Sports Competition  Carnival Week  American Ninja Warrior  Survivor Day  Dodgeball Domination  Gaga Championship  Harry Potter Day Visit SportimeCamps.com/SCH for the Calendar 

Multi-Week and Sibling Discounts Offered Select any 20 Days of Camp throughout the Summer with SPORTIME’S Discounted 20-Day Option 106106_4

Spotlight News / The Spot 518

SPORTIME SCHENECTADY

Preschool Camp: Ages 3-5 * Multi-Sport Camp: Ages 6-16 * Tennis Combo Camp: Ages 6-16 Basketball* Soccer* Baseball* Tennis* Hockey * Volleyball* Swimming* Arts & Crafts* More!

518/356-0100 www.SportimeCamps.com/SCH 2699 Curry Rd., Schenectady, NY 12303

Redeem this Coupon for

$15 off Per Week* *Excludes other offers, Call for details

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