2022 Camp Guide by Colorado Springs Gazette, LLC

2022 CAMP GUIDE

Kids @

camp ADVENTURE AWAITS

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE GAZETTE | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2022

SUMMER CAMP: A community of – and for – children BY NINA GLASER, NINA.GLASER@GAZETTE.COM

When school’s out for summer and kids have “no more pencils, no more books, no more teacher’s dirty looks” to contend with, what do many of them do? They head to summer camp, complete with offerings of athletic, cultural and educational development. Camp provides a structured opportunity for children to grow their decision-making skills, independence and self-confidence as they find new talents and hobbies, learn new skills, make new friends and participate in exciting activities. What better place to try new adventures than a camp that serves as a “home away from home?” At camp, perspectives are broadened and memories made as campers engage, explore and

interact together. While in “the great outdoors,” they may partake in archery, arts and crafts, biking, board games, boating, hiking, horseback riding, swimming and team sports, among other activities. Parents can feel comfortable knowing that their children are in a nurturing and safe environment, whether at a day camp, sleep-away camp, or specialty camp catering to youngsters who are focusing on art, science and nature, performing arts, sports, technology or weight loss. A summer camp experience results in children building relationships and listening and social skills, as well as learning teamwork. Summer camp is a win-win for all involved: children, parents and camp staff.

YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP Ages 5 - 12 Camp starts on May 31, 2022. We will have weekly sessions running through August 12, 2022.

Join us for one week or all summer long! Learn more at

ppymca.org/daycamp YMCA OF THE PIKES PEAK REGION Financial Assistance Available CCCAP Accepted

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SUMMER CAMP:

A hallmark of American culture BY NINA GLASER, NINA.GLASER@GAZETTE.COM

Summer camp is a tradition as old as the Civil War! The general goals of the institution — among the first designed to educate the whole child, with day or 24-hour care fostering physical health, as well as social and spiritual development — are the same as when

camps began (recognized as the period from 1861-1910). Many of the first camps in North America were in the woods of northern New England. The earliest camps were small, private and for boys. They offered the opportunity to enjoy life away from the city, getting out into

nature and experiencing the outdoors with all its inherent adventures. Camp was an escape from the ordinary … a retreat from civilization and its modern, industrial life. Participating in a hardy rural life was thought to aid in character-building and address the importance of children socializing.

Milestone moments in summer camp history Camp Baldhead, the first residential camp in the U.S. and North America (later known as Camp Dudley), was established by George A. Saford and Sumner F. Dudley, both of whom worked for YMCA.

1861

Educator Frederick W. Gunn and his wife, Abigail, who ran a home school for boys, took their students hiking to their summer camping destination, where they enjoyed boating, fishing and trapping for two weeks. The practice continued for the next 12 years.

1885

Camp Kehonka for girls is created.

1890s

A camp building boom, with the participation of religious organizations, social settlements and other social welfare agencies, brings camping to a wider audience.

1902

1910

The Camp Directors Association of America (CDAA), now known as the American Camp Association (ACA), founded by Alan S. Williams, was formed.

Initial activities focusing on opportunities for boys to reconnect with the outdoors and countryside included hunting, leadership skills, rowing, shooting and swimming. These activities gave way to arts and crafts, calisthenics, nature study, sports and swimming as camps evolved.

Camp Fire Girls and Girl Scouts of the USA established camps for girls to foster a new, more self-reliant generation of young women. (There were 300 Girl Scout camps in America in 1925!)

1911 – 1912

A burgeoning of religious-based camps for children of middle class and elite families was seen, from popular Jewish camps to Catholic and Protestant Bible Camps.

1918

Summer camps in the U.S. number more than 1,000: up from less than 100 in 1900.

1920s

1940s

More camps to choose from emerged, serving larger populations of younger campers. The Counselorin-Training (CIT) program was established to keep teens who considered themselves too old for summer camp on-site. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

CAMP GUIDE | Sunday, February 27, 2022

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

The realization that camp would be beneficial to girls, too, had occurred by World War II, with gender-based learning that included life skills related to homemaking. In the post-war period, camps for children with disabilities became more common, along with skillbased camps for teaching computer programming, foreign languages and music. The end of the 20th century saw a renewed popularity for traditional, rustic, character-building camps (think, “Everything old is new again!”) Proponents of summer camp include educators, health care professionals, philanthropists and religious leaders. We would all be hard-pressed to not have gone to a summer camp ourselves, or not know someone who did! How do you go about selecting the right camp for your child? Read on! The following questions from the American Camp Association can help you decide on the best camp for your camper. The ACA, a community of camp professionals who share knowledge and experience to

ensure the quality of camp programs, is recognized by courts and government regulators. The organization has 300 standards for health, safety and programs. Camps rely on ACA standards regarding staff-tocamper ratio, staff training, developmentally based goals for camp activities, constant availability of emergency transportation, and firstaid facilities and trained staff.

Do you want your child to go to camp locally or far away?

Nearby camps are easier to evaluate and visit. You may have family or friends who are familiar with the camp. Travel to the fun would be minimal, as would the cost. Additionally, your child might encounter classmates or children from the same area there. Sleepaway camp, on the other hand, offers more choices and a different experience — in geography and language, for example. A greater sense of independence is promoted, and parent’s day or the endof-camp might afford families the opportunity to vacation together.

Summer STEaM CAMPS "Powered by Steam"

How long do you want your child to be at camp?

Summer camps offer short sessions, from one to three weeks in duration, and also long sessions that can range from four weeks or more. Short sessions are often a good starting point for first-time campers, as they have some time to learn new skills and bond with staff. Among the benefits are a minimized expense for parents, and lack of home sickness for the camper. At a long-term session, campers develop a sense of belonging within the camp community, learn new skills and have ample time to develop specialized skills, due to multiple opportunities for learning and enrichment.

Do you want your child to go to an all-girls, all boys, or co-ed camp?

In single-sex camps: • Gender stereotypes are broken,

as girls interact with women in positions of authority, and boys interact with men who act as nurturers. • Campers can “be themselves” without having to impress or compete with the opposite sex. • Gender strengths and weaknesses may be inherent in the camp philosophy. • Brother or sister camps may share activities. In a co-ed camp: • As in same-sex camps, gender stereotypes are broken, as girls interact with authoritative women and boys interact with nurturing men. • Campers see a mirror of everyday living and diverse points of view. • Siblings of different genders can attend the same camp. • Male and female campers can participate on equal footing.

What type of camp are you looking for?

Do you think your child would most enjoy a specialty camp? Do they need a camp for children with special needs? Each type of camp has its own distinct benefits: TRADITIONAL CAMPS A wide variety of activities Ability to try new activities

June 20-24 or July 18-22 Students in Grades 3-5

9am - 3pm REGISTER ONLINE, BY PHONE, OR IN PERSON

Exposure to more campers

SPECIALTY CAMPS Expectation of increased proficiency during camp session Deeper knowledge and skill in a particular of interest/ability

SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPS Activities matched to campers’ abilities Knowledgeable staff with expertise to understand campers’ challenges Fun and supportive environment

The ACA is committed to children's growth and development. An integral part of the organization’s mission is measuring how successfully camps are addressing the potential of every child. 4 CAMP GUIDE | Sunday, February 27, 2022

2022 CAMP ACADEMY OF CHILDREN’S THEATRE (ACT)

held April 1 and 2, with rehearsals starting June 1.

AIR FORCE SPORTS CAMPS

719-331-2434 www.ACTcolorado.net

Students from four years old through high school can join us for various weekly camps throughout June and July. Each camp culminates with a performance on stage for family and friends to enjoy!

ACT’S SUMMER SHOW 719-331-2434 www.ACTcolorado.net/SummerShow

The Academy of Children’s Theatre (ACT) is proud to announce our Summer Show. Students from 12–18 years old may audition for this fun production of Oklahoma! Youth Edition. Auditions will be

www.goairforcefalcons.com/camps

AF Sports Camps are located on the beautiful campus of the United States Air Force Academy. With 20 sports camps to choose from, we offer something for everyone over the course of our three sessions. Camps are filling fast so don’t delay, register today.

ALTITUDE YOUTH ULTIMATE (AYU) www.altitudeyouthultimate.org/camp

Learn and play Ultimate Frisbee! AYU camps are co-ed and great for both experienced and new players. Ultimate is all about fun and inclusion!

DIRECTORY IT’S FUNDAMENTAL www.itsfundamental.com

Our Multisport Summer Camp offers seven different weeks with five sports each week — soccer, football, basketball, tennis, lacrosse, baseball, Ultimate Frisbee and golf, plus a new camp this year with track and field (hurdles, sprints, relays, jumping events and discus). Camps run from Monday to Thursday, from 9–11:30 a.m. daily, with a preschool camp available from 9–10:30 a.m. The cost is $95 per child (multiple child discounts are available).

WESTERN MINING MUSEUM June 20–21 or July 18–22 SUMMER STE a M CAMP featuring

hands-on activities, experiments, crafts and more. Experience Geology, Physics, Electricity, Mining & Industry. Camp activities designed for grades 3–5. More info at wmmi.org or call 719-488-0880. Spring Break STEaM CAMP is March 21-25. Call to see if space is available.

YOUNG BOT BUILDERS LEGO CAMP 719-271-2120 Rocky Mountain Classical Academy Homeschool Campus 3525 Akers Drive YoungBotBuilders.com

Lego Camps educate children ages 6.5–13 years through building, problem solving, teamwork and creativity, using various LEGO elements.

WILD! MAKE YOUR SUMMER

Unforgettable summer adventures are available for grades pre-K to 6.

WHAT CAN YOU DO AT ZOO CAMP? experience animals up close explore outdoors interact with zoo keepers learn about protecting animals make animal-loving friends design cool crafts

...and much more!

CMZOO.ORG/SUMMERCAMP (719) 424-7827 • EDPROGRAMS@CMZOO.ORG CAMP GUIDE | Sunday, February 27, 2022

Academy of Children’s Theatre (ACT) Summer Camp 719-282-9101 director@actcolorado.net actcolorado.net Air Force Sports Camps afasportscamp@airforceathletics.org www.goairforcefalcons.com/camps Altitude Youth Ultimate www.altitudeyouthultimate.org/camp Avid4Adventure 720-249-2412 avid4.com/summer-camps Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Summer Camps 719-424-7827 www.cmzoo.org/events-programs/ camps-classes/summer-camps Colorado Ballet Society 719-272-7078 admin@danceinthesprings.com www.danceinthesprings.com Dragon Fly Aerial CO 719-749-1459 www.dragonflyaerialco.com/camps Eagle Lake Camps eaglelakecamps.com Flipshack Gymnastics Fitness 719-578-1006 info@flipshack.com www.flipshack.com/camps-clinics

Golden Bell Camp & Conference Center (Teller County) 719-687-9561 www.goldenbellccc.org/camps Go West Camps 719-357-8872 andrew@gowestcamps.com arianne@gowestcamps.com gowestcamps.com Haus Sports Academy Summer Sports Camp 719-761-7586 soccerhauscs.com/camps Hope Montessori Academy Summer Experience Program 719-488-5800 info@montessorichild.com www.montessorichild.com It’s FUNdamental 719-302-6077 itsfundamental.com

“Where campers are safe to laugh, play and learn to love like Jesus”

Eagle Lake has three overnight camps: A classic overnight camp experience for ages 8-14, Wilderness Adventure Programming for ages 12-17, and a fiveweek intensive service and discipleship Crew program for high school students by application only.

Kids on Bikes 719-355-3573 admin@kidsonbikes.net kidsonbikes.net/camps La Foret Conference & Retreat Center Bemis Day Camp Program 719-475-2444 www.csfineartscenter.org

Pride Soccer Club 719-597-6700 pridesoccer.com Soccer Buddies 719-330-9642 info@coloradosoccerbuddies.com www.coloradosoccerbuddies.com/ daycares-schools-camps Summer Nature Camps (El Paso County) • Bear Creek Nature Center 719-520-6387 • Fountain Creek Nature Center 719-520-6745 communityservices.elpasoco.com/ nature-centers The Colorado Springs School Summer Camp 719-475-9747 www.css.org

“Where campers are safe to laugh, play and learn to love like Jesus” Register at eaglelakecamps.com

Eagle Lake Day Camps at Glen Eyrie Castle and The Club at Flying Horse: 5 full days (9-4) of fun: large inflatables, lake or pool time, Gaga ball, and more. 3-week Middle and High School service program options.

Multisport Summer Camp 7 different weeks available! 5 sports each week | Monday - Thursday *New camp this year - Track and Field camp* $95 per child (multiple child discounts available) 9 - 11:30 AM each day Preschool camp available 9 - 10:30 AM

www.itsfundamental.com

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Come learn to play one of the fastest-growing field sports in America. Quality Ultimate Frisbee summer camp programs for both experienced players and youth athletes new to the sport. Sign up for one of our Colorado Springs camps at

www.altitudeyouthultimate.org/camp

UCCS RecKidsCamp 719-255-3429 recwellness.uccs.edu/campus-rec/ rec-kids/summer-camps VillaSport Athletic Club & Spa Summer Camp S’more www.villasport.com/colorado-springs/ kids/camps/summer-camps Western Museum of Mining & Industry 719-488-0880 wmmi.org Young Bot Builders at Rocky Mountain Classical Academy youngbotbuilders.com

READY FOR THE SUMMER?

How to have memorable camp experiences METRO SERVICES

As hours of sunlight increase, thoughts may turn to summer vacation. For many children, summer vacation would not be the same without camp. Adults may have their own fond memories of going to summer camp when they were children because of the opportunities it presented to be independent and meet new people. Campers often bond over shared experiences, whether they are planned activities or unexpected “disasters” like a rainstorm washing out a canoe trip. That is why so many parents choose to carry on the summer camp tradition when they have their own children. However, some kids may not be ready to jump right into the summer camp lifestyle. Such youngsters may need extra reassurance and support to make the most of their

time at camp. The following are some tips for making summer camp an enjoyable experience.

Plan ahead

Families can visit the camp in advance and get a lay of the land. Knowing what to expect in terms of facilities and activities can assuage some anxiety. It also will help campers hone in on what to pack and what to expect over the summer.

Try many new activities

Summer camp is about expanding boundaries and interests. Campers should sign up for many activities, including those that normally may be out of their wheelhouse. A camper may be pleased to learn that a new craft activity or a sports game piques his or her interest.

Connect with fellow campers in advance

Follow the safety rules

If the camp has a social media presence, follow the camp’s posts and connect with other like-minded campers even before they arrive. Talking with others who share similar interests can help campers feel more comfortable about meeting up once they arrive.

Develop a rapport with camp counselors

The saying “you only get one chance to make a first impression” extends to campers meeting counselors. When campers interact with counselors for the first time, they should be outgoing, polite and open to new ideas. Counselors will appreciate easy-going campers and could be valuable resources of useful information, such as how to score an extra dessert at mealtime.

While campers may spread their wings a bit at summer camp when not under the watchful eyes of parents, any mischief should not come at the expense of safety. Campers should stick to the safety protocol so that camp is not memorable for the wrong reasons.

Change another camper’s experience

A camper who recognizes a fellow camper is reserved and shy can invite that person to come sit with other friends at meals or to participate in an activity. This can help build a lasting friendship and make camp much more enjoyable for someone in need. Camp season is on the horizon and campers can take steps to foster memorable experiences.

Offering Developmental, Junior Academy & Competitive Programs Programs, Clinics & Camps for ages 3-19

SPRING 2022 RECREATIONAL SOCCER IS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION! GAMES BEGIN APRIL 2ND

719-597-6700 • pridesoccer.com CAMP GUIDE | Sunday, February 27, 2022

Recognizing 20 Outstanding Seniors for 31 Years! THE GAZETTE CHARITIES FOUNDATION BEST AND BRIGHTEST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

recognizes 20 graduating seniors who have excelled academically and made contributions to their schools and community.

They are smart, self-motivated and they are the standout Class of 2022 graduates in the Pikes Peak region. Applications will be reviewed for academic achievements and intellectual curiosity, outstanding character, evidence of leadership and community involvement. The Best and Brightest Class of 2022 winners will receive A $500 SCHOLARSHIP, have an article published in The Gazette and on gazette.com and will be invited to attend an in-person awards ceremony.

APPLY TODAY!