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Message |
    
shestheone
Citizen
Username: Shestheone
Post Number: 43
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 9:16 pm: | 
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can someone recommend a good summer camp for a 6-yar-old boy that does not include swimming -- or have a daily schedule built around swimming?
outdoor sports, games, art, are all fine.
it is necesary the camp either be nearby or provide transportation. and it needs to be a full day 8-ish until 4-5.
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shestheone
Citizen
Username: Shestheone
Post Number: 44
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 26, 2004 - 9:33 pm: |
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anyone? |
jfburch
Citizen
Username: Jfburch
Post Number: 1270
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 26, 2004 - 9:54 pm: |
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If he doesn't mind being the oldest, my kid's preschool has a summer camp for kids 2.5 - 6, July and August, full or half day. I don't know if they have swimming at all--it's certainly not central.
It's the Playhouse in West Orange, 736-9451 |
sac
Citizen
Username: Sac
Post Number: 897
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 9:01 am: |
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You should probably check out the YMCA camp. It has a full day program plus after care for those who need it. I think you can get coverage from 7:30 until 6:00 or later.
Edited to add - They do, however, include swimming, although I don't know if children are required to participate. I think that you will have a hard time finding a daycamp for young children that doesn't, but good luck. |
clkelley
Citizen
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 65
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 12:27 pm: |
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sac, I can add this about the Y camp: They do require swimming. My daughter is aqua-phobic and she does not want to go back to Y camp. Getting her to go to camp every morning was a struggle for us last summer, largely because of the swimming. By the end of the summer she managed to get with a good swimming instructor who basically gave her one-on-one attention, but I can't rely on this. Earlier in the summer she came home with tales about being told that she HAD to put her face in the water the next day - and of course, getting her to go to camp under those circumstances was next to impossible. It was emotionally wrenching for the whole family.
I too am seeking alternatives.
Anybody know much about the Adult School children's camp? I know it only runs during the month of July, but that's OK with us. The program looks interesting, but I would really like to know how kids like it. My daughter is now in first grade, fwiw.
Also: we are looking for swimming lessons for kids who are aquaphobic, as we really don't want our daughter to be so afraid of the water. Anybody know of one-on-one swimming lessons anywhere nearby? We really don't want group lessons, tried that, didn't work. |
brinckie
Citizen
Username: Brinckie
Post Number: 60
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 12:48 pm: |
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My son's friend didn't go in the pool once at the Y. He just didn't feel like it and they didn't make him. The one thing I will say about the Y though is that the indoor space on Jefferson was filthy (and I'm not a clean freak). Broken toys, bad smells, kids wandering around doing nothing. I felt for about $1000 a month, we could do better. All said though, my son mostly enjoyed it. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 353
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 1:39 pm: |
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The Farbrook school (it's on Great Hills road in Short Hills) runs a camp that runs till about 2:30 or 3:00. They don't have any swimming. Although I do not have direct experience with it, I do know many people who have sent their kids there and been pleased. Also, you may want to check out the camps that are run by the Kent Place School and the Oak Knoll School in Summit. I believe they have some swim time, but it definitely is not central to the program. Again, no direct experience, but I know many people who have sent kids to each of those places. |
Jackie Day
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 232
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 2:27 pm: |
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Clkenney: You can arrange for one-on-one swim lessons through the Maplewood pool, from what I am told (I have not done it yet but am considering it for my 4-year-old). The group lessons are free, but for the one-on-one you would cut a deal with one of the local high school students who works there as a lifeguard. My friend says this works out very well, and the little kids relate well to the teenagers. I have also observed kids taking one-on-one swim lessons at the Connection in Summit, which has an excellent swim program that's year-round not just summer. |
Megan
Citizen
Username: Megan
Post Number: 17
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 3:46 pm: |
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clkelley--We knew group swim lessons wouldn't work either and went to the Connection, where my son had a GREAT private instructor. She made him happy, confident and comfortable--the first lesson, he had his head under water--and he's now ready to start group lessons next session. |
sammy827
Citizen
Username: Sammy827
Post Number: 178
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 4:13 pm: |
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My daughter went to Discovery Childcare on Valley Street. The closest they get to swimming is running around in the play area out back through the sprinklers!! They're open from earrrrrly (7am?) to at least 6pm. |
nsolomon
Citizen
Username: Nsolomon
Post Number: 69
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 4:59 pm: |
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The Adult School doesn't post their camp classes and registration until late in the spring. Here's the website for last year's:
http://www.somadultschool.org/Summer_Adult/Children_s_Summer_Camp/children_s_sum mer_camp.html
There are two two-week sessions that start something like June 28.
Also, I'd be very surprised if you couldn't work something out with the Y about the swinning. Your daughter might have to go and watch, which could be boring, but I can't imagine they'd force her to swim.
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clkelley
Citizen
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 66
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 4:51 am: |
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Thanks for the info about private swimming lessons - I've gone over the Connection newsletter lots of times and either missed it, or maybe they don't advertise it. Actually I just found their web page and private swimming isn't listed, but I'll give them a call. I'll also try the pool this summer once they're open. |
Megan
Citizen
Username: Megan
Post Number: 19
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 8:50 am: |
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Yes, the brochure does not include private lessons. You just have to call and ask. Once you get set up with a teacher, all of your dealings--except payment--are with that teacher. |
amiegoad
Citizen
Username: Amiegoad
Post Number: 8
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2004 - 4:02 pm: |
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We've used a great instructor - Patty Brewster, over at the connection for a couple of years now. We had the opposite prob - our daughter was a v. good swimmer early and more advanced than kids her age. However, we know Patty works with kids with special needs and is a wonderful, loving and inspiring teacher -- ask for her. I have no doubt that she'd get any child to love (or at least like) the water.
You can tell her you got her name from me. (Amie Goad, amiegoad@aol.com) |
jmfromsouthorange
Citizen
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 48
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 2, 2004 - 8:34 pm: |
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check with newark academy for their summer program. i know several families who send their children there and love it. the program is tailored to each child as they pick the activities they want to do. i know there is bus service in livingston, not sure about south orange / maplewood. |
silkcity
Citizen
Username: Silkcity
Post Number: 178
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 - 8:21 am: |
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Camp Horizons, the Newark Academy camp, is focused on swimming. Most kids have a lesson and free swim each day. There is a bus from SO/M, however. |
pmart
Citizen
Username: Pmart
Post Number: 109
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 - 4:08 pm: |
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clkelly - check with Ron Farina @ Seton Hall's Aquatics Club. They have both private and group lessons. I started my 5yo daughter with private lessons last summer/fall and then moved her into group lessons in November when she was able to tread water. |
just me fromsouthorange
Citizen
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 60
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - 11:21 am: |
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shestheone-
silk city gave you misinformation. camp horizons at newark academy is NOT 'focused' on swimming. most kids do NOT have a lesson a free swim each day, unless their parents sign them up for it.
the camp day, which runs from 9:15-3:45, is broken up into 7 'activities periods,' (for a lack of a better term). every two weeks a schedule of activities are sent home. the parents choose the activities (hopefully with the child's help) the child will do for the next two weeks. for example, the child could be doing computers period one, cooking period two, rockets period three, arts and crafts period four, kickball period five (i just pulled all these out of the air). the child's schedule would be the same every day for those two weeks.
if you don't use the bus service, you get a $25 discount. there is a website www.camphorizons.com or you can call the camp at 973-992-7767
good luck |
Phil
Citizen
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 746
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - 11:37 am: |
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My son has been to the Far Brook summer camp twice and we can highly recommend it. Great and tireless staff. Focus is on the arts - especially music and outdoor play, and they try to be subtly educational without being school-like.
We may be a little biased as he also goes to school there!
Age 6 will, I believe, put your son in the oldest group.
My son (will turn 6 in August) is going to Riverbend this year as we did want him to do more outdoor activities and swimming.
Newark academy has a great reputation too. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 358
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - 11:44 am: |
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Phil, my daughter went to Riverbend last summer and will be returning this summer. It's a great place! Short bus ride, too. |
sac
Citizen
Username: Sac
Post Number: 924
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - 3:50 pm: |
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I was trying to figure out whether anyone had mentioned the Adult School Summer Program yet ...
I don't know if you consider it a "camp", but it is very similar to the description for the Newark Academy program above. It runs for 4 weeks (2 two-week sessions), usually at Columbia High School, but sometimes at South Orange Middle School. I think that it will start on June 28th, if it follows recent precedent, but a phone call to the Adult School would confirm or correct that. The actual program info and registration materials don't usually come out until May. Swimming is among a huge variety of choices (if it is held at CHS, but not at SOMS), but certainly not required. There are also associated "sports camp" options. It runs from 8:45 AM to 2:45, with some before and after care options that would cover from 8:00 - 6:00 or possibly later. You don't have to sign up for the full day, however. You just pick and choose programs at the various periods, so it is very flexible. I believe that it starts at 1st grade (fall), so it should work for a current 6-year-old. |
clkelley
Citizen
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 83
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - 4:04 pm: |
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sac, we are actually looking very closely at the adult school "camp". My daughter is going into 2nd grade, so no problem for us (hope shestheone, who started this thread, is getting some benefit from this too).
Do you know anybody who actually went to the adult school "camp"? That's what I'm really missing, is some kind of testimonial - good/bad experiences, that sort of thing. From the description of the sessions, I think it is right up my daughter's alley, but I'm not sure how the "changing classes at the bell" thing works for elementary-age kids. |
sac
Citizen
Username: Sac
Post Number: 926
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - 4:48 pm: |
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My kids have loved it. My younger daughter first went when she was entering 2nd grade. She consistently insists on us not planning other vacations or camp experiences during that four-week period because she wants to return ... this summer for the third year in a row. They have older, mostly high-school aged kids ("yellow-shirts" so named for their distinctive t-shirts) who guide the kids around. The kids seem to get the hang of the changing pretty quickly and are very proud to describe where in the buildings their classes are and how to get there, but the yellow-shirts are always there to help them if needed. The room numbers are included in the class descriptions, so you can tell in advance (more or less) if your selections will be relatively close to each other, if this is of particular concern, but I wouldn't worry about that aspect too much.
We have always signed up for a full day schedule, but have not used the before or aftercare, so I cannot speak to that. The downside of the before/after arrangements for us was that it was a 5-day deal. You couldn't "drop in" or sign up for fewer days and we didn't need that coverage every day. We ended up working a deal with a neighbor's nanny for the days I needed to go to work. Their kids were also attending the program and I took all the kids on the days that I wasn't working. |
clkelley
Citizen
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 84
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 5, 2004 - 11:09 am: |
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sac, thank you very much. This is very helpful. |
tip
Citizen
Username: Tip
Post Number: 161
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 1:31 pm: |
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since we are on the subject of camps..... does anyone know anything about a basketball camp called Hoop Heaven in Whippany. I checked out their website but was wondering if anyone had any experience with them? |
Wilkanoid
Citizen
Username: Cseleosida
Post Number: 107
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 1:42 pm: |
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I just checked out Camp Horizons. They charge a whopping almost $5K for the 8-week program. The discount for not taking the bus doesn't make a difference. Just can't do it, unless I win the lottery.
Wish I could send my kids there, though. Looks like a great place. |
silkcity
Citizen
Username: Silkcity
Post Number: 179
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 8:34 am: |
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It's great! I work at Newark Academy in the summer, so I see it firsthand. Swimming is a big part of it (I know what JM said, but the reality is that most kids swim most of the time: that's why the parents pay that much! The swimming lessons are excellent.) There is a good discount if you work there, so if anyone has such flexibility some summer...you may want to pursue. |
shestheone
Citizen
Username: Shestheone
Post Number: 45
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 - 10:52 am: |
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thanks silkcity. i visited the open house on saturday. the program is not for my child.
now i'm wondering about a sports camp... |
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