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Junior Camp
How is Junior Camp different than the Classic Sports Camp?
It’s actually a part of the regular sports camp. In fact, it’s simply the name we give to the youngest group of camp. We refer to it as a camp-within-a-camp because the unique needs of our youngest group are best met by modifying the program in the following ways:
- Junior Camp has its own staff.
- Junior Camp features a camper: counselor ratio of less than 7:1.
- Junior Camp has its own set of age-appropriate equipment.
- Junior Camp activities are shorter, with longer breaks between activities.
- Junior Camp plays the majority of their outdoor sports before lunch when the day is cooler, and is indoors (gym and multipurpose room) for most of the afternoon.
- Junior Camp features a “Theme Of The Week” (Theme Days in Spring) that drives the daily art and enrichment projects. Favorites include Super Heroes Week, Star Wars Week and Under The Sea Week.
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What sports do the Junior Campers play?
The Junior Campers play all the same sports the older campers play, but at an age-appropriate level. These sports include basketball, baseball, soccer, flag football, tennis, golf, volleyball (prisoner) as well as games they will play in school, such a handball.
What does an age-appropriate sports camp for 5 and 6 year olds look like?
Again, the kids play the same sports as the older kids, but at a much more basic level. We understand how important it is for kids to have a positive experience playing sports at this young age and that they feel as if they are successful when playing. To accomplish this we focus on the following:
– Learning the rules of each sport and game
– Learning the basic skills and playing versions of the game that emphasize a specific skill or two, rather than the actual game itself, which can be overwhelming for kids this age
– Sportsmanship and being a good teammate
– Participation over winning – in fact, we rarely keep score at this age, unless it ends in a tie, which happens a lot in Junior Camp.What if my child is not sporty or doesn't really like sports?
Again, Junior Camp is about fun. The counselors all understand that it is their job to make sure kids have a positive experience regardless of the game or sport that is being played. The kids enjoyed being with the counselors because the counselors make sports fun for the kids.
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What if my child has never played sports before?
Perfect. We’ll make sure they enjoy it right from the start. Remember, they are only 5-6 years old. They haven’t had a lot of time to play yet.
Do they only play sports?
It’s an active program, but it’s not only sports. Lots of school games and camp games are played as well, many of which teach valuable skills that make learning sports easier for the kids. Junior Camp also features a 45 minute “cool down” each day, which takes place in a classroom and includes:
– Arts and Crafts
– Board gamesWhat does a typical day at Junior Camp look like?
There’s no such thing as a typical day, and no two days are the same. The idea for Junior Camp is to pace it in such a way, and balance it in such a way, so that a 5, 6 or 7 year old can go 5 days a week for 7-10 weeks, and love it each and every day.
We’re able to do this through our balanced scheduling process, which means that each day should offer a balance of:
– Indoor (Gym and Multipurpose room) and outdoor activities – so the kids don’t overheat or get too tired.
– Sports and Active Games – to make sure camp is more recreation than competition at that age and to make sure that we introduce all the skills we want the kids to know before introducing traditional “sports”.
– Sports / Games and Art / Enrichment – Each day has at least two designated time blocks where kids do projects or theme-based activities.
Here’s a Sample Day: As with the older camp, it’s all about balance. And no two days are ever the same.
9:00-9:15 – Sign In and Announcements
9:15-9:45 – Warm Up: Super Hero Training Obstacle Course – Outdoors
9:45-10:00 – Water Break
10:00-10:45– Soccer Skills and Relays – Outdoors
10:45-11:00 AM Snack
11:00-11:45: Theme Week Arts and Crafts – Design Your SuperHero Shield
11:45-12:00: Clean Up
12:00-12:30 – Lunch
12:30-12:50 – Camper’s Choice – Gym (Hula Hoops/ Happy Ball /Magna-Tiles)
12:50 –1:00 – Sunscreen and Water Bottle Refills
1:00-1:45 – Pillo Polo (Indoor Hockey) – Gym
1:45-2:00 – Water Break
2:00 – 2:45 – Theme Week Game: BatMobile Race (scooters)
2:45-3:00 – PM Snack
3:00 – 3:45 – Wiffle Ball Baseball – Gym
3:45 – 4:00 – Sign Out
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