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Who needs a tent? Today’s happy little campers skim board, go rock climbing and even jam in a rock band.
Ask the Sheppard children how they spent their summer vacation and you’ll get an earful. Last summer, twins Eli and Eva, 12, and Luke, 8, attended a program at the Delaware Theatre Company in Wilmington, where they helped create plays and polish their performing skills.
“My kids cannot wait to go back,” says mom Ina Sheppard. “This summer, Eli wants to participate in all three sessions.” Eva also participated in a summer intensive at her ballet school, and all three kids attended day camp at Wilmington Montessori.
The Sheppards are in good company. Summer camp programs are on the rise. The Delaware Nature Society, for instance, boosted its offerings from about 75 in 2007 to more than 120 this year. “There’s an increased demand, and we wanted to take advantage of that,” says Joe Sebastiani, team leader of seasonal programs.
Even the family vacation is an occasion for camp. Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach experienced a 33 percent increase in camp attendance after moving just blocks from the beach. “Parents used the intensive as a place to send their children while they spent a day on the beach,” says co-founder Ken Skrzesz. “Our lobby was full of sand at the end of the day as bathing-suited moms picked up their children.”
Camps meet the needs of today’s working parents faced with entertaining children who are off from school. But the programs also nurture a child’s interests. Many camps have a theme, be it ballet, football, science or even lessons on how to dance like a diva.
“I think they got the most out of camps with a focus,” says Sheppard. “Perhaps it just suits their personalities more or perhaps my kids have found camps that focus on activities they are passionate about.”
For a sampling of area summer programs, read on.
Index
Cab Calloway School of the Arts
Delaware Art Museum Summer Camp
The Delaware Center for Horticulture
Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts
Delaware Technical Community College
Siegel Jewish Community Center of Delaware
How to Find a Summer Camp in Delaware
Reader Comments:
Camp Country Center Day Camp
1051 Sharpless Road Hockessin, DE 19707
Camp Country Center Day Camp offers three weeks of fun-filled, exciting summer camp opportunities at the Lynn W. Williams Science and Technology Lodge, Delaware's first Platinum LEED certified building, surrounded by 40 acres of woods and rolling meadows. There are several options to choose from with a variety of specialty focuses: Environmental explorations through drama and exploring science and technology in our laboratory. Girls will enjoy activities within their same grade levels and enjoy spending time with caring adults and teen assistants. Camp Country Center Camps are for ALL girls entering grades 2-8.
WHEN: June 18- 22, July 30-August 3 and August 6-10, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
COST: $195 per camper. Includes snacks and materials.
Transportation is available . Pick up and drop off locations will be in Brandywine Hundred, North Wilmington and Newark. Additional fee of $30 per week for transportation. For more information, visit www.gscb.org or call 302-456-7150.
Camp Grove Point Day Camp
2930 Grove Neck Road Earleville, MD 21919
Camp Grove Point offers both Day and Resident Camp for ALL girls. The girl is our primary focus, which is why we offer many wonderful program opportunities that are suited to girl interest and grade level. On a special note, this year we are taking the equestrian program to new levels. Each group will be traveling to a local provider who will specialize each week in a progressively deeper understanding of the study of horses. Girls will be grouped as new or experienced riders and will have the opportunity to explore within their skill level. Come for one week or all five for a wonderful adventure in equestrian studies.
WHEN: Camp Grove Point will run for eight weeks (including mini-sessions over the July 4 week), beginning June 18 and finishing August 10. Day Camp is Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Optional overnight Thursday at no cost. (Includes dinner and breakfast.) Resident Campers check-in 3 - 4 p.m. on Sunday and check-out 3 - 4 p.m. on Friday.
COST: Day Camp cost: $160 per camper. Resident Camp cost: $275 (unless otherwise specified). Cost per camper for both camps includes meals, snacks, materials, shirt and patch.
Day Camp Transportation: Cost: $30 per girl per session. Afternoon snacks are served on the bus. Exact locations will be disclosed in your confirmation packet. Newark, DE: Pick up at 7:30 a.m., drop off at 5:55 p.m., Middletown, DE: Pick up at 8 a.m., drop off at 5:15 p.m., Cecilton: Pick up at 8:25 a.m., drop off at 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.gscb.org or call 302-456-7150.
Camp Todd Summer Roundup Resident Camp
25012 Beauchamp Branch Road Denton, MD 21629
This is a Resident Camp program for ALL girls entering grades 1-8. This year we will work on patches that teach survival skills in a variety of areas. Learn to survive at camp, in the woods, in battle and even in the kitchen! Girls may participate in camp activities such as crafts, swimming, cookouts, songs, boating and campfire activities as well as grade level programs that may include off-site field trips. Summer Roundup is planned and staffed by local volunteers, and is not processed through GSCB for registration.
August 59: Check-in Sunday, 8/5, 3 - 4 p.m. Check-out Thursday, 8/9 , 5 p.m. Early Bird Special!: $145 for all registrations on or beforeApril 1, $150 for all registrations after April 1 (Camp fee includes t-shirt, bathing cap and mosquito netting.) Registration closes May 15, 2012 or when sessions become full. There is also an additional $12 fee for non-Girl Scouts to cover membership registration and insurance. Visit the following website for more details and to register for Summer Roundup: http://www.summerroundup.org
Camp Todd Summer Daze Day Camp
Summer Daze is a fun-filled enriching Day Camp experience for ALL girls entering grades 1-12 presented by nurturing volunteers at Camp Todd in Denton, MD. Each week they will learn how to do something new that they can bring home to share with you! Come explore with us, make new friends and create lasting memories. Please bring your lunch Monday through Thursday.
June 18- 22, June 25-29 and July 9-13 Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Optional overnight Thursday at no cost. (Includes dinner Thursday, breakfast and lunch Friday.) COST: $120 per camper (unless otherwise specified) includes snacks, materials, shirt and patch. This fee will be waived for one camper if an adult family member (age 18+) volunteers for the week. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Camp Director.
Camp Todd Summer Daze Transportation COST: $30 per girl per session. Afternoon snacks are served on the bus. Exact locations will be disclosed in your confirmation packet. Easton, MD: Pick up at 7:45 a.m., drop off at 5:15 p.m., Preston, MD: Pick up at 8:05 a.m., drop off at 4:55 p.m.
For more information, visit www.gscb.org or call 302-456-7150.
Camp Sandy Pines Day Camp
27157 Riverside Drive Extension Fruitland, MD 21826
This camp offers a fun and educational summer camp experience for ALL girls. Our trained volunteers present programs in nurturing ways that help girls learn about themselves, others and nature. The program will include fun skill-building activities that girls have enjoyed over the last 100 years. A great overnight trip to Camp Todd will also be enjoyed by campers! This year per girl request, we will bring back a Sandy Pines tradition: an award ceremony for family and friends on Friday, before pick-up time.
WHEN: July 16-20 Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., optional overnight on Wednesday at no cost. (Includes dinner and breakfast.) COST: $120 per camper, unless otherwise stated. Includes snacks, materials, shirt and patch. Girls will bring their lunch from home each day with the exception of Thursday. The camp fee will be waived for one camper if an adult family member (age 18+) volunteers for the week. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Camp Director.
For more information, visit www.gscb.org or call 302-456-7150.
The Center for Sports Medicine at Nemours/AI duPont Hospital for Children is offering summer injury prevention camps. Call for schedule.
There is a certified athletic trainer on staff.
Info:
1600 Rockland Road
Wilmington, DE 19806
302-298-7278
The Center for Sports Medicine at Nemours /AI duPont Hospital for Children cares for injured young athletes and offers a variety of programs to prevent injury and enhance performance. All programs are supervised by the Center for Sports Medicines’ experienced physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, strength and conditioning specialist, and registered dietitian. The summer programs are designed to help young athletes prepare to stay healthy during their upcoming seasons and to maximize performance. Classes are 4 to 6 people, 2 times per week for a hour. Some of the classes being offered this summer include: Jump Start ACL Injury Prevention, The Overhead and Throwing Athlete, and Sports Foundations. Please visit Nemours.org/sportsmedicine for more information about our programs. Questions, please contact Erin McLaughlin at edmclaug@nemours.org or (302) 298-7278.
Wilmington Montessori School's Camp Montessori is a summer learning community welcoming children from age 2 through 14. Give them the gifts of time and friendship on our 25-acre campus, featuring beautiful, air-conditioned indoor spaces, a gymnasium, multiple playgrounds, woodland trails, and a stream. We offer Traditional Camp in flexible one-week (3-day or 5-day) sessions as well as 37 Specialty Camps including Archery, Forensic Science, Gymboree, Fashion Design, Multiplication Matters, StoryQuest, Volleyball, and LEGO Films. Send them for one week or 10 to swim, explore, learn, create and have a summer to remember.
Camp runs from June 18 through August 24. We welcome tours any time of year. Meet our year-round staff and see why Camp Montessori is the place to be this summer! Visit www.wmsde.org/camp or contact Cass_Winner@wmsde.org for more information.