Is anyone's kid going to summer camp? Have you ever had any experience with summer camp? If so, how was it?

I'm checking some out, and I'm thinking of maybe having Alexia go. They have 2, 4, 6 or 8 wk. programs. I'm checking out a camp at a preschool and one at the gymnastics place. I'm thinking of maybe a 4 wk. program and they have it like 4 hrs. once a week I think (don't have the brochures in front of me now). I like the structure it will give her for the summer time to do a variety of different things, besides the fun stuff she'll be having with us when we go places, do things, etc. I'm not 100% that she'll go yet, but I do know that this is something I'm very, very interested in! :) Also, since she'll be on preschool break, this will be good for socialization, etc.

I'm not thinking of putting Cayla in one jsut yet, but I did work as a counselor for one years ago. :nod: It was a 4 wk program and was a couple of days a week (depending on which one you signed up for). I was the counselor for the 3 yr olds. We did activities, took them on field trips to places like the zoo, park, skating rink, etc. We had swimming lessons every week. The kids had an absolute blast. I'm sure that Lexie would love it. :nod:

Caroline will be going to a summer program through the YMCA - we're doing two weeks on and one week off from mid-June until early August, just so as to not take up her whole summer, but to keep her aware of the "Mommy goes away, I have fun then she comes back" issue so we're not starting back at Square 1, separation-anxiety wise, come September for preschool! They will go swimming, play outside, do art projects, etc. My only concern right now is that I just found out that all the summer programs are *outdoors* which means she'll be outside from 9am-noon. Am I crazy to think that's too much sun exposure for 3 year olds? What if it's hot even that early, is there really no option for taking them inside to cool off?

Anne - I'm sure she won't be in the direct sun all that time. They would have to worry too much about sunburn. They probably have everything set up in shady areas or something.

Anne, ITA w/ Brooke. i highly doubt she'll be exposed to the sun the entire time. THey may have a covered type of patio. When I was younger they had a shady area which was outdoors, but it had a roof and was open on all sides, kwim? So, maybe they have something like that there. ??

Jada and Justin's preschool that they will begin in Sept has a summer camp program that I am registering them for today. It runs from 7/5 - 8/19. They will do bible stories, drama play, arts and crafts, science projects, etc. so I'm excited. It will also get them used to being dropped off and being with a 'teacher' all day to get them ready for school in the fall. Plus the extra socialization. I'm excited about it for them, it sounds so fun :)

I can't find one that Janelle is old enough for (she will be 3 in september) but we'd love to put her in a summer program of some sort this summer.

Not this year, because she isn't yet in preschool. She doesn't start until Sept. so she hasn't been out on her own yet and while she might be ready, I'm not sure I am... if she had already started pre-school and was used to being out in the world, I would definitely send her. I plan to next summer.

I'd love to put Aidan in a summer program, so that we arent back to square-1 come Sept. However, I havent found one yet that I like. Either they are too old for him or they are religious based. Grrrrr. The YMCA onces here seem to be geared to old kids, as well. I am fooked. His preschool sent out a questionnaire on whether or not we'd be interested in a summer camp & why or why not and it was a no go. Fook.

Karri, I have no idea why YMCA programs aren't standardized! :scratch: Caroline is going to "Kiddie Kollege" which is geared to 2-5 year olds.

Matthew goes to one at his preschool. It's M & W from 9-12 in June & July. They don't do it in August and regular preschool starts again in September. They play in the wading pool/sprinkler every day when it's warm enough. They do a craft every day and they have a theme every week. He has a lot of fun (he did it last summer too).

Our local Y has some great ones for 3 & 4 year olds... they have bubble and craft camp, swim camp, sea world camp... so I will most likely do it in 2006.

Our Y doesn't start kids until age 5. That was my first choice for a summer camp.

Oh, I meant to report.... we decided on a summer camp for Alexia! :yippee: We decided to dismiss the gymnastics camp (we wanted her to continue her regular gymnastics weekly classes and they only do one or the other). So she's starting a new preschool in Sept. and they have a summer camp there that they offer which sounds GREAT! We thought this would be a good way for her to meet some of the kids and the teachers are also there as well....so what a perfect way to get her accustomed to things before she starts the preschool in Sept.! :)

She will be in the 3 & 4 year old group.

Here's what they offer:

They have an inground pool sloping to 20" in depth and they do water activities/games and provide pre-swimming instruction.

They of course have a playground with swings, etc. and sandbox, they're introduced to basic sport skills and participate in group games, races and relays, and they have a tree house called the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse (it's not up in a tree, but they call it that...it's more like a wooden deck with alot of space that's sort of under a tree) and that is the center of special activities such as Indian lore, trailblazing, pot pinching, and clay crafts.

Indoor activities: music and dance activities, arts and crafts, cooking, short movies, and story time.

They have special weekly themes including Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Magic Show, Puppet Theater, Nature Specialist, Clown Day, Moon Jump and many more surprises!

We decided to do the 3 half day program (4 hours each day), but we are only going to do it for 4 weeks though (they also have 6 or 8 wks. too). Have to decide which weeks...not sure if I should do it back to back or every other week. ??

I'm so excited that we chose her summer camp at the preschool she'll be starting at in Sept! She's going to have LOTS of fun! :yippee:

That sounds really fun Dawn; we're doing the exact same thing for J&J :)

Wow, Dawn --that sounds great!!!!!! (what school did you decide on, BTW??) I sooo wish we had something here. I did some more extensive searching and asking and even posting on a local moms online BB and nothing. Not a friggin' thing for 3 YO. :rolleyes:

Wow, Dawn --that sounds great!!!!!! (what school did you decide on, BTW??)
Oh, we decided on a traditional preschool (called ABC Spectrum Preschool). It's accredited and they follow the same type of curriculum as the Goddard schools. We looked at a few other traditional preschools and this one was 'the one' in every way. Other places, well there was either too much commotion, it was messy, disorganized, etc. I liked everything about this school. It's going to be so different for her, but you know what...she'll still enjoy it and I know she'll adapt right away. I've put the montessori concept on the backburner and she probably won't go to another one again :blue: but for now a part of her playroom will be montessori related with the materials they use, etc. :) It's a very good preschool and as long as she's getting the skills and learning, she'll love it (hey, and we'll be saving $65/mo too!. ;)

Anyway, about summer camp....Karri, I canNOT believe there is nothing for 3 yr. olds where you live! That bites!!! Would you be interested in checking out other preschools' summer camp programs? Here, you don't have to be going to the preschool if you sign them up for summer camp. Just a thought. :)

Can you believe that no other preschools have summer camps? :wtf: The preschools here all pretty much take the summer off. My only option would be to enroll him in a summer program at a Catholic preschool. And that would include catholicism, which I am not comfortable with, and neither is Chris. :(
There is one summer camp that allows 3 YO and its actually 2 miles from our old house (in the country...perfect for kids!). However, its a 45 minute drive. Not practical. :(

Jack's going to a summer program run by the playschool in our local park. We just stumbled on it and the program is awesome! He'll go 3 days a week (T-W-TH, just like his preschool) from 9:30-2:30 and it's walking distance. I signed him up for July & August and the price is just right since it's run by the city park. I was going to send him to the summer program at his preschool but it's more expensive & less hours. It'll be great for him to have something fun to do and it will give me a much needed break! Plus, I can go to the Mommy & Me program run by our church with Patrick, since they meet at 10am on Thursdays.

Karri - Wow, so no other preschools offer summer camp!? Yea, I don't blame ya on the 45 min. ride. Bummer. :blue: That really stinks, and it would be awesome if his current preschool goes with a summer camp program. I don't see how any parent/s would be against it. Alexia's school that she's going to now, they just started up a summer camp this year and they never had it before. Even if we didn't move, she wouldn't go to camp there...it's WAAAAY expensive!

Connie - That is awesome how your within walking distance to the camp! :up: That's great that the cost isn't high since it's run by the city park. :up: The summer camp program that Alexia will be going to is pretty expensive....as it's run at and by the preschool. That's why we're only doing 4 wks. :lol: