What do you do at camp?
The question could be more accurately framed as “what don’t you do at camp?” Not much. We play soccer, basketball, hockey, flag football, baseball, volleyball, tennis, lacrosse, handball, kickball, dodgeball, war ball, breathbreaker, prisoner, home run derby, rugby, cricket, rounders, spud, scully, marbles, tag, red rover… We have arts & crafts, science, lanyards, woodworking, relay races, scooter races, boxcar derby races, food fights, daily contests, bubble-wrap sumo wrestling, bubble-wrap freeze dances, human bowling, human car washes, carom games… We bring in snow, a climbing wall, water slides, giant slides, an obstacle course, a carnival, Sponge Bob … We don’t, however, offer para-sailing or fire-eating. Maybe next year.
What is your typical SOF day
like?
Drop off is between 9:15 and 9:30. As the kids arrive they have supervised free play. We then bring the entire camp together for a Coach Steve theme of the day, announcements, a contest (note holding, scary face-making) and a round of Simon Says. Then the morning’s activities are presented (ex. soccer – always soccer - basketball, homerun derby, scooter hockey and arts & crafts) and the kids are free to choose what they want to do. An hour later we add another one or two activities. Right before lunch, we gather for a round of dodgeball…with a twist. We use our 48” wide soccer ball and roll it across a circle. Get touched, you’re out…and then you get to help push the ball. Next comes lunch, sunscreen re-application and free play. We then begin our afternoon activity which reflects the “theme of the day.” World Cup, Sherlock Holmes Scavenger Hunt, Quiddich, Survivor Brentwood… Next comes water play - balloons, squirt bottles, super soakers – re-enacting famous battles of history – Saratoga, Agincourt, the Death Star… A different water battle every day. We finish up with make-your-own ice cream sundaes (the coaches do the judicious scooping) and then pick-up is between 3 and 3:30.
What is the difference between
SOF and Rookie Camp?
Rookie Camp is SOF Lite. The activities are kinder and gentler. We still play sports and do arts & crafts but what day would be complete without face painting, story-time, a treasure hunt, water balloons and a trip to the prize box? The ages for Summer of Fun are 6-11. Rookies are 4 to mid 5s. Those straddling the 5 ½ year old age range present our greatest placement challenge and this is where we need your help. Some thrive in the big kid program; some still need the smaller, more nurturing confines of Rookie Camp. It’s not an exact science, each child is different. With that said we are open to discussing the possibility of allowing children to change camps. And while Rookie Camp also begins its day at 9:30, we have an early bird pick-up option of 1:00 and a regular day pick-up of 3:30 (or anytime after 3:00).
Why does the age of Rookie Camp
begin at 4 while your classes kick in at 3½?
Chillin’ on mom’s lap for
an hour is different from running without parental connection
for half a day. We’ve found through trial and error
(plenty of both) that 4 is a more secure age and the kids
at that stage are ready for the longer, more varied program.
What is the camper to coach ratio?
4:1.
Can my child be in the same group
as his friend?
In Rookie Camp, that’s not an issue.
All the kids are together in one place. It’s not
a problem in SOF either because we don’t have groups.
Our program is unique because we offer a smorgasbord of
activities and the kids, for one of the few times in their
young lives, are absolutely free and encouraged to choose
whatever they want to do. (That doesn’t mean they’re
free to wander around. That’s not one of our activities).
Simply put; friends can absolutely be together.
I've heard that you let many
of the young teens (10-13) be Trainers who assist during
activities. Can my child work at camp?
Summer of Fun has historically been a
camp “…of the kids, for the kids and by the
kids…” And we’ve prided ourselves in
promoting from within. The younger kids look forward to
being the older kids. The older kids look forward to being
assistant coaches… But what we’ve learned
from the past is that even the most diligent and responsible
12 or 13 year old is still…only 12 or 13 years old.
There’s a big difference between wanting to help,
and when confronted by a cornucopia of fun possibilities,
actually helping. In an effort to ease the transition
to responsibility we instituted the “Trainer”
program. Trainers are 10-12. They can help with activities
– if they want to. They are also free to engage
in a program of sports and skills designed just for them,
which makes them feel singular and special. And the t-shirt
with “Trainer” written across the back is
a big lure.
I've got issues with security
and bathrooms.
SO DO WE - We go over this with the children
every day: No one leaves an activity without telling one
of the assigned staff where he or she is going. No one
goes off on his/her own and no one goes to the restroom,
which is monitored all day long, without an escort. A
staff that is ever so mindful of its responsibility to
our campers and our families strictly enforces these rules.
Can I pay by credit card?
Yes.... absolutely!
What is your cancellation policy?
Do you issue refunds?
Most camps, when referring to a cancellation
policy, say in essence, “you snooze, you lose.”
Translation - once you’ve paid up, kiss that moolah
goodbye. We’ve always been more flexible and less
doctrinaire. Prior to June 1st all fees are refundable.
After June 1st and before the first day of camp, all fees
will be refunded minus the $250.00 Per Child Deposit.
After the start of camp, given adequate notice, we will
work with you to come up with a fair and equitable resolution.
With no notice, there’s nothing we can do.
What if I want to come one week
early in the summer and one week later on? Can I
do that?
You bet. We’ll welcome you with
open arms upon your return.
Do you serve Lunch?
We do. And this year, three days a week hot lunch is included in the camp tuition. In other words, Mondays (pizza), Wednesdays (Quiznos) and Thursdays (pizza), hot lunch is on us. Tuesdays and Fridays are Barbecue days. Chicken nuggets (Tuesdays) and Burgers and (kosher) dogs (Fridays) make up the menu. For those two days we ask a nominal $5/each. Of course you still have the option of sending your child with a lunchbox.
If you don't have a pool, how
do you keep the kids cool?
Considering our landlocked, black-topped campus we are the only functioning water park in Brentwood. Every day we set-up our pools, waterslides, slip n slides or ziplines. We trot out the water cannons, sprinklers, supersoakers and water balloons and create new and novel ways of beating the heat and staying cool. Water is an integral component of everything we do. Ask about the Human Carwash. It’s a highlight.
Of course we can’t stay wet all day long so to keep cool we also hold activities in the school’s air-conditioned auditorium…until it’s time to turn on the hose.
What should my child bring to
camp?
A hat – verrrry important. Athletic
shoes – and socks - (no sandals, flip flops or clogs
unless packed in a backpack and brought out for water
play). Change of clothing, extra t-shirt and shorts (for
after our daily water play). All items should be name-taped
or laundry marked. One look at our prodigious Lost and
Found will tell you why. And a towel (again, post-water
play and also labeled). HOT TIP – BRING A TOWEL
FOR YOUR CAR. Squishy shorts make for slippery seats.
***PLEASE – NO VALUABLES – LEAVE WATCHES,
BRACELETS, NECKLACES, DIAMOND EARRINGS AT HOME. Rest assured
– anything that can be lost, will be lost. Also
camp is a GAMEBOY, DS, PSP and TRADING CARD (of any ilk)
– FREE ZONE. Leave ‘em home.
Should my child bring water?
Not necessary. We provide water
all day.
How about sunscreen?
You paint ‘em in the morning. We
slather them at lunch. If your child is allergic to certain
brands of sunscreen then by all means please send the
appropriate sunscreen with him to camp. If any specific
instructions are required we ask that you forwarded them
in writing.
How do I know the weekly schedule?
The weekly schedule will be posted on
the website. In addition, when you sign-in your child
in the morning you can obtain a copy of the weekly schedule.
Do you offer bus transportation?
Sorry, no.
What are you doing about the
week of July 4th?
July 4th falls on Friday this year. The rest of the week we’ll be open and cruising at warp speed.
Where can I find the medical
form ?
It will be attached to your email confirmation.
But here ya go!!
DOWNLOAD: Medical
Form
If I have more questions how
can I get in touch with you?
