Director of Summer Programs, Lakehill Preparatory School
Director of Summer Programs, Lakehill Preparatory School
It’s that time of year again, when the school year is winding down and summer camps are getting ready to launch. I’m such a kid at heart, and poring through the camps catalog always makes me wish that I were a kid again! There are so many camps that young Johnny Trout would have loved!
When I was in lower elementary, I would have been really excited about “Royalty Rules!” and “Eek! Bugs!” I was always building forts and castles where knights (usually my friends or younger cousins) would serve the king (me of course!). I also enjoyed learning about the past and how things were back in the “olden days,” though it didn’t even occur to me that what that really meant was that I enjoy history. “Royalty Rules!” would have been perfect blend of these two interests! And, when I wasn’t building forts, I was digging in the dirt for bugs. The natural world has always fascinated me, and a camp devoted to our multi-legged skittering friends would have been right up my alley!
In late elementary, I discovered two things: I really enjoy cooking, and superheroes are awesome! So, I would have been making tracks to “Simply Snacks” camp and “Mutants, Marvels, and Superheroes.” I love the empowerment of cooking camps; I remember being quite pleased when I made a treat that someone else enjoyed as much as I did, and I still enjoy cooking today. And, though I loved reading comics and enjoying comic book characters, I always wanted to take it to the next level by creating my own characters and stories, and making my own fantastic worlds come to life. These camps would have been perfect for me!
In middle and upper school, I discovered that I love making things. The “Advanced Puppetcraft Workshop” camp would have been perfect for me. The emphasis on sewing technique and well-planned designs means creating and constructing a puppet that is fun, meaningful, and built-to-last. I also discovered my love of the English Language throughout the centuries. “Summer with the Bard” camp would have given me the chance to practice my best Elizabethan Shakespeare accent while doing something else I simply didn’t do enough when I was growing up: performing in front of a crowd! I had horrible stage-fright until I was an adult, but Shakespeare and the company of friends would have helped me shake that much sooner!
These camps and more still have seats available this summer, but time is running out to sign up! If you think your child would love any of these camps as much as I would have, sign up today. If you wait too long, you might find that I took the last seat myself!
By John Trout
Director of Summer Camps, Lakehill Preparatory School
Kids love summer, and why wouldn’t they? Vacations, fun in the sun, and the best part (if you’re a kid) no school! Parents and teachers know, though, that summer can also mean “brain drain,” and it feels like kids forget half of what they learned in the past year! What’s a parent to do?
The secret to keeping those brain cells is to keep kids learning, but that doesn’t have to mean endless drills and remediation. Learning a new craft or game, telling or creating stories, solving puzzles, and exploring the world around us keeps kids’ brains active and growing. And, nothing flexes mental muscles better than trying something completely new.
Summer camps are a great place to do all of these things! Camps like Lakehill’s “Strung Together” and “Simply Stitchery” camp introduce campers to crochet and string arts. “Is it Art or Is It Science?” invites campers to use critical thinking to interpret novel situations. “World Building 101” takes a scientific look at planet and solar system formation to imagine realistic science fiction and fantasy worlds. Camps like these will have kids learning all summer long, even when they think they’re just having fun.
By John Trout
By John Trout
Director of Lakehill Summer Camps
I know it’s only February, and summer seems like a distant dream, but here at Lakehill summer camp preparations are in full swing! Calendars are being set, camp descriptions are being finalized, and the Lakehill Summer Camps staff is busy planning a summer full of fun and adventure.
By John Trout
Lakehill Preparatory School, Director of Summer Programs
Arts and crafts have been a staple of summer camps and programs for so long that it’s easy to forget why the tried and true keep coming back around.
The truth is, there’s a special kind of joy, unlike any other, that comes from seeing a project you’ve been working on for an extended period of time come to completion. After the finishing touch is added, you examine the fruits of your labors from all angles, taking pride in the fine details added so painstakingly, and revel in the fact that through your hard work there is something new in the world.
As Director of Summer Programs at Lakehill Preparatory School, I get to see kids, every summer, experience that special joy. Whether kids are learning to weave colorful baskets in our Dream Weavers camp, bringing new life to an old favorite object in Stars, Stripes, and Sparkles, or experimenting with new stencils or Mod Podge decoupage glue in Crafting Innovation, the start is the same: tentative and careful, as the ideas are slowly forming in the crafter’s mind. Then, as vision becomes reality, the pace speeds up, the artist’s strokes are more confident, and the work becomes feverish. Lastly, work slows down again as the final tweaks are made, and that’s when you see it, that special joy.
You know that the artist has plans already; a gift for mom, dad, or a grandparent, a special place on the windowsill, or a spot of honor on the hallway wall may be its destiny.
About Lakehill Summer Camps
Lakehill Summer Camps are unique in offering quality, teacher-led camps at an affordable price, with free before-camp and after-camp care available every day.
Lakehill Summer Camps offer programs for boys and girls entering kindergarten through grade 12, with weekly sessions beginning June 9 and ending August 8, 2014.
In addition to science camps, Lakehill offers a variety of camps in LEGO, Minecraft, visual and performing arts, crafting and building, film making, and more.
There are a variety of sports camps, including cheerleading, tennis, disc golf, soccer, and basketball.
Young minds can stay sharp over the summer with fun camps in reading, writing, mathematics, and technology, or get a leg up preparing for kindergarten, fourth grade, or Middle School.
Altruistic campers can spend a week volunteering in the Community Connections Camp. With 85 different camps available, there truly is something for everyone.
Camps are $220 per week for a half-day session, and $295 per week for a full-day session. Free before-camp and after-camp care is available.
Camps will be offered at both the Main Campus and at the Alice and Erle Nye Family Environmental Science Center. Online registration is now open and programs are filling fast. More information and easy online registration is available at http://www.lakehillprep.org/summer_camps.html.
Picture this…..it is Friday, May 23 and the last day of school for your child…
Everyone is so excited because after today, summer is finally here! No more scurrying around in the mornings, fixing lunches, looking for lost homework, searching for the other shoe…!
Now, fast forward to two weeks later and it is June 6. The kids wake up and say, “What are we going to do today?” Or worse, “I’m bored!” How long have you been hearing that already and is there a solution?
I KNOW…..LAKEHILL SUMMER CAMPS TO THE RESCUE!
From my own personal experience, I have seen that these camps are terrific! They are all taught by caring, well trained, fun-loving, certified teachers. From science, filmmaking, and outdoor adventure to academics, performing and visual arts, and sports, parents will find camps that will turn summer into a learning adventure for their children.
Lakehill Summer Camps meet the needs of parents who need full day supervision (offering FREE before and after care). Campers can attend a half-day camp or a full-day program at such an affordable price. Go online to Lakehill’s website to access the Summer Camp Guide as well as easy online registration. There were nearly 200 sign-ups in the first two days alone, so it is important to register now and not wait!
The biggest challenge will be in making your choice…..so many fun camps are available. (I bet your child would love to be part of the decision making, too.)
So, I predict the next time your child will say, “I’m bored” will be on Monday, August 11, when there are no more fun Lakehill camps for Summer 2014!
To make it easy, you can find out more and register at http://www.lakehillprep.org/summer_camps.html.