Summer Camps

It's hard to believe it's time to start planning for summertime, but it'll be here before we know it. Patch has rounded up a list of camp programs available for kids of all ages in the Amity towns.

Though details aren't available yet, both Bethany and Orange Parks and Recreation Departments run a summer camp program for children of various ages. For older kids, Orange holds a Traveling Teens program with day trips to fun spots and events throughout the state.

Amity Youth Sports Camps are designed to provide children with the basic skills and fundamentals necessary to become proficient in boys baseball, girls basketball or girls softball. Emphasis on sportsmanship and fair play, as well as an understanding of rules, scoring and various situations associated with the game will be taught.  Two week-long sessions are held from July 11-15 and from July 18-22. For more specific registration information, please visit: http://www.woodbridgect.org/content/62/77/285.aspx.

The Jewish Community Center’s summer camps provide children of all ages and backgrounds with a variety of options including an outdoor pool, a 5,000 square-foot indoor space, drama stage, sports fields, basketball courts, picnic areas, an archery range and four miles of hiking trails spread over 54 acres. On rainy days, campers use the indoor features which include a pool, two full-court gyms, playscape, an auditorium and plenty of space for having fun. Our Jewish day camps provide a summer experience incorporating Jewish tradition and learning into the camp day. Under the direction of experienced professionals, the JCC camps are staffed with specialists,experienced counselors and counselors-in-training, who offer their expertise in activities from aquatics to archery, hiking to hoops, music to crafts and racquetball to water polo. For more information, visit: http://www.jccnh.org/camp.htm.

Gan Hayeled Early Childhood Center offers a relaxed, nurturing, fun summer camp for children ages 2-5. The camp, held weekdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., is led by a team of qualified and experienced early childhood teachers who follow a week-by-week themed schedule that incorporates creative play, baking, arts and crafts, singing and dancing, reading stories and culminating in a weekly, magical theatrical show on our outdoor stage. Campers plant and take care of a nature garden of herbs, vegetables, fruit and flowers. Daily outdoor time includes playtime in a beautiful child-friendly playground, riding bikes, climbing and constructing cities in the sand. Water play keeps the campers cool with slides, sprinklers, water tables, bubbles and home-made ice pops. For more information, visit: http://www.ctparent.com/camps/2011-02b/gan-hayeled0311.pdf.

Camp Wepawaug at the Milford/Orange YMCA is a state licensed day camp for campers ages 6—14. Each day, the camp staff provides activities such as arts & crafts, swimming, sports, group games, and nature as well as special activities centered around a session theme. Campers are grouped by age: Explorers are going into 1-3 grades; Pioneers are going into 4-6 grades (archery is part of this program and campers 10-11 may also sign up for overnights); Adventurers, going into 7-9 grades, will leave daily for trips throughout the state. For pricing and more information, visit http://www.cccymca.org/woodruff-family-programs.

As part of the Goddard School: Passport Around the World program, children explore the foods, homes, and lifestyles of families all over the world;  investigate an archeological dig; listen to the opera music of Italy; spend a little time “down under; ” and take an imaginary trip to Brazil. Special visitors and cultural events are held throughout the summer.  For specific information, please visit http://www.goddardschool.com/Schools/Orange-CT/schools.gspx.