May - Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Albany Academies’ most popular camp has been its LEAPCamp, or Learning Enrichment Activity Program, for children ingrades two through sixschool called Rosie’s Girls. “This is a tradesprogram where girls will be developingcarpentry skills and other non-traditionaltrades for women,” Burnie-Grimmer said.Susan Kambrich, head of school atWoodland Hill Montessori School,described the various programs offeredduring summer camp.“We offer a variety of one- and twoweekthematic programs, everything from‘Authors and Art’ to ‘Mini-Chefs.’ Ourteachers are friendly and eager to helpchildren have a great experience,” shesaid. “We have an 11-acre wooded campusthat includes a playing field, playgroundswith swings, a zip line, a sandbox andpicnic tables. We have basketball courts, agymnasium, and nature trails for lots of funactivities.”Every day includes activities thatpromote learning in a fun and peacefulenvironment. Each session includestheme-based activities, including music,movement, gardening, games, arts andcrafts, and on-site field trips.“I’ve heard parents say that it has beenthe perfect transition for their children frombeing at home with them to experiencingthe joys and challenges of new friendshipsand experiences in the world, and they’rethrilled that their children will be attendingWoodland Hill Montessori School in thefall,” Kambrich said.LEAPs and boundsThe Albany Academies’ most popularcamp has been its LEAP Camp, orLearning Enrichment Activity Program,for children in grades two through six,according to Ann Wendth, director ofexternal affairs.“LEAP Camp has more of a learningcomponent, and students can choose suchclasses as art, robotics, yoga or cooking,”she said. “For parents, it’s been verypopular, because there’s a learning part toit, but it’s also a lot of fun. The kids keepcoming back year after year until they ageout, and they bring their friends with them,as well.”There’s a junior camp for pre-K andfirst grade students built around authorthemes, with swimming and structuredactivities. The classic day camp is a moretraditional camp with lots of outdooractivities, arts and crafts, and sports forchildren in grades two through eight.A new camp this summer is the Leapsand Bounds camp, which is geared towardchildren entering grades seven, eight andnine.“We offer weekly sessions for fourdifferent weeks,” Wendth said. “One isan outdoor camp in Lake George, withkayaking and canoeing. Another is gearedtoward science and technology, whileanother is geared toward art, printmakingand painting. We thought it would be a nicesegue after the LEAP Camp to continue tokeep kids interested but to gear it towardolder students.”Most programs are taught by facultyat The Albany Academies, althoughthe school does hire some counselors.In addition, a high percentage of campparticipants are children who don’t attendThe Albany Academies –– at least, not yet.“Sometimes, kids need a break fromthe school they attend all year,” Wendthsaid. “We’ve done a good job of getting outin the community and establishing a goodreputation for our summer camp programamong non-Academies students. It’s awonderful feeder for parents to take a lookat the school, and many of our camperseventually come here as students. Theyand their parents have an opportunity tointeract with faculty, and it’s a wonderfulopportunity for those who may nototherwise have the opportunity to do so.”The notion of summer camp hasevolved in recent years, with a balancebetween fun and learning, Wendth pointedout.“Summer camp has become moresophisticated and varied,” she said. “Part ofthat is driven by parents who are interestedin more than just a babysitting kind ofcamp. Our motto is, ‘Where LearningIs Fun.’ It’s nice to have kids continue tolearn and try new things and experimentwith exciting kinds of programs. You wantkids to have fun because they’ve been inschool for nine months, but parents arealso looking for more structure, to continuewith some of their learning throughoutthe summer. That’s what we’ve tried to dohere.” •12 | acchamber.org | techvalley.org