The following gives you an explanation of activities offered during Choice Periods. Whether you develop better skills at an activity or learn something new, Camp W has a lot of unique activities geared to every individual child. Please read the descriptions and if you have any questions, call the camp office.

SPORTS:

Basketball(Fun Fact):The very first game of basketball was played with a soccer ball.

Campers take part in a variety of fundamental drill work.We incorporate a variety of drills designed to improve ball-handling, shooting, passing, defense, decision-making and more. We break down the basic principles of how to properly shoot the basketball and work with a variety of drills that help master the proper technique. Using fun games campers will learn to play the game. Campers will also play “Knock Out”, “Horse” and “Around the World” as well as traditional zone basketball.

Baesball/Softball (Fun Fact):The first softball wasn’t even a ball, a fan had thrown a rolled up boxing glove at a Harvard supporter, who hit it back with a stick.

Practice hitting, fielding throwing and learn or improve your skills. Join Camp W’s baseball team and compete against local day camps in the area. All skill levels are welcome. The camp softball team is for grades 6th through 8th. The camp softball team practices every day during 5th and 6th period.

Capture the Flag (Fun Fact): Capture the Flag is popular with urban gamers, who play in urban environments and use cell phones to communicate.

Capture the flag is played on an outdoor field, which is divided into two territories. Both teams get five minutes to hide their flags. Once the flags are hidden, the game begins. Obviously, in order to win the game, you must capture the other team's flag and bring it back to your own territory. But if an enemy team member grabs you while you're standing on their part of the field, they are allowed to take you straight to jail (which is a small patch of land in their territory). You can be freed from jail if one of your team members touches you, and there's no limit to how many times you can be thrown back into the slammer.

Cheerleading (Fun Fact): Cheerleading is over 100 years old. In the beginning, all cheerleaders were men.

If you have spirit, lots of energy and like to perform, then this activity is just for you! Learn all of the fundamentals of cheerleading. Cheers, Motions, Dance, Jumps, Kicks, Voice Projection. You will learn group cheers, some lifts, jumps, and routines. If you like you can perform them in front of the whole camp, on Visiting Day and at inter-camp athletic competitions. Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Dodgeball (Fun Facts) : Dodgeball was first played in Africa over 200 years ago. Instead of soft balls, players threw rocks and putrefied matter at the opposing team, while also defending their own teammates who were under attack. The exercise was meant to encourage team-work for when the players went into battle with other tribes.

Dodge to the left, and to the right as you play an old time friendly game of Dodgeball. We use nerf balls (don’t worry parents) as the kids throw and dodge to get their opponents out. Prison Break is one of our favorite games because you never know from which direction the ball may be thrown from.

Gymnastics (Fun Fact): Shannon Miller is now the most decorated female American gymnast of all time.

Our gymnastic program involves all aspects of agility, balance and coordination. Children develop gross motor skills with this activity. Gymnastics allows each child to strengthen his or her core muscles. Tumbling, cartwheels, walkovers and balancing are just a few of the gymnastic skills taught at camp.

Fitness & Training(Fun Facts): Physical activity! Science shows that aerobic exercise may do more to help bolster thinking than thinking itself.

Fitness is a fun way to give campers a way to stay healthy physically and mentally. It is a way that accomplishes the achievement of a physical task that builds self-esteem and confidence. Rowing machines, Bicycles and our state of the art Trek Machines are sure to bring out the Rocky Balboa in you.

Flag Football (Fun Fact): The ball used in professional football has remained exactly the same size and shape for 120 years - 28inches in circumference.

24, 13, 20 …Hike! Catch the ball as a wide receiver and play the basic rules of football. Instead of tackling your opponent you simply pull or rip a Velcro flag off the opposing player’s waist. Played on our newly lined Football Field.

Floor Hockey (Fun Fact): The first hockey puck, used during outdoor pickup games in the 1800s, was reportedly made of frozen cow dung.

A friendly game similar to ice hockey. Indoor hockey or Floor Hockey is played in our gym with plastic hockey sticks and a rubber puck. Campers try to score the puck in the opponent’s goal. Sticks are never allowed to be raised passed the knees for safety reasons.

Ga Ga (Fun Fact): Gaga –translates to “touch, touch” in Hebrew and originated in Israel.

Ga Ga is played in a huge octagon pit using a foam dodgeball. Players can hit the ball with their hands but can’t pick up the ball and throw it. If the ball touches a player from the knees down they are out. Last player in the pit wins.

Handball (Fun Fact): Handball is an Olympic sport. It’s a mix of soccer and basketball.

This game is played with a foam or soft lightweight ball. Players pass the ball while only taking 3 steps. They call to their teammates and work together using only their hands to throw the ball into the opposing team’s goal.

Karate (Fun Fact): Karate is actually a combination of two words. Kara( empty) and te(hand).

Learn the basics in Karate (kick, punch, block) Karate specialists from a Karate school come to Camp W everyday.

Kickball (Fun Fact) : Originally called “Kick Baseball” was invented in 1917.

This is game is very similar to baseball but you use a kickball and no bat or glove is used.

Miniature Golf (Fun Fact): By the 1950s, the greens on mini-golf courses were made of dyed goat hair.

Play the front 9 or the back 9 at our Mini Golf Course. This course has 9 holes of putting short distances. Obstacles such as ramps, windmills and tubes challenge our campers to make a hole in one or a birdie.

Newcomb (Fun Fact): Developed in 1895 by Clara Baer, a physical education instructor at Sophie Newcomb College, Tulane University in New Orleans

Can you catch a volleyball? This game is similar to volleyball but instead of a volley you catch the ball and throw it over the net. If the ball is dropped head to the sidelines until your teammate catches the ball with one hand and you are right back in the game again.

Pilo Polo (Fun Fact): is a popular recreation and physical education game that has been around for over 40 years.

This game is similar to floor hockey but players use a foam stick and a foam ball instead of a puck. Each team has six players and a goalie. The object is to get the foam ball into the opposing team’s goal.

Pickle Ball (Fun Fact): Our own Upper Camp Division Head Kevin plays this on the weekend.

This is game is similar to tennis but uses a wiffle ball.

Soccer (Fun Fact) : Developed in Newgate Prison, London in the early 1800s. Prisoners who had their hands cut off for crimes of theft came up with a sport that used only the feet.

Learn the basics of passing, kicking, and defense. Campers will strengthen their skills through scrimmages and games. Join us on the soccer field for this high-energy game! Grades 4-5 will make the camp soccer team.

Swimming ( Fun Fact) : Swimming first became an Olympic event in 1896.

Get instruction from Red Cross Swim Instructors. Campers get tested on their first day at camp. Campers will learn a variety of strokes and learn or improve their diving abilities. A swim card goes home every two weeks to show progress made by each camper.

Tetherball (Fun Fact): This game originated in 1896 the year after volleyball was invented.

A game in which one player plays against another. A pole is in the ground and measures about 10 feet in height has a rope attached to the top of the pole with a ball at the end of the rope. Players try to get the rope around the pole where the ball is touching the pole.

Tower Power (Fun Fact): Evan loves this game.

A game similar to dodgeball but instead of throwing the ball at other campers you are throwing the ball at opposing teams tower. The tower is a pyramid made a huge cup stacking bowls. Campers try and protect their tower while throwing the nerf balls at opposing teams tower.

Volleyball (Fun Fact) : Most volleyball players jump about 300 times a match.

A game played by two teams with six players on each team. Separated by a net, in which each team tries to score by causing the ball to land on the opposite team’s court.

Wall Ball (Fun Fact) : Once known as Irish Handball

Two or more players can play this game. You need a wall and a tennis ball or a rubber ball. Player throws the ball to the wall and another player must field the ball cleanly. You play until one player drops or doesn’t field the ball cleanly.

Wiffleball (Fun Fact): The Wiffle® ball was originally created from discarded perfume packaging.broomstick handles were used to make the first Wiffle ball bats.

Similar rules to softball but the game is played with a plastic bat and plastic ball. A special fence is placed in the outfield and when the Wiffleball is hit over the fence it’s an automatic homerun and the crowd goes wild…

TECHNOLOGY:

Coding For Video Games (Fun Fact) : Computer code might look like a foreign language, but it is a language anybody can pick up quickly, with a little practice!

The trend to teach coding is exploding. With tech-filled futures ahead of this Generation, we provide the skills necessary in our highly digital society. Using different coding techniques.Campers will learn how to design a video game using Star Wars, Minecraft, Frozen, Angry Birds, Plants and Zombies.

Digital Animation(Fun Fact) : Snow White, which premiered in 1937, was the first American animated feature film.

Ready, Set Draw…Campers will design their own custom animation using digital photography animation programing as well as scanners. Campers will investigate and create original designs and learn beginner level animation techniques.

Robotics (Fun Fact) : The word robot comes from a Czech word “robota” which means drudgery.

Specialists come from Slyvan Learning Center and teach robotics to our campers. This activity is geared for Kindergarten to fifth grade.

How to be a DJ(Fun Fact) : This sound wasaccidentally discovered using the scratching technique when a dj manually moves the record up and down on the needle warping the sound.

Its music to my ears, Spin music, and blend different beats to make a masterpiece. Get an opportunity to mix and invent new sounds on our state of the art DJ equipment. Feel the rhythm and move to the sound of your own beat.

Video Production(Fun Fact) : The most viewed YouTube video is this Gingham Style.

From angle direction to zooming up close, campers learn how to video tape a game or special event. Using their video skills campers will have an opportunity to learn how to edit for production so the camp can view it the end of the two weeks. A masterpiece in the making.

Website Design(Fun Fact) : Most web pages are built using more than one programming language.

Using multiple digital techniques, campers will design their own original website. Campers will learn about hosting, designing and maintaining a website as well as the digital arts through the web.

Specialty:

Camp Newspaper (Fun Fact) : If everyone recycled their newspapers, we would save 250 million trees each year.

What’s The Real Scoop at Camp W? The Camp W News is published by our newspaper crew. If you enjoy writing, editing, interviewing and/or creating puzzles then take part in this activity. Campers will write articles about weekly events and interview staff members. Everyone gets a printed copy right off the press.

Camp Lounge (Fun Fact) : Well this is just a FUN place to hang out.

The Camp W Lounge is place for campers to have some snacks, play Uno, Connect Four, eat some candy, watch TV while using wireless headphones, sit on a couch or loveseat and read a magazine. All of these fun and relaxing things can be done at the Camp W Lounge.(new for the summer of 2019)

Camp Yearbook (Fun Fact) : High School yearbooks are the most popular yearbooks and kept the longest according to an independent study.

Campers will spend 6 weeks collecting memories of the summer and then make those memories into a yearbook.

Cooking (Fun Fact) : The twists in pretzels are meant to look like arms crossed in prayers.

Are you hoping to be the next Junior Chef Master? Measure, read ingredients and combine all of it to make the most delicious treats. Your taste buds will start to water for this activity and the best part is you get to eat it after you are done. Yum!!!!

Game Room (Fun Facts) : Pac-Man was invented by the designer Toru Iwatani while he was eating pizza.

A place to go to hang with friends. This activity is filled with many different games that encourages socialization and friendly competition. We have Foosball, air hockey, video games, basketball throw, knock hockey and more. Play side by side your friends to calculate moves to win the game.

Gardening (Fun Facts):May 2 is world naked garden day.

Campers will have the opportunity to plant flowers all along the buildings at camp. Campers will care the flowers and water them.

Go Karts(Fun Facts) :Most karts have only rear wheel brakes and that’s why spins are so common.

Campers can drive a Crazy Kart with a helmet of course, on our big figure eight course. Eight karts at a time are used by campers all going in the same direction. Flags are used to signal to campers when to go and when to slow down.

Kite Flying ( Fun Facts) :The largest kite in the world is called the Megabite.

Campers will be able to fly a kite if the weather permits. This activity will only be offered during Choice periods and a limit of 6 campers will fly a kite at one time.

Lawn Games ( Fun Fact) :Evan is often playing these games after campers leave for the day.

Cornhole, bocce ball, tic tac toe, horse shoes, ladder toss, ring toss and potato sacks. Campers can play these games without breaking a sweat.

Lego Design (Fun Facts) : The LEGO name was created by using the first two letters of the Danish words “Leg” and “Godt,” meaning “play well.”

A Lego Master Builder starts from the ground up. Use your imagination to build whatever you can dream of or choose to build from the many Lego kits like a pirate ship, robot, houses and more. We have basic Legos for beginners and complex lego kits for experienced lego users.

Magic (Fun Facts) : The earliest magicians were considered sorcerers, and they were believed to have supernatural powers.

Abracadabra…The words spoken by a magician. A Professional Magician will demonstrate to campers how to perform magic tricks. As your children master their tricks they will be sureto come home and trick you too. Campers will practice and then have an opportunity to perform for the entire camp.

Plastic Models(Fun Facts) : Building Modelshelps hand-eye coordination, and following instructions and reading specifications sharpens mental powers.

Campers will create models from a variety of choices and with the assistance of our staff. The older the child, the more complex the model.It takes a visual artist to complete these models. Some models include Ferraris, Lamborghinis, helicopters and more. Throughout these two weeks they will gain experience and be able to move on to building more complicated models.

Rocketry/Woodworking (Fun Facts) :Evan likes to build rockets but isn’t good at it.

3,2,1 Blast Off…From easy to complex, campers will learn to build and paint their own rocket. Sorry we will not be rocketing off to anywhere from Camp. In Woodworking you can create your own birdhouse, build a car and many more projects to choose from. Sand, build and paint your projects to bring home.

Slot Cars (fun thought) :A great way for campers to practice driving.

A slot car is a powered miniature car that is guided by a controller. The car goes around a track. This game is played in the Camp W Lounge.

Performing Arts:

Camp Choir(Fun Fact) : Evan loves to sing but his talents would not get him a tryout on American Idol.

Do you enjoy singing? Wouldn’t it be fun to sing to the entire camp? If you answered yes to these questions that Camp choir is for you. This activity will only be offered during Choice periods.

Camp Show(Fun Fact) : Solla Sollew is a place where everything is perfect. Both Horton and JoJo want to go there.

This summer, Camp W will be takin a journey into the jungle of Nool and diving into the Circus McGurkus, in “Seussical, the musical Jr. Every camper who signs up for this activity will be getting vocal lessons throughout rehearsals. If you desire to perform on stage, then the camp show is your opportunity to shine. This is a 6-week commitment and campers must be present at camp during weeks 1-6.

Camp Show (Set crew/ Stage crew)

Campers will design the set, props, costumes and all the artistic design for this year’s camp Show. Campers who participate will not only design the look of the show, but be in charge of moving and setting the stage during the production. This is a 2 week commitment. Students do not have to be present from week 1 to participate.

Drama/Improv (Fun Fact) : Walt Disney World, Florida, has a record 1.2 million costumes in its theatrical wardrobes.

Do you like to act or perform skits without being in front of a huge audience? This activity will allow you to do just that with other campers under the direction of our drama specialist. Use props to improve and use your imagination to take you to places you have never gone before.

Hip Hop(Fun Fact):A world record for the longest conga dance line was set by 119,986 people in Miami in 1988.

Learn some really fun dance moves with the music pumping and the energy level will constantly be rising. Techniques will be taught so campers can build on the moves each day. Campers will have an opportunity to perform their hip hop dance routine in front of the entire camp.

Newscasters(Fun Fact) : On February 21, 1930 the first news show ever aired on NBC.

Report the camp news, weather and sports just like a regular news reporter. Campers have the opportunity to interview all staff and campers during newscasters. Campers will gather their news reports during the week and then perform on Friday afternoon. Our Newscasters report can be viewed on our Camp W website.

Lip Sync(Fun Fact) : The first Lip Sync Battle was a skit on the Late Show with Jimmy Fallon.

The Voice is looking for you…Want to pretend to be a singer. Love to imitate your favorite musician? This is the perfect activity to do just that. Perform any song you desire and if you want you can also perform your song during closing ceremonies.

Rock Band( Fun Facts) : Jon Lennon was on the first cover of the magazine Rolling Stone.

Want to play guitar, keyboard or maybe the drums? This is the perfect activity to give these instruments a try. (new for summer of 2019).

Zumba ( Fun Facts) : Zumba was created by an aerobic instructor who forgot his music so he improvised with salsa and merengue tapes.

Zumba is intended to make getting fit fun. It mixes aerobics with dancing. Campers will enjoy this activity on the camp stage.

Fine Arts:

Canvas Painting:

Create your own masterpiece! Follow along and learn how to paint on canvases, and have beautiful creations to decorate your home.

Cartooning/Flip Art (Fun Fact) : Every movie you see at a theater, every TV show you watch, every Youtube video, every iPhone video, every video game, even every IMAX movie works on the very same basic principle as a flipbook.

Learn the art of cartooning and have fun bringing your very own characters to life. You will be taught the techniques to design your own comic book and create your own super hero! Develop your own comic strip or story board. We will even create simple flip books.

Ceramics(Fun Fact) : The term ceramics refers to any clay that has been fired and transformed from fragile dirt-like material to a hard and permanent stone.

Get your hands dirty playing with different types of clay? Create pottery, using slab, coil and pinch pot techniques. Campers will create multiple projects including but not limited to animal sculptures, figures ,vases ,cups and more.

Comic Book Design :

Create your own superhero or villain and make your own comic! Learn how to create a story around your characters and complete your first edition comic book.

Drawing (Fun Fact) : Cave men were the first artists of the human kind.

For the artist who wants to perfect their drawing skills, this class is a review of the drawing foundations. We will practice with charcoal, work quickly, and get messy! We will study shape and volume, value and line, perspective, and texture. The student will build their confidence in rendering what their eye sees, executing the basic composition, and developing their own personal style.

Edible Art( Fun Fact) : This activity is liked just as much by staff as the campers.

Campers have the opportunity to make art projects with food. They then can keep it or eat it.

Everything Glitter : This activity is one of the hardest art activities to clean up after it is over.

Campers use glue and so many different types of glitter to decorate posters, signs, and stick houses.

Friendship Bracelets :

Learn different types of intricate designs and patterns to make gorgeous bracelets for yourself and friends.

Jewleryand Bead Making :

Learn how to make your own beads and then design your own necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Wear your own or make them for your friends.

Mask Making (Fun Fact) : Earliest use of masks was for rituals and ceremonies, and the oldest found mask is from 7000 BC.

Get creative while we create amazing masks using a variety of sculptural approaches. We will create molds and make eye catching theatrical masks. Maybe it could even be used in our Haunted House…

Mobiles and Wall Hangings (Fun Fact): Tapestries were displayed on walls of castles for insulation during winter as well as for decoration

Design and weave a tapestry, make your own dream catcher, relax to the sounds of your very own wind chime.

Monster Boxes :

Keep your special treasures in a monster box, Harry Potter would be proud to have. Convert a normal cardboard box into a beastly keepsake container that everyone will admire!

Painting (Fun Fact) : It was the Greek philosopher Plato who discovered that you can mix two different paint colors together to produce a third color.

Create paintings inspired by the masters! We will explore many different techniques such as splatter painting, impressionism, abstract painting, portraits, landscapes and much more. Create your own canvas painting.

Paper Mache (Fun Fact) : Literal meaning of Papier Mache is Chewed Paper

Create amazing sculptures using paper Mache. It is sure to relax you with that gooey feeling. As you place your hands into the paper mache feel all your worries slip away.

Plaster Creations :

Make plaster masks, wall hangings, and artistic bowls. Paint decorate, and personalize them.

Puppet Making:

From a simple finger puppet to an intricate marionette, use your imagination and you can make it.

Scrapbook (Fun Fact) : According to scrapbooking history, people wanted a way to preserve “scraps” that were important to them. Scraps included love letters, greeting cards, business cards, poems and other paper items of importance or sentimental value.

Memories are always fun to look back on.Make beautiful scrapbook pages to share your memories with friends and family. Collage, cut, glue, stamp and accessorize your very own handmade scrapbook.

Slime, Slime ALL THE TIME :

Have you ever made cloud slime? Well, in slime class we will make as many slimes that you can imagine. Put the YouTubers to shame with all the crazy new projects.

Spa Class :

Bath bombs, soap, lip balm, sugar scrub, and more! We will make all of these spa delights in this class.

Sparkle and Shine :

Glitter and shimmer everything we make in this class will be dazzling! Sparkle Specs, shimmer slime, lava lamps, twinkle tattoos, and decorative signs.

Special Effects Make up :

using cosmetics to create funny and distorted faces.

String Art :

Learn how to make “God’s Eyes”, Dream Catchers, and geometric design string art!.

Toy Making :

For the camper who is always saying, “I can make that”, here is the class where they can. The camper will be able to personalize each project to make it their own unique piece that they will always want to play with!