Brian Majestic and Counselor in Training Benjamin Hollman at the Gardiner Summer Camp.
We’re hunkered down for the winter, so it may seem silly to be thinking of where your kids will go this summer, but as we crawl closer to spring let’s explore a few warm-weather opportunities for kids.
One of Gardiner’s most popular offerings is the Gardiner Summer Recreation Program. With a plethora of activities and Majestic Park at its disposal, this summer camp offers a lot to do for campers from five to those going into eighth grade. For older children there is the opportunity to be a Camp Counselor or a CIT (Counselor in Training).
Brian Majestic, entering his tenth year with the program, recently became Camp Director after many years of learning the ropes from long time directors Frank Laronca and Amanda Paul-Laronca. He says, “Frank and Amanda worked very hard to develop the program into what it is now, and I worked so closely with them that when it came time for me to take charge, the transition felt seamless.”
The camp offers something engaging for everyone. Some kid favorites are sports stations, art projects, tie dying, library time and of course, lanyard braiding! Last summer, every Tuesday and Thursday they got a break from the summer heat with trips to the Ulster County pool, and Friday’s offered field trips to movies, bowling, roller skating, and the Ulster County Fair. Visit townofgardiner.org for info.
If the Gardiner camp is not for you, Mohonk Preserve’s Summer Camp provides an opportunity for children ages four to 13 to spend their summer outside enjoying the natural wonders of the Shawangunk Ridge. Under the careful supervision of their dedicated and professional educators, campers will laugh, play, and learn together, explore interests and abilities and expand their understanding of themselves, each other and the world to which they belong. Registration opened February 1st. Visit mohonkpreserve.org/summer-camps.
A more focused experience can be found at Fighting Spirit Karate, where skilled staff offer a Summer kids camp for martial arts. See our feature article about FSK on page seven of this issue, and contact the studio at fightingspiritstudio.com/home.htm for more info.
Art lovers, take note: the Summer Programs and Camp at Sunflower Art Studios (at Stone Wave) were named best art co-op in Best of Hudson Valley 2017 for their commitment to bringing visibility and accessibility to the arts in the Mid-Hudson valley (see our feature article on page two of this issue). Summer programs include Grow Yoga; allowing participants to learn and grow with art and yoga. Certified yoga instructors along with qualified art teachers, are dedicated to guiding and supporting the journey of self-exploration and creative expression. New this Summer, will be a two week art camp series. A wonderfully creative place to be. Registration opens March 1st. Visit sunflowerartstudios.community for more info.
Last but not least, for the agile among us, Take The Leap Dance Studio offers a Summer Intensive, focusing on inspiring dancers of all ages. Take The Leap Dance Studio works with students in helping them achieve their very best in a positive and supportive atmosphere, providing musical enrichment, dance classes in tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, ballet & pointe. Find out more at taketheleapdance.com.
Summer will be here sooner than you think. Don’t wait until the last minute to register!