Summer Camps & Day Programs
In a panic because school’s almost out and you’re not sure how to keep the wee ones entertained this summer? Never fear — there is a refreshing and unexpected variety of day programs available in town offering everything from cartooning and LEGOs to ice hockey …!
I’ve tried to cover as much here as possible, but please add to the list if you know of additional Darien programs by Commenting on this post. And next year I promise to have this information posted earlier — I’m still new at this, remember?! Many thanks to my friend and our ‘Ask An Expert’ expert, Jack Dowling of Darien Rowayton Bank for reminding me to get this information online!
Darien Arts Center, 2 Renshaw Rd., 655-8683
ART, DANCE & THEATER PRODUCTION WORKSHOP
For grades 1-3
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Session 1- June 23, 25, 27, 30, July 2, 7, 9, 11
Session 2- July 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, Aug 1
Workshop Description
This program allows children to explore many facets of producing a show. The children will create scenery and props in the art class, learn dance numbers in the dance class, learn the
Play in the theater class and then they will put it all together for a final production on the last day.
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PRE-SCHOOL ART & DANCE SUMMER WORKSHOP
For ages 3-5 (pre K- K)
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:30am – 1:00pm
Visual Art & Dance Classes — Includes Snack!
Choice of 2 ,4 , 6 or 8 weeks
Workshop Description
This creative and entertaining dance program is designed especially for our younger students
to learn about dance and the joy of movement through body-awareness, basic coordination skills & imaginative story-telling. The visual art workshop will focus on the magic and mixing of color, using a variety of materials and formats, including 2 and 3 dimensional projects.
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SUMMERDANCE
For ages 9-14
Monday thru Friday 2:30- 4:45
July 14-25 ( 2 weeks )
Workshop Description
This program includes technique classes in jazz, modern and ballet, and lessons about stage make-up and costuming. Students will learn choreography and work on their own dance compositions and will create their own costume for a performance for family and friends at a showing on the last day at the DAC Weatherstone Studio. Students will take home their costume and make-up kit.
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MARTIAL ARTS
Tuesdays June 24- July 29
Tiny Tigers & Little Leopards
Ages 4-9 : 3:00- 4:00
Developing Dragons & Shaolin Teens
Ages 10-16 : 4:00-5:00
Program Description
This class will teach children the art of Karate. It is designed to refine motor and organizational skills, improve self-discipline, teach proper behavior through respect and self- control, teach self-defense and of course to have fun! This class will meet at the Senior Center.
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CARTOONING
For ages 7-14
Wednesdays 4:00-5:00pm
June 25-July 23 (5 weeks)
Class Description
Course teaches the fundamentals of cartooning. Learn how to draw cartoon heads, expressions & poses , set up a 3-panel comic strip & 1 panel gag cartoons.
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CHILDREN’S DRAWING & PAINTING WORKSHOP
For Grades 4-6
Thursdays 3:00-4:30pm, June 26-Aug 14 ( 8 weeks)
Class Description
Tailored for the serious young artist in all medias. Working one on one students develop their own interest in materials and subject matter. Strong guidance from the instructor assures each student will find the way they like to make art. Painting, drawing and sculpturing will be explored.
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YOUNG ARTISTS WORKSHOP
Ages 5-7
Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:30-3:00 (June 24- July 31)
Class Description
Little artists will make art that is teeny-tiny to super large! With an emphasis on vocabulary, young artists will gain an understanding of art terms and process, and will be introduced to new ways of making art. This course is broken up into two week sessions to accommodate busy summer schedules. The first half will focus on painting and print making and the second will focus on assemblage and sculpture.
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SEE BROCHURE FOR INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED MUSIC CLASSES
Darien Historical Society, 45 Old Kings Hwy. North, 655-9233.
All classes are coed, for kids entering grades 2 and up: Tues.-Fri. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Bates-Scofield House.
JUNIOR ARTISTS – June 14-16
Experimentation with different artistic mediums and styles; discussion of tools and materials and famous Darien artists from the past.
HANDS-ON HISTORY DAYS: June 20-24
Colonial crafts, games and dancing, plus a uniformed Revolutionary War soldier demonstrating an encampment. Call for fees.
Darien Junior Sailing Team, Weed Beach.
OPTIMIST PROGRAM: Coed, for sailors ages 8-14.
Two training sessions, Mon.-Fri: June 23-July 11; July 21-Aug 8
Beginner & intermediate sailors sail from 9:15am – 12:15pm; Advanced sailors from 1:30-4:30pm
July 14-18th: Booster Clinic, Racing Clinic
Club 420 sailing program for advanced, high school sailors: click here for more info.
Darien Nature Center, 120 Brookside Rd., 655-7459 .
OUR LIVING PLANET — Coed, ages 3-7.
Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m.
Seven one-week sessions beginning June 20: Focuses on the natural world.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPLORERS — Coed, ages 8-11.
Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Six one-week sessions beginning June 20: Journey to natural sites, including beaches, Sellecks Woods and Pond, and Devil’s Den.
Darien YMCA, 2420 Post Rd., 655-8228.
The Darien YMCA summer camp offers something for everyone
Where else can you go to get a variety of Summer Camp activities like swimming, boating, gymnastics, sports, art, music and field trips? The Darien YMCA offers a variety of programs to meet the needs of 3 year olds through 15 year olds.
The Pre-School camp, held at the YMCA, allows campers to explore at their own pace in a safe and nurturing environment. In the School Age Camp, held at a local elementary school, campers grow in confidence as they develop camp skills and strengthen their independence. They also offer a Counselor In Training Program for 8th – 10th Graders. All interested must apply for a position in the C.I.T. Program by March 3rd. The traditional day camp has teamed up with our Gymnastics Center to offer a gymnastics program with an extended day option called Afternoon Navigators. For more information or for camp brochure call (203) 655-8228 or visit the NEW web site .
DARIEN YWCA
“LEGO CAMP”- by Krazy Kool Creations, where kids work in small groups to create LEGO projects each day, based on themes, and then “present” their creation to the other groups. In addition to being FUN for the little ones, the workshops teach cognitive development and organizational skills as well as negotiating skills, group work, sharing, self-pride, creativity, public speaking, tolerance and communication.
For incoming K, 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders.
9-11:30am
Mon – Fri
Session 1 – 6/23 – 27
Session 2 – 7/7 – 11
Session 3 – 7/14 – 18
Session 4 – 7/21 – 25
Session 5 – 7/28 -8/1
Registration currently underway — email or call 203.292.8038 for more information!
Darien Ice Rink, 655-8251.
ICE HOCKEY CAMP
New Players: Coed, ages 4-8. Mon.-Fri. Three hours of ice time. June 27-Aug. 19. For skaters that have taken skating lessons but have not played at least one full year of youth hockey. Equipment required.
Regular Sessions: Coed. Ages 5-8. Mon.-Fri. Three hours of ice time. June 27-Aug. 12. Ages 11-15. Mon.-Fri. Three hours of ice time. July 11-Aug. 12. Intensive concentration on all phases of hockey. Equipment required.
Goaltenders Camp: Coed, ages 7-15. Mon.-Fri., Aug. 15-19. For beginners and experienced goalies. Equipment required.
Special Skills Camp: Coed, ages 9-14. Mon.-Fri., Aug.15-19. Work on slap shots, wrist shots, tip-ins, rebounds and face-offs. Equipment required.
Pre-Season Tune-Up: For Mites through Bantams. Mon.-Fri. Aug. 15-19 or Aug. 22-26. For players with at least one full season of youth hockey experience who wish to try out for a travel team in the fall.
Girls Camp: Moe Tarrant’s Girls Camps available June 27-Aug. 26. Call for dates, times and fees.
Category: Around Town
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