Summer Programs - Discovery Camps
Grades 3 - 7
In Discovery Camp, each camper designs a customized schedule based on personal interests. Whether campers are beginners or advanced in the activities they choose, the supportive atmosphere in Discovery Camp creates a great environment for exploration. Experienced and energetic head counselors team up with enthusiastic assistants to maximize the fun and inspiration for all campers. Discovery Camp provides opportunites to explore different activities in a relaxed, lighthearted way. None of the Discovery activities are intensive or competitive.
Campers choose six activities to attend during their three-week session. Want to enroll your child for both sessions of Discovery Camp? Campers may choose to attend the same activities as they did in Session 1 or completely change their selections for Session 2.
Keep in mind that class sizes are limited and some activities may only meet in the mornings or afternoons. Be sure to choose six activities and two alternates. Schedules are finalized just before camp begins and are given to the campers on the first day of each session. Students may make changes in their schedule on “change day,” the third day of camp.
Parents have the opportunity to experience their camper’s day first-hand when Discovery Camp hosts Parent Day. On the third Thursday of each session, parents may join students, whether in one or two activity periods, for lunch, or for the whole day. Some classes put on performances, demonstrations, or shows during this event. If you have ever said to your child, “Wow! I wish I could take that class too,” then don’t miss Parent Day.
Discovery Camps |
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| Ages | Entering 3rd - 7th GradePre K (Ages 3-5) |
| Dates Offered | Session 1: June 23 - July 11 * No Camp On July4 th Session 2: July 14 – August 1 |
| Schedule | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm., Monday – Friday |
| Price | $999 Per Session 1/2 day Discovery $515 - must be combined with another half day camp |
Discovery Camp Activities:
Below is a short description for each of the Discovery Camp activities offered in the Summer of 2008. As the emphasis of Discovery Camp is to provide opportunities to try new things in a fun and supportive environment, none of the activities should be considered rigorous, competitive, or product-based.
3D Art
In 3-d art, young artists try their hand at some basic sculpture using various media such as paper mache, self-hardening clay, wood shapes, foam pieces or “found objects”.
Basketball
This activity is an opportunity to practice shooting hoops, dribbling, and playing games. All levels are welcome, as the emphasis will be on having fun and learning a few new things.
Cello*
The cello activity allows budding musicians the opportunity to practice 45-minutes each day with a well-experienced cello instructor. All levels are welcome, as groups are small and the emphasis will be on proper technique while learning a few simple songs. Campers must bring their own cello.
Chorus
Potomac chorus teacher, Jerry Rich, leads the campers through a number of tunes and teaches techniques to help campers find their best singing voice. The group will sing their rehearsed songs to the parents who attend Parents’ day during that activity. Chorus is a morning-only activity.
Clarinet*
The clarinet activity allows budding musicians the opportunity to practice 45-minutes each day with a well-experienced clarinet instructor. All levels are welcome, as groups are small and the emphasis will be on proper technique while learning a few simple songs. Campers must bring their own clarinet.
Computer Fun
An appropriately named activity, campers in Computer Fun will play selected computer games. In some, they may build skills, in others they may compete against another camper. This is a good “down-time” activity to add to a mix of active or outdoor activities.
Computer Graphics
Available for campers entering grades 5-7, the Computer Graphics activity gives campers the opportunity to learn some skills in CGI and basic web design skills using Adobe Photoshop and Dreamweaver.
Dance
Dance is a lively activity where campers will learn a number of routines in jazz, hip-hop, or modern dance. No previous experience is necessary – campers just need a lot of energy! This activity was new and very popular in 2007!
Drama
In the Drama activity, campers play games focusing on improvisation, script-reading, voice projection, and movement. Since this activity is a very supportive environment for experimentation and does not take place on a stage, it is a good opportunity for shy campers to practice coming out of their shells. All levels of experience welcome!
Drums
Mr. Teer’s ever-popular Drums activity provides a lively instructional experience about the different types of drums used by orchestras, marching bands, and rock stars. Campers try the different drums while learning about rhythm and the importance of keeping the beat. Campers should bring their own drum sticks.
Everyday Essentials
This activity might be considered a “Home Ec” class for the 21 st century. Campers will learn basic skills that they’ll certainly need at some point. For instance, they may touch upon some basic cooking, using tools appropriately, sewing a button, basic first aid, or any number of other skills that may come in handy some day.
Everything Art
Everything Art is just that – every kind of project related to visual art may be introduced in this activity. Campers are sure to do some two-dimensional and some three-dimensional projects and while they dabble in drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture.
Flute
The flute activity allows budding musicians the opportunity to practice 45-minutes each day with a well-experienced flute instructor. All levels are welcome, as groups are small and the emphasis will be on proper technique while learning a few simple songs. Campers must bring their own flute.
Game Room
In Game Room, campers play board games and cards together with counselors. In some, they may build skills, in others they may compete against other campers. This is a good “down-time” activity to add to a mix of active or outdoor activities.
Lacrosse
This activity is an opportunity to practice lacrosse techniques, and play games. All levels are welcome, as the emphasis will be on having fun and learning a few new things.
LEGO Architecture
New in 2007, the LEGO activity was wildly popular with boys and girls of all ages! Campers arrive to a classroom filled with thousands of LEGO pieces, each organized by shape. Each day campers are given a specific challenge, such as creating a bridge between two desks, building a sculpture that will hold a 10-pound weight, making an imaginary animal, or a group project like building a neighborhood.
Math Adventure
In this activity, campers can brush up on some math skills by playing games involving basic math principles for their grade level.
Nature Time
Utilizing our 90-acre campus, the Nature Time campers travel on our walking trails, visit the ponds, learn about local plants and animals, and get in touch with nature. Campers should wear shoes and clothes that may get muddy – just in case!
Outdoor Team Sports
This year, the team sports activity will be outside. Campers will play things like kickball, capture the flag, Frisbee games, and much more!
Relax and Read
A popular quiet activity, Relax and Read allows time for catching up on some summer reading, or picking up a book from our own library. This is a good “down-time” activity to add to a mix of active or outdoor activities.
Saxophone*
The saxophone activity allows budding musicians the opportunity to practice 45-minutes each day with a well-experienced saxophone instructor. All levels are welcome, as groups are small and the emphasis will be on proper technique while learning a few simple songs. Campers must bring their own saxophone.
Scrapbooking
This activity for campers entering grades 5-7 is a popular choice among young artists or crafters. They will bring their own 20 photographs and will design beautiful, intricate pages to include in the scrapbooks they are given.
Soccer
This activity is an opportunity to practice kicking goals, dribbling skills, and playing games. All levels are welcome, as the emphasis will be on having fun and learning a few new things.
Squash
This activity is an opportunity to practice squash playing skills. All levels are welcome, as the emphasis will be on having fun and learning a few new things.
Swimming
Campers’ swimming ability levels are assessed on the first day of camp and they will be grouped with experienced swim instructors for daily lessons. Pool safety is a strong emphasis throughout the aquatic program. At times, free swim times are permitted under close supervision of many lifeguards and swim instructors.
Tennis
Tennis is the only two-block activity offered because of the distance to the brand new courts and necessity for longer instruction time. On most days, campers will be driven to the courts which are at the far end of the parking lot near the pool. Campers of all levels will learn basic techniques and participate in some matches or tennis games. Shade and water are provided.
The Way Things Work
Now all Discovery campers can try their hand at this activity which was previously a half-day camp. Campers will work on projects that well help them answer their wonders about how some things are made or done. For instance, they might make things like pin hole cameras, solar ovens, or tie-dyed clothing. New activities each year keep the activity interesting even for returning campers!
Typing
In this classic Discovery Camp activity, Myra Johnson–typing instructor extraordinaire, teaches children how to type properly using the “home row”. Skill drills and games ensure that campers develop good typing techniques.
Violin*
The violin activity allows budding musicians the opportunity to practice 45-minutes each day with a well-experienced violin instructor. All levels are welcome, as groups are small and the emphasis will be on proper technique while learning a few simple songs. Campers must bring their own violin.
Wearable Art
In Wearable Art, campers use their creative and artistic skills to make pins, decorative hats and shirts, jewelry, hair barrettes, and other accessories. All levels welcome!
Writing Adventure
Campers who sign up for Writing Adventures are in for a treat. With individualized instruction, young writers get the chance to practice writing short stories, mini biographies, instructional guides, and other fun projects. They will take turns peer editing and/or reading their own stories aloud to the group. This activity is a supportive and lighthearted environment suitable for writing experimenting.
Young Inventors
This creative activity allows campers to invent contraptions or solutions to a daily challenge. Some of the popular activities in the past have been egg-drop devices that keep an egg from cracking when dropped form a set height.
Activities Exclusively For Older Campers (Grades 5-7)
Computer Graphics
Scrapbooking ***
*Please bring your own instrument.
**Please bring your own drumsticks. Drums will be provided.
***May sign up for one or two blocks. Campers bring their own 20 photos).