Kids: It’s Almost Time for Camp

With school almost out, the kids have only one thing on their mind: summer camp. And, the Granbys have a fair share of opportunities for campers to choose from this season. 

From first-time horseback riders to learning about the winged and four-legged friends on the farm, children and parents have an abundance of programs to consider, ranging from the Farmington Valley YMCA and High Meadow to the local farms and town-run programs. 

Here are a list of area day camp programs Patch has put together for the Granbys:

Holcomb Farm: 

Camp: Summer Camp Program for children in grades 1-6 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m Monday through Friday

Cost: $250 per camper per week 

Dates:

June 27 - July 1: Green Acres: Campers will get hands-on experience as they are educated on soil types, its inhabitants, as well as how soil plays a vital role in growing food. 

July 5 - 8: The Green Machine: Children will learn the importance of recycling over the course of the week, as they make crafts from recycled items and learn how to go green. Campers will also build a compost bin for the farm. 

July 11 - 15: Water World: It’s time to get wet and wild with a week of water games and experiments at the farm. 

July 18 - 22: Kick It Up A Notch: Healthy eating combined with exercise and nutrition will be the focus this week, with emphasis on cooking healthy foods and getting the body moving. Each day will begin with a yoga session for the children. 

July 25 - 29: Into the Wild: It’s time to rough it, as campers learn basic survival skills of the wilderness. The week will emphasize reading maps and compasses, as well as constructing shelters. 

August 1 - 5: Go With the Flow: Just how important is water to the farm? This week’s camp will educate campers on how the farm uses water, with water games and information on water creatures as well.

August 8 - 12: Fabulous Farmers: Are you ready to be a farmer? From harvesting crops to turning them into snacks, campers will learn the ins and outs of the farm, including meeting the animals and planting crops. 

Holcomb Farm: 

Camp: Ready, Set, Grow! Summer Camp for children in pre-K to Kindergarten from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday through Friday

Cost: $150 per week per camper

Dates:

June 27 - July 1: Farm Fun: Come meet the farm animals and learn just what it takes to be a farmer, with activities ranging from planting seeds and picking crops to making crafts.

July 5 – 8:  The Circus Comes to Town: Ever dream of being an acrobat or lion tamer in the circus? Now is your children's chance to learn circus tricks at the farm, while creating crafts and performing a circus of their own. 

July 11 - 15:  The Holcomb Farm Diner: Ever wondered how to make butter? Campers will learn how to utilize the produce from the farm’s community supported agriculture program to make their own butter and set up the farm diner. 

July 18 - 22:  Stream Splash: As the heat rises, it’s time to head to Kendall Brook and learn how to make a boat, and watch it float. Campers will learn just who lives under the water, and be educated on the water itself. 

July 25 - 29:  Things With Wings: Just where does a bat call home? Campers will learn all about their winged friends, such as birds and bats and their lifestyle, diet and habitat. 

August 1 - 5:  Nature Explorers: It’s time to explore the wilderness as campers take a hike and learn to set up a camp, where they will make prints, sing camp songs and learn about the animals that inhabit the fields and forests. 

August 8 - 12:  Summertime Symphony: Learn to make instruments and to listen to the sounds of nature this week. Campers will even put on their own concert. 

Maple View Farm: 

Camp: Summer Session 2011: Children ages 6 to 12 will be given the opportunity to spend the week on the farm and experience mounted and unmounted lessons, learning the various parts of the animal, as well as tending to the other farm animals. The sessions will also include games, walking the trails and feeding the animals. Camp runs 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Cost: a full-day session is $250

Note: There is also the option of the summer session for pre-school-aged children ages 3-6 Monday through Friday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The day includes riding the ponies, gardening, story time and meeting the farm animals, among other activities. Cost is $125. 

Before-care for full-day campers from 8-9 a.m. Monday through Friday for $35 and/or aftercare from 2-5 p.m. for $105 is also available each week. 

Dates: sessions run as follows: Session I is June 20-24, Session II is  June 27-July 1, Session III is July 11-15, Session IV is July 18-22, Session V is July 25-29 and Session VI is August 1-5.

High Meadow Day Camp:

Camp: Campers will spend their days jumping from activity to activity in the northern part of Granby on over 100 acres of land. Facilities include soccer and softball fields, sand volleyball, ping pong tables, pools, hiking trails, a playground, and much, much more. 

Dates: For eight weeks, High Meadow Day Camp will be in session. Camp begins Monday, June 27, and runs until Friday, Aug. 19, and campers can choose between four, five, six, seven or eight weeks to enroll in camp for. 

Cost: Balance due by June 1; 4 weeks: $1,950, 5 weeks: $2,420, 6 weeks $2,780, 7 weeks $3,155 and 8 weeks is $3,235.  

The YMCA:

Camp: YMCA Camp Farmington Valley, a summer day camp for children in pre-K through Grade 8 running from June 20 to August 26. Each camp is broken down by age level, each with their own schedule and session dates (one and two week programs). Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Half day camp for ages 4-5 runs 9 a.m.- 1p.m. and begins on July 18. 

Traditional - Fawns (entering Kindergarten and first grade): With emphasis on increasing motor skill development, campers will take part in activities ranging from rock climbing and crafts to sports and various games. 

Traditional - Bucks and Does (second grade): Like the Fawns, this camp again puts emphasis on motor skill development, with the addition of participating in various field trips.

Traditional - Rascals (grades 3-4): Weekly field trips and archery will provide entertainment for campers this week of camp. 

Traditional - Pioneers (grades 5-6): Campers will enjoy weekly field trips, accompanied by camp projects and some team building activities. 

Traditional - Rangers (grades 7-8): Taking on more of a leadership role, these campers will facilitate group games with the younger campers, be a part of team building activities and go on weekly field trips as well. 

Fun in the Sun (ages 4-5): This half-day camp includes various sports and games for campers, as well as story time, outdoor walking and arts and crafts, among other daily activities. 

AM and PM Extra Camp Care (Pre K - grade 8): The camp includes AM and PM care, beginning with AM extra camp two hours before camp starts and PM extra camp starting when camp ends. The need for extra camp should be identified when enrolling in camp. (The schedule has not yet been posted.)

Cost: Cost varies between camps depending on whether residents choose a one or two-week camp session, and if the camp is half or full day.

And, let’s not forget that the towns of Granby and East Granby recreation also have myriad choices, ranging from sports clinics and band camp to arts and crafts and LEGOs. Granby’s summer programs are available to view online/ in the program booklet, whereas the description of programming in East Granby was sent to residents in a booklet through the mail (the website does not reflect current programming). 

Patch reported on these choices last month, as both the departments were gearing up for the spring and summer season. 

Have any other summer camp suggestions? Share them in the comments.