diaries (older children can actually record
their thoughts, while younger ones can dec-
orate with scampers) and planting, which is
educational, as well, because "it lets chil-
dren be part of the project from start to fin-
ish."
Parents looking for a good day-camp
experience for their child should make cer-
tain their camp provides plenty of such
opportunities, the directors agree.
Through art, boys and girls of every age
"learn to express themselves," Bergstein
says. Art at school will be different — more
structured, more defined. Art projects at
school usually focus on a certain story or
theme.
At a good day camp,
things are much more
relaxed.You don't have to
worry if you write "its"
when you mean "it's" or
spell "caterpillar" as "cat-
apiller." Your butterfly can
have one pink wing and one
red one, and the counselors
will still say, "That's per-
fect."
Art projects also provide
boys and girls with some-
thing tangible from their
day-camp experience, some-
thing they can hold and
remember, "I made this last
summer."
Parents may see that tiled
plaque bearing a star design
or a clay vase as just another
object they're going to have
to find a place for in their
home. But children will
refer to them time and
again, Bergstein and
Rosenthal say. They'll look at the wooden
tray they painted and have fond memories
of camp.
Sports are an integral part of most day
camps, and they're a good way to have fun
and release tension. Bergstein sites swim-
ming and baseball as popular camp activities
for children of all ages. The best camps,
though, recognize that younger children
have short attention spans, so unless your
son or daughter is the next Sandy Koufax,
don't demand that a tiny tyke spend too

much time on the game.
"Younger kids do not have long attention
spans," Bergstein says. "They just can't play
a long baseball game."
Successful day camps will happily
acknowledge smaller children's short atten-
tion spans, Bergstein says. "It's important to
move quickly and have lots of things to
do."
At Ganeinu, Bergstein provides younger
children with 10-minute spots at the sand
table, then the water table, then with play
dough, then with dolls or trucks or blocks.
She calls them "centers of interest" and they
entertain children for just the right amount

Above:
Campers prepare for a full session
of activities at Akiva.

Left..
Jason Jubas, David Zwick and
Betzalel Spolter cool off in the pool.

Below:
Yirmi Goldman checks out the sprinkler.

of time and allow them to socialize. As with
school, camp gives boys and girls the
chance to learn to "use interpersonal skills,
how to share and work things out with
other children," Bergstein says.
A parent might be dazzled by a day camp
filled to the brim with toys — boxes of games,
bright and wondrous balls and toy figures and
doll houses and bendable action guys.

SPECIAL PLACES on page 68

The outside: A heal t hy dose

of fresh air
and wonder.

3/10
2005

67