Fairfield County Summer Day Camps: Fun with a Purpose |
by Cornelia Fortier, Contributing Editor
Fairfield County's summer day camps cover all the bases: there are camps for polishing ground strokes, back strokes and brush strokes. There are nature-themed camps, camps at colleges and museum camps with wonderful exhibits and learning centers as the backdrop. Performance camps and sports camps let kids immerse themselves in one activity, while others offer a mix of sports, arts and crafts, and field trips. With no quizzes or homework to worry about, kids get to test themselves in the best possible, low pressure way. Fairfield County has many wonderful day camps to choose from, making it easy for parents to find their child's winning match.
For Performers:
Missoula Children's Theatre Program at Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield University, Fairfield, 203-254-4010, www.quickcenter.com. Weekly sessions for 60 children. Each child appears in the final performance.
Music Theatre of Connecticut, 246 Post Road, Westport, 203-454-3883, www.musictheatreofct.com. Three sessions each featuring students in a fully staged and costumed musical production. Scheduled are "The Wiz," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," and "Hooray for Hollywood."
New Canaan Academy of Tap, 45 Grove Street, New Canaan, 203-972-9174, www.ncatap.org. Kids can experiment learning different dance styles for one, two or three hours daily. Many different classes for age 3 through 12th grade.
Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan, 237 Elm Street, New Canaan, 203/966-6177 www.performingartsconservatory.com. 1, 2 and 3 week musical theater programs with singing, dancing, acting, through workshops and shows.
Stamford Theatre Works, 200 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford, 203-359-4414, www. Stamfordtheatreworks.org. Camp focuses on acting, singing, speech and movement and a big original production as the finale.
For Arts & Crafts Lovers:
All Fired Up, 113 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, 203-431-8845. Weeks with different themes, animals, decorate your room, tea party, etc. in which kids do more than work with clay. They also do mosaics, beading and decoupage.
Creative Kids Boutique, 204 Westport Avenue/Route 1, Norwalk, 203/847-4644, www.classesforkids.com. Summer sewing camp for young fashionistas.
Hands on Pottery, 1700 Post Road, Fairfield, 203-319-1273 and 15 Tokeneke Road, Darien, 203-656-3995, www.hopct.com. Different sessions with themes for creating pottery, e.g., in "Sweet Treats," kids age 8 and up make an original cookie plate, 2 sundae bowls and a candy jar.
Hand Painted, 51 Bank Street, Stamford, 203-326-7991, www.handpainted.us. A ceramic summer camp with programs designed to expose children to a ceramic studio and use their imagination to create their own unique pieces.
Lakeside Pottery, 543 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, 203-323-222, www.lakesidepottery.com Campers learn their way around this professional pottery studio using the wheel, handbuilding/ sculpturing, glazing and other pottery making methods.
Westport Arts Center, 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport, 203-222-7070, www.westportartscenter.org. An artist's life provides inspiration for hands-on projects in art, writing, and drama. Classes are led by experienced artists and art educators.
For Nature Lovers:
Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, 203-869-5272, www.greenwich.center.audubon.org . A program for aspiring naturalists ages 5 through 14. Campers investigate different habitats, take hikes, play non-competitive games and create nature-inspired crafts.
Bartlett Arboretum Camp for Kids, Brookdale Road, Stamford, 203/322-6971, www.bartlettarboretum.org. Three two week sessions that explore science and nature with fun activities and arts and crafts.
New Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, 203-966-9577, www.newcanaannature.org. Programs for toddlers through 9th grade with the addition this year of "Einstein Camp," featuring Einstein themes, activities and special guests.
Stamford Museum and Nature Center, 39 Scofield Road, Stamford, 203-322-1646, www.stamfordmuseum.org. Different themes for different camp sessions, including "Buggin' Out!," "All About Animals," "Farm Fun," and more. Hands-on experiences in the classroom and in nature.
Museum and College Based Camps:
The Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, 203-372-3521, www.discoverymuseum.org. Four different programs, Explorer Series, Science Showcase, Lifestyles Series and Wonder Tots explore science using different approaches.
Oasis Children's Services, at Western Connecticut State University's Westside Campus, Danbury, 800-317-1392, www.oasischildren.com. WCSU's playing fields, tennis courts, swimming pool and gym allow Oasis to provide a traditional summer camp experience with sports and recreation, visual and performing arts, recreational and instructional swim and field trips. Open house on April 25th.
Stepping Stones Museum for Children, 303 West Avenue, Norwalk, 203-899-0606, www.steppingstonesmuseum.org. One week drop-off programs with themes such as: Rainforest Explorers, Amazing Games, Young Detectives and Museum Mess Makers.
For Music Makers:
Giuliano's Music Center's Summer of Rock, St. Luke's School, 377 North Wilton Road, New Canaan, call 203-359-2559. 9-15 year old musicians (guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and vocalists) will be grouped by ability and instrument to form a "band." Each band will create their own song which will be recorded.
Moving to the Beat, 300 Danbury Road, Wilton, 203-563-9200, www.movingtothebeat.net. Choose an in or outdoor class for your little one, in this Dalcroze-based musical play using rhythm, movement, instruments and more.
For Sports Lovers:
SportsCenter of Connecticut, 784 River Road, Shelton, 203-929-6500, www.sportscenterct.com. Summer hockey camp, junior golf camp, figure skating camp - there are multiple sports camps at this multi-faceted facility.
The Sports Palace of Trumbull, 25 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull, 203-371-4000, www.thesportspalaceoftrumbull.com. Kickball, dodgeball, mini-golf, baseball and much more, for kids who love to play games.
For Tennis Lovers:
Four Season Racquet Club, Route 7, Wilton, 203-762-2423, www.4seasonstennis.com. Half and full day tennis programs and an olympic-sized pool for cooling down.
Greenwich Racquet Club, One River Road, Cos Cob, 203-661-0606. Summer camp for Pee Wees (ages 4 through 7) and Juniors (7 through 13) with certified pros.
Kings Highway Tennis Club, 98 Old Kings Highway, North Darien, 203-655-8769, www.kingshwytennis.com. Intensive tennis instruction for ages 7 and up. Half and full day sessions are available.
Shippan Racquet Club, Harbor Drive, Stamford, 203-323-3129, www.shippanracquet.com. Junior Tennis Camp with stroke and movement drills in doubles and singles.
Trumbull Racquet Club, 35 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull, 203-374-8622, www.trumbullracquet.com. Juniors 6 and up work on strokes and strategy, including on-court games, awards, prizes and plenty of fun.
Weston Racquet Club, 405 Newtown Turnpike, Weston, 203-226-3349. Morning and afternoon sessions with weekly or daily programs and flexible scheduling.
