Week five was, in a word, AMAZING. Everywhere one looked, there were children and staff engaged in spectacular activities while being with great friends. As we are now past the midway point of the summer, everyone feels comfortable, safe and known in their summer home. Every division had special activities this week, and every child had the opportunity to try something new. The memories we all made this week will not be soon forgotten.
The week started with a classic all-camp meeting where the duck mystery continued. Somehow Harrison got himself attached to a duck float and could not not separate. No matter what we tried, nothing seemed to work. All of a sudden, we tried asking the float kindly to leave Harrison…and it worked!!
Continuing on the theme of kindness, later in the week, all campers had an opportunity to write a thank you letter to whoever helped them this week. It is one of our favorite all-camp traditions.
Naturally, our Stepping Stones had another busy and fun week at Elmwood! Their weeks here just keep getting better and better. Our three-year old campers enjoyed learning all about gardening this week! They learned how to take care of plants, put them in their own planters and could not be more excited to take them home! While they always love running around, playing games and learning new skills at ballpark, they also had some calming movement at yoga this week where they practiced different yoga stances using themselves and even using a partner for a few moves!
Our four-year-old campers had high spirits while singing and dancing with Anne this week, but they absolutely loved going to gymnastics to learn how to walk across the balance beam, continue practicing their tumble rolls, and of course jumping on the tumble track.
The best part of the week was Critter Caravan coming to visit. Everyone loved getting to meet the amazing animals. Who knew that so much learning can happen while we laugh and snuggle with furry friends?
How could this not have been the best week yet for our lower village campers?
Our first grade campers were very excited for the annual birthday party which was Luau themed this year. Campers loved hitting the pinata, playing unwrap the present and having cupcakes!!
This week, Elmwood’s second-graders participated in the circus specialty. Circus specialists came to camp to teach the campers circus tricks including diablo, juggling, tight rope, devil sticks, plate spinning and rola bola. Lower Village Clubs included: Dragon Club, Cups and Saucers at Ceramics, Plinko at Woodworking, Mexican Fiesta at Cooking, Ancient Egypt Club, Make Your Own Musical, Comedy Improv, Parkour, Gymnastics, Archery 9 In the Air, and Critters and Plants.
After five phenomenal weeks in League, Soho, Discovery and Performance the Intensives finale arrived on Thursday. It was, without a doubt, the best day of the summer yet for our Upper Village Campers!
After five weeks of our League Intensive, all the teams participated in a friendly league superbowl for the championship title! Each camper played with great energy and enthusiasm and also exemplified wonderful sportsmanship. The 2023 League 1:00 champion is the Red Team, and the 2019 League 2:30 champion the Green Team! Congratulations to everyone who participated!
The Soho intensive took a trip to the Katonah Art Museum. After five weeks of learning and creating works of illustration, campers got to see professional artist’s amazing paintings and lithographs.
The campers who were involved in the Discovery Intensive took a trip out of camp to go to the New York Hall of Science. Campers spent the day exploring how planes are built and how aerodynamics allows them to fly. They flew jet planes in a tall flight simulator and moved water using water wheels and screws while learning about hydro dynamics. They also built epic goofball mazes while learning about how to fight the force of gravity.
Lastly, our Performance Intensive campers, who have been practicing and rehearsing all summer long, concluded their intensive with an absolutely incredible performance called Champions. The singing, dancing and acting that was performed on stage was remarkable, and we are all unbelievably proud of all involved.
Third Grade Clubs included: 9 in the Air, Lacrosse, Mexican Fiesta at Cooking, Chemical Reactions, Cheer Club, Line Landscapes, Wooden Instruments, Pottery Wheel and Parkour.
Fourth Grade Clubs included: Art Adventure, Woodworking, Tennis, Archery, Chemical Reactions, Field Sports and Parkour.
Seniors: While the seniors continue to love participating in their majors, they also are loving partaking in some regular activities on camp! This week, they enjoyed exploring and running around Sky Park, playing street games and competing in gaga. A few of them even got to learn how to shoot arrows at archery! Campers also loved going to NYC for lunch in Central Park and then visiting the Spyscape Museum.