Camp Newsletter

Greetings!

     My name is Tom Styles. I am a teacher at Saint Helen’s School in Schenectady and I will be running the summer program your child will be attending this year. I am excited for this opportunity and have two children of my own who will be joining me. I have lots of things planned for the children this year and a fun yet regimented schedule that involves supervised free time as well as organized sports and other activities. Please continue to read for more information. 

Parent Night           

     On June 22 at 7 p.m. you are invited with your child(ren) to meet me at Saint Augustine’s to ask questions or say hello. I will not officially begin on site until the second week of camp, but I have organized the initial week as to my expectations. Meeting the children ahead of time will give them a chance to see me, so that I’m not a stranger to them when I arrive after the start of camp.

 Notes           

     Please be sure that your children bring sunscreen each day, as we will be outside during various parts of the day. I also insist that the children wear socks and sneakers each day rather than sandals or flipflops because they will be running around either at free play or during organized play time on a daily basis. On swimming days children should pack their bathing suits rather than wear them under their clothes for health reasons. It is to our benefit that we have a female and male teacher to supervise locker room areas this year, which I feel adds to the safety of your child’s day. You may want to provide your child with a water bottle daily, though I hope to have a cooler on hand so that cold water is readily available. Lunches should be packed with a small lunch cooler if your child has a lunch that can spoil in the heat. Gameboy systems are allowed this year, but the children will only be able to use them during specified times of each day.

 Family Picnic

     I have scheduled a family picnic for August 23 from 12:30-2:00. Since this is far enough in advance, I’m hoping most children will have a family member to join them for lunch at the park, or in the gymnasium if it rains.

 Movies

     We will be watching movies on Monday’s and Friday’s this year. I have chosen films from my own library. Some are current and others older, however, they are all rated G or PG. If you would like to know what movies I have schedules please inquire at parent night. I will work with you if there is a particular movie that you do not wish your child to see.

Field Trips

     I have scheduled four off-campus trips to Grafton and Saratoga State Park. We will have extra chaperones for these outings and each trip will generally involve swimming and eating at the designated area.

 Materials

     Save your old paper towel tubes, soup cans, egg cartons and baby food jars please. Bring them with you on parent night or with your child throughout the summer so that we can use them with our craft activities. The more you save for us, the more fun your child will have this summer using them for creative purposes.

 Other dates to keep in mind

     Tie-dye day. Purchase your child a white T-shirt at the craft store, write his or her name on the tag and bring it with you to parent night or on the first day of camp. For the first week my substitutes will be helping children to tie-dye a camp shirt which they can use throughout the summer.

            June 26 First Day J

            July 5 is Bubbles Day! Have your child bring in his bubble maker, machines, bubble guns or a simple container of bubbles. I have a block of time scheduled for playtime with bubbles. We are going to go for some big bubbles.

            July 7 to Grafton State Park

            July 12 is Butterfly flier day. We’ll be making some awesome butterflies that really fly. Send in those paper towel tubes!

            The week of July 17 we will be working together to make and film our own silly commercials or advertisements! If your child has dreamt of being a star this will be his/her chance.

            July 19 we begin construction on two geodesic dome clubhouses. I tried this once and it didn’t quite come together, but this time I know it’s going to work brilliantly.

            July 21 to Saratoga State Park

            July 24 we’ll be doing relay races for gold, silver and bronze medals.

            July 26 is Wet and Wild Water Day. Your child can bring in his water balloons, super soakers, water pistols and other water toys and we’ll have a watery blast. Our organized sport for this day will also be a water game known as COLORS.

            August 2 we will be reading maps and unburying treasure in the park.

            August 4 to Grafton State Park

            August 9 is special concoctions day. We’ll be making silly puddy, quicksand, and perhaps some food items—jello and rice krispy treats.

            August 16 will be our talent show. What can your child do? Set this date aside from 12:30-2:00 and find out.

            August 18 to Saratoga State Park

            August 23 Family Picnic

            August 25 Last day  L