Dedham Health

Camp Themes 2013

By Michelle Sayers
DHAC Kids Program and Camp Director

Every week, here at The Ultimate Day Camp @ Dedham Health & Athletic Complex, our campers enjoy a week of non- stop FUN! We have swim lessons, free swim in The Summer Club Waterpark, arts and crafts, sports, karate, dance, theater, science and so much more!

BUT…Did you know that we also have a cool theme each week? Every Friday we conclude our camp week with a themed special event like our famous “Day Camp Carnival” or “Camp Olympics” (2 of the most popular special events).

Check out the summer 2013 “Camp Theme Schedule” and register for your camp weeks TODAY!

June 10 VIP Campers
June 17 Boston Pride
June 24 Pirates & Princesses
July 1 America the Beautiful
July 8 UDC Rock Stars
July 15 All Star Sports
July 22 Mission Impossible
July 29 Camp Carnival
August 5 UDC Olympics
August 12 Wild Things
August 19 Luau
August 26 Pajama Party

Hope to see you there! If you have any questions about The Ultimate Day Camp @ Dedham Health & Athletic Complex, please feel free to contact Michelle Sayers, Camp Director at 781.326.2900.

Thank You For a Great Summer!

By Michelle Sayers
Ultimate Day Camp Director

Summer has come to an end and I am sad to say “so long” to our incredible campers here at The Ultimate Day Camp. Thank you to our new friends, old friends, campers and counselors. It was truly a great summer …swimming…sports…crafts…laser tag!!! I can’t wait until next year!

A special “Thank you” to Megan and Chris for making this summer so fun and exciting with all the fantastic new program ideas! The campers and I enjoyed your creativity, enthusiasm and team work!

As sad as it is to say “goodbye” to summer, I am looking forward to the change of season and all the new activities DHAC has for kids. I am excited for the preschool sports classes. T-ball, Lacrosse, Soccer…and Little Chefs (DHAC’s first ever cooking class)!

For the older, youth crowd, Dance! With Miss Chantal and Athlete’s Edge are shaping up to be really cool classes for fitness and fun. There are so many programs to choose from!

I hope to see lots of new faces at DHAC this fall and I of course lots of old friends too!

Thanks for everything!

Our Summer Plans

By Michele Sayers
Ultimate Day Camp Director

There are so many activity options at The Ultimate Day Camp, Dedham Health & Athletic…arts, athletics, laser games, water park and so much more. Campers stay involved, active and engaged all day long. How do we make it fun, unique and exciting? Weekly Themes! Each week has its very own theme and special activities for the whole camp to enjoy together. Take a look at our weekly themes for 2012…which would your camper enjoy?

The Ultimate Day Camp 2012 Weekly Themes

June 25	Great Outdoors
July 2	America the Beautiful
July 9	Boston Pride
Week 6	July 16 Super Heroes
Week 7	July 23 Flashback- 60’s, 70’s 80’s
Week 8	July 30 Olympics
August 6	Space Cowboy
Week 10	August 13 Holi-Daze
Week 11	August 20 Carnival
Week 12	August 27 Peace Love & Camp Festival

Pack Your Bags for Camp!

By Michelle Sayers
The Ultimate Day Camp Director

Guess what! Today is the first day of The Ultimate Day Camp! (Yes, we offer a full 12 weeks.)

We know the kids are excited for camp and don’t really know what to expect…or what they need.

Packing a backpack for day camp is very important,  but thankfully it is much easier than packing for overnight camp. Follow this simple Ultimate Day Camp Checklist for a complete list of “must haves” and, “you might wants”.

“Must Haves”

• Bathing Suit (2 suits if there may be difficulty putting on a wet suit for a second swim time).
• Towel 
• Sun Screen 
• Sneakers 
• Water bottle - there is always water available to campers but a water bottle is much more convenient.

“You Might Want”

• Hat - to shade the sun 
•  Sandals - for by the pool 
• Snacks – if your camper is staying extended hours at the camp it is a good idea to pack a couple of extra snacks. The Ultimate Day Camp provides campers with lunch and one snack daily. If you are sending your camper with extra snacks, please remember that we are a “Peanut Free” camp.

Important Reminders:

• Campers will not be allowed to use cell phones at camp. If a camper would like to call home they may do so at any time using a camp telephone. 
•  Label your child’s items with their name whenever possible. 

Remember, the more that is in the backpack, the more the camper is responsible for keeping track of!

Can’t wait to see you at camp!

Three Reasons Your Kid Needs Camp

By Michelle Sayers
DHAC Ultimate Day Camp Director

As summer approaches, you might be wondering why your kid needs to go to camp. Here are our top three reasons!

3. Socialization: It is so valuable for campers to have the opportunity to expand their pool of friends to include kids from different towns, states and even countries! Even more fabulous is seeing ”Camp Friends”, kids that met at summer camp, continuing their friendship over the years. These friendships continue to grow as the kids continue in camp. When school starts, neighborhood or school friends understandably become the focus, but once they walk back into camp the following summer, it is like they never left. They jump right back in without reservation, excited to see each other and picking up right where they left off.

2. New Activities and Experiences: It is important that kids experience as many different activities and programs as they can during the summer camp experience. The confidence they gain by having some “expert” knowledge or skill in a camp program is only out weighed but the pride they feel when they have successfully completed a brand new task. Not every activity will be a camper’s favorite, but that is a lesson too! I tell our campers, “Sometimes it is scary to try new things, but you might just find something you love. If not, I am proud that you were fearless enough to try”.

1. Physical Play Go out and PLAY! I wish someone could measure the amount of energy a camper expends in one day. Sports, games, free swim and independent play are only one part. There are the fine motor skills of arts and crafts…and the travelling to and from activity…most kids are exhausted at the end of the camp day. I know I am! It is so different from their days in school and it is what summer is all about.
  
 

Water Safety: Flotation Devices

By Mike Moses
DHAC Swim Instructor and Hydras Coach 

With summer approaching, spending time in the water is a given. For families with younger children, this can be a very nerve-racking time, especially if the kids don't know how to swim independently. So, what do most parents do? Use a flotation device.

This is a great idea, but sometimes a dangerous one. Some flotation devices can easily fall off, flip over, or simply not hold your child up.

Which ones should you avoid? Any devices that slip onto the arms, or rely on friction to stay on are the most unsafe. These can easily slip off, especially when wet. Additionally, most of these are inflatable. They can pop or deflate, making them even more dangerous. 

Swim bubbles are another popular device used to assist in swimming. For a number of reasons, bubbles aren't ideal for safe swimming. They are primarily buckled to the waist, and can easily slip off. Also, the bubble holds children up with their face down, in the water.

So how do you pick the right one? Simple. Look for the US Coast Guard (USCG) seal of approval on the device. Coast Guard flotation devices are non-inflatable devices that always hold your child in an upright position. These devices often have a few clips or zippers to secure them snugly to your kids. 

The easiest way to avoid being unsafe in the water is to take swimming lessons. But, until your little swimmer is truly comfortable, these tips will help you & your family have a fun, safe summer in the water. 

Top 7 Summer Kids Camp Questions

As summer vacation gets closer, many parents—in fact,parents of more than 10 million children— make the decision to send their children to summer camp. While some families have already decided on a camp, others are still exploring their options. For these families, it can be difficult to choose – especially when the diversity of camps today reflects the diversity of America. There is truly a camp for every child, every interest, and every budget. The American Camp Association® (ACA) recommends that parents ask the following questions to get a better feel for which camp experience best suits their child:

• What is the camp's philosophy and program emphasis? – Each camp has its own method of constructing programs based on its philosophy. Does it complement your family’s philosophy? Does the camp focus on learning through competition, or through cooperative learning? How does the camp handle homesickness and other adjustment issues?

• What is the camp director's background? – ACA recommends directors possess a bachelor's degree, have completed in-service training within the past three years, and have at least sixteen weeks of camp administrative experience before assuming the responsibilities of director.

• What training do counselors receive? – At a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regulations, emergency procedures and communication, behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and specific procedures for supervision.

• How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled? – This is where the director's philosophy comes through loud and clear. Do they use positive reinforcement? What are the rules and consequences?

• How does the camp handle special needs? – For a child with special requirements, parents should ask the camp director about needed provisions and facilities. Is there a nurse on staff? A designated place to store insulin or allergy medicine? Are special foods available for campers with restricted diets? Every question is important.

• What about references? – Parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask for references. This is generally oneof the best ways to check a camp's reputation and service record.

• Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association? Why? Why not? – ACA Accredited® camps meet up to 300 health and safety standards. This does not guarantee a risk-free environment, but it's some of the best evidence parents have of a camp's commitment to a safe and nurturing environment for their children.

Taken from www.acacamps.org

For more information on The Ultimate Day Camp at Dedham Health & Athletic Complex or The Junior Tennis Academy Summer Camp, please contact us at 781.326.2900 or visit our website www.dedhamhealth.com 

Summer Camp and Swim Safety

There are many horrible stories in the news recently about kids, adults and aquatic safety. There are many facilities with inadequate safety equipment and training as well as many kids and adults without the ability to swim. I find it especially disturbing since I work with children at an aquatic facility and have small children of my own. I feel a huge weight in my heart and mind as I know that there are simple measures to reduce the risk of aquatic accidents.

Some kids love swim lessons and some don’t. My son spent his first year of lessons running away from the instructors. It was not an option in my mind however to stop the lessons. It is a life or death skill that he needed to master. I feel especially proud that after 3 years of lessons he and I are both confident in his ability. This does not mean that I am lax about watching him in the pool or by the lake, I am still very cautious that he is not out swimming his ability. I am just as cautious with the campers at our Summer Camp. I realize that these children are the sons and daughters of other cautious parents and I feel a huge responsibility to make sure they are safe in the water. Swim lessons and summer camp are a must. In service training and proper safety equipment are a must. Together we can eliminate the risk our kids take everyday and increase the safety and fun of our kids’ summer vacations.

Please make sure, as a parent, you do your homework! Check on the safety of you child’s swimming areas, choose a summer camp with built in swim lessons and always feel free to check in on your kids progress. Camp directors don’t mind, we love when parents are involved! Check out the link to the recent news story featuring Dedham Health & Athletic’ Summer Club and our fabulous MY FIRST CAMPERS in their daily swim lesson at camp!

Click here to see the story!

Camp Director Tip of the week: Don't bring it if you don't need it!

Well, it is week 3 here at The Ultimate Day Camp and the "lost and found" bin is on it's way to being full already!

Would you believe that there has already been an ipod in the Summer Camp lost and found? It was returned to it's owner safe and sound but an ipod or other electronic devices are not needed in camp so it is better to keep them safe at home. This tip makes it easier for campers to focus on the amazing friends, sports, activities and FUN found at camp...that is what summer camp is all about!