Why traditional camp is the way to go

With Memorial Day fast approaching, summer is seriously on our mind. For many, Stonybrook Day Camp is the answer for a fabulously fun summer. If you or your child is joining us this season, we are thrilled you have chosen SBDC. We appreciate the opportunity to be your child’s summer experience because we realize that now more than ever before, you have a choice. Simply put, there are summer programs for children everywhere! Preschools, private schools, gyms, art programs…. everyone is offering summer “camp”. So why is SBDC the right choice?….. We would like to share some thoughts.

Camp is not a program, but rather camp is a community. And it is nice for kids to feel that they are part of a community where they can form life-long friendships and memories. Campers have fun together (games, group activities, team building etc.) while still being able to work on individualized skills (swim, sports skills, art skills etc.).

Kids benefit from a change of pace and camp is new and exciting. Camp only happens during the summer and that, combined with all the fun that SBDC offers, has kids wanting more rather than getting bored.

Kids need a break from all of the gadgets and electronics that we are so lucky to have in this day and age. While TV, computers and cell phones are great, real camp is about going back to basics and reminding kids they can enjoy life without constant distractions. We get to slow down and enjoy things we don’t always get to enjoy. Don’t get us wrong, we love our TVs, computers and cell phones too, but the break from being connected allows us to be more present in many ways.

Some kids just need to fresh air and the open fields…. They need the space to run, jump and be carefree. We truly find that all of our campers are really good kids- even the ones who may struggle at times in a school setting…. At camp, the pressure is off and all of our campers are able to enjoy more freedom with the structure of good supervision that SBDC is known for. This combination really works. Our campers are able to shine.

We have a great facility that helps us offer real camp experiences. We have great pools and an amazing challenge course. And…tennis is just more fun on the tennis court, basketball on the basketball court, baseball on the diamond, etc. And this year, we are excited to offer kids a brand new basketball court- but if you are reading this blog we know you are up to date on our progress with construction!

You can still focus on sports or art while also taking advantage of real camp. SBDC offers intense sports clinics and a wide range of electives for everything from rocketry to martial arts. This means you can really develop certain skills or get busy doing something you love while still trying new experiences.

For parents, being able to have door to door pick up and drop off for a full day of camp (or half day options for our younger campers) is so nice (and camp really does start of the bus- the ride to camp is part of the fun that camp has to offer- there is even a van challenge that keeps our campers energized). Parents also appreciate lunch being taken care of with healthy and delicious options. But most importantly, parents know they are sending their children to a place that truly cares about its campers. At SBDC we want all of our campers to make friends, have fun and step outside of their comfort zone in a safe setting. We want them to take advantage of summer and make it as good as it can be.




Don't forget to check out http://www.stonybrookdaycamp.smugmug.com to see all of the pictures from camp!