Walt Whitman Stories

South Huntington's 2023 Happy Campers

Written by Liz DeMonte | Jan 18, 2024 6:55:21 PM
Summer always seems to fly by, and that’s especially true when it comes to camp fun! All the programs in Wildcat Summer Camp are in their final weeks but all the activities, sports, games, arts & crafts, and learning (yes, that’s happening too!) are continuing right up until the last second!
 
 
Our littlest campers are at Oakwood Primary Center for Wildcat Kiddie Camp. Kids going into kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades have been doing arts and crafts, dancing, running bases, jumping rope, playing tag, plus basketball, gaga ball, kickball and lots more.
 
 
Walt Whitman High School has been hosting lots of campers in several different camp programs there, some for the very first time: Wildcat Sports Camp, Wildcat Coding Art, and Design Camp, Wildcat Science Camp, and the premiere of Wildcat Cooking & Baking Camp. Wrapping up the summer season is the brand new Wildcat Arts/Theater and Music Camp from July 24th through July 28th.
 
 
Sports Camp has AM and PM sessions filled with sports for all players’ interests in grades 3 through 9: soccer, volleyball, flag football, tennis, lacrosse, field hockey, badminton, golf, bowling and cheerleading. Students in grades 6-12 had an added choice of fencing, and 5th to 9th graders could do track and field. Campers from our cheerleading program have been able to showcase their hard work with a performance for the entire Wildcat camp every Friday afternoon.
 
 
Coding, Art, and Design Camp wrapped up July 14th. Students going into grades 1-8 got to learn various coding platforms based on their age groups. The younger students started by learning how a computer works. The higher grades got into block-based coding and more advanced programming like Python. Everyone learned how to use computers to design, and got to see their creations take shape in 3-D printers! A guest speaker from BAE Systems in Greenlawn visited to teach coding activities, and talked to students about how computing is used in careers including engineering. And rounding out the STEAM components, the art classroom let campers design with crayons, paint and clay to see their creations come to life!
 
 
Science Camp has been sparking and cultivating campers’ fascination with all things scientific. It’s hands-on experimentation for kids going into grades 1-6 as they participate in a range of STEM projects and activities inside and outside the classroom. They’ve been looking through microscopes, visiting Star Lab, and learning about insects - plus watch out for water bottle rocket launches and exploding gummy bears!
 
 
Cooking & Baking Camp is new this year and has been very popular. With the help of South Huntington Nutrition Services, future chefs and cake artists going into grades 1-8 have been learning basic cooking and baking skills, safety in the kitchen, measuring with math, and safe use of kitchen tools. Recipes on the menu include making guacamole, ice cream, banana sushi, and cookie bars. And don’t forget the healthy snacks like berry smoothies and veggie snack vehicles.
 
 
Once campers learn about safe stove and oven use, they’re taught how to prepare tacos, pancakes, mac-n-cheese, and how to bake cupcakes. Students get to design an apron, and take a field trip to California Pizza Kitchen for a lesson on - what else? - making pizza!
 
 
Fridays have been extra special for the PM session campers thanks to the Huntington Manor Fire Department! Fire Truck Friday is the perfect way to end a fun week of camp and beat the heat by running through the cooling spray of the fire truck hose as firefighters shower the football field with water.
 
The new Wildcat Arts/Theatre and Music Camp for grades 3-7 will close out the summer session from July 24th through 28th. Students have the opportunity to take part in sessions in drawing and painting, creative crafts, and theater and dance. There is also an opportunity to be pulled out for music lessons for band, strings, chorus (grades 5-6) and musical explorations (grades 3-4).
 
 
 
 
Campers get a hands on experience at Science and Research Camp.
 
 
 
 
Baseball was offered during the morning and afternoon sessions during week 4 of Wildcat Sports Camp.
 
 
 
 
 
For the first time this summer, it's been amazing to offer the new Cooking and Baking Camp where campers can have fun learning to make delicious recipes and tasty treats!
 
 
 
 
At Coding Camp, students had the opportunity to tinker and design with Mr. O’Connor in the engineering room, code with Ms. LeClaire and construct creative art projects with Mrs. Fronckwicz.
 
 
 
 
 
We're so grateful to the Huntington Manor Fire Department for joining us every Friday to help keep our campers cool!
 
 
 
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