A Mom’s Wish for Her Child’s Camp Experience this Summer

A Mom’s Wish for Her Child’s Camp Experience

When my first daughter was born eight years ago, like many moms, I started picturing all the milestones she would reach in her life. While some moms dream of their child’s first day of preschool or their wedding day, the most anticipated milestone for me has been the day she would go off to overnight camp for the first time and find her summer home.

Overnight camp was the best thing that ever happened to me and for 12 amazing summers, I spent eight weeks away from my parents as a camper and a counselor. For the past 10 years, I’ve also had my dream job working with over 400 summer camps. Now it has come time for my daughter to have this unique opportunity. I know her time at camp will differ from mine and I want her to create her own camp experience, however, I do offer her these words for her years at camp and for the rest of her life.

Psst… check out The Best Summer Family Road Trips!

May you always get butterflies in your tummy as you arrive at camp on the first day
It’s ok for you to feel a bit uneasy on those first few days of camp but this will just make you realize that you can get through hard days
You will learn something about yourself that you didn’t know before
Allow your heart and mind to be open to all the new people you are about to meet
Know that it’s ok to miss home while still having fun at camp
May just the word CAMP always make you feel happy
You will gain confidence in your ability to make your own decisions
You will learn to make your bed and I do hope you continue at home
May you belt out your camp’s alma mater song and feel the pride in your camp from your first summer to singing it in the shower 20 years later
You will find role models in your counselors and learn that there are other people that can be there for you besides mom and dad
May you try something new and find a passion for it
I hope the sound of certain songs will always take you back to your camp days
May you discover a true love of nature and have it stay with you forever
You will always treasure your camp friends and keep them in a special place in your heart
May you learn how to work well with people who are different than you and continue to always
May the smell of a campfire always bring you back to your camp days
You will sometimes miss home yet you will cry your eyes out on the last day of camp because you won’t want to leave

Speakitaly NYC

<p>SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp;</p> <p>Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.</p> <p>Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts?</p> <p>Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"</p>

Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian's Legacy

<p>The Morgan Library &amp; Museum will present a major exhibition devoted to the life and career of its inaugural director, Belle da Costa Greene (1879&ndash;1950). Widely recognized as an authority on illuminated manuscripts and deeply respected as a cultural heritage executive, Greene was one of the most prominent librarians in American history. The exhibition will trace Greene&rsquo;s storied life, from her roots in a predominantly Black community in Washington, D.C., to her distinguished career at the helm of one of the world&rsquo;s great research libraries. Through extraordinary objects―from medieval manuscripts and rare printed books to archival records and portraits―the exhibition will demonstrate the confidence and savvy Greene brought to her roles as librarian, scholar, curator, and cultural executive, and honor her enduring legacy.</p>

TADA! Youth Theater

<div> <div style="text-align: center;">Endless Options-Endless Fun! TADA! is so excited to offer weekend and after school classes, week long private and public school camps, and our Broadway 1-Day camps available for ages 3-14! &nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Winter/Spring Semester Classes</strong><br />Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! Gotta Act! Join TADA! Youth Theater this Winter and Spring for after-school and weekend musical theater classes available to students ages 3-14! Throughout the semester students will engage in musical theater training, learn vocals and choreography to the latest Broadway hits, and experience ensemble based instruction with two NYC teaching artists.&nbsp; Not only does our musical theater training inspire creativity, foster self-expression, and build confidence, but our classes also encourage students to explore and connect with others, creating lifelong friendships and a love for the arts.</div> <div style="text-align: center;">Limited spots available! All of our classes take place in person at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/15+W.+28th+Street?entry=gmail&amp;source=g" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/maps/search/15%2BW.%2B28th%2BStreet?entry%3Dgmail%26source%3Dg&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1736890280366000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2_eBpQuG9WbMH_ETP9cDKN">15 W. 28th Street</a> (between Broadway &amp; 5th) and culminate in a final sharing for an invited audience</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Classes Schedule:</strong><br />Mondays:<br />Mondays, Ages 4-5 | 3:45PM-5:15PM<br />Mondays, Ages 6-8 | 3:45PM-5:15PM<br />Tuesdays:<br />Tuesdays, Ages 12-14 | 4:15PM-5:45PM<br />Wednesdays:<br />Wednesday, Ages 8-12 | 4PM-5:30PM<br />Saturdays:<br />Saturdays, Ages 3-4 | 10AM-11AM<br />Saturdays, Ages 5-7 | 10AM-11:30AM<br />Saturday, Ages 8-12 | 12N-1:30PM</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Class Descriptions:</strong><br />AGES 3-5, MUSICAL THEATER MINIS: Creativity takes center stage! In this upbeat, high-energy class, your Musical Theater Mini will learn new introductory skills in the areas of singing, dancing, and acting. Each session, students participate in fun, creative-play activities as well as learn vocals and choreography to popular Broadway songs. At the end of the semester, your young star will belt out their favorite show tunes for an invited audience.</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;">AGES 5-8, JAZZY JUNIORS and AGES 8-12, RISING STARS: This class offers the perfect blend of musical theater exploration and fun theater games to keep kids creative and active all semester long!&nbsp; Each session, students participate in musical theater training as well as learn vocals and choreography to popular Broadway songs. By the end of the semester, they&rsquo;ll be ready to confidently shine in their final sharing for an invited audience.</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;">AGES 12-14, BROADWAY BOUND: Let passion ignite, talent soar, and dreams take center stage!&nbsp; Watch as students step into the spotlight and unleash their inner Broadway star in our advanced musical theater class for tweens &amp; teens!&nbsp; Throughout the semester, students will immerse themselves in the world of Broadway, learning iconic songs and exploring diverse theatrical styles. By the semester&rsquo;s end, they&rsquo;ll proudly showcase their talents in a spectacular cabaret-style musical revue. This isn&rsquo;t just about performing&mdash;it&rsquo;s about embracing the magic of musical theater, forging lasting friendships with fellow performers, and stepping into a world where every moment onstage feels like a standing ovation.</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week Long Private and Public School Camps:</strong><br />When School is out, TADA! is in!&nbsp; Now offering Week-long Public &amp; Private School Break Camps for ages 4-5 &amp; 5-9 this February, March, and April! &nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;">Write it! Rehearse it! Perform it! Immerse yourself in the magic of storytelling. Each week, students co-create an original musical in just five days!&nbsp; Have your child unleash their inner star, share their voice, and create memories that will last a lifetime.&nbsp; Join us for a week of laughter, creativity, and applause! Don't miss out on the most epic musical theater adventure of the school year!</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;">Spots are limited so don&rsquo;t miss out! Our in-person camps take place at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/15+W.+28th+Street?entry=gmail&amp;source=g" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/maps/search/15%2BW.%2B28th%2BStreet?entry%3Dgmail%26source%3Dg&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1736890280366000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2_eBpQuG9WbMH_ETP9cDKN">15 W. 28th Street</a> (between Broadway &amp; 5th). &nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;">*On the last day of all camps, we invite friends and family to attend the debut of your child&rsquo;s original mini-musical!</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week-long Public School Break Camps:</strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />February 17-21 | &nbsp;Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | I Wish My Life Was A Musical! | | $795&nbsp;<br />April 22-26 | Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | The Show Must Go On! | | $795</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week-long Private School Break Camps:</strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />March 17-21<br />Ages 4-5, M-F, 9AM-1:30PM | Pirates &amp; Princesses! | | $500&nbsp;<br />Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | The Show Must Go On! | | | $795&nbsp;<br />March 24-28<br />Ages 4-5, M-F, 9AM-1:30PM | Unicorns, Mermaids, Dinosaurs, OH MY! | | $500<br />Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | I Wish My Life Was A Musical! | $795</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Learn more &amp; register today!&nbsp;</strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/school-break-camps-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/school-break-camps-3/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1736890280366000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2R13yNUGcd6RlQy0FsVMm1">https://tadatheater.com/<wbr />education-overview/school-<wbr />break-camps-3/</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;">Looking for a sample class? Join us at our In-person Open House on January 11th, 2025!<br /><a href="https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/open-house/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/open-house/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1736890280366000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Nt2sRC86LUUhaw4DgKX5N">https://tadatheater.com/<wbr />education-overview/open-house/</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;">No child should be turned away because of their inability to pay. Financial Assistance available.<br /><a href="https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/financial-assistance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/financial-assistance/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1736890280366000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0W6olBN_Kib7HEmnv4Bq3Y">https://tadatheater.com/<wbr />education-overview/financial-<wbr />assistance/</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Broadway 1-Day Camps</strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;">When School is out, TADA! is in! Join us for a fun-filled day learning vocals and choreography to a show-stopping musical number from a hit Broadway or movie musical. Our 1-day camps include vocal training, dance technique, exhilarating choreography, and fun theater activities led by two professional NYC Teaching Artists. Don&rsquo;t miss a jam-packed day of musical theater fun!</div> <div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: center;">Monday, January 20th (MLK Day) | Wicked&nbsp;<br />Wednesday, January 29th (Lunar New Year) | The Little Mermaid&nbsp;<br />Monday, March 31 (Eidal-Fitr) | Frozen&nbsp;<br />Thursday, June 5th (Eidal-Adha) | Matilda&nbsp;<br />Friday, June 6th (Clerical Day) | The Greatest Showman&nbsp;<br />Thursday, June 19th (Juneteenth) | Moana&nbsp;<br />Friday, June 27th (Public School is out) | The Lion King&nbsp;<br />Monday, June 30th (July 4th week) | Trolls&nbsp;<br />Tuesday, July 1st &nbsp;(July 4th week) | Wicked&nbsp;<br />Wednesday, July 2nd (July 4th week) | Newsies&nbsp;<br /><br /></div> </div> <div> <div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>