Why The Winter Break Is The Perfect Time For Sports Camps

ice-skating
Photo by Eliot Podgorsky

While it is important for your kids to take a break from scheduled classes, the winter recess is a great time to try out camps and activities for a short amount of time. For kids with an athletic inclination, it is an opportunity to get moving and play sports despite the cold weather. There are programs throughout the city that offer the chance for kids to play sports over the break.

We spoke with Jason Vasquez, director of youth programs at the Aviator Sports & Events Center, Craig Woodcock, camp director at Chelsea Piers, and Mike Belmont, programs manager at The Baseball Center, about their winter break programming and the importance of athletics during the winter break.

What is the mission or goal for your winter sports camp programming?

Belmont: The goal for our Diamond Day Camp is the same goal we have for all of our programs here at The Baseball Center: to help our young ballplayers grow into advanced students of the game, but also help them grow as individuals, teammates, and leaders.

Vasquez: The goal of the Aviator Sports Winter Camp program is to ensure a safe and nurturing environment where children are engaged in a variety of activities both physical and mental, in hopes of helping participants learn and gain new skills that can be utilized in life moving forward.

Woodcock: The goal of the winter sports holiday camp at Chelsea Piers is to keep kids active and entertained while school is out. There are many parents that also need to work and this allows their kids to have fun during the day while they are at work.

Why do you believe it’s important to keep kids engaged with something like camp over the winter break?

Belmont: During the winter months when children can’t as easily get outside to play and move, we feel it is important to have a place where kids can stay active and be able to interact with their peers. Diamond Camp at The Baseball Center is a great way for children to get some out some of their energy and to stay healthy and active.

Vazquez: It is important to keep children engaged over the winter break because the mind is always willing to learn. The winter break is fun for students as they have an opportunity to get away from school but it can be harmful if children are not keeping their minds stimulated. Aviator Sports allows students the opportunity to meet new peers, learn new things, and participate in a wide array of awesome activities not offered in many other locations. How cool is it to say that you went rock climbing, ice skating, and did your winter break homework assignments all in the same day? Pretty cool in our opinion!

Woodcock: It’s nice to keep kids in a routine or schedule for some of the days during the break.  Sports camp is the perfect blend of fun and a schedule.

How do you think sports camps such as yours help children beyond just teaching sports abilities or skills?

Belmont: Baseball itself is a great tool for teaching children patience, teamwork, and how to take instruction and learn. Our instructors teach these important life skills in a fun upbeat atmosphere while playing the greatest game on earth.

Vasquez: The making of a great sports camp is being able to adapt by offering things normally outside of the specified comfort zone. Aviator Sports Camp has expanded programming to include many additional activities that are more traditional in its offerings, including arts & crafts, dance, drama, music, homework help, and so much more. We are not only a sports camp but an environment which fosters learning on every given day, while providing a safe and comfortable environment for each family that walks through our doors.

Woodcock: Chelsea Piers believes that kids learn many life lessons through sports. Team work, sportsmanship, listening to directions, waiting your turn, discipline, hard work, structure and many other life skills are learned while participating in organized sports. These life lessons will continue to be relevant after high school or collegiate athletics end.

To find out more about The Baseball Center, Aviator Sports, or Chelsea Piers, visit their web sites at thebaseballcenter.com, aviatorsports.com or chelseapiers.com.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Adirondack Camp

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Established in 1904, Adirondack Camp is a traditional, overnight co-ed camp for boys and girls ages 7 to 16 located on world-famous Lake George in beautiful Upstate New York.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome to one of the best and oldest traditional overnight summer camps in the United States. For over a century, Adirondack Camp has been an extraordinary place where unforgettable memories, bold hearts, and lifelong friendships are made. Our co-ed camp is situated on a gorgeous, private peninsula with 1.8 miles of Lake George shoreline in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Co-ed sleepaway for ages 7-16</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 30+ activities across land, water, and the Arts</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Rustic, open-air cabins</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 3:1 Camper-to-counselor ratio</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Amazing wilderness trips program</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Global Community: Campers and staff from around the world!</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• A Century-Old, Generational Color War</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 4-, 6-, and 8-week sessions</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 2-week option for first-timers, ages 7-9</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For dates + rates and more info, please visit </span><a style="text-decoration-line: none;" href="https://www.adirondackcamp.com/"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #1155cc; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AdirondackCamp.com</span></a></p>

Ghostlight Theater Camp

<p>Ghostlight Theater Camp is a summer theater camp for campers ages 9-17. Providing 10-day, 3-week, and 6-week programs that combine high-caliber theater training with a traditional summer camp experience. </p> <p>Working with Broadway artists both in classes and in productions, campers will have access to skill development, mentorships, and lifelong connections that will follow them beyond camp. Ghostlight focuses on ensemble theatre values and practicies that support individuality and self-expression in the context of community. This means that no camper at Ghostlight is in the back row or sitting on the side. Each day brings multiple opportunities to perform and create with fellow campers in an environment filled with support. </p> <p>When not making theater, campers can enjoy the benefits of a summer camp in Maine that no other theater camp offers. Stargazing in a hammock, walks in the woods, downtime by the pool, and quiet time reading in the Gazebos with the sound of wind all around are some of highlights of a summer unplugged and away from screens. </p> <p>Finally, the most meaningful and lasting gift of a summer at Ghostlight is the friendships made that last a lifetime. Though the love of theater brings us together, and the work we do stands out from other experiences, the community focus of Ghostlight Theater Camp is why we hear, year after year, that campers cannot wait to return. </p>

CK Kids Summer

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">CK Kids Summer Camps for kids </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">ages 3-16 years old.</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Don’t Miss the Summer Fun at CK!  Christ the King has 6 exciting summer camps to offer children of all ages.  Camps appeal to all interests: soccer, basketball, cheerleading, media, dance, drama, cooking, arts, waterslides, and karate.  On-site Math and ELA programs available.  CK Kids also offers special weekly camps for cooking and princess & pirate themed.  All activities take place on the CK Campus.  Come for a week or the whole summer!  Flexible scheduling, convenient location, sibling and multiple week discounts.   </span></p>