Big Blue Summer Day Camp
Pingry’s Big Blue Summer Day Camps offer comprehensive programming for campers aged 3-14 years (rising preschool-Grade 8). Campers at Big Blue Summer Day Camp explore a variety of age-appropriate activities as they work to develop their Big Blue Summer Honor C.O.D.E. competencies: counselors encourage campers to be Curious, Open, Dedicated, and Enthusiastic as they create in our art studios, compete on our athletic fields, explore our nature trails, and work together on STEAM challenges.
Rising preschoolers enroll in the Big Blue Summer Minis Camp – a special place where discoveries are made not only on the fields, along the hiking trails, and in the art studios… but in every puddle, shadow, and pile of sand. Our Kinder Camp program, for children ready to enter kindergarten in the fall, creates a bridge between the pace of a Minis Camp day and the energetic hubbub of our Day Camp for elementary students. Minis and Kinder counselors receive special training to work with these age groups under the close guidance of the Minis-Kinder Division Leader.
For students in grades 1 through 5, Big Blue Summer Day Camp offers a lively morning filled with interdisciplinary activities. Designed to create opportunities to engage C.O.D.E. skills, these activities include concepts from art, science, math, sports, music, and more. Open-ended projects encourage campers to use their own strengths to help support a team effort. Day Camp counselors are trained to help guide communication between campers and support social skill development throughout the summer.
Our oldest campers, entering grades 6 through 8, are our Leaders in Training. LITs still participate in all activities during their week, however the pace is adapted to allow them to take the lead, engaging more deeply and independently in their projects. These campers practice mentoring our youngest campers, and work with the LIT Division Head and Outdoor Adventures specialist on leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Campers of all ages receive a leveled swim lesson each morning in our indoor pool. Lunch, with hot and cold options, is included. Allergies and dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
ACTIVITY ROTATIONS
Big Blue Summer knows that learning happens when it is experiential, purposeful, and contextualized. This summer, campers will experience five activity areas designed to engage their curiosity. Enthusiastic specialist teachers in each area have created age-appropriate curriculum to open campers’ minds to new ideas. Counselors travel to each activity to help campers dedicate their attention to growth and learning!
STEAM Arts Lab: Campers explore the interactions between art and science, working on a new creation each week. They might explore physics through Calder-inspired wire sculpture mobiles, experiment with color mixing through chemical reactions, or engineer a Rube Goldberg machine. Projects focus on collaborative art-making for community.
Outdoor Adventures: From hiking to gardening and natural science to archery, campers take full advantage of Pingry’s beautiful 192-acre campus. Pingry’s commitment to stewardship and sustainability extends into our summer programming, encouraging campers to appreciate our natural environment.
Music & Movement: Performing arts activities pave the way for explorations into the many languages we use to communicate – from music notes and mathematical patterns to visual imagery and poetic voice. Campers will explore self-expression in an age-appropriate format, ranging from rhythm patterns in the Minis to music interpretation in the Senior age group.
High Tech Logic: : Explore coding, robotics, and electrical engineering concepts through a variety of experiences. Understand how the machines we interact with everyday operate, and build your own solutions to technical problems! Activities are adjusted to be accessible for each age group, and also engaging for a range of skill levels.
Team Sportsmanship: Campers develop speed, balance, strength and coordination playing a variety of sports and games. Positive sportsmanship is practiced during both developmental drills and competitive scrimmages.
In addition to our five interdisciplinary activities, campers receive a leveled Swim Lesson each day. Each Monday, campers are assigned to a group of 2-6 swimmers per instructor (or just 1-2 for Minis) based on ability. Beginners develop safety skills as they acclimate to the water, while more advanced swimmers improve their strokes and dives in our indoor, Olympic-size pool. Swim lessons are elective for LIT campers.
Click here to see what a typical day at Big Blue Summer Day camp looks like for each age group, including Activity Rotations, a daily swim, lunch, and more!
Campers get the optimal Pingry Big Blue Summer experience when enrolled in the full 7 week camp, but day camps are available on a weekly basis as well. The BBS Day Camp is a half day AM camp, and becomes a full day camp when paired with one of our amazing half day PM Partner Programs or Signature Programs. This ensures that each camper gets a comprehensive learning experience and is able to engage in activities of their interest, maximizing fun and productivity!