Decatur Playbook with Summer Camp Info Now Available
Decatur Metro | March 1, 2011
Sarene wrote in this morning looking for the latest Decatur Playbook so she could get info on all the Decatur summer camps being offered this year. Active Living’s Cheryl Burnette let us know it was already available at the Rec Center and would be available online by this afternoon. And true to her word, here it is!
Click the Playbook above to go straight to the full PDF.
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Is it THAT time of the year already? For me, it’s always daunting to make planes for the summer when winter is not officially over yet.
Thanks DM
I have always been a big fan of the summer camp at Glenlake Park. For the past several years, it has been run by Ms. Chaney, a DHS graduate. Not only does she enjoy working with children but she appears to be a skilled administrator. The supervision is impressive and the kids appear to enjoy themselves.
On a related topic, I would be interested in finding out about the first Decatur camp. According to the playbook headline, this took place on the eve of the War Between The States. Based on the results of the 1864 Battle of Decatur (we whupped dem’ Yankees), the supervisor of the first camp did a pretty good job.
In honor of the 150 anniversary of this first camp, maybe camp counselors can teach the kids the Rebel Yell.
“In the midnight hour, she cried MORE MORE MORE! With a rebel yell, she cried MORE MORE MORE!”
Hmmm…I’m thinking maybe Billy Idol’s rebel yell isn’t what you had in mind.
Wait, I thought it was the War for States Rights, or the War of Northern Aggression.
Glenlake Park camp rocks as do the other park-based camps. Lartesha and Artesha (spelling?) Chaney are wonderful. We are so lucky to have the fine counselors and staff that do the Decatur Rec after school and summer camp programs. As someone who has experienced a lot of private school options as well, I can say that Decatur Rec is as good, and occasonally better, than options that may cost up to two-three times as much elsewhere.
NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! The one camp I was hoping for is not being offered, and that’s cooking camp. Last year my poor kid was signed up and so excited he could hardly wait for summer so he could go to cooking camp–then it was canceled. Anyone know of any cooking camps? The one at Young Chefs Academy is expensive ($275) and the hours are hard for working parents (9:30-2) but it may be our only option!
Is it the one at Ebster? If so, don’t waste your time or money. Two years ago, we put our 6 year old in that camp; no cooking took place, and the only food-related event was a trip to a restaurant. They spent more time swimming than cooking.
He is still traumatized by that week, partly because no cooking took place, and partly because he was the only white kid in the camp. This would not have been an issue, except for the cruelty of the other kids. He was roughed up several times, called “whitey” (and several other things I would rather not write here), and pushed under water at the pool. By the fourth day, we realized things were going seriously wrong, so we took him out for the last day.
And no, we didn’t report it. It was easier to just let it drop and move on.
It may have been easier, but not reporting it will make it more difficult for the next kid who gets treated that way. I’m so sorry that happened to Little Token– racism isn’t pretty on either side of the fence, and it shouldn’t be tolerated, period.
One of my children has occasionally attended Ebster camps and been fine even though he may have been the only white child but he knew most of the children well already, just the luck of the draw, and he’s a bit oblivious to group dynamics, which often serves him well, although it may hurt him when it comes to dating or joining fraternities. On the other hand, he had one bad experience at the Decatur/DeKalb YMCA camp, more related to lack of supervision rather than social dynamics.
I wish there was a way to make all of the Decatur Rec camps similar in diversity so that any negative social dynamics are less likely to be based on race/ethnicity. It’s tough because Ebster is so convenient for the mostly African-American kids who live in the immediate neighborhood.
Does anyone know a camp- not necessarily Decatur rec- that would be good for a newly minted four year old?
Age 4 is tough because of the way camps are licensed. A lot of places are only licensed for age 5 and up. College Heights isn’t offering summer camps anymore? You could try the Clifton School but that may only be for Emory and CDC employees. I think Paideia does 4 year olds. A great camp for 4 year olds, but it’s expensive (cheaper if you’re a member) and inconvenient in location, is Zoo Camp. Both of my kids went there real young and loved it, even the one scared of animals.
I had trouble finding camps for my four year old last year, also (tho he was turning 5 in late August, just young for rising K). Agnes Scott sports camp is open to 4 year olds, but if he just turned 4, it may be a bit too unstructured for him?
Last year my 4-year old did zoo camp and ASC sports camp and loved both. He did have older siblings with him, though, so that did help. There’s also the Grass Rootes soccer camp that is held at ASC the week of June 6, but it’s only half-day for that age group.
I am really mostly concerned about the age appropriateness- found a few good camps but I am kind of afraid to leave him!
Holy Trinity on East Ponce has a great summer camp for kids as young as 2. It is run by their regular preschool teachers.
A bit of a drive (depending on where you are in Decatur), but totally appropriate for a just-turned-four is the Summer Fun Camps at Shallowford Presbyterian Preschool (shallowfordpreschool.net).
They are very reasonably priced, although only half-day camps. My son (almost 5) has been very happy there.
Phoenix School has all day camps open to four year old right thru the summer (into august). They go swimming at the Y twice a week. It is a great all round camp and the price includes care from 7.30am to 6.30pm.
My son loves the First Baptist Church. He started there when he was 4- for Pre-K aftercare. He has also had a great time during the summer. Meg, the director, is great. Their prices are also very reasonable and their counselors are college-age students who adore playing with the kids.