Want your child to have a summer filled with fun, learning, and unforgettable experiences? Look no further than our Summer Explorations program! Led by our Director of Auxiliary Programs, Liza Hards, this exciting six-week adventure runs from June 23 to Aug. 1 on our 14-acre campus. Liza, who has been a driving force behind Summer Explorations for the past 17 years (and a valued member of the EMS family since 1992), knows the secret to a great summer: play! She believes it’s the key to unlocking a child’s creativity, sparking their imagination, and building crucial physical, cognitive, and emotional skills. Summer Explorations offers the perfect blend of skill-building and classic camp fun, ensuring kids stay engaged and learning all summer. To help you discover all that Summer Explorations offers, Liza (pictured below with a student last summer) has answered some of the most frequently asked questions from families.
Q: Is Summer Explorations open to all students?
A: YES! We welcome students from all different schools all around the area! You do not have to be an EMS student to attend the Summer Explorations program.
Q: Is there a minimum number of weeks that I need to have my child attend?
A: There is no minimum number of weeks. We offer six weeks of programming with both half-day and full-day options.
Q: Is lunch provided?
A: We work with Blue Acai, a local restaurant, for our lunch choices. Parents can order lunches for their children through an online system and lunches are delivered hot to camp daily. Cost is between $6-9 dollars each day, depending on choices.
Q: Is transportation provided?
A: Summer Explorations does not provide transportation. We work with Rainbow Transportation and families can contact the company for weekly routes/costs.
Q: Can you describe a typical day at camp?
A: Our camp day begins at 8:30 a.m. as children are dropped off at their appropriate buildings based on their age groups. All students begin their day with a morning meeting, either in their classroom (our youngest students) or in a larger group (grades 2-6). Our early childhood students (ages 2 to grade 1)are in a classroom setting with two teachers and they have daily classes in music, movement, and nature. The afternoon may be a time for a nap or quiet activities, depending on the age of the child. Afternoons are also great times for water play, art, nature walks, and other fun classroom activities. For students in grades 2-6, morning workshops are broken up with a mid-morning snack and recess period. After students enjoy lunch, they begin their chosen (at the start of the day) afternoon activities, which change every day. Special events/theme days are held on Fridays. Sample schedules are available on our website.
Q: What is available for my child entering grades 7-9?
A: We offer a Leaders in Training (LIT) program that helps students learn important leadership skills, develop confidence, and have a chance to work with younger students in a classroom setting. Our LITs are also provided with First Aid and CPR training. Each session is three weeks and students are required to do the entire three-week program. Additional weeks can be added on if spaces are available.
Q: What is new this year?
A: We have several new workshop offerings for grades 2-6 including new science/STEM workshops and new literature-based reading and writing workshops. We are working on adding a special art program as well as a nature program for our early childhood students.
Q: Do the students spend a lot of time outdoors?
A: Students get the opportunity to be outside much of the day, including two recess periods each day. Early childhood students have outside play areas right off their classrooms, which allow for lots of outdoor time, including water and sand tables. For grades 2-6, many of the workshops utilize the beautiful 14-acre campus with nature and outdoor exploration.
Q: Are there any special events that happen during the week?
A: We offer the chance for campers to tie-dye their camp T-shirts, picking two of their favorite colors. Some workshops in grades 2-6 have culminating projects or presentations that can be shared with other campers or families. On Fridays, we offer special camp days with outdoor activities, including a giant water slide, Camp Olympics, scavenger hunts, and more.
Q: What are your favorite camp traditions?
A: I love any time we have camp spirit days when our camper and staff dress up in silly theme-related costumes. This gives everyone a chance to be creative and express themselves in different ways. I also love our annual camp talent show, where students have the chance to share a special talent or skill. We have everything from musical performances, comedy acts, basketball skills, dancing, drawing, and more! Our campers feel comfortable sharing their talents and gain confidence in themselves by performing in front of a live audience.
Q: What is the staff-to-camper ratio, and how does it vary by age group?
A: We are so fortunate to have wonderful, caring teachers and counselors join us each summer. Our ratio is about 6:1 in classrooms and workshops, which allows for the teachers and counselors to get to know their campers and work together to best meet their needs.
Q: What is the registration process, and what documents are required?
A: All registration is done online. Parents complete the registration, choosing which weeks their child(ren) will attend. For students in grades 2-6, two weekly workshops for each week attending are selected for the student. We also require a completed health form before the start of camp.
Q: How does the camp communicate with parents during the summer?
A: We have a weekly newsletter for each program that goes out at the end of each week, which includes photos and descriptions of camp activities. For our early childhood program, our teachers communicate regularly with parents regarding the child’s transition and daily activities. We are available for any questions or concerns and work together to help all our students feel safe and happy while at camp.
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