Oak Park Conservatory Rubinstein Room
Jump into fun at Camp Jr SPARK! We focus on developing SKILLS, fostering PLAY, providing ADVENTURE, and promoting RECREATION for KIDS. This camp is sure to SPARK the spirit within you. Jr. SPARKers start to learn independence from parents as they develop friendships with fellow campers. Arts and crafts improve fine motor skills while games improve physical skills. Jr. SPARK is different than other early childhood camps as we start our day with a swim lesson! Your swimmer will have four 35 minute lessons a week from trained swim instructors, supported by camp counselors. Lessons will be Monday-Thursday, with Friday reserved for weather makeups. Please send your camper dressed to swim every day. Drop off and pick up will be at the Oak Park Conservatory. Swim lesson information: We take steps to encourage every child to take the next step in their own swimming skills. Some children at this young age are comfortable and are ready to learn formalized strokes, while others are simply becoming comfortable being close to the pool. Lessons are tailored to every child, as we have very small staff (counselor and lifeguard) to camper ratio of 1:2. We encourage all campers to enter the water and swim. While we do not force them to go into the pool, the pool staff consistently encourages them to at least put their feet in. Other small incremental steps could include: playing with water toys on the deck, standing in the water and just getting their hair wet, putting their chin in the water, etc. Other children are learning how to “scoop” the water (aka the front crawl) or “monkey airplane soldier” (the leg movements for elementary backstroke). We will help your child to take next steps that are appropriate for them, in a supportive way. Swimming is a life skill, and we thank you for trusting us to help them along their way!
