With just a few weeks of summer left before school starts, kids in Marblehead are making the most of the wide variety of camps here in town. Whether they offer sailing, swimming, sports, STEM or art, local camps have been packed since the end of June.
On one hot and humid day last week, the Current asked three JCC KinderCampers — Abi, May and Dempsey — what they’ve enjoyed the most so far this summer.
The J’s outdoor pool and splash pad were all-around favorites.
“I like sports,” added Maya. “Because they’re silly.”
Abi prefers art. She also likes science, where campers create concoctions like invisible ink, kinetic sand and fireworks in a jar.
KinderCamp Director Heather Greenberg calls the outdoor pool area where the younger campers stay “the happiest place on earth.”
With kids coming back summer after summer, Greenberg says she loves “seeing all these kids from when they’re younger grow throughout the years.”
The JCC offers Camp Simchah for older kids, which includes a Travel Camp. There’s also an inclusion program that welcomes kids who might not ordinarily be able to participate in camp activities due to anything from autism to cerebral palsy. It provides those campers with a specialized support person to help them join in with their peers.
‘Belonging, achievement, accomplishment’
For generations now, the YMCA has run Children’s Island Day Camp just outside Marblehead Harbor. Campers board the Hannah Glover each morning and afternoon to make the trip. For those who prefer to stay ashore, the Y runs gymnastics and soccer camps at its Leggs Hill Road facility.
“It’s been a really great, positive summer,” said Lynch/van Otterloo Y Executive Director Brian Flynn. “We’re busy from the start of summer all the way to the end.”
A personal mission of the YMCA, according to Flynn, is to make their camps accessible and beneficial for everyone. This year, the Y has provided $200,000 in financial aid to families in need. Additionally, their partnership with McLean Hospital in Belmont has allowed the Y to extend their camps to kids who need extra support.
“Our camps are focused on a sense of belonging, achievement and relationships,” said Flynn, describing the camps’ philosophy of providing connections and life lessons to their campers.
‘We all grow up too fast’
Since 1932, campers have been spending relaxed summers at Camp Devereux, located at the Devereux School on Smith Street.
Paul Baker, who acts as camp director during the summer and the head of the Devereux School during the year, said they’re booked with about 70 campers a day..
“It’s just fun… laid-back fun,” Baker said. The days at Camp Devereux are generally unstructured, aside from two required swimming sessions per day. Kids are allowed to choose what they want to do — be it arts and crafts, playing in the wooded trails behind the property, beading bracelets and keychains, or playing music with special guests.
Each week has an interesting theme, such as French Week or Insect Week, when the campers can dress up and learn new things.
Baker cites the unstructured format as the most attractive part of the experience for many kids who value the opportunity to explore their interests without being forced to do activities they won’t enjoy. The one rule: no electronics.
“It’s a time for kids to be kids,” said Baker. “We all grow up too fast.”
Benji Boyd is a Current intern and Marblehead High School senior.
