monKEys And doLPHins And Frogs – oH my

CaMp LéMan attraCts reCord enroLLMent

ince its launch in 2012, Camp Léman has become the premier summer learning destination for Lower Manhattan families. This year Camp Léman welcomed 267 campers through its doors for an action-packed summer – a 40% increase in enrollment over last year. 2015 also marked the addition of the ‘Grizzlies’ (each grade is given a name such as Monkeys, Dolphins and Frogs) for children entering 3rd and 4th grade. With almost every age group at full capacity, Camp Director Steve Levin was able to broaden the myriad activities available to campers. The camp sports program was expanded to include tumbling and PopFit Kids (a revolutionary fitness and exercise program that provides children with the tools for developing lifelong healthy habits), tennis, basketball, circus arts and golf, as well as a new partnership between Camp Léman and Manhattan Kickers Soccer. To enhance Camp Léman’s visual arts programming, clay-modeling workshops were hosted by ClayWorld for students entering 2nd grade and up, in addition to new craft activities and a woodworking workshop. Weekly Cookshops were hosted by Léman’s culinary team for campers in PreK and up, which included making

Sthematic foods such as soft pretzels for Circus Week and sweet potato waffles for Castle Week. Having an older group of campers meant that special trips were included in the itinerary this year. The Grizzlies had the opportunity to watch and then review a Skippyjon Jones musical for ew.com, as well as play mini-golf on Governors Island, visit the Statue of Liberty, and attend the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team’s ticker tape parade. Much beloved Camp Léman activities continued this year, such as swimming every day and visits from Mr. Travis of Eyes on the Wild. Each week, Mr. Travis brought five new animals for the children to explore. Special visitors included a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, a wallaby, an alligator and more. Campers were even allowed to pet a chinchilla, the softest animal on the planet. Each week concluded with a special event including a magic show, circus performer, pajama party, stuffed animal making, and a camp-wide concert by the Suzi Shelton Band. Steve Levin and his team provided another unforgettable summer for their campers, and look forward to welcoming old and new friends for another summer of fun next year.