Welcome to Richmond Montessori School
Summer Enrichment Camps!
Richmond Montessori is like no other school in the community, offering a different kind of education as unique as each child, empowering them in the classroom so they can create a meaningful life beyond it Richmond Montessori School’s Summer Enrichment Camps are playful, relaxed, and most of all fun! Your child is invited to join our specialty camps, each fostering the Montessori hallmarks of mutual respect, love of learning, curiosity, compassion, and freedom with responsibility.
This year we are running in-person camps in two, three-week sessions (except Toddler). Toddler camp will run from 9am-12:00pm. Primary/Elementary/Middle School camps will run from 9am to 3pm.
Take advantage of all the best summer has to offer, right here at RMS the outdoors, sports, science, movement, and the arts! Carefully examine the many choices, and register early, as spaces are limited, so we can maintain high staff-tostudent ratios You’ll find that we offer a true alternative to other local camp options
Thank you for choosing Richmond Montessori School for summer!
Shanthi Wickramasinghe
Director of Montessori Enrichment
804-741-0040 x24
summer@richmont.org
Who can attend?
Toddlers
Camp is open to current RMS students only (students enrolled at RMS for the 2022-23 school year.) Toddlers who turn 3 after June 20, 2023 can register for Session 2 of Primary camps.
Primary Level (age 3-6)
Camp is open to current RMS primary students and students already enrolled at RMS for the 2023-2024 school year who will be age 3 by June 20, 2023
Lower Elementary
Camp is open to current RMS students and students already enrolled for the 2023-2024 school year.
Financial Information
Our online registration platform Homeroom, accepts credit cards only. If you need to pay with a check, please contact Shanthi Wickramasinghe.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
RMS reserves the right to cancel any under enrolled program up to two weeks before the program is scheduled to start. Refunds were processed by March 16th, 2023.
Substitution Policy
RMS reserves the right to substitute appropriate staff as needed.
Camp Session Fees
Fees are listed with each camp session If you enroll your child in a session, you are paying for three weeks of summer camp
SUMMER AT-A-GLANCE
Camps are closed on June 19th in observance of Juneteenth and on July 4th in observance of Independence Day.
Montessori Mornings (Toddler)
June 20th-July 7th
9:00am-12:00pm with Claire Leake; Assistants: Madalyn Nuckols, Margarita Gutierrez, Ravinder Kaur, Aspen DeRosa, and Morgan Steele $900.
One 3-week session from June 20-July 7th. Please note there is no camp on Monday July 4.
Montessori Mornings is a continuation of the procedures and practices that we implement everyday in the classroom during the school year. We will cover every area of the environment such as practical life, science, language and manipulatives. Grace and Courtesy skills will be practiced daily, along with introductions to materials and lessons that promote growth and development. Please make sure to pack a snack & light lunch for your child, they will eat before they dismiss. This camp will be led by Ms. Claire Leake. Carpool will start at 9:00-9:15 and begin at 12:00-12:15 for pick up from the South Campus.
Primary: Session One
June 20-July 7 (There is no camp on July 4.)
PLEASE CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS PER SESSION
NOTE: Lunchtime & Rest/Nap is included in the pricing for Primary Camps. All students will bring their own lunches & water bottles. All camps include time for snack, time for lunch, games and outdoor play.
9:00am-3:00pm $1260
Option One:
Painting + Paper Crafts: Ms. Shelley with Ms. Morina. Campers will be able to explore paper art in this exciting camp led by Ms. Shelley, children will have the opportunity to learn about famous masterpieces & the artists who created them while having fun creating their own paper & paint masterpieces inspired by artists of the world. Students will explore various techniques like origami & how paper is made!
Outdoor Space + Exploration: Ms. Anjali with Ms. Jade. Explore the galaxy with imaginary space travel. Learn about planets, moons, stars and rocket ships with stories, songs, and art projects. It is a sci-fi fun week!
Jungles, Zoos, + Farms: Ms. Shelley & Ms. Morina Are you ready to explore the Safari wildlife & zoo creatures?! In this camp students will be reading books, playing games, and creating projects all inspired by the Safaris in East Africa & Zoo’s around the world.
Option Two:
Puppet + Felt Creations: Ms. Morgan with Ms. Jade. Join us for a week full of play and magic. In this camp, students will explore different books and make their own puppets and felt creations based on characters and themes. At the end students will put on a show for their classmates! Make a variety of animal and people puppets with inventive materials. Engaging, imaginative role-play and exploration of expression and feelings.
Music, Movement, + Fun!: Ms. Shelley with Ms. Morgan. Did you say dance party?! In this camp students will be moving and grooving in no time. From mindful movements like yoga and meditation to more big body movements like outdoor games, this camp is sure to ignite your child's passion to move!
Clay Creations: Ms. Anjali with Teacher Aspen. In this camp Ms. Anjali will be guiding students on different clay making techniques so students can produce their own creations to take home! This camp will also look at clay-mation movies and how they are made amongst other fun activities!
Primary: Session Two
July 10-July 28
PLEASE CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS PER WEEK
NOTE: Lunchtime & Rest/Nap is included in the pricing for Primary Camps. All students will bring their own lunches & water bottles. All camps include time for snack, time for lunch, games and outdoor play.
9:00am-3:00pm $1350
Option One:
Nature Art + Exploration: Ms. Morina with Ms. Lilly. Join us as we explore various aspects of the great outdoors! From learning about animal tracks, camping techniques, and endless nature art activities. There is so much our Richmond campus has to offer, this camp is filled with outdoor fun! Explore the bounty of nature up close and personal with daily visits to the woods and the gardens on our campus. Insects, plants, and animals are fascinating. Inspired? Create crafts and art with natural materials and themes. Nature study AND art? Yes!
Farm to Table Camp: Teacher Aspen with Ms. Ravinder. In this camp, students will explore foods from plants to seeds that are native to Virginia and our climate. Work in the garden while you learn about growing vegetables & fruits. Garden theme crafts add to the fun! Students will use a fresh items to prepare a yummy treat each day for lunch! (Please let Shanthi know via the summer@richmont.org email if your child has a food allergy)
Design + Create Summer Fashions: Ms. Morgan & Ms. Jade. Are you ready to let your fashion creativity run wild?! In this camp, students will learn how to design & create fashionable items from everyday materials. Students in this camp can look forward to making ties, tye-dye shirts, jewelry, masks and more! v
Option Two:
Construction Zone Camp!: Ms. Morgan with Ms. Jade. Enjoy this favorite book series while you learn construction terms, techniques and skills. 3-D creations from a variety of materials are planned and constructed while building confidence and friendships.
Tropical Crafts: Ms. Morgan with Ms. Morina. End your summer by enjoying the beach right here at RMS. Learn about sea life, use sand for projects, create beach art, and of course, have a beach party with lots of water fun!
Same, Same, But Different; Exploring Different Cultures: Teacher Aspen with Ms. Ravinder Join us for a trip around the world! Each day we’ll “travel” to a new country to learn about the region’s culture and unique geography. Students will broaden their world view by interacting with regional music, art, dress, and food. Pack your bags because we are going on a long trip!
Lower Elementary: Session One
June 20-July 7
9:00am-3:00pm $1260
Theater Camp: Ms. Sarah Louise. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to create a world where fantastical and imaginative characters lived? If so, this program is the right fit for you! This program focuses on collaborating as an ensemble in order to devise a theatrical performance. In order to foster a creative and open environment, we will do ensemble building exercises to create a space where everyone feels comfortable and supported. With a strong ensemble, students will create and evolve a character through improvisation and a variety of other acting exercises. With a full cast of characters assembled we will then build up the world that exists around them. We will use costume creation and prop making to explore this world even more. Ultimately with the characters and world assembled the stage is set! From here we are ready to dive into dialogue and playwriting. All of this will culminate in a final performance to appreciate this fantastic world.
Baking 101: Sweet + Savory Favorites: Mrs. Shannon. In this camp your child will learn cooking conversions, hygiene & table etiquette around cooking, In addition making and eating sweets and treat recipes from around the world. (Please let Shanthi know via email if your child has a food allergy)
Lego Masters + Board Game Classics: Ms. Ronni. Join other Lego fanatics to make individual projects, collaborate on group assemblies, and create robotic Lego creations that move. Bring your creativity and problem solving skills, as you work together to invent, engineer and build complex projects!
Lower Elementary: Session Two
July 10-July 28
9:00am-3:00pm $1350
Cultural Exploration + Cooking: Mrs. Shannon. Each day take an imaginary trip to a different country. Learn to appreciate the culture, music, geography, traditions, literature and cuisine of our friends around the world. Daily projects are your “souvenirs!” (Please let Shanthi know via email if your child has a food allergy)
Scrapbooking + Photography: Ms. Ronni. Discover your writing abilities with poetry, short stories, plays and lyrics. Your selfexpression continues with creative photography. Learn composition, how to use a digital camera and then crop and edit your photos. By the end of the week, students will have a beautifully curated scrapbook to take home.
International Fashion Camp: Ms. Ronni. Learn to make jewelry, decorate fabric, and be-dazzle wearables with an international flair! End of the week MET Gala to showcase what the children have made!
RMS GENERAL SUMMER PROGRAM INFORMATION
Contact Information
Shanthi Wickramasinghe is the Coordinator of Montessori Enrichment. You can contact her at 804-741-0040, ext. 24, or by e-mail at summer@richmont.org. If you have a message for your child and cannot reach Montessori Enrichment, you can call the school receptionist at 804-741-0040 until 3:00 p.m.
Summer Program Dates
The summer program begins on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 and ends on Friday, July 28, 2023. Summer camp will operate in two, threeweek sessions (except Toddler). Session One is from June 20-July 7th and Session Two is from July 10th-July 28th. Camp is closed on Tuesday, July 4th. Toddler Camp is one, three-week session from June 20-July 7th.
Behavioral Expectations
Children are expected to follow the RMS code of conduct: use good manners, respect other students and staff, and follow classroom and campus rules. This allows the programs to form a safe, supportive community where children learn to trust adults and to trust themselves and their peers. Disruptive or disrespectful behavior may result in dismissal.
Snack and Medication
Please send one or two snacks and a labeled water bottle for your child from home.
If your child has an allergy or needs medication of any type to be on hand, please download the Medicine Authorization Form, or contact Shanthi Wickramasinghe with questions. Please bring any over the counter or medications on the first day of camp along with a complete form.
Primary Student Extra Clothes / Toileting Policy
The school toileting policy is observed during the summer program. Children must be wearing underpants and be able to change themselves completely if they have an accident.
In case of occasional accidents, please provide an extra set of summer clothes for your child. The set should include shorts, shirt, underwear, and extra shoes, and masks. Staff will leave your child’s clothes in their tote bag so that they will be available no matter where they are on campus. Labeling each item and the bag in which you send the clothes will help prevent mix-ups.
Footwear
Please have your child wear sturdy play shoes. Flip-flops, sandals, and other shoes with holes are dangerous on our mulched playgrounds.
Insect Repellent and SunBlock Please apply the products of your choice before morning drop-off. If you would like insect repellent or sunblock reapplied in the afternoon, please download and sign the over-the-counter product authorization form before camp starts. Bring the insect repellent or sunblock with you on the first day of the session to hand to a staff person. It must be in the original container and labeled with your child’s name.
Lunch
All students will bring their own lunches. Please make sure your child’s name is clearly marked on their lunchbox.
Rest N’ Play
Primary campers will take a nap/rest after lunch. Please provide a lightweight child-sized sleeping bag that is open on three sides and labeled with your child’s name. Sleeping bags are sent home Friday to launder; please return clean sleeping bags on Monday.
Exclusion from Camp Policy
Children may not attend camp if the following conditions exist. See list here.
DROP OFF & DISMISSAL
Morning Drop-off for all: 9:00-9:15am
The carpool procedure is the same as during the school year. All morning campers arrive through the carpool line. Please enter the one-way drive at 499 N. Parham Road (South Campus).
Toddler Parents: please park in front of the South Campus entrance and get your child out of the car.
All other students
Remain in the carpool line and move forward.
If your child can safely exit the car independently, the child may exit and proceed to the sidewalk and then on to class with staff supervision.
If your child is unable to exit the car independently, turn off your engine, safely exit and proceed to the passenger side of the car to assist your child out of the car and to the sidewalk. Students will enter the gym and wait with the rest of the campers from their pod. Return to your car, and proceed to the exit.
Pick-up Procedures:
Toddler Morning Dismissal: 12:00pm-12:15pm
All Toddlers must be picked up promptly at 12:15pm. You will be charged a late fee after 12:15pm.
Primary + Elementary Dismissal: 3:00-3:15pm
Campers will follow the same carpool procedure as during the school year. All campers will be dismissed from 499 N. Parham Road (South Campus).
Enter the school driveway, turn right and proceed through the carpool line. The students will be called to the front sidewalk to line up with staff assistance. Your child will be escorted to the car so that you can safely put them in the car seat, or so that they can enter the car independently.
Summer Faculty
Anjali Suresh joined RMS as a substitute during the fall of 2020. She has been part of our summer program ever since! She is a current student at James Madison University earning her degree majoring in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies with a minor in Inclusive Early Childhood Education. Anjali loves working with children and hopes to be in an early elementary classroom in the future! In her free time, she enjoys singing and watching Disney movies!
Aspen DeRosa is a multimedia artist, teacher, and student of life that values curiosity, community, accessibility, and collaboration. Aspen grew up between Northern Virginia and the eastern shore and received their Bachelor's in Fine Arts in photography and sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2019. When they are not teaching or making visual art, they are either spending quality time with loved ones, resting and re-centering, or enjoying one of many hobbies! Aspen loves dancing, reading, making music, singing, writing poetry, cooking, podcasting, spending time outside, sewing/styling garments, and community service (to name a few). Aspen considers themselves a highly passionate and energized person, and is very motivated by all that life has to discover and reveal!
Claire Leake earned her Bachelor’s in Recreation, Parks and Tourism from Radford University. Claire is our permanent substitute this year and has been an Elementary assistant, a Primary assistant, and a regular camp instructor at RMS for over ten years.
Jade Escobar is currently a Senior at VCU studying Psychology. Some of her favorite hobbies include: being outside riding a bike or skateboarding, painting and drawing, and reading! Jade believes that every child is unique and deserves individualized care, she has always loved caring for children! Jade considers herself an open book. Anyone can come to her and she's more than happy to listen, offer solutions, or both! Some adjectives she uses to describe herself are: patient, kind, caring, and always willing to help. Jade has worked with Ms. Kasey in Primary Ext. Day at RMS this past school year.
Jasmine Whitaker is originally from from Virginia Beach, VA. As a Virginia Commonwealth University alumni, Richmond has an extremely special place in her heart. She is motivated by opportunities that make a difference. She has experience as a literacy tutor and an English Language Arts teacher. In her free time, she enjoys reading poetry, taking walks in nature, and spending time with friends and family.
Kendria LeJune joined RMS in the fall of 2022 as a substitute teacher. She loves working with the Toddler and Primary classes, and believes watching them grow and learn in the Montessori environment has been an incredible experience. She worked in the public school system for several years before moving to the Richmond area in 2020. Kendria holds a BA of Sociology with a minor in Psychology and is looking forward to learning more about the Montessori teaching methods.
Lilly Sutton has lived in Richmond for over ten years and even attended RMS from fifth to eighth grade. Lilly has been working with kids for close to nine years now and would describe herself as an independent and loyal team member. Lilly also spends her time doing swim instruction for children. She enjoys drawing and painting in her free time. Her favorite tv show is Doctor Who and favorite movies are the Harry Potter series.
Margarita Gutierrez was born in Cali, Colombia, and her first language is Spanish. At the age of 16, she moved to New York City where she lived through college, earning her Associate Degree in Multimedia. In the past 4 years, she has enjoyed the opportunity of working with children of all ages, in the role of Assistant Leader at her church and taking care of the little ones in her family. Margarita works in the Toddler Program at RMS in Lavell Brown's class.
Madalyn Nuckols is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Psychology. Her educational experience stems from athletics and she has held positions as a swim instructor and assistant track and field coach. She has also spent time as an instructional assistant at St. Bridget's School. Madalyn is a Toddler Assistant in Kathleen William's class.
Morgan Steele started working in our Enrichment program at RMS this school year. Prior to coming to Richmond, For three years, Morgan was also a caretaker for a toddler-aged child and it was through these experiences that she developed a passion for working with children. Morgan enjoys
Morina Fufunwa has lived in Richmond for the past 12 years and comes from a multicultural background, including French and Nigerian heritage. She spent part of her childhood living in the Philippines and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Social Welfare. After college, she worked with children in multiple capacities, including assistant teaching, tutoring in Richmond Public Schools, and working as a family consultant for a foster care organization. Morina earned her Montessori diploma in Early Childhood from the Washington Montessori Institute in Maryland. She attended a Montessori school as a young child and has carried the Montessori values into her adult life. She says "having the opportunity to guide your children feels like a full circle moment for me."
Ravinder Kaur loves to work with kids since graduating with her Bachelor of Education. Ravinder has been a dear part of the RMS community for the past three years for the past three years and is currently an Assistant Teacher in Ms. Jaime's Primary classroom.. She is excited for another summer camp year with the kids!
Ronni Hilliard has always had a passion for working with kids and strived to do so since she was a little girl. She has been working with kids for four years now in positions such as teacher assistant, 1:1 counseling, and working with kids with autism. She loves watching the kids learn and grow and watching their own individual personalities shine. In her spare time, she spends time with family and friends and enjoys growing her sneaker collection!
Sarah-Louise McInnis earned her degree in Theatre from Coastal Carolina University and spent time studying physical theatre at the Accademia Dell'Arte in Italy. After graduating college in 2020, she began teaching at a Montessori school in Charleston, South Carolina. She recently moved to Richmond and has loved working with the staff and students at Richmond Montessori School in the Upper Elementary level and in Enrichment. In her free time she enjoys making puppets and crafting!
Shannon Ciucci started as a substitute teacher at RMS in 2019 and as an assistant in Lower Elementary. After having worked with children since 2008 and traveling as an Au Pair and nanny throughout the United States and Europe, Shannon chose to pursue a career in teaching. She finished her undergraduate degree, Summa cum laude, at the University of Richmond and earned her Elementary teaching credential. She enjoys live music, old houses, and spending time at the river with her family, her dog, and her husband, who graduated from RMS in 2001.
Shelley Payton earned her Bachelor's in Education and Psychology from Virginia Union University and holds a K-7 certification. She is passionate about inspiring future generations and delights in watching them grow towards their fullest potential. She developed a deep love for nature and is an avid hiker who also enjoys gardening and bird watching.
Shanthi Wickramasinghe is the Director of Montessori Enrichment at Richmond Montessori School. Shanthi joined the Richmond Montessori School community in June 2011 working with the Montessori Enrichment team while obtaining her Bachelors Degree with Honors in Psychology, and a minor in Sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Recently, Shanthi completed her American Montessori Institute Administrator Training. Since working at RMS, Shanthi has worked with toddlers, elementary students, and in Montessori Enrichment. While earning her undergraduate degree at VCU, Shanthi interned at the Clark Hill Center for Child Psychology as a research assistant.
In December 2015, Shanthi received her Master of Science in Addiction Studies from The Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University. Before moving to Richmond, Shanthi worked as a Primary Assistant Teacher for Community Montessori School in Reston, VA. Shanthi attended Montessori until first grade and feels that foundation helped shape her leadership and academic success throughout her educational and professional career.
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