Garden School, in the independent tradition, affirms the primacy of learning. We empower every student in our educationally diverse community to meet responsibly the challenges of everyday life by promoting academic achievement, personal development and social involvement. We further believe that by recognizing each student’s individual identity, Garden School fosters the self-worth necessary to succeed.
Our second-to-last week at camp was filled with the exciting theme “Infinity and Beyond,” and our campers truly took flight! The atmosphere was electric as they dove into space-themed games, activities, and creative projects that stretched their imaginations.
Ahighlight of the week was our fantastic event in partnership with the New York Islanders. Campers had a blast bouncing in their giant inflatable house and testing their skills at fun carnival games. The excitement soared even higher when Sparky, the Islanders’ mascot, joined the fun, bringing laughter and smiles to everyone. Our own Garden Griffin also joined the festivities, engaging Sparky in a playful hockey match with campers cheering enthusiastically from the sidelines.
This week reminded us that camp is about more than just having fun—it's about teamwork, creativity, and pushing beyond our limits. Whether they were crafting their own “galaxies” or enjoying Islanders-themed activities, our campers demonstrated that the sky is just the beginning of their adventures!
We sincerely thank you for supporting our Garden School Camp community and for trusting us with your children. As we near the end of camp, our promise remains strong: to keep everyone safe, build friendships, encourage learning, and create lasting memories through enjoyable experiences. We hope you have a fantastic weekend, and we can’t wait to see everyone again for our final week starting Monday, August 22, 2025. Let’s keep Keep soaring - toward infinity and beyond!
Your Garden School Summer Camp Team,
GENERAL CAMP REMINDERS
• Please treat each other with RESPECT.
• To ensure everyone’s safety, campers need to wear closed-toed shoes every day to fully participate.
• Please make sure your child dresses appropriately for the weather, including hats and rashguards if needed for extra protection in and out of the water.
• Label your child’s belongings.
• You must sign your child in and out each day.
• For your child’s safety, we will ask for ID from anyone picking up your child whom we do not recognize.
• Electronic devices and toys should stay at home.
• Each camper should bring their lunch, a water bottle, two towels, two bathing suits, and sunscreen daily.
• If you’d prefer not to receive the newsletter or if you don’t want your child’s photo included, email us at campdirector@gardenschool.org.
EARLY ARRIVAL & AFTER CAMP
All campers arriving between 7:30 am and 8:45 am should check in at the 79th Street Main Entrance. A flat rate of $20 per child per day will be billed.
All campers remaining after 4:15 pm will go into the aftercamp program, which runs until 6:00 pm. Departure will be from the 79th Street Main Gate. A flat rate of 40 dollars per day will be billed.
TRANSPORTATION
You will be contacted the weekend before your camp week with your child(ren)’s bus pick-up and dropoff times. We schedule bus routes based on need, so we finalize the exact times that weekend.
Campers using the bus service should be:
Outside and ready at least 3 minutes before the scheduled morning pick-up time.
Picked up promptly at their assigned afternoon drop-off location.
Staying on schedule helps us ensure a safe and efficient ride for all campers.
THE DAZZLING ART GALLERY CORNER
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BUZZ SQUAD
The Honeybees were buzzing with excitement as they blasted off into a week of space adventures! They counted down to "blast off" with energetic exercises, created unique space art, and designed their own planets and galaxies. Their favorite activity was role-playing as a space crew in a rocketship, using their imaginations to journey through the cosmos.
MONARCHS ON THE MOVE
The Monarchs proved that even a small mistake can lead to something amazing! When a paint mishap occurred, they turned it into a fantastic mural of the solar system. In STEM, they used micro:bits to create cool projects like a hot potato game and a speaker that turns vibrations into sound. They also flexed their creative writing skills by journaling about space facts and even designing their own hypothetical space crews.
CATERPILLAR REFLECTIONS
Our youngest explorers, the Caterpillars, soared to new heights this week. They used their imaginations to travel beyond the stars, counting down to take off and painting beautiful planets. They loved dancing and playing at the playground, all while keeping the spirit of their cosmic adventures alive!
THE BUTTERFLY TRAIL ADVENTURE
During Enrichment Time, the Butterflies collaborated on several fun and educational activities. They worked together on a Star Wars I Spy picture search, a Space Exploration word search, and a color-by-number spaceship. The campers really enjoyed helping each other out, making their cosmic teamwork a huge success!
LITTLE WINGS, BIG ADVENTURES.
he Jr. Butterflies went "out of this world" with their creativity! They painted colorful planets with glitter, letting their imaginations run wild with colors and patterns. They also made their own shooting stars and crafted astronaut helmets, truly embracing the fun of exploring space and all it has to offer.
CAMP PACKING LIST
CAMP COUNSELOR SPOTLIGHT
Registration, Camp Orientation & Required Forms
To help you stay informed and ensure your camper is fully prepared, please use the following links below, which gives you access to our Summer Camp Registration, General School Information, and other important forms.
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Summer Camp Registration
• Sign up for upcoming camp weeks
• View weekly themes, activities, and enrichment course descriptions
• Learn about age-specific programs, staff, and facilities
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General School Information
• Discover more about Garden School’s year-round academic offerings
• Explore after-school programs, admissions, and open house events
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Important Forms
• Escort Authorization Form – Required to designate who may pick up your child from camp.
• Aquatics Permission Form – Required for participation in swimming and water-play activities.
Note: These forms must be completed before your child’s first day of camp to ensure their full participation and safety in all activities.
� If you have any trouble accessing the forms or completing registration, feel free to reach out to us at: campdirector@gardenschool.org
