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.
Welcome to another edition of Summer Breeze, the official newsletter of the Garden School Summer Camp! Each edition of Summer Breeze also includes important updates to help us keep camp safe, smooth, and fun for everyone. We're here to keep you informed, inspired, and connected to all the fun, sharing memorable moments, special activities, and camper achievements so families and friends can experience the joy from the comfort of their homes.
What a Week! Week 7 closed out Session 1 with a bang, and our campers were all smiles! From dazzling artwork and jaw-dropping magic performances to adrenaline-pumping games, tennis matches, STEM activities, and intense kickball showdowns, the energy this week was simply off the charts! The pool was also a hub of excitement, with campers diving into volleyball and basketball matches, cheering and laughing together every step of the way.
A special shout-out goes to Mr. DJ, our Camp Athletic Director, who kept the energy high with new sports challenges that got everyone moving and learning. This week was also packed with MAGIC and wonder as Ivan, our AMAZING magician, left campers speechless with "disappearing rabbits," "floating campers" in the gymnasium, and mind-bending magic tricks that had everyone gasping in awe. Week 7 was truly magical and memorable.
Hold up! The excitement doesn't stop here! Session 2 kicks off on Monday, July 24, 2025, with Visual and Performing Arts, led by our very own Mr. Andreas, Performance and Visual Arts Department Chair. Campers will dive into creative visual arts projects, fun performing arts workshops, and more high-energy team challenges that celebrate Garden's Camp Spirit.
As we turn the page to Week 8, we eagerly await the next chapter of exciting adventures, discoveries, and memories, and we look forward to seeing you on Monday, July 28, 2025. Until then, keep the camp spirit shining bright! Have a fantastic weekend.
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
ll 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 after-camp 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
ou will be contacted the weekend before your camp week with your child(ren)’s bus pick-up and drop-off 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
his week, our Honey Bees enjoyed a fun outdoor picnic filled with creativity and play. They had a great time making colorful chalk drawings and playing with water and bubbles. They even created beautiful artwork using paper cutouts on white plates. It was a wonderful and colorful week of imagination and laughter!
MONARCHS ON THE MOVE
onarchs continued to impress with their innovation, working on their robot. They used a device coded by Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Watson called a seeker that helped them navigate through the school and find a hidden beacon. They journaled about creating their own games, with some entries involving designing a penalty shootout soccer game or a cat simulation game. In the gym, they enjoyed a fun game of mat ball, a modified version of kickball, and it was great to see other
CATERPILLAR REFLECTIONS
aterpillars - This week our Caterpillars explored the magic of stories by reading "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" and discussing the difference between fiction and non-fiction, highlighting how fiction comes from someone's imagination. As a follow-up, they sorted bears by color. They even made "magic art" by using white crayons on white paper and then using watercolors to make their drawings magically appear! Their delight as the images appeared was truly priceless!
THE BUTTERFLY TRAIL ADVENTURE
utterflies embarked on an exciting "bear hunt" game in the dark where they had to deal with numbers and teamwork, with the team collecting the most numbers winning. They also made awesome tornadoes using water bottles, designed their own clouds, created personalized Minecraft characters, and made vibrant neon plates in art.
JR. BUTTERFLIES IN ACTION
he Jr. Butterflies expressed their boundless creativity by making a fantastic mural with their own drawings. They enjoyed active games in the gym, including a fast-paced scavenger hunt that boosted their speed and stamina, and showed off their moves playing Just Dance. They also designed their own unique monsters, created "lightbulbs" that described what they wanted to be when they grew up, and used streamers and neon paint to design and decorate the art room.
WEEK SEVEN HIGHLIGHTS
CAMP PACKING LIST
WEEK SEVEN HIGHLIGHTS
THE DAZZLING ART GALLERY CORNER
CAMP COUNSELOR SPOTLIGHT
WEEK 7 CAMPERS IN ACTION
Registration, Camp Orientation & Required Forms
o 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.
� 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
� General School Information
• Discover more about Garden School’s year-round academic offerings
• Explore after-school programs, admissions, and open house events
� 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
