SummerFun2017 SummerFun2017Hilltop

MontessoriSchool

Our camps offer the perfect balance of creative learning and FUN recreational activities in the fields and woods of our beautiful campus. We provide camp experiences for children from 3 to 12 years old that are designed to suit the specific needs of every age group.

The 3 to 6 year old program is based in our spacious Children’s House classroom, courtyard and playground. We offer a peaceful and caring environment for learning and play.

Weekly themes that guide our play and work include practical life skills such as “Cooking and Gardening,” and science, during “Under-water Exploration,” and “Around the World Adventures.” Each session will have a different theme. Montessori materials and work, stories, art making activities, and songs will be present throughout the summer.

Mornings follow a Montessori work period model. During this time, children explore the many materials in our prepared environment, including Practical Living, Sensorial, Science and Geography, Language and Math. Some materials will be introduced to small groups, and some individually. Children are given the opportunity to be independent learners. During this time, we will also offer snack, gather together to sing and read/listen to stories, offer daily swim lessons and engage in creative explorations.

Some of our children will end their day with a 12:00 pm departure while others stay on until 3:00 pm. We have lunch at 12 noon and then it’s off to have some fun on the playground, in the woods, or on the field to finish the morning session. The 3 or 4 year old children who stay for the afternoon session have a rest time and then continue with fun activities, while the 5 year old campers jump right into afternoon adventures. Every day is filled with exciting new discoveries!

The 6 to 12 year old program is a blend of morning camps with a specific focus, such as soccer, cooking or woodworking coupled with afternoons filled with outdoor games, summer activities, crafts and even swimming at The Living Memorial Park pool on Tuesdays and Fridays. The morning session is structured around the camp theme with a built-in community snack break to help keep our energy flowing.

At 12 noon, half-day campers can be picked up while those staying gather for lunch which heralds the start of the afternoon session. Following lunch, campers will get busy with outdoor games, such as Capture the Flag, scavenger hunts in the woods, and arts and crafts activities.

Camp begins for all campers at 8:30am, with an early drop-off option starting at 8:00 am. Campers can choose to end their day at 12:00 pm or 3:00 pm, with an optional add-on hour until 4:00 pm.

What every camper needs to bring and leave at camp:• Please bring a complete set of clothing, including long pants, a

sweatshirt, socks, underwear and shoes.• Sunscreen and insect repellent• Bring a swimsuit and towel for swimming.• If your child is a 3 or 4 year old and stays for rest time, send a bag

with a small pillow, blanket and snuggly friend.• Appropriate equipment for camps, such as cleats for soccer camp

What every camper needs everyday:• A healthy lunch (no candy or sugary sweets, please)• A water bottle• A backpack for the 6 – 12 years old campers• Swimsuit and towel• Apply the first round of sunscreen and insect repellent before

coming to camp.• Wear socks and sturdy shoes. If you do wear sandals, make sure

they are NOT flip flops. We will be running, hiking and climbing outside.

We hope this brochure answers all of your questions as you explore the pages to find the right camps for your child. If you have any additional questions please call us at 802.257.0500.

Directions to Camp: SummerFUN is on the Hilltop Montessori School campus, 99 Stafford Farm Hill, Brattleboro, Vermont 05301. From I-91 take Exit 2 turning right and heading west on Western Avenue. Turn left at Guilford Street and continue up the hill turning right on Summit Circle. We are the first road on your left, Stafford Farm Hill. Parking is past the circle and new Arts Barn on your left. Passionate,

Creative and Experienced Camp Leaders

Ages 3-6 Ages 6-9 Ages 9-12

10% Discount for Early Bird Registration on or by May 15

SummerFun2017www.hilltopmontessori.org

Calling all campers 3 – 6 years old!! Come and join the fun at SummerFun. Each week is centered on a different theme that provides the backdrop for daily camp activities designed just for you! Inside, we sing, dance, share stories, play, build, paint and work on special projects. Outside, we have swimming lessons in our pool, take walks to the pond, hike in the woods, play on the playground, fill the sky with bubbles and run through the sprinkler.

Underwater AdventuresWeeks 1 & 2: June 26 - July 7 (no camp on July 4th)Leaders: Jamie McClelland & Rachel O’ConnellHere, children will look at the tiniest water dwellers and life in our own ponds and streams, as well as some of the largest (and brightest) creatures of the ocean. We will explore fish in our own classroom, as well as take trips to the pond to observe aquatic animals firsthand.

Cooking and GardeningWeeks 3 & 4: July 10 - July 21 Leaders: Jamie McClelland & Rachel O’ConnellSeeds in the soil, grow, grow, grow! We begin with sprouting seeds, and preparing/taking care of a small garden. Because it will be a challenge to grow our own usable food in one week, we will be using local veggies and ingredients for cooking and baking projects as well. Children will chop, mix and prepare food for snack and to share! The session will include a handmade cookbook for children to take home and remake their favorite recipes.

Around the WorldWeek 5: July 24 - July 28 Leaders: Jamie McClelland & Rachel O’ConnellGet ready to travel over lakes, mountains, forests, deserts, and oceans to explore our earth. What kinds of land and water forms are there? What languages are spoken around the world? What similarities and differences can we see between ourselves and children in other countries? Questions such as these will guide our quick journey around the world.

Ages 9-12Everything ChocolateWeek 1/ June 26-30Leader: Joanna Wilson PhillipsFrom raw cacao to dutch cocoa, we will explore everything chocolate from around the world. Beyond the traditional desserts and breakfast treats, we’ll cook up creations that pair chocolate with fruits and vegetables (and maybe even meat!) and talk to local experts who have made careers out of working with chocolate. At the end of the class, students will take home a recipe book and certificate of completion. We hope you can join us for this crash course in Everything Chocolate!

Soccer Week 2/ July 3-7 (no camp on July 4th)Leader: Andre SilbermanFive days of soccer fun that will work on ball mastery, individual skills, decision-making and teamwork. Learning will happen within the context of fun games, some more tactical activities, and game realistic scrimmages to end each day. Please come with water, snacks and sunscreen. If you have your own ball and cleats, please bring them! The goal will be to create a positive, fun, and competitive atmosphere for everybody to learn and develop their soccer understanding!

Painting Our Story: A Mural ProjectWeek 3/July 10-14Leader: Kegan RefaloWe will explore the work of mural artists as community storytellers as we dream up a mural that captures Our Story. Campers will be engaged in the design process from sketches to paint on the wall. Drawing and painting skills will be strengthened with mini lessons on color, shape, texture, balance and scale. The finished mural will be installed outside in Hilltop’s playground area. There is a real possibility that students will get some paint on their clothes; please ask them to dress appropriately.

EngineeringWeek 4/July 17-21Leader: Siza MtimbiriUsing a hand-on curriculum, students will learn aspects of engineering while creating their own designs. Amongst other things, they will learn how knowledge of the body helps engineers to design products for the body. They will design a shoe, a knee and a neck brace, a prosthesis, and a device to help a broken finger. Other materials will be availed for them to use their imagination to design something that could be used to support or enhance the body.

SewingWeek 4/ July 17-21Leader: Alex WojenskiAn engaging sewing camp designed for children with varying levels of experience. In this camp for example, children will make and decorate their own cloth bags by choosing fabrics and designs individual to their own styles. Campers will gain the basic knowledge of sewing, as well as the perseverance to carry out independent projects even after the last day of camp.

Wood and Tools: Build a Tool ChestWeek 5/ July 24-28Leader: Tom GriffithWe begin with a pile of lumber and, after the sawdust settles, end with each camper taking home a tool chest they have created with their own hands. Campers learn the safe use of hand tools and basic construction techniques Our main product is pride.

Wee FolkWeek 1/ June 26-30Leader: Kerstin KjellbergWelcome to the world of fairies and gnomes! Each day we’ll begin our camp with stories of these enchanting creatures. Time inside creating crafts with mostly natural materials will be balanced with time outside playing games and building shelters for the wee folk.

Soccer Week 1/ June 26-30Leader: Andre SilbermanFive days of soccer fun that will work on ball mastery, individual skills, decision-making and teamwork. Learning will happen within the context of fun games, some more tactical activities, and game realistic scrimmages to end each day. Please come with water, snacks and sunscreen. If you have your own ball and cleats, please bring them! The goal will be to create a positive, fun, and competitive atmosphere for everybody to learn and develop their soccer understanding!

Bubble-OlogyWeek 2/ July 3-7 (no camp on July 4th)Leader: Kerstin KjellbergAre you ready to get bubbly? Welcome to Bubble-ology Camp, where each day includes a different bubble-making experience. We’ll learn some science behind those soapy orbs, frolic outside with our creations, and craft some bubble accessories to enhance our fun! We’ll also make time to create bubble art. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and plunge in. Your heart will be happy, and your hands will be clean.

Simple MachinesWeek 3/ July 10-14Leader: Monica FienemannDid you know that almost all machines are based on the simple ideas of the wheel and axel, pulley, lever, wedge, screw, and inclined plane? During this week of camp, we will be learning about these concepts and then doing experiments and projects that illustrate how they work. We will even be making our own ice cream by using an inclined plane!

Fabric ArtsWeek 3/ July 10-14Leader: Alex WojenskiThis camp is an enriching hands-on experience, where children will have the opportunity to learn through many artistic activities including felting, tie dye, finger puppets, giant geometric outdoor mandalas, and a special focus on knitting. Each child will create personal items unique to themselves and their individual visions.

Art Around the World Week 4/ July 17-21Leader: Monica FienemannWould you like to travel around the world? Well come with us on a trip that will take you

to different countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Australia. Each day we will learn about an artist or a type of indigenous art form and create our own artworks inspired by what we have learned. We will be using different mediums each day. At the end of the week your child will come home with artwork inspired by

what we have learned.

Yes, Chef! Week 5/ July 24-28Leader: Joanna Wilson PhillipsDid you ever wonder what it takes to become a Chef? During this week of cooking fun, you will learn all you need to know to become the best Chef in your house: basic kitchen skills, basic cooking and baking skills, and how to follow a recipe. We’ll make at least one recipe for each meal: a breakfast, a lunch, a snack, a dinner, and a dessert! At the end of the course, all participants will receive a Yes, Chef! certificate of completion and a recipe book. We can’t wait to see you in the kitchen this Summer!

Africa WeekWeek 5/July 24-28Leader: Siza MtimbiriWe will take an interactive walk through Africa, starting in the 1600’s and extending all the way to modern times. Using many different artifacts, the lessons will afford the students an opportunity to make their own African costume, an African mask, a shield, and a spear for those who chose. The lesson culminates in a play that walks the students through a typical day in an African village.

Ages 6-9

Ages 9-12

Ages 3-6