Camps 2 - February 2011

Plus:Manners Camp • DayTripping • Science Camp

February 11, 2011

A Baltimore Jewish Times Special Section

A Balancing ActA Balancing ActGerstung Intersport helps kids gain self-confidence.

_Camps2_Feb_2011:Layout 1 2/4/11 10:56 AM Page 21

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Editor: Laurie LegumArt Director: Ebony BrownAssistant to the Editor: Phyllis LevinProduction Manager: Erin ClareProduction: Nick Cane, Jamie Conway,Andrew Perlin, Heidi TrabandCover photo by Kirsten Beckerman

inside…A BalancingAct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Gerstung Intersport helps kids gain self-confidence.By Laura Laing

DayTripping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Park Day Trip camp offers adventure.By Elizabeth Levy Malis

Manners Matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Campers get lessons in manners at BrynMawr summer program.By Laura Laing

It’s Science Hon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Maryland Science Center offers eclectic summer camps.By Elizabeth Levy Malis

Jewish CampTransformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Fund-raising essential to survival of nonprofit camps.By Jacob Berkman

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iNSIDER/Camps 2 February 201124

CAMPS2

A Balancing ActLaura Laing

Special to the JewishTimesKirsten Beckerman

Photographer

Gerstung Intersport helps kids gain self-confidence.





Campers rock climbing.

Campers practicing gymnastics.

At the end of a long day of swim-ming, arts and crafts, and creativemovement, six-year-old Macie

Hakim came home worn out — but nottoo tired to relay all of the details of herexperiences at Gerstung summer camp.

“It would take her two hours to tellme all that she did,” her mother, EllenWruble Hakim, says. “There was just somuch that made her so happy.”

Mrs. Wruble Hakim has two otherchildren to please, too — eight-year-oldMakenna and four-year-old Tegan. As itturns out, Gerstung summer camp wasjust the thing for them as well. “It providedthe options that each of them wantedfrom one camp,” she says.

If you thought Gerstung was merelythe hot spot for kids’ birthday parties,think again. If you assumed the gymcatered to burgeoning Olympic gymn-astics stars, well, that’s the wrongimpression, too.

“I have no interest in turning out

competitors,” says founder SiegfriedGerstung. “The main goal is to givea child a good time because theylearned something.”

A native of Munich, Germany, Mr.Gerstung came to the United Statesin 1963. His father was a three-timedecathlon champion who ran againstJesse Owens. His mother held thewomen’s world record in the 400-meterdash. His sister was a world-class gym-nast. “Do I come from a competitivefamily?” he jokes. “My gosh!”

It was his sister’s experience thatshaped his educational philosophy.Suffering from the stress of competition,she dropped out of the sport just beforeshe was to compete at the Rome Olympicsin 1960. “I’ve seen the damage that can bedone to a young child being a competitiveathlete,” he says. “Today, all I’m interestedin is to turn out a confident learner. Funmust be experienced through accomplish-ment. That gives you self-confidence.”

see A BalancingAct on page 26

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That philosophy is the driving forcebehind Gerstung Intersport, located onFalls Road betweenMt.Washington andRuxton. Along with year-round classesfor children and adults, Gerstung hosts arobust summer camp for children agesthree-and-a-half to 12 years old.

Like many parents, Norrie Hirschwas introduced to Gerstung through achild’s birthday party. Her seven-year-old has attended camp there for threeyears, and last summer was the first forher five-year-old.

“Gerstung’s focus is more onmove-ment— stretching and tumbling,” shesays. “And the program has down time.The kids weren’t constantly moving,moving, moving.”

Mr. Gerstung carefully considers theneeds of the children in his program,providing a variety of activities that willengage their minds and bodies.

“We constantly try to bring the mind

and body together,” he says. That meansdrama, arts and crafts, swimming, sports,creative movement and, yes, gymnastics.

Stretching over 12 acres, the privatefacility promotes this diverse program-ming, using every inch of space. The42,000-square foot building features sixstudios formovement, dance and fitness,plus an art studio. Themain gym includesa rock-climbingwall, alongwith gymnas-tics apparatus. The gymnastics hall has anOlympic-size spring floor, rings, balancebeams, uneven bars andmore.

Outside, the grounds include apool with four teaching stations. There arealso hiking trails and bike-training terrain,plus playing fields for team sports prac-tice. An amphitheatre hosts assembliesand performances.

“This is my baby; this is my family,”Mr. Gerstung says. “I’m typically German.I despise waste.”

In fact, whenMr. Gerstung couldn’t

find exactly the kind of training equipmenthe needed, he designed and built hisown. These large wedges, cylinders andcubes allow students to safely practicetumbling andmovement.

The endeavor turned into anotheraspect of his business: Gym Thing Inc.Mr. Gerstung manufactures this equip-ment near Druid Hill Park and sells it togymnasiums around the world. Hisspring floors are used by prestigiousathletics and arts organizations, includingthe Bolshoi Ballet.

Of course, the children have no cluehow respected the Gerstung brand isaround the world. They’re too busyhaving a good time.

“There’s somuch diversity at Gerstung,”Mrs.WrubleHakim says. “Their goal is tomake a happy camper.” With three verydifferent children in her family, that wasno small feat. While Macie was happywith all of it, McKenna was totally into

the gym.“She really developed a sense of confi-

dence,” Mrs. Wruble Hakim says. “Shecould be a star.”

Then there was little Tegan, whoexperienced camp for the first time lastsummer. “He had the biggest transition,”Mrs. Wruble Hakim says. “He grew up somuch over the summer.”

While he was reticent to get in thepool, the counselors worked with himslowly. The camp turned out to be aterrific trial run for preschool, which hebegan in the fall.

“He was able to move around andmeet other children,” Mrs. WrubleHakim says.

“We’re doing something right,” Mr.Gerstung says. “It’s all about learning andbecoming a better person.” ��

Laura Laing is a local freelance writer.

A Balancing Act from page 25

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DAY CAMPSRed Feather for children turning 4 prior to June 20, 2011Session 1: June 20 to July 8Session 2: July 11 to July 29Designed to give our youngest campers a full day of fun and new experiences

Red Eagle for boys and girls 5 to 8 entering first grade and up in fall 2011Session 1: June 20 to July 8Session 2: July 11 to July 29Arts and crafts, swimming, horsemanship, and much more

McDonogh Senior Camp for boys and girls 9 to 12Session 1: June 20 to July 8Session 2: July 11 to July 29All the fun of Red Eagle plus weekly field trips

Outdoor Adventure Camp for boys and girls 10 to 14Session 1: June 20 to July 8Session 2: July 11 to July 29Rock-climbing, high and low ropes course, orienteering, plus weekly watersports and environmental studies

The All Sports Camp for boys and girls 8 to 13Session 1: June 20 to July 8Session 2: July 11 to July 29Swimming, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, volleyball, soccer, and more

Teen Camp for boys and girls 13 to 15Session 1: June 20 to July 8Session 2: July 11 to July 29Designed by teens for teens, activities include hiking, scavenger hunts, tubing, sailing and an overnight adventure

Counselor-in-Training Program for boys and girls 14 to 16Session 1: June 20 to July 8Session 2: July 11 to July 29An introduction to the responsibilities of a counselor’s job

Fun on the Run Camp for boys and girls 11 to 14July 11 to July 15Water activities, bowling, a day at Hershey Park, and more

WATER CAMPSExtreme Camp for boys and girls 9 to 15Weekly: June 20 to July 29Wind surfing, sea kayaking, and sailing

Chesapeake Bay Eco-Challenge for boys and girls 10 to 14Weekly: June 20 to July 29Exploration of the various Chesapeake Bay eco-systems by kayak

ARTS PROGRAMSYoung Actors Theatre for boys and girls 10 to 16June 20 to July 19Training in all aspects of musical theatre; call 410-998-3526 for auditions

Young Filmmakers Camp for boys and girls 10 to 14Session 1: June 20 to July 8Session 2: July 11 to July 29Scriptwriting, filming, and computer editing for the beginning filmmaker

Visual Arts Camp for boys and girls 9 to 12June 20 to July 8Drawing, painting, sculpting

Advanced Art Techniques for boys and girls 9 to 13July 18 to July 22For artists interested in expanding their abilities in sketching, drawing, and painting

Circus Camp Stars! for boys and girls 7 to 15Session 1: June 27 to July 1Session 2: July 5 to July 8Session 3: July 11 to July 15Juggling, spinning plates, tight-wire walking, and clowning

Roots Rock Shop for boys and girls 9 to 15July 11 to July 15Designed for the musician interested in 20th century Americana music, campers will be encouraged to play original and traditional songs

McDonogh Rock Shop for boys and girls 9 to 15July 18 to July 29Instrument instruction and performance to composition and studio recording for the aspiring musician

ACADEMIC PROGRAMSESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) at McDonoghfor boys and girls 12 to 16Session 1: June 19 to July 3Session 2: July 3 to July 17Session 3: July 17 to July 31A blend of academics, cultural interactions, language instruction, travel experiences, summer activities, and total English language immersion. This is an overnight program.

iCamp™ for boys and girls ages 7 to 13Weekly: June 20 to July 29Theme-based adventures chosen by the camper

McDonogh Chess Camp for boys and girls 5 to 12Session 1: June 20 to June 24Session 2: June 27 to July 1Strategies and tactics taught by a national chess master

ActiveChinese Summer Mandarin Program for boys and girls entering grades 7 to 12June 20 to July 8A program designed to give students a solid foundation in the Chinese language

SPORTS CLINICSCOED SPORTS CLINICS

The McDonogh Tennis Program for boys and girls 7 to 14Weekly: June 20 to July 29Instructional tennis program for boys and girls

Basics & Beyond Golf Camp for boys and girls 8 to 15Weekly: June 20 to July 29 Instructional golf program for boys and girls

McDonogh Competitive Swim Camp for boys and girls 9 to 15Session 1: June 20 to June 24Session 2: June 27 to July 1Designed for team swimmers

Kinderkick Soccer Camp for boys and girls 4 to 6June 20 to June 24Half-day soccer camp for beginners

McDonogh International Soccer School Baltimore Soccer Club "Invitation Only" Team Camp for Baltimore Soccer Club players and guests 5 to 18June 27 to July 1Designed to train all BSC teams and guests for the 2011-2012 season

McDonogh Squash and Badminton Camp for boys and girls 9 to 15Session 1: June 20 to June 24Session 2: July 18 to July 22General skills camp for players of all levels

BOYS SPORTS CLINICS

McDonogh Baseball Camp for boys 7 to 14June 20 to July 8Baseball camp for all ability levels

Kids Day Lacrosse Camp for boys ages 6 to 10June 20 to June 24Half-day lacrosse camp for beginners

McDonogh Lacrosse Academy for boys 7 to 14June 27 to July 1Boys lacrosse program, beginner to advanced

Mighty Mites Novice Wrestling Camp for boys ages 5 to 8June 27 to July 1Half-day wrestling camp for beginners

Maryland Future Champs Wrestling Camp for boys ages 7 to 17June 27 to July 1Designed to teach beginning and advanced techniques

McDonogh Football Camp for boys 6 to 14Session 1: July 5 to July 8Session 2: July 25 to July 29Non-contact football camp for all kinds of players

McDonogh Evening Lacrosse Camp for boys ages 5 to 13July 11 to July 14Emphasis on fundamentals for beginner and intermediate players

Matt Stover Kicking Camp for boys 8 to 18TBAOne-day placekicking camp taught by Matt Stover of the NFL

McDonogh International Soccer School: General Skills Camp for boys 6 to 14July 11 to July 15Introduction to the world of international soccer

McDonogh Elite Baseball Camp for boys 9 to 12July 11 to July 15Baseball camp for experienced players

Rising Star Boys Basketball for boys 8 to 15Session 1: July 11 to July 15Session 2: July 18 to July 22Session 3: July 25 to July 29Designed for the novice or advanced player

McDonogh International Soccer School: Goalkeeper Camp for boys 10 to 16July 18 to July 22Focused instruction for goalkeepers

McDonogh International Soccer School: Striker Camp for boys 10 to 16July 18 to July 22Focused instruction for goal-scorers

McDonogh International Soccer School: Advanced Skills Program for boys 9 to 16July 25 to July 29Tactical training and conditioning for both field players and goalies

GIRLS SPORTS CLINICS

McDonogh International Soccer School: General Skills Camp for girls 6 to 14June 20 to June 24Introduction to the world of international soccer

McDonogh Girls Lacrosse Camp for girls 6 to 14June 20 to June 24Program for beginner to intermediate players

McDonogh Girls Basketball Camp for girls 8 to 15June 20 to June 24Basketball instruction for beginner to advanced players

Eagle Volleyball Camp for girls 10 to 17July 5 to July 8Volleyball camp for beginner to intermediate players

McDonogh International Soccer School: Advanced Skills Program for girls 9 to 16July 5 to July 8Tactical training and conditioning for both field players and goalies

McDonogh Field Hockey Camp for girls 8 to 13July 11 to July 15Program for beginner to intermediate players

OVERNIGHT SPORTS CAMPSBOYS OVERNIGHT SPORTS CAMPS

McDonogh International Soccer School Overnight Camp for boys 10 to 16July 17 to July 20Tactical training and conditioning for both field players and goalies

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Between the Pipes Lacrosse Growing Goalies Camp for girls entering grades 4 to 9June 19 to June 21Instruction for the beginner and intermediate level goalkeeper

Rising Elite Girls Lacrosse Camp for girls entering grades 2 to 6June 20 to June 22For the advanced athlete who seeks to take her game to the next level

Between the Pipes Lacrosse Super Savers Camp for girls entering grades 9 to 12June 21 to June 23Ideal for the elite goalkeeper preparing for the college game

Positional Elite Girls Lacrosse Clinic for girls entering grades 7 to 12June 22 to June 23For the advanced high school athlete who seeks to hone her skills to the highest level

Nike Field Hockey Camp for girls 10 to 18June 26 to June 29General skills camp for players of all levels

Nike Girls Lacrosse Camp for girls 8 to 18July 24 to July 27For the advanced high school athlete who seeks to hone her skills to the highest level.

MCDONOGH SCHOOL, OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND 21117-0380 www.mcdonogh.org [email protected] 410-998-3519

TRANSPORTATION & LUNCH provided for select programs at McDonogh. BEFORE & AFTERCARE available to campers who attend Red Feather, Red Eagle, Senior Camp, All Sports Camp, Teen Camp, and Outdoor Adventure Camp. MULTIPLE SIBLING DISCOUNT offered to campers’ families participating in any of the following camps: Red Feather, Red Eagle, Senior Camp, All Sports Camp, Outdoor Adventure Camp, Teen Camp, Counselor-in-Training Program, Young Actors Theatre, Visual Arts Camp, Young Filmmakers Camp, McDonogh Tennis Camp, McDonogh International Soccer Schools, and McDonogh Baseball Camp. FOR A BROCHURE OR MORE INFORMATION CALL 410-998-3519.

2011 MCDONOGH SUMMER PROGRAMS



Park DayTrip camp offers adventure.

Elizabeth Levy MalisSpecial to the JewishTimes

JustinTsucalasPhotographer

T he idea of travel campmay evokeimages of European tours or trips

’cross country. But children ages 8-14don’t have to go that far to experiencethe joy of travel. Instead, they day trip.

While a day trip, or even two, remainsa staple of many camp experiences,ThePark School Summer Program’s“BeyondPark DayTrips” offers a specialty campdesigned entirely around the theme. Five-days-a week of day tripping adventuresawait campers who climb aboardThePark School’s air-conditioned bus toventure“beyond Park.”This camp offersa change of pace to traditional camp set-tings due to its ever-changing itinerary ofeducational and recreational sojourns

around the state of Maryland andsurrounding areas.

The camp appeals for a reasonbeyond adventure, too.

This one-week day trip camp, heldtwice a summer, strategically unfolds inearly June and lateAugust.The two camps,in fact, bookend Park’s core summerprogram, allowing parents to create alonger camp summer. “Parents are lookingfor additional weeks of camp,” says BobPeck, Park’s director of summer programs.“So we’ll meet one week before regularcamp starts and also a week after it ends.”

Park introduced the day trip camp in2005.Originally conceived as an end-of-summer“wind down”experience, itproved popular enough that now it’soffered as a“wind up”week to camp, too.

“There are more families with twoparents working,” says Mr. Peck. “Theyneeded a place to send their kids thoseweeks.And with more parents working,they don’t always have the time to dolocal traveling and trips.And schools don’tnormally take kids the places where wetake them.”

So just where do these campers go?The day trips remain diverse – and

fresh yearly.A sampling of past forays inthe field:The Babe Ruth and Sports LegendMuseum,The Glen L.Martin AviationMuseum,Calvert Hall Maritime Museum,Maize Quest Fun Park,MadameTussaudsWax Museum, a butterfly garden,NationalZoo,Blackwater Refuge and biking onNorthern Central RailroadTrail.

“Parents can make suggestions,” saysMr. Peck.“I welcome recommendations,places their kids would like to see. It’s abasic day trip camp, so we go here inMaryland and the surrounding areas likeD.C. andVirginia.” In its inaugural year, theday trip campers went hiking at Harper’sFerry, tubing on the Gunpowder River, toHershey Park,and out onTheAppalachianTrail, recalls Mr. Peck.

Over the years, new ideas for tripsunfold; yet old favorites die hard.Twodestinations remain ever popular withkids: swimming at a state park and sailingwithAnnapolis-based SchoonerWood-wind Cruises,where the movie crew of“Wedding Crashers” used one of itsboats as a filming location.

Oldies But Goodies“Some things we always repeat, every

session— like the go-carts, laser tag and

miniature golf — due to their popularity,”says Stradine Harris, camp counselor andphysical education teacher atThe ParkSchool. But as an educator, she keeps hereye on the bigger picture.

“Sometimes we go to a museum orsometimes we think out of the box,” saysMs. Harris. In fact,Ms.Harris takes inspira-tion from memories of successful day tripswith her own children when they wereyoung.“It’s unbelievable what Baltimore[area] has,” reminds Ms.Harris.

“This camp is great if you are lookingfor a non-traditional camp,where childrenare not sitting in one place, but learningand experiencing new places,” she says.

Onward Ho“We like to go to Pennsylvania because

there are many activities there.Toppingthat list are two favorites: Indian EchoCavern,where Susquehannock NativeAmericans inhabited underground caves,and Haines Shoe House, a pink boot-shaped home built by Colonel Mahlon M.Haines, owner of some 40 shoe stores.Another big hit:what Park camp callsTheFactoryTours, including stops to see howthings operate at UTZ potato chips factory,Wolfgang candy company and the Perrydelldairy farm,” says Ms.Harris.

Edna Albuquerque’s son, Eric, 12,enrolled in Park’s day trip camp lastsummer.He attended both early summerand late summer sessions, eager to expe-rience different places during each course.This summer marked Eric’s third timesigning up for day trip camp.

Says Mrs.Albuquerque,“It’s incrediblyfun — accompanied by a lot of educa-tional information. It’s great for all ages.Theinteraction between the older and youngerkids is enriching, too.”

DayTripping

CAMPS2

A camper drives a go-cart.





She appreciates the efforts of the Parkstaff. “Stradine [Harris] keeps the kidsactive. She builds a little education into it… putting their brains to work.On the biketrip, she gave a history of the background tothe trail.

“I’d recommend this camp to parentslooking for a camp that’s safe and fun.Thiscamp gets better and better each time,”says Mrs.Albuquerque.

Last summer inAugust,campersenjoyed a day trip to the town of Havre deGrace in northern Baltimore County,wherethey stopped at the Concord Point Light-house,MaritimeMuseum,the DecoyMuseum and Bomboy’s HomemadeChocolates.Crossing state lines into Penn-sylvania,another jam-packed day,promisednot only Indian Echo Caverns andThe ShoeHouse,but stops to pan for gemstones inthe flowing chutes of water at GemMillJunction,along with a visit to the USAWeightlifting Hall of Fame.Of course,minia-ture golf, roller blading,go-carts and laser tagrounded out the week.Traditionally,on thelast day of camp, the kids get to vote whatthey want to do, and rank trips in orderof preference.

But that’s only one day.The staff

“carefully picks the activities,”says EllenJanes,who enrolled her son,Max,11, in twosessions last summer. “We hadn’t plannedto sign up for two,but after the first day,hecame back loving it.They were like a littlemerry band of travelers.They all had a blasttogether.This camp is a terrific way for kidsto explore.”

Each day, campers ranging from grades2 through 8 leaveThe Park School at 9 a.m.,and generally return to campus by 5 p.m.

“These kids are not standing in once spot,”says Ms.Harris.“They are moving around toa different location everyday. It’s a week offun,but we expect them to take care ofeach other. It’s not‘I’here. It’s ‘we’…with theoldest and youngest kids interacting.”

“They really pack the days,”saysMrs. Janes.”I thought that my son wouldcome home tired and grumpy,but he wasreally energized with high energy and greatstories to tell.They created an atmosphere

where these kids were open to doing thesewonderful trips. It was a wonderful experi-ence. It would have taken us months[planning a family trip] to visit that arrayof places.” ��

Elizabeth Malis is a local freelance writer.

Graysen Herbelchristopher (front), Eric Albutvergue(middle) and Max Morrison (back) ride on go-carts.

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Campers get lessons inmanners at Bryn Mawrsummer program.

CAMPS2

Laura LaingSpecial to the JewishTimesJustinTsucalasPhotographer

A year ago, Sam Wachsinsisted that there was no reason to puthis napkin on his lap during dinner;but these days, the six-year-old hasimpressive table manners, and so doeshis nine-year-old sister Sophie.

Their mother, Kathie Wachs, attributesSam’s change in heart to a summer pro-gram at The Bryn Mawr School. Sheenrolled him in “Manners Can Be Fun!”last summer, and Sophie went to a campdesigned for older kids called “MadAbout Manners.”

Why manners camp? Mrs. Wachswasn’t worried that her kids were actinglike Neanderthals. It might be surprising,but Bryn Mawr’s manners programs havea great reputation with kids and parentsalike. “I’d heard that kids love it,” Mrs.Wachs says. “I thought it would be a greatidea to reinforce the manners we wereteaching them at home — in a fun way.”

Fun was an important draw for Mrs.Wachs, who works in the developmentoffice at The Bryn Mawr School. “Mostly,we want our children to have a goodtime at camp and to learn some things,”she says.

The Wachs kids did just that. For anentire week, they got lessons in tablemanners, how to look an adult in the eye

M atter

Carol Haislip runs a mock dinnerto teach campers manners.

annersM





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and how to shake hands. Now they alsoenjoy policing their parents at the dinnertable. “They like to teach their father,”Mrs. Wachs says with a laugh.

“It’s a wonderful program,” agreesVicky Burns, director of summer pro-grams at Bryn Mawr. “It always seemsto attract families beyond the BrynMawr community.”

This is clearly not your mother’s eti-quette class, but that doesn’t mean kidsare always eager to attend. “The olderkids often come in with glum looks ontheir faces, because they’ve been signedup formanners camp,” says Carol Haislip.

A co-founder of The InternationalSchool of Protocol in Hunt Valley, Ms.Haislip and her business partner, CathleenHanson, facilitate “Manners Can Be Fun!”and “Mad About Manners.” They’veoffered the week-long sessions for 11years, beginning it only five years afterfounding their business.

“The program is age-appropriate,”Ms. Haislip says. That translates to games,crafts and role-play. “It’s a different waythat the skills are getting through thechildren,” Ms. Burns says.

Let’s get one thing straight: Etiquette isnot a set of outdated rules and regulationsdesigned tomake interactionswith othersdifficult. On the contrary, goodmannersset a good first-impression and fosterstrong communication. These are the skillsit takes to be successful,”Ms.Haislip says.

Table manners are just the tip of theiceberg. Sure, students learn the differencebetween a soupspoon and a tablespoon,but they also gain confidence whenspeaking with adults.

“Most kids are uncomfortable withlooking at adults in the eye,” Ms. Haislipexplains. “They find it scary.” She helpsreduce that fear with role-play— andshe supplements these games with masksthat the kids have made themselves.

“They also learn how to introducepeople to each other,” Ms. Haislip says.Puppets come in handy here. Makingsmall talk is another teachable skill.Students learn to ask questions, in thehopes that they’ll find something incommon with the other person. “We tryto keep things simple,” Ms. Haislip says.

The students practice what shepreaches. To learn how to use a knife and

Props for lessons on table manners and phone etiquette




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fork, the younger kids try their hands atcutting a pastry. Sophie learned how touse chopsticks by picking up goldfishcrackers. “She thought that was hilarious,”Mrs. Wachs says.

“The kids love it,” Ms. Haislip says.“And the parents are amazed. Theseclasses help the parents.” That’s becausein a room full of other kids, the studentsare susceptible to good peer pressure.That, in turn, reduces the need forparental nagging.

“Manners Can Be Fun!” and “MadAbout Manners” don’t automatically turnout Little Lord Fauntleroys. It takes time

for kids to develop consistency withgood etiquette. “Sophie and Sam don’talways remember their manners,” Mrs.Wachs attests — which is completelynormal, Ms. Haislip says.

“At every age, they’re able to graspmore and more of the concepts,” shesays. “During the camp, we want them todevelop some of the basic skills that areneeded to interact with others.”

When they do, the students reportpositive feedback.

“This is the kind of thing adults liketo see in kids,” Haislip says. ��

Laura Laing is a local freelance writer.

Sophia Maine (top left) and Abby Watson (top right) use puppets to practice conversation techniques.

CAMPS2


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Maryland Science Center offerseclectic summer camps.

CAMPS2

Elizabeth Levy MalisSpecial to the JewishTimes

Beehive hairdos, Berger cookies andhard-shell crabs bring to mindimages of Baltimore, hon — but

those same phrases now conjure upmemories of adventures at summercamp — and a science camp, at that!

TheMaryland Science Center SummerCamp [CampMSC], located at Baltimore’sInner Harbor, offered this past summera one-week program called “It’s ScienceHon,” where campers “learn about thescience that makes Baltimore a trulyoriginal place to live,” according toCamp MSC.

This specialized session co-existedalongwith other offerings bearing differentthemes, such as “Wicked Cool Science,”“Slimy Science,” “Wizzarding forMuggles,”“Storm Chasers” and “Myths Busted.”Every summer, Camp MSC invents newthemed programs, demonstrating a knackfor an eclectic mix of summer optionstargeting children ages 4 to 13. Futuresummers promise more of the same.

Now, back to Beehives and Bergercookies.

During “It’s ScienceHon,”14 campers,ages 6 to 7, delighted in learning moreabout CharmCity. Unique to this pro-gram: a “field trip” component whichbrought the kids out beyond the walls ofThe Science Center — no buses needed.These campers ventured out by footaround the Inner Harbor to rediscoversome of its highlights, this time with afocus on science.

“We try to bring science into children’slives in fun ways,” says Lori Blau, seniordirector of guest services. “We want toinspire them to love science. We wantto make science fun. We want to makea connection … that science is a reallycool thing.”

“Wewant to highlight thewonder andwow behind science,” says Ms. Blau. “Notkeep itmysterious, butmake it accessible.”

According to Ms. Blau, along with allof last summer’s Camp MSC programs,“It’s Science Hon” filled up pretty quickly.She surmises the “fun sounding” titlemight have had something to do withits popularity, as did the promise of dailydelights. Campers made window screenpaintings. They painted crab shells. They

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It’s ScienceHon!

Counselor/ Coordinator Lori Blau and camperBeatrice Messaris build beehive hairdos outof Dixie cups at Hon camp.


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played crab soccer andcrab volleyball. They plantedbay grasses in tubs. They made lemonstick snacks, a staple long served atBaltimore’s Flower Mart.

Campers staged a “tallest Beehivehairdo contest,” where kids learned andapplied some engineering principals tostack Dixie cups, in that hairdo style, ashigh as they could go. Some creations gotas tall as four or five feet before topplingover, recalls Ms. Blau.

Frequent field trips added to the fun.Campers delighted in a visit to The FudgeFactory, where they melted fudge usingmagnifying glasses.They donned bathingsuits and cooled off from the heat in thedancing water jets of the Walter Sond-heim Fountain, an interactive fountainlocated at West Shore Park.

Next, enter pirates — “They spent awhole day on pirate stuff. There’s a bigpirate history in Baltimore. At one time,it was called a ‘nest of pirates’,” saysChris Blair, early child specialist andlead counselor. The campers held pirateship races using toy pirate boats they hadmade. They ran relay races while scoopingup pirate booty along the routes. Theyconcocted “scurvy medication” (i.e.,lemonade slushees) while learning aboutthe body’s need for vitamin C.

When Mr. Blair is not at Camp MSC,he works in The Science Center’s kids’room, featuring “a whole wall of Baltimorestuff” — sounds, sights and famouspeople of our town. Mr. Blair gets creditfor helping come up with the idea of thecamp. “How great to do a place where youlive [theme] — and learn the traditions,”he says. “Baltimore is as eccentric as it isfun to teach about.”

“We were looking for somethingdifferent,” he says. ”A lot of camps followmovies, and we had a Harry Potter camp.But it’s always good to know where youcome from.”

Mr. Blair says that most campersalready knew some facts about Baltimore,but the camp opened their minds to morelore. “Certainly, kids today know aboutBerger cookies, but the beehive hairdoswere before their time. It was new for themto learn about screen painting,” he says.

“They found clever ways to keep thekids engaged and sneak in some learning,”says Federal Hill-resident and parentSarah Gannett, who signed up herthen-6-year-old daughter, Ann Bethell.“’It’s Science Hon’ was unique,” she says.“They covered everything from the

geometry ofbeehive hairdos tothe specifics of foun-tains in the Inner Harbor.The kids got to go on field trips —all the while doing games and learning.At The Fudge Factory, they learned aboutchemistry when you heat chocolate up.

Ms. Gannett has two children. Her son,Henry Bethell, 9, attended Camp MSC’sHarry Potter camp, while her daughtertook on Baltimore. “My son is kind of thescientist in the family. Ann likes science,but it’s not ‘her thing.’ But it didn’t haveto be with this camp,” says Ms. Gannett.“Some people think science camp appealsto a certain type of kid, but these campsappeal to kids across the spectrum, notjust science geeks.”

A long-time Science Center member,Ms. Gannett says, “The Science Center iskind of like an indoor playground for kids.They can move around in a lot of greatspaces and learn at the same time.” How-ever, this camp offered something more.“The field trip aspect made it differentfrom other Camp MSC programs,” saysGannett. “My daughter is definitely anexplorer, so it was a good fit for her,” saysAnn’s Dad, Hugh Bethell.

“We got an outline at the beginningof the week. Annie looked forward toWednesday at the chocolate factory andFriday at the fountain,” adds Ms. Gannett.“It was great that they were learning moreabout things that were already familiar tothem. My kids live in Baltimore [City].The Sondheim Fountain is right there.We’d been meaning to do the fountainall summer, but never got to it. I keptthinking I’d do it one day,” she says —grateful that Camp MSC got the job done.

After four summers of science camps,“We’ve finally hit our stride with just theright mix of technical science versus funscience,” says Ms. Blau. Launched in 2006,these camps make a connection. “TheScience Center does a lot of things [forlocal kids] during the school year, but[before Camp MSC] we lost that Baltimoreconnection in the summer. So manypeople were coming in our doors [insummer], but they were not from here —they were tourists. We were and are alwayslooking for ways to create an affinity withthe community.” ��

Elizabeth Malis is a local freelance writer.

Hon!_Camps2_Feb_2011:Layout 1 2/4/11 1:58 PM Page 35

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CAMPS2

Jacob BerkmanNEWYORK (JTA)

WW hen Frank Silberlicht becamethe executive director of CampYoung Judaea in Wimberley,

Texas, in 1998, he had no idea that his jobeventually would change from getting acamp up and running to being the CEO of a midsized nonprofit.

But over the past decade or so, asprivate camps have ramped up theirprogramming and facilities, nonprofitcamps like the Young Judaea in Wimber-ley have realized that they need to domore than just patch up their aging facilities

to compete.In Mr. Silberlicht’s case it meant evolving

from a situation in which he would reachout to donors whenever something need-ed repair to creating an active board thatraises $500,000 annually for capital im-provements and coming up with a strategicplan to boost the camp’s population and facilities.

“No one ever told me about fundraising,” Mr. Silberlicht said. “Now that is abig part of my job.”

Young Judaea in Texas is one of 80not-for-profit camps now working with theHarold Grinspoon Foundation’s Institute

for Jewish Philanthropy in a program thatoffers consulting services to help campadministrators become more professionaland millions of dollars in matching grantsfor improving camps.

The foundation’s benefactor, HaroldGrinspoon, was the pioneer in giving Jewishchildren cash incentives to attend Jewishsummer camp, starting a program in1995 in western Massachusetts that gavescholarships to first-time campers.

In 2010, Mr. Grinspoon surveyed thecamps he was helping to populate andrealized that they were in dire need of updating.

His institute deployed a team of consult-ants and mentors across the United Statesto work one-on-one with the camps tohelp them update their fund-raising oper-ations, professionalize their lay leadershipboards, initiate strategic plans and improvetheir fund-raising technology.

For camp administrators, that has meantmore successful fund-raising campaigns andmore professional management. On theground, campers are getting better facilities,new sports fields and renovated bunks.That helps increase enrollment, which inturn boosts the camps’ revenue streamsand financial viability.

Fund-raising essential to survival of nonprofit camps.

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“Jewish overnight camp includesgroups that are 100 years old but thathad been primarily living off of income[from camp tuition], and with a lot ofdeferred maintenance,” Eric Phelps, thedirector of the Institute for Jewish Philan-thropy, told JTA.“A camp could be 65years old and have only 400 people intheir database.We have helped themwith technology to make sure they havea donor base of more than 6,000.”

Over the past six years the institute hashelped camps raise more than $50millionfor capital improvements,expansions andendowments,and Grinspoon has pitchedin another $10.5 million in matching funds.

Grinspoon also is offering incentives tohelp camps start to think more seriouslyabout soliciting bequests and legacy grantsfrom donors by offering camps $25,000 inimmediate grants over three years if theycanmeet specific goals for legacy giving.Theproject thus far has helped 31 camps bringin $31.8 million in legacy gifts.

The Grinspoon Foundation also isworking with the Jewish CommunityCenterAssociation and theMandel Centerof the Jewish Federations of NorthAmerica to develop a pilot program tobring to day camps the consulting servicesit has used with overnight camps.

The groups have commissioned astudy to be completed by the end of thisyear to examine the scope of day campsand to help day camps, overnight campsand Jewish community centers worktogether in mutually beneficial ways.

“They have really been transformed,”said the foundation’s executive director,Joanna Ballantine.“There were facilityissues and opportunity issues.”

Or as Mr.Phelps put it,“The transforma-tion has been visible and palpable.Youwouldn’t recognize some of these camps.It would be like going from HurricaneKatrina to Palm Beach.”

The foundation said it helped one ofthe smaller camps with which it worked

to install donor management software,utilize social media to get guests to its firstalumni reunion and raise more than$600,000 in two years — three times itsannual operating budget.

Another camp used its Grinspoonmentor to create a strategic plan and amaster facilities plan to start a $6 millioncampaign, of which it already has raised$4.8 million, the foundation said.

Camp Ramah of New England hasworked with the institute over the past 18months to help it enact a strategic plan thatwill make the Conservative camp networkbecomemore of a year-round resource toits constituents and potential constituents,boardmemberAaron Kass said.

“They have really helped focus us andprovide us with focus,”Mr.Kass said.“Theygave us someone whowas a fundamentallyexperienced consultant whowas able towalk us through the process of doing this.”

For a camp likeYoung Judaea inTexas,the transformation started in 2000,whenit received an unsolicited $200,000 giftthat it had no idea how to handle,Mr.Silberlicht recalled.Ultimately the moneywas used to build an aquatics center anda couple of cabins.

More importantly,however, the gift setoff a strategic planning process that hashelped the camp grow from 328 campersto nearly 600 and spurred a fund-raisingstrategy that has raised more than $4million to start an ambitious building projectthis year to improve its facilities.

“Weworked on building board rela-tionships,governance and how to recruitpeople for the board.We learned fundraising— if you bring a donor to the camp,how do you show the camp andmake thepitch? Fund raising is not just calling some-one and asking for money.You have to getto know donors and communicate withthem frequently,”said Mr. Silberlicht. ��

Jacob Berkman is JTA’s chief philanthropycorrespondent.

Philanthropist Harold Grinspoon, right, visiting one of the camps he's trying to help professionalizewith matching grants and consulting services.

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Camps 2 - February 2011