Summer in Elementary
**Most Summer Weeks are Full for both Lower and Upper Elementary: Contact Kim Gallagher to find out remaining availability.**
Lower Elementary campers will be invited to join in on 3 different excursions! During Weeks 1, 3, and 5, join us as we explore and spend some time away from campus.
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Lower Elementary Children who have finished Kindergarten - 2nd or 3rd grade (depending on parent decision) |
Upper Elementary Children who have finished 3rd-6th grade |
Junior High Children who have finished 6th, 7th and 8th grade |
A Typical Week:
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Camp Headquarters (5 to 12-year-olds):TCH Base Camp provides a home base and consistent schedule for campers during the times they are not involved in the rotation of morning workshops or excursions. Base Camp activities include athletic and social skill-building games, creative problem-solving activities, and crafts. A daily quiet period after lunch includes time for chess, board games, and quiet reading. |
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Morning Workshops (5 to 9-year-olds):Each morning, campers rotate through three activity sessions that center around a weekly theme. The three sessions include a workshop focused on the theme of the week, a physical activity, and a cooking or craft project. See below for specific age groups, themes, and schedules. |
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Off-Campus Excursions M, T, W, TH (9 to 12-year-olds):Our older campers like an adventure and also like to participate in planning the adventure. The off-campus excursions with Steve Maas take the campers on day trips to many of the spectacular attractions in our area. Last summer they visited beaches, Sleeping Bear Dunes, lighthouses, trails, nature areas, Raven Hill Discovery Center, Pirate's Cove, the library, and downtown T.C. They collaborate weekly with Steve to choose their destinations. A $10 weekly excursion fee is charged to cover transportation and admittance fees, when applicable. (All upper elementary campers participate in the excursions unless you've pre-arranged something with Kim.) |
Pizza Wednesday - each Wednesday of Summer, pizza will be available for all the primary and elementary children. To order, please use the Boonli lunch ordering system, instructions will be included in your welcome packet.
Weekly Themes:
Week 1 (June 19-23): Enchanted Forest includes Friday 6/23 outing to The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park
Summer is in full swing. Join us as we get creative building tiny fairy houses and giant forts! At the end of the week, campers will take an excursion to the local Fairy Trails at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park and set up their fairy homes. What a magical week!
Week 2 (June 26-30): Red, White, Blue and Cherries, too!
Our favorite week is back! Red, White and Blue activities, crafts and snacks! We will decorate bikes to get them geared up for Fridays Bike Parade and picnic lunch!
OR: Hit the Trails, Bike Week 1, for more advanced riders: We will be offering two "Hit the Trail Bike Weeks" this summer. This first session is for more advanced riders. There will be several off-road, dirt rides and participants must be able to keep up and ride the more challenging trails. Experienced riders only! Contact Kim Gallagher if you have questions.
Week 3 (July 10-14): Sports Extravaganza includes Thursday 7/13 outing to Pit Spitters game
Go long and catch some sports action this week with teamwork activities and lawn games! We’ll explore mind boggling facts about your favorite sports, create obstacle courses and at the end of the week, attend a Traverse City Pit Spitters baseball game!
Week 4 (July 17-21): Craft and Create
This week young artists will explore their creativity and learn new art skills. Thematic crafts, painting, and other art skills will “color” our campers!
Week 5 (July 24-28): Outdoor Explorers
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! Join us as we explore Mother Nature and all of its creations. This week will be filled with nature inspired activities, crafts and games!
Week 6 (July 31-August 4): TCH Got Talent
Ever wanted to showcase a talent or learn a new one? Now is your chance! Campers will spend the week practicing a talent, setting up the stage, and rehearsing for the show. On Friday we invite parents to come and watch. Lights, Camera, Action!
Week 7 (August 7-11): Go Green includes Friday 8/11 outing to Empire Beach for beach cleanup/beach day
This week we hope to educate and inspire our campers about our environment. We’ll be playing games and making projects that are all centered around going green. At the end of the week, we will be heading to Clinch Park beach to participate in a beach clean up and end the day with swimming.
OR Hit the Trails, Bike Week 2, for less experienced riders: Students must be able to ride at least a 20" bike without training wheels and do up to 60 miles for the week. We will stay on paved trails and take it a little slower to accommodate our friends who love to ride but haven't spent as much time doing it. Contact Kim Gallagher if you have questions.
Week 8 (August 14-18): Summer in Space
Join us for a week of all things Space! We will be exploring the universe with STEAM projects to learn about planets, stars, rockets, astronauts, and more! Special space snacks will be made throughout the week.
Week 9 (August 21-25): Passports Around the World
No passport? No problem! Campers will “visit” new countries with their very own unique passport; trying foods, listening to traditional music, and learning phrases in the language of the country. Get ready to set sail for adventure!
Fantastic Fridays:
Friday at TCH summer camp is a blast! Every Friday enjoy Moomer’s Ice cream along with outdoor activities including sprinkler and water fun (weather permitting).
Weekly Session Rates:
Elementary Summer Program Pricing (All 3 and 4-day options must be consistent days). This does not include the $10/week transportation fee for LE excursion weeks and UE weeks.
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3 Days 8:30-3:40 $259/week |
4 Days 8:30-3:40 $300/week |
5 Days 8:30-3:40 $340/week |
This program requires a minimum 2-week enrollment. Half-day schedules are only permitted by calling Kim Gallagher to make arrangements. A minimum of three days per week will be charged for each registered week. Early Care is available from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM and must be selected at registration. *Note: there is no after-care available this Summer, the school is open from 8:00 AM to 4 PM. Morning Carline will run from 8:20-8:40 and afternoon carline will run from 3:40-3:55 PM. The school closes at 4.
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Summer in Junior High
Open to students headed toward 7th, 8th and 9th grades from our school community as well as the greater Traverse City area.
We recognize that Summer for our oldest students focuses on friends and freedom. We also recognize that bringing them together a few times provides a wonderful opportunity for reconnecting and unique excursions. This Summer, we will offer 3 Junior High excursions with Steve Maas on the following dates:
Wednesday, June 21: we will head to the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids
Wednesday, July 19: Palmer Woods Mountain Biking
Wednesday, August 16: Hartwick Pines State Park and Logging Museum
Participation will be limited to 18 students. The cost is $75/Excursion. To register please email Kim Gallagher at kim@traversechildrenshouse.org.