Exploration Camp Week 9
August 5-9, 2024
Exploration Camp Week 9
Everything you could need to know about camp is in our handbook. Please read carefully.
Family Handbook
Drop Off Location: Please use the interactive map below to find out where your camper should be dropped off.
Please look for the colored pins on the map, and colored flags at camp to find your camper's drop off and pick up.
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Orange |
Camp Chris Lower Camp, Family Drop Off, Eagles MultiSport & Sport Specific Camps |
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Blue |
Camp Chris Upper & Senior Camps, LIT programs, Exploration Camps, Early Morning/Extended PM programs |
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Yellow |
Camp Chris Chipmunks & Chickadees & Middle Camps |
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Magenta |
Prep for the Prep, Aspire Academic & Enrichment Camps |
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Green |
Visitor & Staff Parking |
Drop Off Time: Starts at 9:00 am*
Pick Up Time: Exploration Camps at 3:45pm, All other programs 4:00 pm*
*Extended Day options are available, starting at 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. Registration must be made in advance.
Your welcome email contains a unique Pick Up Pass. Show this pass for a quicker pick up experience. Individuals who do not show the correct pass will be asked to verify their pickup with identification that matches the approved pick up person on the child’s CampBrain account. Click here for more information on authorized pick ups.
VIEW MAP
Need to pick up early or drop off late?
We offer two Early Pickup times at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Please contact the Camp Office at 978-774-1427 in advance to arrange for an early pickup.
Drop Offs after 9:15 am should be brought to Memorial Gym. We will escort your camper to their program as staffing allows.
Please see our handbook for our policies on late pickups.
Is your camper going to be absent? Please call the Camp Office.
Only campers who have registered for transportation can access bus transportation. Spaces are limited- please visit our register link below to add bus registration. Bus registration closes on the Monday before your camp week starts.
Please see our Family Handbook for bus rules and expectations.
Bus stops do not have restroom facilities. Please encourage your child to visit the restroom before you leave.
Please check your child in with the Summer at St. John’s Counselor every day before departing the bus drop off area.
When picking up, please be prepared to show ID or Pick Up Pass every time. If you are late to pick up, the bus will move on to the next stop with your camper on board.
REGISTER
Bus Stops & Times
Click here for addresses and more information
Bus Stop Location
(click for map link)
Departure
Arrival
Bus Number
Every Camper
Should Bring
1. Water Bottle
We have hydration stations all over camp filled with ice cold water. Please LABEL your water bottle in case it gets separated from your camper.
2. Sunblock
Ensure your camper arrives with sunblock already applied each day. Don't forget to pack extra for reapplication throughout the day. A hat and sunglasses provide additional protection against the sun's rays.
3. Nut Free Snack & Lunch
To keep food fresh, pack lunch and snacks in an insulated container along with an ice pack. Even if you buy lunch, your camper needs a snack. All lunches and snacks must be nut free!
Lost & Found is located in the Camp Office in Memorial Gym. You can visit anytime from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Please park in the visitors lots and walk in.
This Weeks Camps
See what camps are happening this week along with pertinent information for each.
Week 9: Baking Adventures. Calling all bakers! Are you ready to learn how to bake like the pros? Join us as we explore a variety of baking techniques from creating the perfect pie crust to drizzling a freshly made glaze. We’ll whip up a great line-up of sweet and savory recipes including handmade breads, delicious pies, scrumptious muffins and cookies. Grab a friend and let’s get baking!
What to Bring
- Water Bottle
- Nut Free Lunch and Snack
- Sweatshirt
- Swimsuit and Towel
- Backpack
- Sunscreen, Hat and Sunblock
- Please label everything with your camper’s name
Your email will tell you if you signed up for any options: Extended AM/PM, Lunch or bus
What to Bring
- Water Bottle
- Nut Free Lunch and Snack
- Sweatshirt
- Please label everything with your camper’s name
Your email will tell you if you signed up for any options: Extended AM/PM, Lunch or bus
Join us for our half day Chess camps! Spend half the day with our chess instructors, and half the day sampling all that camp has to offer- swimming, sports and games, arts and crafts, and more! We offer two tracks, and our talented instructors will assess students to make sure that they are in the right group.
Beginner-level (Chess for Beginners):
This camp is geared towards kids that are new or relatively new to chess. Learn and reinforce basic principles. This camp covers the topics like: Piece names/movement, starting position, turn-sequence, piece values, special rules, general board competencies, and checks/checkmates. We’ll learn about notations for reading (and writing) games. We’ll do lots of problem-solving work, so be prepared to exercise your brain.
Students will be able to play with each other as well as their instructor to practice their skills and learn.
Intermediate / Advanced Camp:
This camp is geared towards students who already know chess rules/basics. It is preferable to have students who know all of the rules of chess before signing up for this chess session. This camp will concentrate on the specific offensive and defensive strategies with a review of fundamental opening, middlegame, and endgame strategies. Each day the students will be introduced to a new tactic and/or strategy such as pins, forks, discovered attacks, and skewers. Students will also learn basic checkmating patterns such as how to checkmate with a king and queen vs. king. We’ll learn about notations for reading (and writing) games. We’ll do lots of problem-solving work, so be prepared to exercise your brain. Students will be able to play with each other as well as their instructor to practice their skills and learn.
This camp presented with our partner, Chess Hero.
What to Bring
- Water Bottle
- Nut Free Lunch and Snack
- Sweatshirt
- Swimsuit and Towel
- Backpack
- Sunscreen, Hat and Sunblock
- Please label everything with your camper’s name
Your email will tell you if you signed up for any options: Extended AM/PM, Lunch or bus
What to Bring
- Water Bottle
- Nut Free Lunch and Snack
- Sweatshirt
- Please label everything with your camper’s name
Your email will tell you if you signed up for any options: Extended AM/PM, Lunch or bus
Do you love acting and want to learn how to improvise like a pro? Our Theater and Improv (Yes And) class is the perfect place to start! In this course, students will explore the fundamentals of improvisational theater and learn how to think on their feet. You’ll develop your acting skills through fun exercises and games, as well as learn the art of “Yes And” – a technique that encourages collaboration and creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned actor or a beginner, this class will help you develop your confidence and creativity on stage. We’ll also get to do some stage design. No previous experience is necessary – just bring your willingness to play and have fun!
This program presented with our partner, Vinyard App Camp.
What to Bring
- Water Bottle
- Nut Free Lunch and Snack
- Sweatshirt
- Please label everything with your camper’s name
Your email will tell you if you signed up for any options: Extended AM/PM, Lunch or bus
What to Bring
- Water Bottle
- Nut Free Lunch and Snack
- Sweatshirt
- Please label everything with your camper’s name
Your email will tell you if you signed up for any options: Extended AM/PM, Lunch or bus
Two great programs this week with our partner, Black Rocket. We’ll do one program in the morning, and one in the afternoon- a full day of learning and fun!
AM Programming: Inventor’s League – Prototyping for the Future!
Become an inventor of the future! Learn ‘rapid prototyping’ and problem solving as you conceptualize and design a product to solve a critical global issue. Each day begins with inspirational profiles of young inventors, such as the eleven-year-old who coded a robot to find victims of natural disasters. Next, research a problem to tackle in medicine, architecture, the environment, or a topic of your choosing. Once your vision is complete, learn how to draft 2D designs, create 3D models, and develop a website to pitch your ideas to the class. Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family.
PM Programming: Bricks and Sticks Stop Animation
Create your own stop motion film!
Take your stop motion movies to the next level. First, create a story with Stikbots, Legos, action figures, or all three! Then, watch your story come to life using special stop motion software that allows you to add special effects and go beyond the typical software on a mobile device. Students will need to bring in figures, Stikbots, or Legos from home, but all other equipment will be provided. Student-created films will be available on a password protected website to share with friends and family.
This camp presented with our partner, Black Rocket.
What to Bring
- Water Bottle
- Nut Free Lunch and Snack
- Sweatshirt
- Please label everything with your camper’s name
Your email will tell you if you signed up for any options: Extended AM/PM, Lunch or bus
Tripping Camps
Check out the schedule below- this will be your camper’s best week ever!
What to Bring
- Bathing suit
- Wet Shoes
- Water Bottle
- Sunblock, Hat and Sunglasses
- Nut Free Lunch and Snack
- Towel
- Campers can bring money in the case of snack and souvenir shops.
- Please label everything with your camper’s name
Day
Date
Activity
Waiver
Tuesday
August 6
Daytrippers take to the water on a fully guided kayak trip with Plum Island Kayak!
No waiver needed
Wednesday
August 7
Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Coast to Coast Paddle (located at the historic Salem Willows).
Waiver available here.
Thursday
August 8
Adventure to Bakers Island with Essex Heritage – very few people get to spend time on remote Bakers Island, so this will be an amazing trip!
This trip requires a waiver, available here.
Friday
August 9
Daytrippers end the week with a relaxing day at Salisbury Beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying seaside fun.
No waiver required,
Lunch Time!
Camp Lunch is Awesome!
Skip the packed lunch hassle and let us deliver a hot or cold lunch to your camper.
The deadline to add lunch is Friday, July 26, 2024 at 4:00 pm. Log onto your parent account to add lunch.
Campers who purchase lunch still need to bring a nut-free snack from home.
This Week's Lunch Choices:
Hot options: Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Cheese Pizza
Cold options: Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap, Ham Sandwich, Sunbutter and Jelly Sandwich
All lunches served with choices of whole fruit, chips, dessert and water.
Nutritional and Allergy information can be found on the Sage Dining site. Gluten free options are available.
The Google lunch order form will be emailed exclusively to families who have purchased lunch on Monday, July 15, 2024. A gentle reminder: Senior Campers and LIT l’s should opt for a cold option on Wednesdays.
Camp Store
Campers entering Grades 2 and up will visit the Camp Store. Here, they can indulge in purchasing camp merchandise, snacks, and refreshing beverages. The Camp Store is cashless- campers purchase items using their Camp Store funds allocated through their CampBrain account.
We also have an online Camp Store for camp merch- you can order in advance, and we'll deliver while your camper is in camp, or you can pick up at the camp office. This is a great option for your Lower Camp or Exploration camper!
Add camp store funds
Dressing for the Weather
At camp, the fun never stops, whether the sun is shining or raindrops falling. We provide indoor spaces and fun alternatives in case of rain, but do need to go outside to transition between activities. If the weather forecast calls for rain, please pack a rain jacket (no umbrellas, please!) and a sweatshirt- most indoor spaces are air conditioned.
The Camp Health Office is staffed with nurses and health assistants. You can reach them through our Camp Office at 978-774-1427 or campnurse@stjohnsprep.org with any questions you have. A few reminders:
- Campers' medications should not go in backpacks, but should be dropped off at camp at the Medical Drop Off Table at the Family Drop Off location on Monday mornings starting at 8:45 am.
- Medications for campers who ride the bus need to be signed in with the Summer at St. John's Counselors riding the bus on Monday morning.
- Please see our Family Handbook for details on medications and when you should keep your camper home from camp.
- Please make sure that your camper's medical forms are all up to date and uploaded in our parent portal.
Need More Weeks?
We have open spaces! Click any of the camps below to explore.