Summer Camp 2023: FAQ
Q: What ages do you serve in your camps? We have camps for rising kindergarten through eighth grade (your child’s grade for Fall 2023). We have many opportunities for camp counselors 14 years plus. See below to learn more.
Q: My kid wants to sign up for the musical theater camp; it sounds exciting! What show will they be performing? This year, our theater campers will be performing in DISNEY’S NEWSIES JR.
Q. Who are the instructors that will be teaching the camps? What do counselors do? Our instructors are experts in their particular field with a passion for sharing their unique knowledge with campers. Each adult enrichment instructor is supported by one or two counselors (high school or college age) who assist with small group and individual instruction, move campers to and from lunch, assist with bathroom breaks and provide additional supervision.
Full day sports instructors (‘coaches’) are supported by adult assistant instructors and multiple high school athletes in that particular sport. The number of assistant instructors and counselors is based on enrollment in compliance with HHS camp regulations re: camper:student ratios.
Q: How do you choose the locations for each camp? All of our camps are centralized in two locations: Newton North & South. This makes our camps more accessible for students who take the bus to our programs. Keeping our programs in two locations also allows us to have excellent staffing coverage and fewer dropoff locations for families with more than one child attending camp. Most full-day sports camps are located at North due to pool access. Enrichment classes are split between South (1st 4 weeks of summer) and North (last 5 weeks of summer) to ensure convenient access from both sides of the city.
Q: The price of my child’s favorite camp seems to have gone up. Why is that? This year, despite high inflation and additional increases in the minimum wage, we have held Sports and half-day prices at 2022 rates and increased full day enrichment courses by only $25. We have done everything we can to keep prices low while still keeping our programs sustainable.
Q: Why did you change from the all full days you offered last year? While the sense of community and continuity was well-received by participants, families told us loud and clear that one of the things they appreciate about NCE is the ability to mix and match to make a full day and/or just take a half-day class that meets their child’s particular interests. And we listened!
Q: Why are there no half-day afternoon programs for K-1? We believe that it’s not developmentally appropriate to have 4-5 (some 6) year olds making so many transitions during the day (into AM class with one teacher/TA, to lunch, from lunch to free time, free time to PM class with another teacher/TA, home). We have found the daily changes to be stressful and tiring for our youngest campers. Recognising that many families need full-day care, we have LOTS of full day camp choices for the K-1 crowd.
Q: What COVID protection measures do you have in place We follow the same policies as the Newton Public Schools, and when they adjust their policies, we adapt accordingly. For more specific information, click here.
Q: Why do some camps start at 8:30 and some start at 9am? All Newton South programs start at 8:30am and all Newton North programs start at 9am. This staggered start makes it possible for families with children in both programs or students riding the bus to arrive at either location on time.
Q: Will I see my favorite coach/instructor? Almost certainly! Newton Community Education is proud of our retention of beloved staff from year to year, so you’ll see many of your favorite adults and also some new, exciting faces!
Q: Is there financial aid for your programs? Yes! We strongly encourage you to apply if you need help to attend. The deadline for scholarship application is May 15th and you can apply online here. If you have questions or need help, feel free to email scholarships@newtoncommunityed.org.
Q: My child wants to take a class for a higher grade level than they are currently in (e.g. they are in 3rd grade and want to take a class aimed at Grades 4-6). Can you make an exception? We make exception determinations closer to the start date of a class. Email us at nce-staff@newton.k12.ma.us, and we will get back to you once we have a sense of enrollment and the age distribution of the class.
Q: Will there be an extended day program? Unfortunately, not enough families enrolled in this option to make it viable.
Q: Will lunch be provided for your programs? Families provide lunch, snacks, and beverages for their children.
Q: Why do your classroom-based programs cost more than your sports camps? Our classroom-based programs cost more to run and generally have much smaller class sizes.
Q: What discounts do you offer? We don’t offer discounts; however we do offer need-based scholarships. We strongly encourage you to apply if you need help to attend. The deadline for scholarship application is May 15th and you can apply online here. If you have questions or need help, feel free to email scholarships@newtoncommunityed.org.
Q: I want to be a summer camp counselor or lifeguard. How can I apply? Great, we’d love to see your application! Applicants must be 14 years old by June 1, 2023 (16 for lifeguards). Apply online here.
Q: Will you have a CIT training program this year? This year we are putting all of our energy into making fantastic camp programs, so we are not running a larger CIT program. This year we are running the CIT program only for Camp Invention which you can sign up for here. (grades 7-9).