NIA Summer Day Camp

The NIA continues to provide summer programming for the community while school is out.  This summer, the NIA has 2 programs running: the long-standing “Summer Fun” program at the Regina Youth Center and the NIA Summer Camp at P.S. 229.  Together the programs are serving over 300 children with free activities.

At the Regina Youth Center, the “Summer Fun” Program offers children the opportunity to engage in activities from arts and crafts to physical education to academic studies.  Arts and crafts activities include children creating their own artistic vision with hats, sun-charmers, magnets, birdhouses, picture frames and piggy banks.  In addition to the arts and crafts, the “Summer Fun” Program has a specialty Fabric Arts activity that allows them to explore sewing and needle work through making 2-D and 3-D pillows, soft sculptures, and backpacks.
           
This year, the children can also enjoy the newly renovated gymnasium.  Activity leaders engage the children in fun, physical education games such as kickball, basketball, relay races, obstacle courses, and Simon Says.  Other recreational games include ping-pong, board games, and bingo with prizes.  When taking a break from the fun and games, the children get to work their minds by participating in math and reading instruction.  They also get to play an electronic, classroom version of the TV game show, Jeopardy, with topics including social studies, science, language arts, and culture.

Over at the NIA Summer Camp at P.S. 229, the children have even more activities with a 10 hour-a-day program.  The time between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, is filled with activities as varied as Dance, Movement, Drama, Creative Writing, and Foreign Language.  With Dance and Movement, children will learn how to develop coordination and enhance body awareness with all types of dance including step, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and modern dance.  In Drama, children will explore self-expression, acting, and improvisation by portraying scenes and giving performances.  Creative Writing and Foreign Language classes will allow children to expand their language skills and their familiarity with reading can creating literature.

Linda Panza, Site Director of the NIA Summer Camp at P.S. 229 had this to add, “This is our second summer running the NIA Summer Camp at P.S. 229 and things are running smoothly and the children are having a great time.  This year we’re fortunate to be able to expand our program with new activities and to give the children the opportunity to go on field trips and use Dyker Park.”

This summer, along with traditional activities like arts and crafts and physical education, the program has made some additions to further appeal to the interests of the children.  The program has arranged day trips to Scholastic Books in Manhattan and also has regular access to Dyker Park.  What a wonderful way for the children to spend their time until school begins.