Lower Camp – Age 3.5–Entering Kindergarten

Fessenden Summer Camps

Leave camp every day with a smile

Tailor made for younger children, campers participate in a diverse range of fun activities, led by their caring counselors, and always in a safe environment. Whether they’re enjoying the creative experimentation of arts and crafts, the coordination-building skills of sports, or a harmonious singalong to camp songs, the children’s days are full of fun and excitement.

Lower Camp campers also enjoy special activities developed just for them:

  • Age-appropriate activities designed to encourage discovery, creativity, and teamwork, including dance and movement, clay play, and nature exploration.
  • Campers receive daily Red Cross swim instruction by our certified staff, and full-day campers enjoy a recreational swim period in the afternoon.
  • Free play time in our Imagination Station and natural playground to develop social and problem-solving skills while having fun.
  • At our Family Evening, young campers and their parents enjoy activities together after camp, including cooperative games, family swim time, craft projects, science challenges, and more.
  • Special events and theme days, such as superhero day, a carnival afternoon and a pool scavenger hunt, which build bonding and camp spirit.
They love it. They come home happy - and tired. And I never worry about them while they are there—I believe that their safety and well-being is on the top of the priorities list for the camp staff.- Parent of Kindergarten girl and 2nd grade boy
Both of our kids came home with smiles on their faces. Both of our kids learned to swim at camp and have formed lasting friendships with the counselors and campers alike. Overall, it is a breath of fresh air…- Parent of Pre-K girl and 1st grade boy
My daughter absolutely loved it! She still talks about it!- Parent of Pre-K girl

LOWER CAMP PROGRAM OPTIONS

We offer three program options for our younger campers. Each of our programs provides a well-organized, creative experience through a variety of activities that stimulate and nurture campers in these age groups. Children must be fully toilet trained in order to attend camp. Choose the program that best suits your camper and schedule.

We strive to have a balance of  boys and girls in our groups.  This impacts the number of spaces available for a given  gender in each age group.

Fessenden Summer Camps

HALF-DAY
(Age 3.5 to Entering Pre-K)

Monday-Friday
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The half-day program is generally recommended for campers getting ready to enter school who will benefit from a shorter day.  Campers swim once a day in small group swim lessons.

Campers must be 3.5 years old by June 30 (December birth month) to be eligible.

Fessenden Summer Camps

BLENDED
(Entering Pre-K to Entering Kindergarten)

Monday, Wednesday & Friday
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

This program serves as a bridge for campers making the transition to a full-day camp program. Campers have instructional swim every day and an additional recreational swim time on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Fessenden Summer Camps

FULL-DAY
(Entering Pre-K to Entering Kindergarten)

Monday-Friday
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 

This program is for campers ready for a full day of activities and fun. Campers swim twice a day in an instructional and a recreational swim period.

Lower Camp Facilities

  • A shallow pool that is perfect for the development of beginner swimmers.
  • Group rooms that provide a comforting and welcoming place for young children, with child-sized furniture and bathroom facilities.
  • Creative spaces, like our Imagination Station, designed for campers to build problem-solving and social skills through camper-led play.
  • Playground designed specifically for collaborative play using movable parts and open-ended spaces.
  • Chicken coop where campers help care for chickens.
  • Brand-new Center for the Arts with dedicated rooms for ceramics, woodworking, arts and crafts, and theater.
  • Soccer fields, basketball courts, and indoor gymnasiums where young campers can learn sports skills, improve their coordination, and have fun.

Lower Camp Staff

Counselors in Lower Camp are chosen for their experience with young children, their warm personalities, and their energetic and creative mindsets. Most Lower Camp senior counselors are teachers during the school year or are pursuing educational careers. Many of our senior counselors are parents themselves who have enrolled their own children in the day camp.
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