Barrie Specialty Camps

Specialty programs combine a half-day of activity in a specific specialty area and a half-day of regular camp activity. They are designed for campers with a passionate interest, either new or in full bloom. Specialty activity is normally scheduled for the morning and regular camp activity for the afternoon. Occasionally, based on enrollment, an additional afternoon group will be formed and the regular camp activity will then occur in the morning. The regular camp program is modified to include one free swim per day and all the other regular camp activities (except Riding), including eligibility for the optional Overnight Program.

For children turning 14 in 2008 . . .

Camper / Counselor-In-Training Program

Fourteen year-olds have only a few summertime options, many of which do not continue all summeFor ir long. Typically, they are too old to be campers and too young to be employed. ndividuals who fit into this category, we offer the Camper / Counselor-In-Training Program. This program combines a half day of regular camp activity with a half-day of leadership training activity. CCIT's enroll for any four weeks or more of the nine we are open, but the weeks do not have to be in order.

C/CIT's are led and guided by the C/CIT Director. The director organizes training exercises, arranges field trips to other summer programs, creates written assignments and supervises C/CIT to assist with specialists or camp groups. To offer C/CIT’s a broad vision of the program, the C/CIT’s assignments are short-term within each division of camp and within most programs.

Special interests will be considered when service assignments are made, but C/CIT’s should not expect to remain exclusively in one program or area for all of their weeks in camp. CCIT's receive community service credit for their time in training.

For children entering Grades Four and above . . .

Riding Camp

Campers love Barrie's ponies and horses and almost every camper knows the names of each one. Barrie's Riding Camp offers campers the highest level of interaction with our horses, emphasizing a non-competitive, safe, "whole horse" program. It is a practical life experience to care for a horse and, in turn, gain respect for the responsibilities of care giving. Riders are taught not only the basic skills of controlling their mounts, but also how to fully care for the horses. Topics of discussion include horse sense, behavior, and management. Each session provides riders with an opportunity to enhance their skills by reaching toward a goal, while acquiring self-confidence, poise, balance, accuracy, flexibility, rhythm, coordination, timing, respect, alertness, and self-reliance. Success is measured individually.

Equipment: English saddles with quick-release stirrups are used. All riders must wear protective headgear approved by ASTM/SEI (American Standard for Testing Materials / Safety Equipment Institute). Barrie provides approved helmets of assorted sizes. Personal helmets may be used but they must be ASTM/SEI approved. Riding boots (or shoes with hard heels) and tight-fitting jeans or riding breeches are required while riding.

Digital Video Theater - Computer Camp

Designed to support what today's kids can do creatively with computers, the program focuses on live and animated, digital video.

ANIMATION:

• Cel Animation - using a technique similar to that employed by Walt Disney, campers will create, on the computer, simple animations composed of shape and sounds, created to match a sound track.
• Pixilation - using a digital still camera, campers will animate an inanimate object and add a sound track.
• Clay Animation - in the style of Will Vinton's "Claymation" (raisin commercial), campers will write a simple script that uses clay to tell a story. Using a web cam, campers will animate the clay to their story.

DIGITAL VIDEO:

• Camera Technique: using a digital camcorder, campers will practice basic camera techniques; use of sound; and lighting.
• Editing Techniques: including transitions, sound, and special effects.

Campers also have time for learning general computer techniques, tricks, shortcuts, and how to copy their work onto DVD's.

SummerStage

For campers, our summer theater program develops an even greater love of the theater, and a deeper appreciation of what it takes to make it work. At the same time, it hopes to convey the basic values of trust, honesty, self-confidence and sharing - the foundation of acting and theater, itself.

Session I: The first week of this session is devoted to getting to know
the participants. Each morning begins with a warm-up: a theater game, vocal exercise or an improvisation. As the session progresses, each day focuses on a new theatrical element. One day might be centered on elementary acting concepts and the basics of auditioning. The next day might be centered on vocal technique and prop design. During the second half of the session the performance process is added. We create a Scene Night, specially designed to meet the strengths and needs of each camper. They assist in every aspect of creating the show, including gathering props, stage managing, running the sound and light boards, and, of course, performing.

Session II: New and continuing students have the opportunity to delve even further into the complete theatrical experience. As in Session I, each morning begins with some kind of warm-up. In this session, the theater games and improves pertain directly to what is covered later. The first week intensifies the focus on the audition process, script and scene study, and the elements of Stage Design. By the second week, campers jump full force into creating a total production. The campers design the set, props, costumes, sound and lights. They Stage Manage the rehearsals, and build or modify each element of the production. The show might be a full-length play. Or, as in the past, the framework of the production is taken from a full-length play, with other scenes inserted in such a way that it flows like one piece. Regardless of format, it provides an opportunity for each actor or actress to find their own star.

SummerStudio

This “hands on” program provides a focused studio environment for creating a variety of two and three dimensional artworks and exploring multiple medias including: Drawing, Painting, Collage, Printmaking, Sculpture and Ceramics.

Campers are encouraged to explore a range of traditional and non-traditional art materials. There is time for personal favorites and time for exploration into other mediums. Campers develop a broad and specific understanding of the arts, ranging from field trips to museums - to creative, personal explorations. Campers have a wonderful opportunity to experiment with diverse modes of expression. Our studio is fully equipped and stocked, with paint for on-location painting, tiles for mosaics, sketchbooks for drawing, and wheels and kilns for pottery. Each session concludes with an exhibition where campers proudly display their portfolios.

SummerSports

Designed for kids who love all sports, the Summer Sports program focuses on four favorites: Basketball, Baseball, Soccer and Lacrosse, emphasizing fair play, good sportsmanship, leadership, and positive self image.

During each session, one week will be devoted to each of the four sports in the order above. Coaches will teach skills and fundamentals in a fun, yet challenging, way. A combination of practice drills, sessions on strategy and rules, and intra-squad games will comprise the morning. There will be time for learning and practicing a new skill, and plenty of time to enjoy the game, itself. No one will sit on the bench. Each camper's "Personal Best" and to have fun is the goal.

For children entering Grades Two to Four . . .

Karate Kids

Sensei Brian McNelis (1st Degree Jhoon Rhee Black Belt) and Sensei Catherine Eicke (3rd Degree Chunji style Black Belt) will be offering an intensive module aimed at creating a rewarding and fulfilling martial arts experience.  The thrust of the program is a ninety minute daily session in Tae Kwon Do, the Korean art of Self Defense.  As the summer progresses, participants will have the opportunity to rise two full belts, hear Guest Speakers from other Martial Arts such as jujitsu and kung fu, hear stories from the orient, and have the chance to compose and to film little original videos (mini-movies that the kids shoot and star in on the Barrie Campus).

The Naturalists "The Nats"

This program of discovery and exploration using our natural world is for children entering second through fourth grades. It is an opportunity to use the campus, studying the natural environment each morning, and doing the more traditional camp activities each afternoon. Summer Naturalists is a way to observe and study the botany, zoology, and chemistry of the Earth by looking closely at our immediate environment. Reading and writing activities, as well as experiments and observations, are part of every day. A classroom is used as a laboratory, nature center and field office. Following the morning program, the children have lunch and then follow the regular camp program. Enrollment is limited to twenty students.