Flexing brains, bodies

By Mary Alice Garrett

This story originally appeared July 7, 2005 in The News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware.

BRANDYWINE HUNDRED — Adventure Kids Summer Day Camp gets a lot of repeat business. Youngsters come as campers, and they keep coming back until they’re old enough to be camp counselors.

Ten-year—olds Valerie Hill and Simone Gabbour are typical of the children who have attended for several years. Both plan to become counselors-in training (CIT) at 13, move up to junior counselors at 15 and then counselors at 18. All undergo training (including first aid and CPR) in the spring before camp opens in mid—June.

The camp for 6- to 12-year-olds is in its fourth year and is held at St. Albans Episcopal Church on Wilson Road. lt’s privately owned by Julie Klabunde, who directed a similar camp in Wilmington and recently received a master’s degree in elementary education.

There’s a different theme each week. Field trips with educational components are planned to area attractions.

"One thing we will never ever, ever do is go to an amusement park," said Klabunde.

There are rooms for art, computers, reading and playing, plus yoga, swimming, science experiments, bowling and cooking. Between activities there are large group games and hee time to hang out with friends.

Each morning begins with yoga—type exercises. During African-theme week, Klabunde told the campers to imagine they were flying over the Serengeti (wildlife sanctuary) as they exercised. To the time of slow African music, they began with neck rolls and went into the "rock" posture, where they arched their backs like angry cats.

"Think about your feet as the roots of a tree," said Klabunde as she demonstrated a balance pose. “Your feet act as your anchor. That helps you stay balanced." The warrior pose followed, with some children swaying back and forth. They concluded with a new movement - the airplane - another balancing pose. "This is our hardest one yet," said Klabunde. "Work on that. Let’s see if you can do it tomorrow."

"Yoga was good," said Taylor Santa Cruz, a CIT. "It got you very relaxed. "

After yoga, they divided into small groups to make batik placemats. Using softened candles, they made designs on cotton place mats that were later dyed.

"I like doing the art projects,” said Hill, who’s in her third year at camp. Hill worked with Morgan Mosley 10, who said he liked the art, computer, play and reading rooms equally well. Mosley said he was looking forward to a field trip to the Philadelphia Zoo.

Mosley attended with his twin brother, Mark, who played one of the nonviolent computer games.

Reading, service stressed

Also planned is a visit to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia as part of the camp’s "The American Road Trip." And, on July 27 and 29, campers will tour Philadelphia’s Chinatown during Asian-theme week.

Reading is a favorite camp activity made even more popular by prize incentives. The reading room has a wide array of books.

"Reading is like my hot topic," said Klabunde. Campers get points toward prizes for reading to someone or having someone read to them.

"l’m a really big book person," said Klabunde. “Sometimes, they need to be directed toward good books. The children may also take books home.

"A book out there in someone’s hands is better than a book sitting on a shelf," she said.

A carnival for campers and their families is planned July 29, and the last session will conclude with a talent show Aug. 19. Community service is also stressed. Children bake dog biscuits and collect blankets, sheets and towels for the Delaware Humane Association. Campers also contribute their small change to Oxfam America, a tsunami relief fund, and to Pennies for the Planet 2005 for endangered cats, tigers and leopards.

Ambitious counselors

Sharmon Stephenson, assistant camp director is a reading tutor and teacher’s aide for the Brandywine School District. Her son, Adam, 16, is a junior counselor and her daughter, Timaree, 14, is a CIT.

Sharmon and Adam will perform in "Bye Bye Birdie" at Three Little Bakers Saturday through Aug. 28. Sharmon also produces plays at Archmere Academy.

Adam Stephenson, who often oversees the computer room, said he likes working at the camp. "lt’s not bad. The pay is pretty good. I definitely like it better than a desk job or McDonald’s counter."

Counselor Sarah Studer, 19, has worked at Klabunde’s camps since she was 15. She often leads large group activities. She plans to become a veterinarian.

Taylor Santa Cruz likes the camp because it’s fun, and she enjoys working with young children. The job of CIT "gets you started for real life," she said.

Lauren Smith, a 13-year-old CIT, hopes to become a counselor, even though she noted "It’s a lot of work."