Day Camp: Denver Multi-Sport Day Camp

Denver Multi-Sport Day camp offers  fun, outdoor pursuits each day with an emphasis on developing friendships, understanding risks, and learning. All activities are age appropriate, including rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and much more! Those participants 7 to12 years-old  (further grouped by age) spend the entire day on their outdoor adventure, while those 5 to 6 years old in “Explorer Camp” compliment a half day of outdoor activity with a half day of class like art, story-time yoga, or music and movement.  The maximum group size is 13, with either two or three instructors depending on the ages of the participants and the activities.

Times, Location, & Dates:

Times: Drop-off at 8:45am and pick-up at 2:30pm. Optional Extended Care is available from 8:00am – 5:30pm.

Location: Meets at St. John’s Lutheran Church (no affiliation) 700 South Franklin Street Denver, CO 80209

2012 Dates:  NOW OFFERED EVERY WEEK OF THE SUMMER!

• Ages 5-6 and ages 7-12 (further split by age): Weekly beginning June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, August 6

Denver Multi-sport Camp Overview:

During a week of summer camp kids have an opportunity to try a wide spectrum of outdoor activities. Our program is about learning and having fun, not about competition or ability. Groups are formed by age and can accommodate a spectrum of experience, from “never-ever” to “proficient”. We believe that by introducing kids to a variety of fun outdoor activities at an early age we can instill a love for play in the outdoors that will last a lifetime. We precede activities with a discussion about potential risks and how to minimize or avoid them, thus encouraging participants to develop understanding and judgment. All activities take place on public land within 25 minutes of our camp meeting place. Transportation is provided using our camp 15 passenger vans and Avid4 Adventure drivers, all of whom are over 21, have completed a defensive driving program, and whose driving record has been examined.

• Rock Climbing- Kids will learn about techniques, precautions, equipment and history of the sport. 5-6 year olds will climb on a portable climbing wall at the camp location.  Please wear sneakers on climbing day.
• Paddle Sports- Kayaking & Canoeing – Our flatwater instruction program gives kids a chance to learn about techniques, precautions, equipment and history of the sport. Our teaching progression emphasizes incrementally developing comfort with equipment and the environment in order to facilitate successful experiences. PFD’s (life jackets) will be worn at all times.  Please wear closed-toe sandals or sneakers on paddling days.
• Mountain Biking- Avid4 Adventure’s fleet of mountain bikes can accommodate any size participant (if you prefer to bring your own bike, that’s fine too). We can work with all ability levels, from those that can’t ride without hands-on assistance (no worries if they are still on training wheels; we’ll help them learn to ride on 2 wheels) to proficient riders. Riders will not only learn technique, precautions, equipment and history of the sport, but also some basics of bicycle maintenance. Avid4 Adventure does provide bike helmets.
• Leave No Trace- Learning Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics is integrated into all of our activities. Avid4 Adventure is an official partner of Leave No Trace, a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our environment.

Activity Schedule:

By the Wednesday before camp you will receive an email from Avid4 Adventure with your camper’s group number.  Each day kids participate in a different outdoor sport (climbing, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking & canoeing).  Here is an example schedule:

“Skills Camp” for ages 7-9 & “Adventure Team” for ages 10-12:

Our older campers start each day of camp at our meeting location and then head out for a full day of outdoor adventure. We begin the day with ice breakers and team building activities and then depart the camp meeting place for the day’s adventure. Groups of up to 13 will have either two or three instructors (depending on the activity) to provide instruction and guidance.

“Explorer Camp” for ages 5-6:

Five and six year olds complement a half day of each of our outdoor sports (climbing, kayaking, canoeing, biking and  hiking) with a half day class (two days of art and yoga and one day of music) that provides a less active but engaging activity. All of our outdoor activities are age-appropriate and groups will have two or three instructors with up to 13 kids. Don’t worry if your child is still on training wheels at home, we have a great progression to work kids toward riding on their own with our multi-sized bikes to help with the process.  Also, we have non-swimmers in camp all the time; not at all a problem with our controlled paddling experience where PFDs are worn at all times.  If your child requires a car or booster seat, please provide us with yours at drop-off clearly labeled with your name. For our rock climbing day, kids will climb on a portable climbing wall at the camp location.

Here is more information on each of our “Explorer Camp” classes that complement the outdoor adventure activities:

Story-time Yoga Class

Avid4 Adventure yoga class provides kids with the perfect complement to their outdoor adventure! After lunch we’ll start off with either a hands-on anatomy or nutrition project while their food digests. The children will learn about their bodies and how different foods affect how they feel and act. These fun projects use art, music, storytelling and other elements to engage the natural energy, curiosity and enthusiasm of the 5 and 6-year old.

The second part of class will really get them moving! Classes explore yoga poses, breathing exercises, and creative relaxation techniques while conveying lessons in self-expression, body image, social skills, positive thinking, and environmental awareness. Alive with animal imagery, flowing sequences, balancing poses, music and storytelling, children are sure to have a blast while learning lifelong techniques to stay flexible and balanced both physically and emotionally.

Art Class

The Avid4 Art Class is a playful, creative balance for the artist in all children! Each day will bring a new art activity: drawing, painting, mixed media, and more. We offer engaging, directive lessons along with an open art studio format where children will have the freedom to work with a wide range of art materials. Lessons will offer unique opportunities for children to engage with art materials in new ways, to learn about new techniques, and also learn about the Earth and the environment through art.

We seek to develop and strengthen each child’s creative skills, stimulate their imaginations, and encourage self-expression through playful and developmentally appropriate art activities. Children have the opportunity to work independently as well as on group projects, and are provided with enough structured guidance to be successful, yet enough freedom to express their own individual creativity

Music and Movement Class

This fun-filled, hands-on, interactive class is designed for five and six year olds to discover the sheer joy of music. The class will introduce your child to an extensive sampling of world music ranging from African percussion to Brazilian rain forest to Celtic harp as well as diverse American music such as folk, classical, jazz, funk, opera, rock, bluegrass and traditional children’s songs to make for a diverse musical exposure.

The program will focus on the development of the children’s auditory, visual and physical responses to music through singing, rhythmic movement, dramatic play, interactive songs, and the use of percussion instruments. They will discover that their bodies and their voices are a fundamental connection to the language of music. In addition, this class addresses social and emotional learning by helping children to develop good listening skills and to learn to cooperate and socially interact in a supportive group environment.

Parents’ Day at Camp:

Each week there is an opportunity for parents to watch and participate with their kids during an outdoor activity. This optional opportunity takes place on the day that your child is canoeing. This provides a chance for kids to show their parents what they have learned, as well as an opportunity for parents to get a few pointers from their kids as they try the activity. We encourage you to participate as well if you choose, or simply watch from the shore and take some pictures. Please bring sun protection, a full water bottle, and a lunch or snack if you desire. You will be asked to sign a release upon your arrival. If you choose to attend Parents’ Day you will be responsible for the entrance fee for the reservoir.  Of course it is no problem if you cannot attend as we fully understand the realities of work and other obligations.

Outside for Life Recommended Summer Camp Progression

Register Now for the Denver Multi-sport Day Camp!

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