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A Closer Look at the Signature Shibley Special Events

The Shibley Day Camp 2026 calendar is packed, but certain events stand out as defining moments of the summer. These are the days where camp is full of even more energy, creativity, and tradition than other days at camp.

Here’s a closer look at some of the most anticipated highlights.

Green Friday at Shibley! 

Show your camp spirit by wearing all the creative green flair you’ve got—think bright, bold, and fun! Throughout the day, we celebrate our Shibley Green Values, with special shout-outs to campers and counselors who lead by example.

Shibley Olympics
The biggest and most exciting week of camp! Shibley transforms into an all-out team competition as campers and counselors are divided into Green and White. Throughout the week, teams rotate through organized challenges, games, and competitions, all while showing off team colors, chants, and nonstop camp spirit. Every single camper and counselor is part of the action, making it an unforgettable, high-energy experience from start to finish.

Carnival Day
Camp transforms into a full carnival experience with inflatable rides, interactive games, music, and themed stations. Campers rotate through activities and enjoy a high energy atmosphere. Booths are run by senior campers, adding to the excitement, along with many interactive stations throughout camp. Of course, no carnival is complete without fun treats. Campers can enjoy snacks like cotton candy and sno cones along the way!

Lip Sync Battle Finals
Get ready for one of the most electric events of the summer! Campers hit the stage with epic lip sync routines to their favorite songs, performing in front of the entire Senior Camp. The finals bring the best of the best together for a crowd cheering showdown packed with music, costumes, and big stage moments. It’s an instant camp favorite that brings groups together right from the start whether you’re performing, dancing along, or cheering your friends on!

Shibley 500 (3rd & 4th Grade)
A beloved Shibley tradition, the Shibley 500 is a race-themed event just for 3rd and 4th graders. Campers design, decorate, and name their own wooden race cars, getting them ready for the big day. When it’s time to race, cars zoom down the famous Senior Camp hill while the excitement builds. The event is announced by Senior Camp group leaders, adding to the energy and fun, as campers cheer each other on in this fast-paced, can’t-miss competition.

Shibley Fashion Week
A creative, style-filled event where campers dive into fashion, design, and self-expression. In collaboration with My Style Camp, custom creations brought to life with their individual style, colors, and decorations. The week builds to fun styling moments and group presentations, with coordinated outfits and plenty of creativity on display.

SCOPE: Shibley Gives Back
A meaningful, camp-wide initiative where campers take part in activities centered around giving and community support. Shibley partners with SCOPE, helping provide children with the opportunity to attend camp. Through a camp-wide event, our campers see how their participation contributes to something bigger extending beyond our camp “walls.” It’s a powerful way our Green Values come to life in a real and tangible way.

Sleepaway Week: “Club Getaway” (Grades 3–8, Optional)
An unforgettable experience where campers head to a sleepaway camp setting with their Shibley friends and counselors. During this special week, campers get a true taste of sleepaway life—spending extended time together, building deeper connections, and enjoying unique activities and events designed just for Club Getaway. It’s a full week of bonding, fun, and making memories with their favorite people from Shibley.

Solid Gold Show
A long-standing Shibley tradition, our dance recital Solid Gold is a highlight of the summer. Campers spend weeks practicing and rehearsing their routines, building toward this special performance. Each year features a unique theme that ties all of the dances together, creating a cohesive and exciting show. Families are invited to attend and enjoy the energy, creativity, and hard work brought to life on stage.

READ THE SHIBLEY GLOSSARY – PART 1

The Shibley Glossary

At Shibley Day Camp, sometimes we use our own language! Here is a glossary of words you might hear around camp or read in camp communications.

• “Shibley Shibley”
  • This is our “Aloha” – it can mean: “Hello”, “Goodbye”, “Good Morning”, “Have a good night” or “See you tomorrow”.
• “Happy GREEN Friday” or “Have a GREEN Friday”
  • This is our way of reminding everyone in our community to show or recognize Generosity, Respect, Endurance, Empathy & Nurture.
• Camp Grade
  • The grade a child will be in after camp ends.
• Junior Camp
  • Camp Grade = Nursery, Pre-K, Kindergarten or 1st grade.
  • Groups are broken up by age and grade.
  • Group names will start with Nursery (N) for Nursery and Pre-K and Junior Girls (JG) or Junior Boys (JB) for Kindergarten and 1st grade groups.
• Senior Camp
  • Camp Grade = 2nd through 8th grades.
  • Groups are broken up by camp grade.
  • Group names will start with Senior Girls (SG) or Senior Boys (SB).
• Super Seniors
  • A subset of senior camp.
  • Camp Grade = 5th through 8th grades.
  • Group names will start with Super Senior Girls or Super Senior Boys.
• Sleepaway Week
  • This is an optional one week trip for 3rd to 8th grade campers to Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut. 
  • Campers stay overnight in bunks with Shibley counselors. Shibley directors, lifeguards and health center staff accompany the campers as well.
• CIT or Counselor in Training
  • An extension of senior camp.
  • 9th & 10th grade campers who assist children under the supervision of trained counselors.
  • CITs also participate in activities with their peers each day at camp.

• Squad
  • A smaller set of campers within the group generally supervised by one specific staff member in the group.
• GL or Group Leader
  • The adult in charge of one specific group at camp.
• AGL or Assistant Group Leader
  • A second adult responsible for supporting the Group Leader, who is training to assume a Group Leader role in the future.
• Counselor
  • Staff member assigned to oversee a squad of campers within their group.

• Specialist
  • Staff member assigned to work in one activity area in camp – for example: Arts & Crafts, Adventure Park, Junior Drama, Athletics, etc.
• Instructional Swim
  • All campers participate in one daily 30-minute period of American Red Cross swim instruction taught by Water Safety Instructors and supervised by Nassau County certified lifeguards.
• Free Swim or Recreational Swim
  • All campers participate in one daily 30-minute (junior camp) or 45-minute (senior camp) swim period that is purely for enjoying the pools with friends.
  • Pools are overstaffed and supervised by lifeguards, group leaders and counselors.
• AirGoBeach
  • A group will be assigned to Air Bungee, Go Karts and Beach Volleyball at the same time so that all campers are active. This is our top priority when it comes to programming at Shibley.
  • These activities are all next to each other making supervision and organization simple.
• Options
  • Senior campers have “Options” in their schedule as they progress through senior camp and become super seniors so they can do more of what they love or try something new if they feel so inclined.
• Leagues
  • Senior campers participate in intramural style athletic “Leagues” intentionally programmed to include and encourage campers with all levels of athletic ability.
• Tournaments
  • In Senior Camp we have a few traditional tournaments that we hold at the end of the summer.
    • 2nd Grade – World Cup – Soccer
    • 3rd & 4th Grade Girls – Jeannie Cup – Newcomb
    • 3rd & 4th Grade Boys – Goose Cup – Field Hockey
    • Super Senior Girls – Kulchin Bowl – Flag Football
    • Super Senior Boys – World Series – Softball
  • Our oldest campers in Junior Camp will participate in a tournament called the “Kickball Cup” to get them started.
• Special Events:
  • Additional activities, dress up days and events that take place in addition to the daily program of awesome activities i.e.,
    • Carnival Day, GREEN Fridays, Olympics, Show Week, dress up days and more!

READ THE SHIBLEY GLOSSARY – PART 2 – SPECIAL EVENTS

To prepare for the summer ahead, the Shibley Day Camp transportation team recently hit the road in Astoria and Forest Hills. We met with several families and experienced the areas firsthand to evaluate street layouts, traffic patterns, and pickup locations. By being on the ground, we were able to address some of the navigation challenges from last summer and begin mapping out improved, highly efficient routes.

And this is just the beginning! Our team will be visiting other neighborhoods in Long Island and NYC soon to ensure we are fully prepared across all our service areas. We are actively collaborating to implement smarter routing strategies that prioritize efficiency and, above all, safety. We are committed to delivering Shibley’s best summer yet for reliable, organized transportation.

From the moment your child steps onto the bus, we want them to feel like part of the amazing Shibley family. We can’t wait to keep our campers safe, happy, and excited for every ride. Shibley Shibley!

We are excited to announce Angel Colon and Jess Marback as our new Co-Directors of Transportation at Shibley Day Camp. They will be supported by Jackie Steinberger, our Transportation Coordinator, who has been a vital part of our transportation team for the past several summers.

Here is a note from each of them:

Angel Colon, Co-Director of Transportation

This is my third summer at Shibley Day Camp. Having previously served as a bus driver and manager of the go-kart area, I have a strong foundation in camper safety and daily operations. As Co-Director, I am committed to ensuring all routes are efficient, organized, and—most importantly—safe. My goal is to take Shibley’s transportation program to the next level of reliability.

Outside of camp, I am a married father of five and a proud grandfather of six. As a competitive sports fan, I love teaching and mentoring; I truly believe sports provide a blueprint for valuable life lessons. I look forward to another amazing summer of ensuring every camper arrives with a smile!

Jess Marback, Co-Director of Transportation

I am ecstatic about my new role as Co-Director of Transportation, having been part of the Shibley family for 13 years. Last summer I was the Athletic Director of Junior Camp, and before that, I spent eight summers as a group leader. This summer, I am focused on precision: making sure buses are on time, routes are optimized, and every camper’s journey is safe.

During the school year, I am an educator at Weber Middle School. I’m a die-hard Yankees, Rangers, and Jets fan, but my greatest joy is my three children—Lola, Georgia, and Briar—who have practically grown up at Shibley. Seeing the growth and happiness of my children and all our campers is truly incredible. I can’t wait for Summer 2026!

Jackie Steinberger, Transportation Coordinator

As an educator and a passionate fan of the arts and sports, I bring a unique set of skills and a collaborative spirit to the Shibley community. I am a dedicated teacher and co-director of the school show. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, photography, and following soccer and tennis. 

My Shibley journey began as a camper and evolved through roles as a counselor, group leader, and specialist, giving me a 360-degree view of the camp experience. My deep commitment to Shibley’s core values—especially building lifelong friendships and fostering a family atmosphere—is what drew me back to this leadership role. I am dedicated to providing safe, seamless transportation for our campers and staff, and I look forward to addressing parent inquiries with the promptness and care they deserve. It’s going to be a wonderful summer!

All three have been out on the road scouting areas, meeting with families and learning about the neighborhoods our families live in. Stay tuned for a follow up ShiBlog about their experiences….

One of the most important questions parents ask when touring a camp is,

“What is your camper-to-counselor ratio?”

Your child’s safety is our top priority. We go beyond standard ratios with a layered supervision system, ensuring constant, high-quality care in every area of camp.

Here is a breakdown of the dedicated staff members who create our strong foundation of supervision:

Group Leadership: The Home Base

At the helm of each group is the Group Leader, the adult in charge. They are the eyes and ears of the group and will be your primary contact throughout the summer. Our Group Leaders work with children during the year—they are truly the parent of the group.

In recent summers, we have also added the extra layer of an Assistant Group Leader to many of our groups, providing even more support and leadership.

Counselors: Big Sisters and Big Brothers

Every group is supported by a dedicated team of Counselors who travel from activity to activity with their specific group. These staff members act as the big sisters and big brothers to our campers.

To ensure no child is ever overlooked, each counselor is assigned a smaller Squad of children within their group. This counselor is responsible for making sure their Squad is:

• Safely getting from one activity to the next.
• Properly applied with sunscreen.
• Drinking enough water.
• Packing up at the end of day.
• Cubby maintenance.
• Supported and encouraged throughout the day.

Specialists: Experts in Every Area

When a group arrives at an activity area, they are greeted by the Head Specialist and their team who run that area. Specialists are experts in their field, leading the instruction and organization of each individual activity. Our Group Counselors then give critical support, maintaining the group’s safety and engagement while the Specialist focuses on the activity itself.

Pool Coverage: Safety in Numbers

Supervision is most critical at the pool, and our procedures reflect that. When a group enters the pool area, the coverage is layered for maximum safety:

• Lifeguards: Two lifeguards are always positioned in the chairs (one at the deep end and one at the shallow end) before any campers enter the water.
• In-Water Staff: Before instructional swim begins, an additional 4–6 lifeguards will enter the pool to create a grid of in-water supervision.
• Group Staff Support: Once the lifeguards are positioned, the Group Counselors enter the water with the campers, and the Group Leader and Assistant Group Leader circle the pool deck, overseeing all activity.

Our Group Ratios (Camper to Counselor)

Our dedication to safety is clearly reflected in our low camper-to-counselor ratios:

• Nursery: 4:1
• Kindergarten: 5:1
• First Grade: 6:1
• Second Grade: 7:1
• Third Grade through Eighth Grade: 8:1

By maintaining these ratios and implementing our system of layered supervision, we ensure that every camper has a safe, positive, and well-supervised experience at camp!

My name is Melissa Slansky, and my job is to create a balanced, engaging schedule that allows our campers to grow, explore, and most importantly, have an incredible summer. Every detail is thoughtfully planned to ensure a perfect mix of structured and unstructured activities, including arts, sports, adventure, and creative play.

Our Core Activities

• Aquatics: Swimming is an essential part of our day. We have two swims daily: one instructional swim focused on skill development and safety, and one recreational swim where campers can relax and play with friends.

• The Arts: Our diverse program includes arts and crafts, cooking, dance, science & nature, theater, and a new jewelry-making activity. We ensure every schedule includes a rotation of these activities, giving campers the chance (sometimes with a little gentle nudging) to discover new interests.

  • Spotlight: Campers in 3rd through 8th grade have the opportunity to audition for our summer theater shows.

• Athletics: We expose campers to a wide variety of sports, including soccer, flag football, basketball, Newcomb, volleyball, kickball, baseball, pickleball, tennis, and hockey. We focus on building confidence by designing games everyone can enjoy, regardless of their skill level.

  • Senior Camp Feature: Our older campers participate in organized leagues and tournaments that promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership.

• Adventure: This is where campers learn to take risks and build confidence! Children of all ages navigate elements in the Junior and Senior adventure parks, bounce and flip on the air bungee, and drive go-karts. Overcoming these fears together helps them realize they can achieve things that may look scary at first.

We also include dedicated time for our playgrounds and creative play areas. This scheduled “unstructured time” fosters imagination and social-emotional development.

Why We Balance the Schedule:

1. Confidence: We want everyone to have an activity each day that they love and excel in.

2. Energy Management: We want campers to be physically active but also have “down time” to rest… “Smiling, Tired & Dirty” but not so exhausted that they can’t enjoy the next day. We are counting the days until we are all together again and look forward to another amazing summer at Shibley Day Camp!