Activities
We offer a balanced program filled with age appropriate activities and special events. Programs are intentionally designed to create positive interactions with peers, promote skill development and increase campers’ confidence.
Our youngest campers are exposed to all that Shibley has to offer including daily swim instruction, recreational swim, athletics, arts, adventure & more! As they grow and move up into senior camp we offer more individual choice in campers’ daily schedules. These elective periods promote interactions across genders and age levels.
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Swim
Daily Swim Instruction & Recreational Swim
Shibley has five heated and filtered pools supervised by certified lifeguards, water safety instructors and additional staff. Our two junior pools are the perfect size for young campers to feel comfortable and safe while receiving their American Red Cross swim instruction each morning. Full day campers return to the pools in the afternoon for recreational swim.
Senior campers have age appropriate swim instruction and recreational swim in our two senior pools. They love “The Helix” and “The Turbo Twister,” our senior pool slides. These pools have deep ends that are perfect for diving and canon ball contests!
In addition to the pool staff, members of the camp leadership team are CPR, AED & First Aid certified and at least one registered nurse is always present when camp is in session.
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Sports
Individual & Team Sports
Shibley has been a leader in day camp sports programming for many years. Junior campers play on scaled down courts and fields. They build athletic skills through fun games and activities led by physical education teachers and professional coaches/instructors. Throughout the summer they are exposed to soccer, softball, tennis, lacrosse, tae kwon do, zumba, volleyball, gaga, hockey, basketball & more.
Senior campers spend their summer competing in all the team and individual sports Shibley offers. They play each other in friendly matches, intramural games and competitive tournaments. Sportsmanship, fun and fundamental skills are the focus of these athletic activities. Campers learn to win and lose and how to appropriately show their emotions in each situation.
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Arts
Creative Arts, Cooking & Science
Creativity pours out of our campers as they spend time in our wonderful art, cooking & and science programs. Campers make their own masterpieces in arts and crafts and show off their moves and imagination in dance and theatre. Senior campers have the option to perform in a Broadway musical. This production and The Solid Gold Dance Shows take place in our beautiful outdoor amphitheater.
Shibley’s music program includes instruments, singing, movement and games for nursery campers. Senior campers have elective science and music programs which include rocketry, nature projects and song writing.
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Adventure
Taking risks and initial struggles are important experiences that all children must work through to develop grit and resilience. These important traits increase the eventual joy and excitement felt when fears are overcome and new goals are attained.
When they are ready, even our youngest campers can jump and flip around on the air bungee, one of our most popular attractions for junior AND senior campers. Another favorite of our senior campers is the aerial adventure park between the trees. New for 2018 is a zip line off the aerial adventure park that flies campers across camp. A miniature adventure park in junior camp is another new addition for 2018.
These activities and our rock climbing wall provide opportunity for campers to take risks and work through initial failures which develops grit and resilience. These traits are recognized by youth development experts as essential to success in later endeavors like high pressure tryouts, going away to camp/college, future job performance and interviewing for employment.
Another unique feature of Shibley Day Camp is our NASCAR style go kart track up in senior camp. Junior campers “train” with motorized miniature jeeps and sports cars on their side of camp.
Special Events
A calendar of special events provides additional excitement to the regularly scheduled fun. Waterworld Day, Carnival, Olympics, The Goose Cup, The Jeannie Cup, Talent Shows, Sing-Alongs, Musical Reviews, Disco Parties, and GREEN Fridays are just a few examples of special days at Shibley. We also have fun weekly dress-up days! New and surprise special events are added each summer!
Honestly we liked the ‘vibe’ at Shibley. It’s ‘camp.’ While it has lots of amazing facilities and amenities, we were drawn to the low-key feeling and attitude. Our children are very different from one another and Shibley has something for each of them. Our ‘sporty’ son loves the plethora of sports and competition. Our older son is drawn to wood working and the adventure course, yet still enjoys the Goose Cup and World Series.
- SHIBLEY PARENT