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By Jaime Lutz
The Brooklyn Paper
Not that lanyards and kickball aren’t great, but Brooklyn campers deserve something hipper than that. So, without further adieu, we present our camp choices for the self-actualization of any sophisticated Kings County young’un.
SOCIAL CLIMBER: Climbing large rocks is good for the body and soul, but the real thing may be a little too dangerous for today’s sensitive child. Brooklyn Boulders has soft padded floors so that children are never in too much danger.
“Summer Adventures” at Brooklyn Boulders Rock Gym [575 Degraw St. at Third Avenue in Boerum Hill, (347) 834-9066, brooklynboulders.com] Various dates, $539.
IN THE FOLD: Most camps are a dream come true for hyperactive children. Kids get to participate in sports and games based on running, jumping, climbing, and swimming. But what about polite and quiet kids who have somehow developed an attention span? How about a camp devoted to folding bits of paper into beautiful miniature toys? Even if their ability to sit still decreases with age, at least the notes they’ll pass in class will be ornate.
Summer Camp at Taro’s Origami Studio [95 7th Ave., Second floor between Union and President streets in Park Slope, (718) 360–5435, tarosorigami.com] Various dates, $200.
EN FRANCAIS: With the American population of Spanish-speakers growing by the day, French may no longer be the most useful language for an American to learn. Still nothing quite says “cultured individual” like the ability to speak French. French camp will also help prepare a child for that post-college European trek, or at very least, a job in the State Department.
Summer Camp at Bonjour New York [352 Court St. at Union Street in Carroll Gardens, (917) 887–6652, bonjourny.com] Various dates, $300.
DOWNWARD FACING DOG: Life is stressful, and it’s only getting more so by the day. Stress is even beginning to affect kids and they need to learn to manage it as soon as possible. Yoga camp is a perfect solution. Not only will it teach children relaxation techniques, but it gives them a head start on the path to enlightenment.
Summer Camp at Bija Kids [900 Fulton St. at Washington Avenue in Fort Greene, (347) 924–0653, bijakids.com] July 15 – Aug. 30, $240–$550 per week.
DANGER, WILL ROBINSON: Does your child have an aptitude for math or technology? Well, the math camps and science camps of yesterday have evolved into robot camp. Kids will learn electrical and mechanical techniques as they build robot vehicles, robot pets or even, robot buildings. Your kid may leave school a nerd this June, but their cool meter will jump many points when they return in the fall with a mechanical being who can do their homework.
Summer Sessions at Brooklyn Robot Foundry [303 Third Ave. between First and Carroll streets in Gowanus, (347) 762–6840, ] Various dates, $285–475.
FIELD OF DREAMS: It’s hard to imagine anything much cooler than actually playing baseball in a minor league ballpark, as kids get to do as part of the Brooklyn Cyclones Kids Camp. Well, perhaps playing baseball in a major league ballpark. But how many major league ballparks are in an near an amusement park on the beach down the street from a arcade? Really, your kids should just spend the entire summer in Coney Island.
Brooklyn Cyclones Baseball Camp [1904 Surf Ave. near W. 17th Street in Coney Island, (718) 449–8497, brooklyncyclones.com]. July 16–19, $200
CHESSMASTER 3000: Look, we live in the County of Kings, so you might as well teach your kids the Game of Kings. Chess camp in Bay Ridge will make sure your little Kasparov is always thinking three moves ahead.
Chess Camp at NYChessKids [249 86th St. in Bay Ridge between Third Avenue and Ridge Boulevard, (212) 414–4130, nychesskids.com]. Various weeks, $325–$375.
YEAH TEAM!: Are your kids full of boundless energy? Do they like to scream? Does it seem as though they bounce off the walls? We’ll make this easy for you: if the answer to all three is “Yes,” then they are clearly natural cheerleaders — provided they can do some basic spelling (remember, there’s no “I” in “G-O T-E-A-M.”)
Brooklyn Cheerleading and Sports Co. [8115 Foster Ave. near 81st Street in Canarsie, (718) 841-7105, bkcheersports.com] Various weeks, $250.
Reach reporter Jaime Lutz at jlutz@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-8310. Follow her on Twitter @jaime_lutz.
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