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2024 Programs : Dates & Rates

Afternoon Challenge

There are three periods in the Afternoon Challenge. Campers choose one class for each period, from over 50 enrichment and sports options based on their age or grade level at the start of the previous school year. Please refer to the chart for the times that the classes are offered for your child, or click here for a printer-friendly version.

1. New – AMERICAN CHEF

Cook your way from the Pacific Northwest to Maine while learning about the unique history, culture, delicious ingredients and signature cuisine of various regions of the United States. This class will explore our regional food preferences and differences while embracing what we have in common… while making delicious foods from scratch. Every “traveler” will take home their finished products as well as a folder filled with fun facts and recipes from the different states we “visit” as we discover the flavors and spices that make them unique.
Cooking Fee: $90

2. New – AMERICAN (CAMP) IDOL

Much like the TV show, our Camp Idols will work on performing pop / rock / country songs using background tracks. With guidance, you will learn to choose songs that work with your voice type including lyrics, vocal techniques, pitch, range and tempo. Practicing for your performance includes working with an amplifier, microphone and crafting a “look” to support your song style… We cannot wait for your debut performance and recorded video sessions… so much fun!!!

3. New – APP DEVELOPER

We have all heard “there’s an APP for that”… Great apps start with a tangible idea that can grow into something ground-breaking or clever and useful. We will explore exactly how apps work, what features they include as our programmers use the Shopify platform to develop their product. Our app expert will discuss factors that should be integrated into your business model: what do people want or need in an app, how do I make sure it works well, are there competitors in the marketplace, and most importantly how do I launch my app. This is a modern business focused class for motivated campers.

4. ARDUINO APPLICATIONS

What is a robot without a brain? Why is a smart phone so smart? How do you make your computer turn a motor? All of these are a result of microcontrollers, the next step in computing and technology. Here is an opportunity to learn how to use microcontrollers using the Arduino platform, a microcontroller that is both simple to use and quite powerful. Learn the basics of electrical engineering and programming as we build a number of projects using just the basic starter kit and your imagination!
Arduino Kit Fee: $75

5. ART ON THE MOVE

So much fun for our littlest campers! We will begin each class with a themed dance such as “Hawaiian Luau” or “Animal Safari” and then create an art piece related to our dance using clay, colored pencils, cut paper and more.

6. New – AWESOME ILLUSIONS & PUZZLES

More than meets the eye! In this awesome workshop, inspired by New York City’s Museum of Illusions, students will explore how neuroscience explains different optical illusions. We will use scientific principles to create our own using color, light and patterns. In this workshop campers will create puzzles and illusions that will both inspire and boggle the mind! Campers will create deceptive and misleading brain images like impossible waterfalls, visual paradoxes, mind-bending patterns, mirror illusions and create trick photography to provide a boost of brainpower and ignite your logic skills!

7. BLOXELS WORLD

Bloxels are a hands-on, brains-on, creativity and technology experience. Bloxels unlock students creativity by leveraging something they love: video games. Students can play fun games and channel their creative potential as they gain greater understanding of important topics like design logic, and computer science and demonstrate their knowledge of history, science and mathematics and more through the games they create. Take home your own Bloxels set and board and the creativity going!

8. CHESS CHALLENGE

Chess is a tremendously popular activity at Challenge Camp! Come to play individual and team games against opponents of all ages and abilities. Develop your own chess strategy and tactics through supervised play.

9. New – COME FLY WITH ME

Do you have a drone and want more flying practice with guidance from an expert? Let’s fly together! We’ll help campers learn more about their drone, safety, troubleshooting and proper care. We’ll play with challenges, obstacle courses, flight drills and races to help make “time-on-the-sticks” both fun and worthwhile. Students can use their own drone or can pre-order a model to buy from our instructor.

10. CODE CENTRAL STATION: HTML & JAVA

Every webpage you look at is written in a language called HTML, the skeleton that gives every webpage its structure. Java is a popular programming language that provides interactive dynamic content for web pages. This course will provide you with a solid foundation in web design, computer science and Object Oriented Programming concepts while learning the basics of Java and HTML. Code literacy is an essential skill that will provide campers with coding principles to learn advanced programming techniques. There are no prerequisites other than a desire to learn.

11. CODE CENTRAL STATION: PYTHON

This course aims to teach the basics of Python, an object oriented programming language. Perfect for beginning programmers or budding technologists to squeeze programming power and fun out of their computer, Python uses a simple syntax and has an easy learning curve. Learn about variables, loops, decision statements, and other basic programming concepts using this easy-to-read programming language. The coding principles will provide the building blocks to learn programming languages in the future. There are no prerequisites other than a desire to learn.

12. CODE CENTRAL STATION: TINKER WITH TYNKER

In this class, students will learn how to create their own video games using the Tynker software. Tynker is a visual programming language that enables students to create games and animated projects. Using visual code blocks, Tynker guides you through programming concepts – such as loops, conditional logic, sequencing, and algorithmic thinking. This will prepare them for learning programming languages like Java and Python. Students will learn how to tell a good story, logically sequence events, and model real situations while increasing their technical proficiency and confidence. The lessons will enable them to create their very own video games!

13. COMPUTER SIMULATION

Join us in the computer lab as we delve into simulated strategies and tactics with numerous engaging software titles. These include “Megaman” “Roller Coaster Creator”. “2 Fast Driver”, “Paintball Sim”, “Dancing Craze”, “Crazy Cooking” and more. Computer Sim continues to be one of the most popular classes at Challenge Camp!

14. CURIOUS CHEF

In this class, campers will learn the basics of cooking and healthy eating. Cooking is math, science and an art. Chefs will learn kitchen organization, following directions, measuring and preparing ingredients to complete a recipe from start to finish. Experience making simple foods from scratch and create the foundation to be good chefs and more informed eaters.
Cooking Fee: $90

15. DIGITAL COMICS

Digital graphic comics and stories are extremely popular with campers of all ages! In this engaging digital storytelling class we will read, write and illustrate our own comics and designs. You don’t have to be an artist as there is themed art from you to pick from, incredible animation and loads of templates to start story building with! If you have an idea, you can quickly create visually dazzling content for your story. Create and animate your characters, word balloons, sound effects and bring your original stories to life on screen!

16. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

If you can imagine and think of lands and magical creatures, then you can play Dungeons and Dragons. Think of yourself as a character in a book. Imagine magical places items – many surprises lie in wait.

17. EDISON ROBOTICS

Enter the world of robotics and coding with Edison Robotics. The Edison robot is a powerful, engaging tool for teaching children computational thinking and computer programming in a hands-on way. Campers can immerse themselves in a variety of STEM and engineering projects as they learn to build and invent. Using the EdBlocks and EdScratch software, these programmable robots will open up the world of coding and bring computer science to life. Students will take home their kit to continue exploring with Edison.
Robot Fee: $50

18. FANTASTIC BEASTS

Create characters using a variety of art materials, including felted wool (great for making soft cuddly animal buddies), paper-mache, clay, and more. Then learn how to make them come to life and fly, walk, run or swim using stop-motion animation techniques. Work with your friends or on your own to film your beasts’ adventures. This class will focus on sculpture and painting techniques in addition to the animation projects. Students will be able to take home their artwork at the end of the session and will be able to download digital files of their films.

19. FENCING

En garde! Learn the exciting Olympic sport of fencing! Parry, cut, and lunge, as you improve strength, coordination, focus, balance and more. Fencing is a high-speed, exhilarating sport that relies on quick wits and cunning, and engages the entire body along with the mind… most importantly, it’s FUN!
Fencing Fee: Session 1 $100, Session 2 $75

20. FINDING NEMO

Secure your goggles as we dive into the ocean and learn about the fascinating world of sea life. All oceanographers will use a myriad of materials including color paper, paint, shells, glitter, found objects and personal treasures to create a beautiful sea sculpture mobile inspired by life under the sea.

21. GIZMOS & GADGETS

Using the littieBits Gizmos and Gadgets Kit, students will be given a toolbox as big as their imagination. littleBits encourage students to play and experiment through active experience, enabling them to develop knowledge and engineering skills that can be applied to real life situations. Motors, wheels, lights, switches, servos, buzzers, even the tools to build a remote control – snap it all together to spark fun. The possibilities are limitless as students will start inventing the minute they open the box and bring their kits home to continue their creativity.
Gizmos & Gadgets Fee: $150

22. GLEE

Be a musical star in our show choir as we perform works from various Broadway shows, from Rodgers and Hammerstein classics to the latest pop songs. The course will focus on vocal technique, performance practice, stage presence and basic choreography. There will be opportunities for solo and ensemble singing. Join a choir that will be a showstopper!

23. GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO

In this class, we will explore the methods which graphic designers use to communicate their ideas with impact, including playing with positive and negative space, scale (size,) color, typography and much more, using fun activities that will stimulate our creative problem-solving skills. We will get discuss examples of creative work by professional designers, get our ideas flowing by making drawings and collages and then work with Adobe Photoshop to complete our designs. Projects will include T-shirt designs, posters, and animated graphics.

24. GUITAR JAM

Campers can be complete beginners to intermediate players. This is a course designed to teach the fundamentals of guitar performance. Students will learn to put together elementary chords, melody playing and proper hand techniques to have them playing along with their favorite musicians. Class is a fun environment where we study songs that the students select. The course provides a basic study in beginning music theory with a goal to emphasize guitar technique and performance. The materials for the class include the Hal Leonard Method, and Supplements consisting of original materials and arrangements. If you do not own a guitar, we have several that students can use during class.

25. INDIE GAME MAKER

Calling all aspiring video game developers! Using the Unity game engine, students will create a 2.5D platformer using various 2D, 3D, & Sound assets. The main goal of this course is to have students design a game that’s appealing and fun but also gives them a solid foundation in programming. Students will be able to create their own C# scripts that control behavior of the objects on screen as well as modify pre-written code provided by the instructor. Whether you have experience in coding or not, all that is required is a little bit of creativity and a passion for video games.

26. IRON CHEF

Designed for campers who have some experience in the kitchen. Learn how to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes for your families! Focus on healthier foods and desserts with less sugar. A chef’s knowledge and meal choices really do make a difference in our lives. Campers will learn how to prep ingredients, organize their work space, cook, and plate their well balanced finished foods with pride.
Cooking Fee: $90

27. IT’S A SMALL WORLD

Through music and songs, we will discover many countries and their musical culture: Korea, France, Ireland, Africa and the United States. You will build a likembe, also called kalimba and make your own “one of a kind” instrument out of recycled materials. For more on instructor Armelle, go to www.armelleforkids.com.

28. JAMMIN DRUMS

For beginners to intermediate players this is a totally “hands-on” and unique approach to studying rhythm in many forms. We will discuss the history of percussion and look at rhythms from around the world. There will be lessons on hand drums, drum circle and playing on a drum set! We will play other percussion instruments like congas, shakers, cow bells, tambourines and more. Don’t miss this chance to learn and play with a real rock / jazz musician!

29. New – JIMU AI ROBOTICS

Build, Code and Play with JIMU as we enter the world of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. These advanced robot kits will spark the imagination of campers as they learn elements of coding through activating their robots to navigate obstacles, pick-up objects, control light and sound effects, add personality, and more. Flexible functionality lets students imagine and design their own models. The machine learning capabilities will allow us to explore Artificial Intelligence on our journey to the future.
Jimu AI Robotics Fee: $90

30. JUNIOR VARSITY

Specifically designed for 5-7 year olds, this sports activity and recreational games program is a wonderful introduction to the world of sports. All activities are designed to enhance and develop motor skills, coordination and sportsmanship through active play and instruction. Some of these activities include: running games, parachute challenges, throwing, catching, kick ball and more.

31. K’NEXplorations

This is a hands-on building experience designed to promote creativity and problem solving skills. Mathematical and Science design projects will be integrated to develop skill in construction using Rods and Connectors.

32. LEGO MINDSTORMS

Bring the fascinating world of robotic technology alive with Lego Mindstorms Robots! This robotics course teaches the students the principles of assembling and operating an interactive Lego Robot. Mathematical standards will be addressed as well as hands on building of mechanical and electrical systems in robotics. Accurate measurement, geometric relationships, problem solving and reasoning skills will be stressed for success. Students will bring science to life utilizing many possible Lego designs in addition to their own creations.

33. New – LEGO SPIKE PRIME

We are excited to introduce you to LEGO SPIKE PRIME! This new innovative system integrates Engineering, Robotics and Computer Science and promotes critical thinking through playful learning. Using LEGO bricks, the programmable multi-port Hub, and a coding language based on Scratch will help you build confidence, teamwork and solve complex problems with real world relevance. In units like “Competition Ready” you will build and program robots for competitions. Join the “Invention Squad” and focus on the engineering design process to create limitless possibilities. SPIKE Prime will help campers develop the essential 21st century skills needed to become the innovative minds of tomorrow.

34. LEGO WEDO ROBOTICS ACADEMY

Introduce robotics and computer programming with the award winning Lego WeDo! This is a hands on, challenging and fun way to learn about robots! This class will expose students to engineering, logical thinking, computer programming and team working skills. Campers will build a variety of robots with Lego and program their models to complete challenges, enhancing creativity and problem solving abilities.

35. MAGIC THE GATHERING

Back by popular demand! A game battle in which you and your opponent represent powerful sorcerers attempting to drive each other from the lands of Dominia. Your deck holds your tools: creatures, land, spells and artifacts.

36. MECHANICAL MARVELS

A Rube Goldberg machine is a deliberately over-engineered machine that performs a very simple task in a very complex fashion, usually including a chain reaction. In this class, dominoes may knock over a marble into a pegboard activating a pulley triggering a golf ball into a zip line starting a toy truck that eventually grabs a tissue! You will investigate the fundamental concepts of engineering and construct wildly imaginative group mechanical marvels. Learn more at www.rubegoldberg.com.

37. New – MINDFUL ART

Campers will create works of art that encourage and facilitate a relaxed peaceful state of mind. In a friendly, creative, judgment free zone campers will be encouraged to tap into and connect with their mind, body, and soul that they will express through visual arts. Campers will experience working in many mediums including color pencil, paint, collage, and more. They will explore making mandalas, gratitude jars, dream catchers, dream paintings and beyond.

38. New – MINI NINJAS

In this active class designed for younger campers, they will have fun exploring movement through creative elements. Utilizing props and obstacle courses, all will be physically challenged in a multitude of ways helping them gain body awareness and coordination. Campers will explore a range of movements including dynamic jumping, leaping and running as well as more controlled balance and stretching.

39. New – MIX MASTERS: THE ONES & TWOS

Have you ever wanted to be the life of the party? In this workshop, campers will spin into the fast and exciting world of DJing. We will explore software that will enable you to cultivate an epic playlist, and perform in front of a crowd. By learning the fundamentals of cutting and transitioning music tracks to have a cohesive flow, you will become a party rocker!
Mix Master Fee: $50

40. MULTI SPORT MADNESS

This class is designed to keep the campers moving! Multi sport madness will explore a variety of athletic activities and will include: kickball, flag football, frisbee, soccer and basketball. Join us and get in the game!

41. NINJA WARRIOR

In this active class, campers will have fun exploring movement through creative elements. Utilizing props and obstacle courses, all will be physically challenged in a multitude of ways helping them gain body awareness and coordination. Campers will explore a range of movements including dynamic jumping, leaping and running as well as more controlled balance and stretching. Speed and endurance will be improved as well as elements of engagement and focus. The goal of this class is to build body confidence and have fun.

42. New – PICADE RETRO ARCADE

Build your own tabletop retro gaming console, complete with joystick, side, front and top buttons that has the look and feel of a full-size arcade! Picade is a Raspberry Pi-powered mini arcade that you build yourself, with authentic arcade controls, a high resolution 10” color 4:3 display that’s ideal for retro gaming, and a punchy speaker to hear those 8-bit game soundtracks at their best. With the help of a screwdriver and some downloads, you’ll be playing Pacman and Donkey Kong in no time.
Picade Arcade Fee: $300

43. PICKLEBALL

This fast growing sport combines the elements of badminton, tennis and ping pong.  Played on a court with paddles and wiffle balls, pickleball is easier than tennis and fun to play with your friends.

44. PINBALL WIZARD

Be the first to construct your own Pinbox Pinball machine with two interchangeable playboards that you will design. For makers, creative thinkers and game designers, the PinBox 3000 is a tabletop cardboard pinball kit that artfully integrates mechanical engineering, physics, sculpture, product design and performance! Light up your playboard and be “Ready to Tilt the Future!”
Pinball Fee: $50

45. POKEMON TCG

Pokemon TCG is an exciting and longtime favorite card game of strategy and skill where campers collect, train, and battle the cute Pokemon characters that inhabit their world. Beginning and experienced players will take on the role of a Pokemon Trainer and play another Trainer to knock each other’s Pokemon out of the battle! Your camp Pokemon deck will be supplied and booster packs await the masters!
Pokemon Fee: $25

46. POP ART

Enter the world of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein in this multi media painting class. We will use papers, magazines, plastics and more to complete your pop art paintings! Made on canvas, these inspired, bright and modern works of art will allow you to spark your imagination and creativity!

47. PUPPETS & MUPPETS

Enter Jim Henson’s workshop. Everyone loves the colorful, furry characters who lived on the Muppet Show and Sesame Street. Join us to make adorable familiar hand puppets of characters like Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Elmo or Cookie Monster. Explore your own creativity by designing an original furry friend for our puppet show performance.

48. New – RECYCLED ART

Recycle your empty jars and containers turning them into wonderful works of art! We will use paper, paint, twine and found objects to decoupage, embellish and beautify empty cans, bottles, drawer dividers, boxes, paper bags and flower pots.

49. ROCKET UNIVERSITY

Rocketry, aerospace engineering and preparing for the “Final Frontier of Exploration.” Students will train to be real “rocket scientists” and “aerospace engineers” in this inspired offering. In “Rocket University” you will learn about the history of rockets from ancient Chinese fireworks, to modern day spacecraft and military applications while discovering principals of launching, trajectories, thrust, navigation, flight paths, altitudes, orbits, recovery methods, safety and more! Students will receive their individual rocket kits and assemble them while applying what they have learned to their design and construction. You will launch your rockets and record data. Rocketeers are awarded certificates for best design and rocket performance.
Materials Fee: $85

50. ROCKET UNIVERSITY 2

This is a course for advanced Rocketeers who have completed Rocketry 1.  Students will build and launch more complex models.
Materials Fee: $100

51. New – ROCK YOUR PLANET

The campers will choose from a variety of environmental activities, all linked to a song or role-play. Such as “Plastic, Paper and Cloth” role-play, “The Garbage Truck”, “Eat Something Green” song, “Fortunate” to explore cycles, choices and challenges. They’ll be costume making, poster board creating and a lot of “We are the World” fun.

52. SKATEBOARD DECK DESIGN

Skateboarding is about having fun and expressing your own individual style. Explore the world of pop and graffiti art by designing, sketching, drawing and painting to create your own brand of skateboards, logos, and all things skater! Your canvas is a skateboard, and campers will leave with their personally designed skateboard deck protected with clear coat, perfect for hanging as wall art or ready to add hardware for skating! Think of the possibilities and make your skateboard the coolest one on the block!
Skateboard Fee: $100

53. New – SPOTLIGHT

This class harnesses the talent and enthusiasm of our younger campers to learn all the elements of being a performer. The campers will learn how to properly warm up their bodies and voices with fun and engaging exercises. They will learn songs from classic shows and contemporary movie musicals to put together mini-Glee ensemble numbers. They will incorporate the use of age appropriate props and instruments to enhance the pieces we work on together. They will begin to learn how to support each other as an ensemble so every member can shine!

54. STAGE DOOR

Enter the world of theatrical production! Learn the art of costume and set design. Under the guidance of our artistic director, we will research, measure, design and create original costumes for the musical theatre productions of “Wizard of Oz” and “A Maleficent Sleeping Beauty”. Costumes / scenery will be constructed of fabric, paper, foam board, paint and other materials. This imaginative behind the scenes process will bring our production to life and provide an awareness of the importance of stagecraft and design skills to the production. Participants from the theatrical cast are encouraged to join and other non-performers are all welcome!

55. STOP MOTION LABORATORY

Whether you love drawing, painting and sculpture or whether you would like to write stories or act out dramatic scenes, you will have fun exploring the possibilities of animation. Spend a little time learning the basics of handling the camera setup and stop-motion app, then let your imagination take off as you bring your drawings to life, or create your own 3-D characters with modeling clay. You can also use small toys, or even animate real people in your films. Students will receive a digital copy of their films and can take home artwork they created while making it.

56. SWIMMING

Get your feet wet with swim instruction at Challenge Camp! We will be swimming at Swimlabs Westchester, a state of the art indoor facility 10 minutes from camp. This unique facility creates the perfect way for new swimmers and competitive swimmers to swim better, stronger, faster and safer. Towels are provided by Swimlabs, Campers must provide a swim suit, goggles and Ziploc bag. Enrollment is limited. For more information visit https://www.swimlabs.com/westchester/.
Swim Fee: Session 1 – $350, Session 2 – $275

57. TAE KWON DO

Literally “the art of kicking and punching”, Tae kwon do is a martial art that has developed over the course of thousands of years with the earliest records of its practice dating back to 50 B.C. from Korea. It is a highly disciplined art of self-defense, physical prowess, and moral discipline. It is distinguished from other martial arts by its varied and unique powerful kicks.

58. TURBO TRUCKS

How would you like to race a remote control truck on the Challenge Speedway? In this class you will have the chance to race a fully ready Traxxas Rustler known for fun and durability and with more power, smoother control, better grip, and performance that makes it one of the fastest electric trucks available. Race around outdoor courses that you design with cones, ramps and more. You will get to keep your car/equipment in this action packed driving and racing class. With Traxxas’ exclusive waterproof electronics, your Rustler can blast through dirt, puddles, mud and even snow, your R/C adventures are limited only by your imagination. See your car at https://traxxas.com/products/models/electric/37054-1rustler Enrollment is limited.
Truck Fee: $200

59. VIVE LA FRANCE

Travel to Paris and the provinces of France. Discover the French countryside and Versailles. Traverse the Loire River, villages, food, and music. Students pack their suitcase and travel with a real boarding pass and train tickets from the SNCF. This is a very interactive program including role-plays to allow students to learn the basics of the French language. Allons-y!

60. VR EXPLORERS

Come explore the fascinating world of Virtual Reality through interactive and immersive coding techniques creating your own 3D space. Design a custom VR environment with CoSpaces adding objects, structures, landscapes and characters allowing you to experience your own historical scene or futuristic world as if you were standing in it. Use VR viewers to experience and perfect your world while helping classmates to improve theirs. The fun continues as you take home your own cardboard VR viewer, plus access to your CoSpaces account and the virtual experience you created… one that anyone can explore with the CoSpaces app!

61. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Everyone loves a good, fun monster tale! This monster inspired mask making class will allow campers to read and explore books about monsters and adventures of all kinds like Where The Wild Things Are and Go Away Big Green Monster. Join our classroom “wild rumpus” as we will artfully create original, fantastical monster masks.

62. YOGA

Learn to relax and let go of control by experiencing the power and concentration found in yoga exercises. While stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating balance in the body and mind through developing both strength, flexibility and mental well-being. This is done through the performance of poses or postures, each of which has specific physical benefits and mindfulness training which is said to have many healthful benefits. Proper exercise clothing required: loose pants, T-shirt and yoga mat.

 

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