Each group has their own staff as well as specialty staff in the different areas. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for more information on the staff or visit us on one of our Open House dates.
| A Group (girl ages 10+) | B Group (boys ages 10+) | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 | Swimming Instructions | Instructional Sport |
| 10:30 | Horseback Riding | Swimming Instruction |
| 11:30 | Instructional Sport | Horseback Riding |
| 12:30 | Lunch | Lunch |
| 1:30 | Team Sport | Team Sport |
| 2:30 | Free Swim | Free Swim |
| C Group (coed ages 8 & 9) | D Group (coed ages 6 & 7) | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 | Swimming Instructions | Instructional Sport |
| 10:30 | Instructional Sport | Swimming Instruction |
| 11:30 | Lunch | Lunch |
| 12:30 | Free Swim | Horseback Riding |
| 1:30 | Horseback Riding | Free Swim |
| 2:30 | Team Sport | Team Sport |
| E Group (coed age 5) | F Group (coed ages 3 & 4) | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 | Pony Rides & Games | Pony Rides & Games |
| 10:30 | Ball Skills or Gymnastics | Ball Skills or Gymnastics |
| 11:30 | Swimming Instructions | Swimming Instructions |
| 1:00 | Lunch | Lunch & Rest |
| 2:30 | Games/Relays | Playground |
The Preschool and E Group continue to work on large motor skills, coordination, listening skills and following directions.
What do you do if it rains?
We are able to continue with most activities during a light rain shower. We have several covered areas including our indoor arena for activities during a heavy downpour. This also gives us a great opportunity to do activities in the stables with the horses. We strongly recommend rain gear for rainy days.
What is the staff/camper ratio?
The ratio depends on the age of the camper and the activity. The ratio can vary from 1:3 to 1:15. For example, horseback riding instruction is usually 1:5 or 1:7 plus leaders for each individual horse when necessary. Swimming instruction can be 1:1 to 1:15 depending on age and level of ability. There is a lot of thought and planning involved with making the daily staffing schedule.
Where do you get your staff?
Approximately half of our staff come through Camp America which is part of the American Foreign Studies Institute. We attend a Camp Director Fair in England each year where we interview and hire applicants. Other staff members consist of teachers, instructional assistants, and college students. Our staff have experience in working with children in different areas. The majority of our staff is over the age of 20 but we do have staff ages 18 and 19 if we feel that they can perform up to our expectations. We also have several counselors in training each summer to assist the staff with the program.
We provide ongoing training to our staff and continue to work directly with them throughout the summer in order to provide a high quality program for all campers. We feel that the staff member is the most important aspect of the program and it is the skill of each staff member that contributes to the overall success of the program. Many of our staff have certifications in specific areas including horseback riding, swimming, gymnastics, CPR, First Aid, and lifeguard training.
What about really hot days?
We always take the weather into account when setting up the daily schedule. The summer is hot! We get used to it! We are out in the heat all day and our bodies adapt. The campers swim twice a day (3,4, and 5 year olds swim once each day) so this helps to cool them down. We do have shady areas and we drink lots of water. The campers may bring water bottles to each activity and there are water fountains located throughout the camp. Many parents rely on the camp for childcare, so we do not close for code red days.
Do campers get to choose their daily activities?
We set up the daily schedule for each group every day in order to keep the day organized and provide a variety of activities. The campers will sometimes have the opportunity to choose between several activities offered during a one-hour time block. We want to expose the children to different sports and work on improving their skills.
How do clinics work?
The clinics are offered for campers who want to have additional instruction in a particular sport. Clinics are offered for horseback riding, tennis and soccer. The camper will leave his/her group for the hour that the clinic is being held and return afterward. The child should express an interest in attending the clinic since the regular day is already filled with many activities.
Is the camp very competitive? Do you have competitions?
Many different children attend Camp Olympia with various levels of knowledge and skills. Even if your child is not very athletic we know that our program benefits the child because we are working towards the development of motor skills and coordination. The children improve through participating and practicing. They are involved with instructional and recreational activities, individual and team sports, and winning sometimes and losing sometimes. What a great lesson in life! We do have competitions, tournaments, and races where the children win ribbons to treasure for years to come. These competitions are within each age group and are dealing with skills that have been part of the weekly program.