Physically Active
Nature Oriented
A new adventure every day
Hiking
Considering we live in a huge metropolitan area, it’s surprising how much hiking one can do within the city’s borders. We clamber over rock out-croppings, sit alongside rushing streams and feel far removed from the city.
Swimming
Kim’s Kids takes advantage of the numerous choices for swimming in and around New York City; the beach for jumping waves, building sandcastles, collecting shells, and digging for sand crabs; an icy pool along the palisades for a cold refreshing swim on hot summer days; a secluded lake in New Jersey for swimming in a natural setting. Shallow wading areas are a must for our non-swimmers. To ensure the safety of our children, we supplement the lifeguards at each swimming site with our own trained and certified lifeguards.
Brooklyn Bridge
We start our walk on the Manhattan side of the bridge and walk into Brooklyn. Counselors point out the magnificent views along with the bridge’s distinctive features. They explain how this suspension bridge was constructed and the problems they faced in the late 1800’s. All this is supplemented by reliefs on the bridge depicting the construction and staff carried picture books. At the end of the walk, we are picked up by our buses and ferried to Brooklyn’s Chinatown for lunch. The meal is predetermined and served family style. After a summer sitting on grass and rocks, eating our meals out of lunch boxes, there is something special about being in an air-conditioned restaurant, eating at tables and chairs, while being served delicious food. Lunch is followed by dessert and a walk through Brooklyn’s Chinese community.
Zoos and Museums
Here in New York, we are fortunate to have one of the great zoos of the world. Besides viewing the animals at the Bronx Zoo, we always add to our excursion one or two of the many paid attractions, like the train through ‘Wild Asia’ or maybe a ride on a camel. And what could be more exciting about living in New York City than taking advantage of the many museums intended for children? The Hall of Science in Queens, the Museum of Natural History, the Staten Island Children’s Museum are just some of the museums we might call upon.
Playground Hopping
Robert Moses might have built many of the playgrounds in New York but he would be amazed by the improvements the city has made. They are no longer simple climbing apparatuses with a few swings. They are now a cornucopia of equipment designed to excite the children’s imagination. They contain a never-ending variety of shapes, sizes, and functions. Being a travel camp we take advantage of many of them, spending at least two of our days hopping from one to another. Of course, getting wet in the sprinklers is just an added treat.
Bowling
One of the children’s favorites is our three excursions to a local bowling alley. Their bumpers and many lightweight balls enable all our children to enjoy this activity. For our youngest campers, they also offer an apparatus that assists the children in propelling the ball down the lane.
Ice Skating
What could feel odder on a hot summer day than ice-skating? The rink is cold, cold enough to require warm clothing but feels wonderful during the heat of summer. For children who have never skated before we bring double blades that attach to the children’s shoes and enable greater success on slippery ice. The rink’s staff is wonderful, helping children put on skates and on the ice helping children who are struggling.
Heading to the warm snack bar for hot chocolate or warm noodle soup is always a treat that the children love. And finally, one last winter pleasure on this hot summer day; using the snow dumped outside by the Zamboni to throw snowballs.
Counselors In Training
For campers who are 12 – 14 years old.
The CIT program at Kim’s Kids is a paid program that offers children ages 12, 13 and 14 the opportunity to experience work while still being a camper. When ‘working’, CITs are expected to play with campers and assist the counselors. When not ‘working’, they are like campers, free to play with whomever they choose. The program imparts a sense of responsibility and importance, while still allowing for these children to be children. We have often witnessed enormous growth and maturity in CITs and the program has become a great source of quality staff members.
- CITs have their own counselor and have to report each morning at 8:45.
- Once a week CITs take an exclusive trip reserved only for the CITs that usually extends beyond 3 PM. Transportation is by a mini coach bus.
- There is no charge for CITs to attend the Early and Late programs.
- Regardless of the sessions and weeks chosen, all CITs may attend the Sesame Place trip.
- At the end of the summer, each CIT receives a small cash award.
