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Newman Summer - Enrichment, Engagement, Entertainment, and Education

R. Hibbert
[FULL STORY]

Every year, when school lets out for the summer, classrooms fill up at Newman Summer – a thrilling way to learn and have fun at Isidore Newman School. More than 650 children from rising prekindergarten to 12th grade will attend Newman Summer, from June through mid-August. The four divisions of Newman Summer are led by skilled, creative, and enthusiastic teachers, coaches, and counselors.

Enrollment in Newman Summer is up to 661 students for 2012. Campers come from more than 50 schools in New Orleans and farther afield – some have come from out of state, and others are visiting from Europe! Even with this high attendance, there is still a low staff-to-student ratio of about 5 to 1. There are 140 staff members across the four programs, made up of Newman’s faculty, staff, and coaches; teachers from other schools; professional artists and musicians; young professionals; and graduate and undergraduate college students.

What sets Newman Summer apart from other summer programs is the variety and excellence in its programming. The program is split into four divisions: Day Camp, Sports Camps, Academics and Enrichment, and Theater Conservatory. Among the broad range of offerings, there is truly something for everyone.

Theater Conservatory, which we covered in a previous story, caters to fans of acting, singing, dancing, and musical theater. The students learn about music drama and dance, culminating in a series of recitals and a fully realized Broadway-style musical performed before a live audience. This year’s show, Into the Woods Junior, will be performed on the evenings of June 29 and 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the School’s Henson Auditorium. It is open to the public, and tickets will be available at the door for $10.

For lower and middle school students who want to try a bit of everything, Day Camp is the place to be. For the youngest campers in rising Pre-K and Kindergarten, the day is designed and structured to introduce the children to the concept of a school day, but in a fun way. Campers in rising 1st grade and above can choose from a nearly endless list of activities in the morning and afternoon. There are too many activities to list, but here are a few: African dance, cooking, robotics, photography and darkroom art, cheerleading, visual arts, improv, video production, swimming, deconstruction, and karaoke. Adding to the delight of the campers are themes and surprises, such as Facial Hair Appreciation Day – where anyone and everyone can wear a moustache or beard, Superhero Day, Midsummer Mardi Gras, and the occasional Flash Mob Dance Party. Campers in rising 7th and 8th grades help form their own activities, including at least one trip a week, which can range from the pure fun of paddleboarding to community service-oriented activities like mentoring younger students. Overall, in the words of one camper, “Newman Summer Day Camp is the best camp ever! It is above fun!”

Newman Summer Director Alex Smith said: “We strive to provide the best summer experience in New Orleans. We have a diverse set of programs that empowers elementary to middle school-aged children to design their own unique day – every day – from a huge selection of activities. Through the programs, children gain self-confidence in a unique and enthusiastic environment.” This video highlights many of Day Camp’s activities presented by parents of campers.

Athletes at heart can choose from seven Sports Camps. Smith notes that beyond its sports focus, varsity level instruction and low coach-to-athlete ratio, the Sports Camps “really offer students a taste of what it is like to be on a varsity sports team at Newman.” Students can choose between, baseball, basketball, football, gymnastics, speed and agility, and new this year, soccer and strength and conditioning camps. “What’s great about the new strength and conditioning camp,” says Smith, “is that an athlete who is planning on playing sports in the fall can get a great off-season workout in the summer and be in tip-top shape for the upcoming school year.”

The fourth component of Newman Summer is Academics and Enrichment. Whether students want to catch up or get ahead over the summer, they can turn to classes in Algebra II, ACT Prep, SAT Prep, Drivers’ Education, or even Film History (the Film History and Algebra classes include high school credit). During the last weeks of Newman Summer lower school-age children will have the opportunity to engage in Spanish and French immersion programs, Dance (new for 2012) and get a head start on the new school year in Eager Beavers and Spotlight on Learning.

Smith sums up: “Our goal is to provide a nurturing atmosphere for the growth and development of young people by offering unique experiences that are appropriately challenging in a safe environment. We spend all year planning and our team takes great pride in delivering top-notch summer programming to children in the Newman community and beyond.”

For further details, visit www.NewmanSummer.com.

To view an album and slideshow of this year’s activities, click here.

Watch a fun video slideshow from last year’s Day Camp.
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1903 Jefferson Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70115
Phone: 504.899.5641
Fax: 504.896.8597
Open 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday
An independent,
co-educational,
non-denominational day
school in New Orleans for
early childhood through 12th grade