WMA campus hosting Beech Tree Camp

Date: 3/26/2012

March 26, 2012

WILBRAHAM — Wilbraham & Monson Academy (WMA) is an exciting and inviting place to be this summer with numerous camp activities and enticing options available for children. Beech Tree is a summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. The goal of Beech Tree is to provide a positive summer camp experience that will build our campers' self-esteem while developing lifelong individual and group skills.

Active, inquisitive, and enthusiastic boys and girls between the ages of 5 (by Jan. 1, 2012) and 12 who are interested in attending a camp that mixes recreational activities with educational experiences.

A typical day includes attendance, a welcoming activity, science, snacks, sports, lunch, computers, recreational swimming, arts and crafts and closing activities. The activities rotate so that each day is a little different.

In addition to the traditional camp day, each session includes a special field trip or visit. Activities include a visit from the Springfield Zoo with animals and trips to Look Park, Interskate 91, and The Majestic Theatre, among others.

Any camp program is only as good as the people who staff it. By this measure, Beech Tree Camp is very special. The directors, specialists, lifeguards, and counselors are teachers, college students, and former students of WMA. The staff's overall staff goal is to assist each camper to have fun, learn, and to enhance his or her self-esteem.

The weekly Beech Tree Camp sessions will run from June 25 through Aug. 10 at WMA, 423 Main St.

Campers will have access to the state-of-the-art facilities located on the WMA campus including the indoor pool, newly renovated gymnasium, computer labs, studio art classrooms, nature trails, ball fields, and an air-conditioned campus center.

Beech Tree Summer Camp fees are $225 per week.

If campers choose to switch to a specialty day camp after they begin Beech Tree, the cost will be an additional $50; a total of $275 per week.

Inclusive in the price of the camp is a freshly prepared lunch each day. Campers have their choice of a hot entree prepared by the dining staff. There is always a fresh salad and sandwich bar, as well as a selection of drinks for students to choose from.

In addition to registration forms, campers must complete a Camper Health Care Form and Camper Health History Form. Forms, which can be obtained online, must be mailed to WMA: Wilbraham & Monson Academy, c/o Summer Programs, 423 Main St., Wilbraham, MA 01095.

The camp is limited to 100 campers per session.

Beech Tree Camp has before- and after-care available to campers at an added cost.

Early Bird Club begins at 7:15 a.m. until the start of the camp day at 8:15 a.m.

After Four Club begins at 4 p.m., when camp is over. Campers must be picked up by 6 p.m.

Parents must register for this service prior to the start of each session and can make payment at that time.

For general inquiries about Beech Tree, call Mike Mannix, camp director, at 596-6811.