Summer Camps
Summer Fun is Just Around the Corner!
James River Day School has many opportunities for children to have fun (and still learn a bit) over the summer. Check out the list below and choose your favorites.
The Children’s Center
Searching for somewhere to spend those summer days? Look no further! The Children’s Center at James River Day School provides licensed childcare for rising first graders through 12-year-olds. Campers will spend a fun-filled summer taking field trips to local destinations, such as Amazement Square, FunQuest, and the movies. Kids can swim or just float around to cool off each week in a nearby swimming pool. In addition, children will enjoy creating crafts, reading books, and playing outside. Children will need to bring lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, and drinks each day. Children will be supervised by our certified staff.
Contact Valerie for more information by emailing daigle_v@jamesriverdayschool.org. If space is available, children may enroll by the day or week
June 12 – August 11, M-F, closed July 4
7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Director: Valerie Daigle
$1090 for 9 weeks or $157 per week or $53 per day
Activities & field trips are included.
For rising 1st graders to 12-year-olds
(And yes, you can sign up for the Children’s Center and the camps below as desired. You must contact Ms. Daigle to sign up for the Children’s Center. To sign up for the camps, see below.)
Hoops: Basketball Open Gym - Buy
Open gym combines individual skill development with full-court scrimmaging. Ball-handling, passing, shooting, and footwork will be emphasized for the first 30 minutes of each session. After that, students will scrimmage! Sign up fast, as space is limited and this camp sold out last year! Pro-rated prices are available for those who are going to miss three or more sessions. (If you will need this, please contact to the school to register rather than using the "buy" link above.)
Ages: rising 5th through 8th graders
Dates: Tuesdays, June 20, June 27, July 11, July 18, July 25, August 1, August 8, and August 15
Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Instructor: John Gillum
Cost: $80
Obstacle Course Running - Buy
Get in shape for fall sports! Students will meet each Thursday morning for eight weeks to train together for the Face the Forest 5k Obstacle Course Race, which will be held on August 19. Registration for that event is separate and can be done at www.poplarforest.org. Runners in this camp will get a discounted race fee. We will train at several locations including Blackwater Creek, James River Day School, Riverfront Park, and one session each at Poplar Forest and The Academy of Sports and Fitness. Sessions will include running as well as specific strength and agility training to help us meet the challenges of the obstacle course race. Pro-rated prices are available for those who are going to miss three or more sessions. (If you will need this, please contact to the school to register rather than using the "buy" link above.)
Ages: rising 5th through 8th graders
Dates: (Thursdays) June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 10, and August 17.
The race is scheduled for August 19 at Poplar Forest.
Time: 8 – 9:15 a.m.
Instructor: John Gillum
Cost: $90 (Can be pro-rated if students will miss sessions. Contact the school by phone if you need this option rather than using the above "buy" link.)
Study Abroad in Guatemala
This summer study-abroad program will bring students face-to-face with a new culture, while simultaneously immersing them in an enriching Spanish language experience. Led by Spanish teachers Anne Taylor and Grace Aguilera, students will travel to Guatemala, where they will be hosted by local families and attend a bi-lingual private school. Students will attend special classes designed to build upon their language skills for optimal Spanish acquisition. While promoting global community understanding, the experience provides a unique opportunity to further develop their language proficiency. As part of the program, students will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Antigua and the Mayan ruins of Tikal. This experience is offered through Faces and Our Cultures.
Ages: rising 6th graders and older
Dates: July 1 – 21, 2017 (This trip is also being planned for June 2018.)
For more information and prices, contact Anne Taylor at taylor_a@jamesriverdayschool.org.
Un Pez, Dos Peces, Pez Rojo, Pez Azul - Buy
In English, “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.” This class will explore the world of Dr. Seuss in Spanish, taking a creative approach to language learning by engaging students with music, short stories, puppets, and lots of movement. Children are encouraged to acquire Spanish in a fun and nurturing environment through both structured and spontaneous activities. Math concepts and language will be reinforced as children engage in free play, arts and crafts, and story time. The goal of this class is teaching some of the basics of communication in the Spanish language to set the groundwork for eventual fluency.
Ages: rising kindergarten and 1st graders
Dates: July 31 – August 4
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Instructor: Grace Aguilera
Cost: $125
Re-Boot Camp - Buy
Reading skills and math drills are the primary focus of this workshop, which is intended to complement the core curriculum as well as provide students with opportunities to explore and hone their talents in technology and the sciences. Students will conduct hands-on science experiments: concocting invisible ink and blowing up balloons via a chemical reaction. Daily engineering challenges will be presented, and students will work together to solve these problems with Legos and other ordinary household materials. Students will work on phonics and reading strategies, as well as word problems and a variety of mathematical concepts.
Ages: rising 1st through 4th graders
Dates: August 7 – 11
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Instructors: Betsy Rhodes, Sarah Glass, Kristen Cook, and Grace Aguilera
Cost: $225
Cardinal Camp-Out - Buy
Come join the first ever Cardinal Camp-Out and spend the night right in the middle of our athletic field. Festivities will depend on group interest, but could include Castle Ball, Capture the Flag, Flag Football, 4-Square, and any other fun game from PE class. After plenty of run-around time, campers will feast on pizza. Evening activities could include a movie, flashlight tag, or board games. With access to both the field house and the outdoor athletic field, this first time event offers something for everyone. And, of course, no camp-out is complete without a campfire and s’mores! In the morning, we will have breakfast together and continue the fun. Students are responsible for bringing their own tents and sleeping bags. So gather a few friends and share a tent for this one-of-a-kind summer event!
Ages: rising 5th through 8th graders
Dates: August 11 and 12
Time: 5 p.m. on Friday until 10 a.m. on Saturday
Instructors: Sarah Lesko and John Gillum
Cost: $50
One-Room Schoolhouse (James River students only) - Buy
One of the most popular programs at James River Day School is back – and now better than ever! The nostalgic one-room schoolhouse, which offered students a unique and specialized education, has disappeared from our fast-paced culture. James River has successfully brought back the concept of the one-room schoolhouse to ease the transition into the school year. We will offer specialized instruction in math, grammar, and the Spanish and French languages. This program furnishes students with a jump-start by providing them with individualized lessons and differentiated instruction in the school’s core curriculum areas, plus organizational assistance for students who need a little help getting it all together. Students can transition smoothly into a new school year at James River Day School by getting set up and ready to go!
Ages: rising 1st through 8th graders (James River students only)
Dates: August 21 – 24
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Instructors: Heather Guard, Betsy Layne, Jason Ruiz, Anne Taylor, Gessi Wright, Pam Reams, and Anne Royer
Cost: $165 (James River students only)
