Summer Camp Activities

Afternoons (Academic Camps)

Afternoons are a time to break from the intensity of the morning's academic activities and kick back, have fun and develop friendships.

Recreational Sports

This program consists of a variety of recreational sports and activities. A couple of options are offered each day in which to participate including swimming, basketball, ultimate frisbee, and volleyball to name a few. This is a great way to unwind and just "play" in the afternoons without the formal instruction and competition that our other programs offer.

Sports Instruction

Campers interested in focusing their efforts on golf, tennis, soccer, basketball or fitness may participate in our 1/2 day sports camps. These programs are more intensive than the Recreational Sports Program and are included in your tuition.

• Golf Camp
  Conducted at UVa's own Birdwood Golf Course, players of all experience levels enjoy small group instruction and "play the course" opportunities. Two hours of group instruction three days a week by Birdwood's own PGA pros and 4 Star's golf staff covers all phases of stroke development from the long game to the short game and putting. The other two days you will play the beautiful Birdwood course (9 or 18 holes depending on experience).
• Tennis Camp
  A carefully designed and integrated approach to the total tennis game using modern teaching techniques. We have been helping players reach the next level since 1975. On alternate days you will profit from and enjoy small group instruction, private lessons, singles and doubles match play, team tennis, and a tennis specific conditioning program. You will receive 2 to 2 1/2 hours of instruction daily and will be in competitive groups based on ability level.
• Soccer Camp
  An exciting instructional program designed just for 4 Star Camps. You'll be practicing the fundamental skills while also having an opportunity to utilize those skills in game-like competitions. Improve your game and put your abilities to the test against players from around the world.
• Personal Fitness
  Our fitness program is geared toward introducing activities like yoga or pilates, fitness walking, circuit training, and plyometrics to improve flexibility, balance, strength, and cardiovascular health. Whether you are already in a fitness program or just starting out, this is appropriate for you. For those of you playing high school sports this is a great program to help you prepare for your season.
• Basketball Camp
  A brand new and exciting option at 4 Star on opposite weeks from our Soccer Camp. This program will be directed by St. Anne's-Belfield School's own basketball coach, Mark Gearhart. Spend your afternoon learning and perfecting your basketball skills through a combination of formal instruction/drills and actual game situations.

Fine Arts Workshops

Choose from engaging courses including:

• Principles of Art
  Designed for students of any art background, this class will help you discover and develop your innate artistic talents. Learn various techniques while developing your own individual pieces. Content may include drawing, painting, design, sculture, or jewelry making.
• Photography
  Bring your digital camera and you will have fun learning the basics of how to compose pictures, freeze action, and use light effectively to create great photographs. Start your very own portfolio.
• Film Production (2-week course)
  Want to be the next Steven Spielberg or Quentin Tarantino? This course is designed to bring out your creative writing and visual filming qualities. Craft an original two-scene script, then direct the filming, including using light, perspective and staging. The course culminates in the production of your own short film.
• Music Theory
  Recognize and understand the basic elements of music. Focus on rhythm, melody and harmony, style, listening, diction and sight-singing. Also, begin to compose your own musical scores.
• Architecture
  Explore 3-D design. Learn primary principles and skills for structural architecture, landscape architecture, and planning. Tasks involve drawing and design proposal. As well, you will complete either a 2-D or 3-D model of your design.
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Evenings (All Campers)

Summer evenings are a time to relax, socialize, and have fun. We have planned a remarkable schedule of "just for fun" activities including bowling, capture the flag, karaoke, dinner out, dancing, pizza and birthday cake, Ice Cream Social, at-camp and in-town movies, and more! Of course, there will be a special trip to enjoy the local fireworks display for those attending over the 4th of July. Activities may vary depending on site.

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Weekends

What will campers do on the weekend between each session? It is very common for campers to attend for more than just one week. Campers attending multi-week sessions will have the occasion to attend one-day, supervised excursions at a variety of locations. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience what the surrounding areas have to offer while reinforcing the friendships built during the week's activities. For campers at the University of Virginia these excursions might include:

• King's Dominion
• Busch Gardens
• Watercountry USA
• Siteseeing in Washington, DC
• A trip to Virginia Beach
• Whitewater rafting
• A College Tour of Georgetown University and George Washington University (or other similar schools)

Stony Brook University does not have a weekend stayover option.

Note: Activities and trip offerings may vary depending on week and age of camper. Lunch is not provided on these trips and campers should have extra spending money to purchase lunch.

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