By Linda White
The anticipation and wait is finally over for the 225 campers who celebrated the first day of Bedford Summer Adventures on Tuesday, July 5. The day may have dawned a little drizzly and overcast, but it in no way dampened the spirits of thecampers or staff.
Campers are divided into three groups. Junior Adventures include four and five year old campers and those who will attend kindergarten in the fall. Summer Adventures include first through fourth graders and fifth/sixth graders participate in Adventures Away.
Peter Laskaris, in his third year as Camp Director, described a full day of fun activities planned for each camp age group. “Campers are dropped off at 9 am. All campers and counselors gather in the BHS cafeteria where each age group has a designated area. We take a few quiet minutes for an activity and to go over what will take place during the day.”
A Day at Camp
Click each picture in the gallery below to see a larger version – Images (c) Linda White, 2016 all rights reserved
Laskaris continued, “Activities rotate each day so campers get to experience all the activities the camp has to offer. We are excited to have a number of new activities including archery, woodworking(where some beautiful bird houses, boats and mini lockers are taking shape with safety glass and apron-clad mini carpenters at work), and Cubelets, a robotics modular building system that counselors and campers will both love.”
Utilizing BHS fields, the camp provides a safe archery area, a water slide with sprinklers, a gaga pit for ball play, and plenty of space for outdoor play and games of soccer. Classrooms have been turned into specialty play areas: Fantasy Island, a Reading Room, Clay Room, arts & craft area, Music Room, a Game Room complete with a pool table, foos ball table, and air hockey table. There is also an air conditioned rest area where preschool junior campers are encouraged to rest for 40 minutes after lunch. The back cafeteria has been turned into a large motor skill play space with a bounce house, climbing ropes, two ball pits, and a play castle/fort.
The Bedford Playground where pony rides were taking place is a short walk away. Pony rides are a new camp feature and are already a major hit with the young campers. The ponies, Coco and Comet, commute from Needham where they make their home with Paul Hughes of Paul’s Pony Parties.
Swim lessons take place at Springs Brook Park. Lunch time is held on the back field where the camp can be together and campers have an opportunity to catch up with friends in other groups. The day comes to a close at 3 pm – all too soon for most campers.Adventures Away participants take part in a series of daily get-aways to beaches, amusement parks and local attractions. They use BHS as their home base.
Laskaris explained, “The success of our camp is directly related to the quality of our counselors and staff. Counselor training includes sessions on ‘what to expect’, medical emergencies, first aid, human relations, and sessions taught by professional behavioral/psychology professionals. The majority of our counselors look forward to returning year after year throughout high school and college and have been campers here themselves. I love seeing many of the children I already know from my teaching assistant position at Davis School. It is gratifying to see them in a relaxed atmosphere, having new experiences, challenges, and making new friends. It keeps me young! I also love seeing the growth and maturation from year to year in both campers and staff. I cannot wait for camp to begin each year.”
Amy Hamilton, Bedford Recreation Department Director, had nothing but praise for Laskaris and his key team members, Assistant Director Stacy Vallely and Administrative Assistant Lee Frank, and the entire Summer Adventures family of counselors and staff members. “We value each and every person associated with camp. It provides not only a wonderful opportunity for campers but a learning and employment opportunity for many of the young people in Bedford. It is a win/win all the way around.”
A Short History of Bedford’s Day Camp
The Bedford Day Camp had its beginning in 1975 when two Bedford parents, Lee Evans and Paula Palaza, approached Recreation Director Frank Bauman and the Recreation Commission with an idea for a summer camp. Ilsa Gottlieb, physical education teacher and new mother, was looking for a summer job; she applied and was hired as the first Director. Paula Palaza was the first Assistant Director. During her tenure, Gotlieb also worked with Assistant Directors MaryAnn Sheflin, Amy Hamilton, Anita Raffa and MaryLou Knell. For Gottlieb, it turned out to be much more than a “summer job” as Gottlieb continued in her role of Camp Director and Lane School Assistant Principal until her retirement in 2007.
Forty-one years later Gottlieb recalls, “As young parents, the directors were part of Bedford’s parent community. Evans’ and Palaza’s initial idea was a half-day camp for three- to five-year-olds and full day camp for first graders through sixth graders. As our kids grew, and times changed, camp expanded to reflect the kid’s interest and parent’s needs. Programs like Early Bird and Extended Day were added. Kindergarten camp became a full day experience and specialty camps like Local Getaway, Project Adventure, Summer Musical Stock and overnight bike and canoe trips were developed. From the start, our goal was to service all Bedford’s kids. Camp became a place where kids with significant needs were welcome and accommodated.”
Gottlieb continued, “Over time, Camp became a part of many of Bedford’s children’s journeys from childhood into adulthood. I loved every aspect of Camp!”
Learn More
To learn more about Summer Adventures programming, visit the Recreation Department web site https://www.bedfordma.gov/summer-adventures-0
It is not too late to register. There are a few openings available.
2-Week Sessions: Junior Adventures (ages 4 through entering K) & Summer Adventures (entering grades 1 – 4)
- Session 1: July 5- July 15
- Session 2: July 18- July 29th
- Session 3: August 1st- Aug 12
1 Week Sessions: Adventures Away (entering grades 5 and 6)
- Week 1: July 5- July 8
- Week 2: July 11 – July 15
- Week 3: July 18 – July 22
- Week 4: July 25 – July 29
- Week 5: Aug 1- Aug 5
- Week 6: August 8 – August 12
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