The Summer Place sports and recreational program allows campers to choose from an assortment of activities based on their interests. For the camper who wants to play a sport, we offer a variety of team sports, such as flag football, baseball, and soccer, as well as individual sports, such as tennis and archery. For the camper who wants a less competitive approach or more variety on a day-to-day basis, we offer courses like recreational swimming, yoga, game of the day, dance, and cheerleading. All sports and recreational activities take place at the University of Hartford’s Sports Center and surrounding athletic fields.
Grades 5–9 participate in three 50-minute, recreational activity periods each morning.
Grades 1–4 participate in three 35-minute, afternoon recreational activity periods, with a 20-minute Whole Group Activity (organized games for the whole group, including relay races and a variety of tag games) and a Popsicle break between offerings. This allows us to bring all of our younger campers together and helps with the transition to their next class. (Grade 1–2 campers with early dismissal participate in the first two recreational activities and are dismissed at Popsicle break.)
Please refer to the appropriate course worksheet for the scheduled time of each selection by clicking on your camper's respective grade level.
| Activity | Grade |
|---|---|
| Archery | Gr. 3–4, 5–9 |
| Baseball/Softball | Gr. 5–9 |
| Basketball | Gr. 1–2, 3–4, 5–9 |
| Board Games | Gr. 1–2, 3–4, 5–9 |
| Cheerleading * | Gr. 1–2, 3–4, 5–9 |
| Dance * | Gr. 1–2, 3–4, 5–9 |
| Fitness Training * | Gr. 5–9 |
| Flag Football | Gr. 3–4, 5–9 |
| Game of the Day* | Gr. 1–2, 3–4, 5–9 |
| Go Girls* | Gr. 5–9 |
| Indoor Soccer/Broomball | Gr. 1–2, 3–4, 5–9 |
| Lacrosse | Gr. 5–9 |
| Recreational Swim * | Gr. 1–2, 3–4, 5–9 |
| Soccer | Gr. 1–2, 3–4, 5–9 |
| Sport Pals * | Gr. 1–2 |
| Street Hockey | Gr. 3–4, 5–9 |
| Swim Lessons * | Gr. 1–2, 3–4, 5–9 |
| Tee Ball / Kickball | Gr. 1–2, 3–4 |
| Tennis/Net Games * | Gr. 1–2, 3–4, 5–9 |
| Yard Games * | Gr. 1–2, 3–4 |
| Yoga | Gr. 1–2, 3–4, 5–9 |
Recreational Activity Highlights
Cheerleading and Dance are taught by our dance instructor. Both classes have a final performance at the end of the session. These performances are held in the Sports Center gym prior to the start of our regular camp day.
Fitness Training includes a variety of high- and low-impact aerobics and muscle-strengthening activities. Campers use hand weights, step boxes, exercise bands, medicine balls and more. Campers learn how to use pedometers to track their steps and distance while jogging and power walking. Depending on the group’s interests, the instructor may also offer water workouts in the pool and lessons on nutrition. Note: We do not use weight-lifting equipment.
Game of the Day includes activities for the camper who likes to play team sports but wants some variety. The campers will play a different team sport on a daily basis. Many of these games are well known, such as kickball or volleyball, while others, such as Tseg Ball, campers may play for the very first time.
Go Girls includes a variety of sports for girls only. Girls will play soccer, basketball, and other sports of their choice.
Recreational Swim is an open swim option for campers. Participants will need to pass a swim test on the first day of their first session attended. The test will consist of swimming 25 yards with a proficient stroke and treading water for 1 minute. Campers in Rec Swim will also need to be comfortable swimming in water up to 14 feet deep. Campers who do not pass the basic test will be placed in lessons at the discretion of the swim director.
Sport Pals is an all-afternoon option for our youngest campers. It includes daily swim lessons, a variety of recreational activities, games, read-aloud time, and a Popsicle at break. This group of campers remains with the same counselors in a nurturing environment for the entire afternoon.
Swim Lessons are taught by the Summer Place swim instructors and follow the American Safety and Health Institute curriculum. Swim lessons are held in the pool at the University’s Sports Center.
Tennis/Net Games is for campers of all abilities. Instructors will assess the campers in the beginning of each session and plan appropriate activities based on their skill levels. Includes a variety of net games.
Yard Games will feature activities for campers looking for something other than team sports. We will have different activities every day, but unlike Game of the Day, they will not be team sports. Some of the planned activities are bocce, slip ‘n slide, and hide and seek.