The streets may be lined with holiday cheer and snow is falling outside our windows but that isn’t stopping our team from dreaming about summer camp. Today is the big day and registration is officially open for Summer 2018. Last year’s camp season was one for the books with stories we are still reliving. We know that 2018 will be even better as we welcome new and past campers.

To celebrate registration opening and to take all of your minds off the cold we wanted to share just 5 of the many reasons why you and your kids will love our summer camps.

1. There is something for everyone. Whether your child is all about sports, art or STEM, we have inclusive activities for all of them. KING Summer Camp prides itself on providing a well-rounded experience that not only caters to kids’ current likes but also expands their minds to new activities. It would take all day to name every activity that our campers participate in but to name a few:

Sports: Basketball, tennis, wiffle ball, flag football, soccer, and dozens of other unique KING games that will be the talk of the dinner table each night.
Arts and Crafts: We offer age specific projects ranging from tye-dye to bracelet making and beyond.
STEM: campers have the opportunity to learn computer coding, test their chemistry skills making play dough and slime and use their creativity in project design.

2. The opportunity to explore New York City! Each week our campers have the opportunity to go on unique field trips all over New York City. Last year our campers cheered on the Mets and the Yankees, rode the rides at Coney Island and put their scientist hats on at the Hall of Science. This year we will be bringing back field trip favorites and adding new and exciting trips for our campers to enjoy.

3. Our staff rocks! Every time someone asks us what makes our camp different we always say it is our awesome staff! We are unique to other camps because we run programs year around and our coaches work with kids throughout the year, not just in the summer. Our staff includes hundreds of wonderful coaches that are certified teachers, former college athletes, full-time KING staff and are all dedicated to making sure that all campers have the best time ever.

4. Parents, this one is for you: we are super affordable! A quick Google search will tell you that we are well below our competitors. We are dedicated to keeping our prices affordable to give all kids the opportunity to experience the joys of summer camp. We are also offering early bird specials to make camp even more affordable. Sign up before March 1st and enjoy $50 off per week! We also offer pay-in-full and sibling discounts.

5. Swimming! A highlight of last summer was the addition of swim lessons. We are bringing them back this year and are very excited to continue to promote and teach safe swimming. Campers last year not only improved their swimming ability but also had a ton of fun doing so. Lessons are taught in a group setting by professional instructors and are catered to the groups’ existing ability. Lessons are an additional $50 per week.

To be honest, choosing only 5 reasons was tough because there are so many reasons to love KING Summer Camp! Find out more by visiting our website or shooting an email to info@kidsinthegame.com See you this summer!

Mount-Carmel Holy Rosary or better known in our office as MCHR is a PreK-3 through 8th grade school in East Harlem. KING currently runs the after-school program at MCHR led by our fearless program manager Tracey Lewis. MCHR is a member of the Partnership School Organization and arguably has the cutest school uniforms of all time. Along with the uniform cred, MCHR has been shining in the after-school game as well. Here are some highlights and shoutouts that you need to know about:

1) Program Highlight:
PreK Chess Club: Yes you read that correctly, at MCHR the PreK kids are better at chess than (more than?) half our staff. Chess club is just one of the extracurricular activities offered at MCHR, others include homework help, STEM projects, and sports activities.

2) Kid Highlight:
Mayalee is a kindergarten student at MCHR. She is an active participant in all after school activities and was an easy choice for KING Kid of the month. Mayalee takes working on her homework very seriously and always asks great questions when she needs help. Her math and reading skills have improved tremendously because of her eagerness to learn. Keep up the great work Mayalee, we love seeing that smile everyday at MCHR!

Scarlet is a Pre-K student at MCHR. A few words her coaches use to describe her are: listener, hard worker, compassionate and kind friend… those are some awesome words! She demonstrates genuine love and kindness to everyone whom she interacts. We are so grateful that we get to work with Scarlet and watch her grow up as a Kid in the Game. You are a role model Scarlet!

3) Staff Highlight:
This Staff Rocks! Our staff at MCHR is a wonderful group of coaches that love spending a part of their day at this school. Laughter and learning fill the air between structured dance routines, art projects, and sports games. The bond between our coaches and the after-school students at MCHR is undeniably strong and we know that our coaches gain just as much from the students as they do from yes. We are very grateful for the partnership with MCHR. Thank you coaches for all your hard work!

4) UNICEF Kid Power Update:
In January we started the UNICEF Kid Power Training Program with MCHR 4th-8th graders in the after-school program.(need a reminder of what this is? Click here!) Since starting the program the kids at MCHR have taken over 197,000 steps, earned over 3,800 power points, and donated 382 food packets to underdeveloped countries. Let’s keep cheering them on… keep on stepping, skipping, running, and playing!

What if all it took to make a positive impact in the world was to simply walk, play and be a kid?

Thanks to the Jr. NBA, Kids in the Game has been selected to participate in UNICEF’s Kid Power Training program and do just that. Starting this week, 4th through 8th graders in our Mount Carmel Holy Rosary (MCHR) after-school program will be participating in the program that translates steps taken into philanthropic efforts. The Training Program is a kids-helping-kids initiative that “promotes both fitness and global citizenship”.

Each student will receive a Kid Power band that will track their movement and count their steps. With every 2,400 steps the student takes they will receive a Kid Power Point. A cumulation of 10 points earns a therapeutic food packet donation. These packets contain a nutrient-rich peanut paste specifically designed for kids in malnourished communities. UNICEF has donated to over 190 countries and will determine where the packets go by which communities need it the most.

Not only will this program increase our kid’s physical fitness awareness but it will also test their responsibility skills. The kids will be wearing the bands throughout the day and will take them home each evening. They are responsible for their own band and keeping it in tip-top shape. Our staff will collect the bands for each weekend to recharge and sync all results on the program tablet.

“I was amazed by the infectious humanitarianism my kids displayed right after I introduced the Kid Power Band mission. My kids are informed and ready to be active to help as many kids as possible”, said Tracey Lewis, Kids in the Game, MCHR After-School Director.

And because everyone loves a good ol’ fashioned contest, we have decided to add a classic grade versus grade competition to help those legs keep stepping. 4th grade will be competing against 5th and the middle school 6th, 7th and 8th grades will try to outstep each other. Along with the kids getting Power Bands, teachers and Kids in the Game staff will also be joining in the fun and stepping along with the kids. Their steps will count towards their team totals as well as gaining overall power points.

We at Kids in the Game feel very fortunate to be a part of this program. Bringing social awareness and empowerment to our kids and staff is a core value we hold. It is an honor to be taking this step (pun intended!) with UNICEF to end malnourishment around the world.