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Open House: Event

SUMMER 2023

Welcome (back) to Kew Kids!   We are excited to see your family.

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We are an outdoor nature program and the first and only forest school in Queens committed to

guiding learning in nature that inspires empathy, resilience, grit and a deep connection to the

earth.  

 

We are 100% outdoors (except for naps) because we believe nature is the best classroom for personal growth and it just so happens that through direct experience on the trails, young children develop a profound love and respect for nature that will stay with them throughout their lives.

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Our 8-week summer camp is divided into 4 sessions, each 2 weeks long with a nature theme to keep young minds and bodies active.  Prior themes have included Nature Detectives, Digging for Dinosaurs, Animal Superpowers and Muck & Slime.  Camping & Adventure Skills is the final theme because we love to take kids camping!

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FOREST PARK, QUEENS

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Wallenberg Camp - Ages 1 to 3 Half Day 

Aligning with camp themes we will discover, sing songs, play games, listen to stories and adventure across the landscape in search of whatever catches our eye.  We will leave plenty of time for play at nature's mud kitchen, building stick forts, soaring in swings and climbing across fallen logs as open exploration is the true work of childhood.

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School Camp - Ages 1 to 3 Full Day 

Full day schedule allows us to add crafting, cooking and waterplay (even car washing!) to deepen our connection to nature, our community and enjoy the childhood wonder of a beautiful summer day.

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SPANISH Camp - Ages 2 to 8 Half Day 

Half day immersed in Spanish taught by native Spanish-speaking teachers, we will explore and discover themes while effortlessly acquiring or practicing Spanish and enjoying the childhood wonder of a fun summer day in the sun (or rain)!

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Mandarin CHINESE Camp - Ages 2 to 8 Half Day

Half day immersed in Mandarin taught by native Mandarin-speaking teachers, we will explore and discover themes while effortlessly acquiring or practicing Chinese and enjoying the childhood wonder of a fun summer day in the sun (or rain)!

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Overlook Camp - Ages 4 to 8 Half Day or Full Day 

These weeks in the forest build on a child's natural curiosity while putting their hands, hearts and minds to work!  Working with camp themes, we will spend our summer days playing nature awareness games, singing songs, wildcrafting, exploring art in nature, hiking, tracking, waterplay and tending to a community garden.  We will build our naturalist skills while deepening our connection to nature and our community, while leaving plenty of time to soak in the beauty of a summer day in nature.

For older children, they will be able to learn wood carving or whittling this summer!

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Travel Camp - Ages 5 to 8 (Return Campers and NEW friends)

New in 2024!  We love our returning families and we are creating an awesome, totally unique travelling camp for return campers ages 5 to 8+ to join new campers on an unique experience.  In addition to reconnecting with our favorite sites in Forest Park, we will be taking a trip every day visiting NYC Parks and sites throughout Queens and its surrounding areas.  Riding the school bus with campers (and possibly a parent chaperone) and a group filled with best friends always make for a very special day.  We make memorable childhood field trips no one should miss!  See tentative schedule here.

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Summer Mini Camp - Ages 2 to 8 Half Day or Full Day

The 9th week of summer at the end of August is reserved for those who don't want summer to end (us too!) or those who are returning home for summer's last hurrah.  You didn't miss it!  Join us for a fantastic week of voted best play this summer at Kew Kids.  We will reprise the best adventures this week + a fan favorite Vet School Camp!

CAMP DETAILS

Jul 1 to Jul 3

Week 1 (3 days)

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$550 Full Day / $270 Half Day

Jul 1 to Jul 12

Week 1 + Week 2 

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$1,525 Full Day / $720 Half Day

Jul 8 to Aug 23

Any 2 Weeks

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$1,900 Full Day / $1,550 Travel Camp / $900 Half Day

Jul 1 to Aug 23

Full Summer

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$4,600 Full Day or Travel Camp / $3,000 Half Day

Aug 26 to Aug 30

Mini Camp

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$975 Full Day / $450 Half Day

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Dates:

  • Summer 2024 Dates: Eight weeks from July 1st to August 23rd, 2024

    • Please note that Week 1 is a short week and the fee is reduced (see below). Kew Kids will be closed on July 4 and July 5

  • Summer 2024 Mini Camp Dates: One week from August 26th to August 30th, 2024 (reprisal of best play this summer!)

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Schedule:

  • Full Day: 8am to 5pm (8am to 6pm for School Camp)

  • Half Day: 8am to Noon

  • Travel Camp: 9am to 3pm

  • You may enroll for the full eight weeks for a deep discount

  • Or enroll any two-week sessions (does not have to be consecutive)

  • Or just the mini camp the last week of August

  • Or any combinations above

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Cost:

  • Full Summer Eight Weeks*:

    • $4,600 for full day

    • $3,000 for half day

  • Two-Week Sessions*:

    • $1,900 per 2-week full day session or $900 per 2-week half day session

  • *Week 1 - July 1 to July 3 for 3 days

    • $550 for full day​ and $270 half day

  • Travel Camp​

    • $4,600 full summer 9am to 3pm​

    • $1,550 per 2-week session 9am to 3pm*

    • Early drop-off 8am or late pick-up 5 or 6pm available for $10 per hour

    • All transportation and admission fees are included

  • Mini Camp is ​$975 for full day or $450 half day

  • 50% deposit is required to confirm your spot by March 15th

  • 10% tuition discount for siblings

  • New camper one-time application fee is $100. No additional fee for any future camps

  • Camp shirts are $10 each to be picked at our school or your first day at camp

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Camp Size: Each camp is limited to 12 children under 4 years old with 3 counselors per camp.  Maximum 15 children over 4 years old.

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Dress: Wearing our camp shirt, we will meet rain or shine in all but extreme weather.  On wet and muddy days, water resistant pants that can get dirty and rain/mud boots are required.  One piece suits or coveralls, such as Oakiwear, Tuffo's Muddy Buddy or Frogg Toggs are a must.  In case of rain, wear hat and rain jacket (umbrellas are not practical).  Still nervous about the elements?  Please see our Gears page for additional information.

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Meals/Snacks: We provide breakfast, mid-morning and afternoon snacks, though your child is free to eat and drink any time.  You bring lunch for full day camps.  Water refills are available throughout the day.

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Missed Classes: We do not offer refunds for classes you miss, nor do we allow drop-ins.  While we strive to be as accommodating as possible, we also believe continuity in participation builds an important sense of community and makes for a higher quality learning experience for our children and families.  

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Weather Cancellations: We follow NYC weather advisory and reserves the right to adjust activities, location or schedule to ensure health and safety of our campers and staff.  There is no refund for weather related changes or cancellations.

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Cancellations:

  • Cancellation requests received before April 1st will result in a full refund minus $200 cancellation fee.

  • Cancellation requests received before May 1st will result in a 50% refund minus a $200 cancellation fee.

  • Cancellation requests received after May 1st will not be refunded, regardless whether that session has a waitlist.

  • If a citywide lockdown occurs, we will cancel and issue credit towards a future program.

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Any questions, please drop us a note.  To register for our summer camp, please submit an interest form using the link below and note Summer Camp with desired start date and full/half day option.  We will then follow up with a registration link and invoice once we confirm availability.  Note: 50% deposit is required to confirm your spot by March 15th.

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AZMEENA ISMAIL

Teacher

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Achievements/Interests:

  • Student at Queensborough Community College 

  • Photography/Videography& Cinematography 

  • Baking and cooking 

  • Gardening 

  • Athlete 

  • Loves crafts especially sewing, crochet, weaving 

  • Reading  

Growing up in a big family with six siblings, I didn’t really play on electronics like most kids do now. Instead  we would be encouraged to go out and play every day and have fun. We would come up with our own games, play with the neighborhood kids, go to the park to ride our bikes and scooters around. Weather was no concern of ours. 

 

When it came time for my first job, I made the decision of not wanting to be in an indoor stuffy place. I made decision to join the Queens Farm as an educator, where in the camp the kids and counselors learned new things about the farm everyday regarding the animals, plants, and old farm houses as well as playing sports and doing arts and crafts. I found it very refreshing and healthy for all of us. Not being glued to a screen on a digital device, the children were able to interact with other children and run and play.  Exactly how childhood should be. I treasure this special time for outdoor learning and hope to pass these skills along to the children at Kew Kids Forest School. 

kewkidsforest@gmail.com

646-450-6672

82-96 116th Street, Kew Gardens, NY 11418

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