This year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven delivered a summer camp experience that was packed with fun, learning, and unforgettable memories!

Our 55-person staff ensured students had a great time this summer while also engaging in educational programming. We also had 8 high school students in our Counselors-in-Training program this year. In addition to working in the summer camp, these Junior Counselors attended workforce development sessions focusing on everything from social and emotional development in the workplace and financial literacy to resume creation and interviewing.

In total our three locations—New Haven, Ulbrich-North Haven, and Ulbrich-Wallingford—we served 451 youth throughout the summer. Every day, we served an average of 267 kids participated in our programs, with each location providing its own unique blend of activities and adventures!

New Haven: A Summer of Creativity and Learning

At the New Haven Clubhouse, our summer camp was defined by a wide range of engaging, enriching activities. From partnerships with organizations like the Girl Scouts, Neighborhood Music School, and the Mystic Aquarium to literacy infusion programs through the New Haven Tutoring Initiative twice a week, we focused on both fun and educational growth.

Our weekly themes, ranging from science, sports, adventure, and the arts, gave campers the chance to explore new interests. Every week, field trips related to our themes were a highlight, with favorites including hiking East Rock, visiting Ocean Beach, and a day at Beardsley Zoo. Afternoons were filled with our unique Club-driven programs, where kids participated in opportunities including Fashion Club, Planting Club, and Baking Club.

One of the most exciting parts of the summer was our mini talent show, where campers showcased the skills they’d honed throughout the program.

“This was my first summer camp ever and when I first started, I thought it was going to be full of learning and boring activities, but it wasn’t! I had fun every day and created new memories. I loved it so much that I had my mom sign me up for after school!” –Natalie H., 12

Ulbrich-North Haven: Weekly Themes, Field Trips, and Fun Fridays

The North Haven camp brought both excitement and structure to our members’ summer. Each week featured a new theme that shaped the camp’s activities, and campers participated in activities including dance, gym, art, Girl Scouts, and even STEM programs like NBA Math. Our campers especially loved our field trips and Fun Friday events.

With programs like “BGC Paparazzi,” where members captured camp moments, the kids expressed their creativity while learning new skills. Fun outdoor activities such as football, kickball, and Gaga Ball became instant favorites.

Success Stories:

• “This summer camp year was a lot of fun because the field trips were a lot of fun! We did a lot! Activities like outside with Tanner, like football and kickball. And the best thing we did here was Gaga Ball! It was so much fun!” – Luke M.
• “I like summer camp because we played football, pool, and ping pong. Khalil is the best staff, and my favorite part was the Tech room!” – Nick D.
• “My favorite things are art and playing outside because it is fun to play outside with friends. And I love art because you can draw and paint! It’s so fun!” – Jacion T.
• “My favorite things about summer are the staff, activities, field trips, friends, and movies. My favorite week was Water Week. I loved getting dumped with water, it was so much fun!” – Aria S.

Ulbrich-Wallingford: New Adventures and Unforgettable Fridays

At our Wallingford location, this summer brought new field trips and thrilling Fun Fridays. On non-field trip days, we kept the excitement going with walks to Dairy Queen, Pizza Fridays, Nerf Blaster Battles, and Chick-fil-A lunches. We also introduced a Snow Cone machine and invested in a new water bouncy inflatable for even more summer fun.

This year, we also hired an Academic Support Specialist who significantly boosted participation in our academic programs by making learning both fun and interactive.

One standout activity was Catapult Science, where students built their own catapults using popsicle sticks and rubber bands. Through this hands-on project, campers explored the concepts of forces and energy transfer while learning about angles and how different angles affect the distance a cotton ball can be launched. Activities like these helped make learning exciting while reinforcing important STEM concepts in a creative way!

“The fun things I liked at the club were the field trips and the theme weeks, like Pros vs. Joes. And on Fun Friday when we had the Nerf battle and had Chick-fil-A for lunch.” -Jacobi E., 12

A Summer to Remember

Across all three locations—New Haven, North Haven, and Wallingford—the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven delivered a summer camp filled with joy, learning, and lifelong memories. We’re grateful to the staff, volunteers, and, of course, our amazing campers for making Summer 2024 such a success. We can’t wait to see what next summer brings!

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