ScoopToo » Montessori School of Den.

THE SCOOP ON DENVER SUMMER CAMPS 2012 !!!

JM — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:06:35 +0000

It’s freezing cold outside. You’re finally recovering from holiday planning and bills. Super viruses are rampant and your kids have been out sick for a week at a time. We parents have been sick for a week at a time. You just can’t catch a break because now you are tasked with focusing your attention on the summer. Besides your annual trip to Cape Cod, or to Disney World, or home to Iowa, you have 12 more weeks to plan for so that your children can be occupied and entertained this summer. Who’s got time for that?

ScoopToo is here to help…a little. Our annual Denver Summer Camp List has been in the works for a couple of years now. Every year, we hope to make it more comprehensive with your help. Talk to us. Tell us what you did last summer and this summer. Help your fellow parents with feedback on camps that your kids loved. We will continue to aggregate the information and deliver it right to you. This year, we have a downloadable list for your convenience. Enjoy and good luck!

Download a PDF here: Denver Summer Camps 2012

DENVER SUMMER CAMPS 2012

List Compiled by:

For those with TWINKLE TOES:

For the ANIMAL LOVER:

For the OUTDOOR ADVENTURER:

For those with GLOBAL SIGHTS:

For the SPORTS ENTHUSIAST:

Gymnastics:

University of Denver

Golf :

The First Tee of Denver

Fencing:

Denver Fencing Center

Basketball:

Denver Nuggets

Tennis:

Denver Park and Rec Tennis Camps

Soccer:

Lacrosse:

Multi-sport:

For the next PICASSO:

For the next OCSAR WINNER:

For the SCIENTIST:

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

For the future ENGINEER:

For the TECH INSPIRED:

For the PIONEER:

Four Mile Historic Park

For those with PATENTS PENDING:

Camp Invention (you will find several locations around Denver that host this camp)

For the NATURALIST:

For the CREATIVE:

For the FOODIE:

Sticky Fingers Cooking

For the ROCKER:

Camp Jam

For the DAY CAMPER (various programs):

For the OVERNIGHTER:

PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE A CAMP TO ADD OR MAKE A COMMENT IF YOU’VE HAD A GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH ONE OF THESE CAMPS. LET US KNOW IF ONE OF THE LINKS IS BROKEN SO THAT WE CAN UPDATE IT. THANK YOU!

Announcement: Montessori School of Denver to Open a Middle School!

JM — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:42:33 +0000

Head of School, Stephanie Flanigan, stood before the Montessori School of Denver community Wednesday night and announced the exciting news that the school will be launching a middle school in August of 2013. The MSD Board of Trustees had voted unanimously to extend MSD’s grades from Toddler through 6th grade to Toddler through 8th grade.

The idea of opening a middle school has been tossed around since the 1980′s at MSD but until now, “the time was not right” according to Stephanie. Last night, the audience stood up and cheered with the revelation of this news; it is something they’ve been waiting for for a long time.

This will be the only Montessori middle school option in Denver and will implement best practices for a top-notch, 21st century education for elementary and middle school students. There is an exciting new and enhanced curriculum being developed that will take students outside the walls of the school, literally and figuratively, to encourage each student to be the critical thinkers, entrepreneurs, globally minded, stewards of our next generation.

Along with facilities planning for the addition of the 7th and 8th grades, the school will complete a comprehensive master plan, designed to address all MSD’s program and campus needs including acquiring additional property on which to build.

Enrollment will be for 40 additional students, 20 each for 7th and 8th grade, bringing the school’s total enrollment to 340 students by August of 2014. At this point, the Montessori School of Denver will celebrate it’s 50th year in operation, a true legacy of premier education in Denver.

To learn more, please visit the Montessori School of Denver website for frequent updates.

THE SCOOP on SUMMER CAMP 2011

JM — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:12:25 +0000

Boy, have we seen a flurry of mommy group, blog and news posts about summer camps – and it’s only January! Last year, our post on summer camps was out in May but we realize that most of us need to explore our options much earlier. Many camp schedules are posted already or will be over these next few months.

Our goal is to compile the most comprehensive list in town, one that you will be able to use for years to come. We will include everything from academic, dance, sports, science, nature, swim, arts, drama, sleep away and day camp. You name it, we have it – or will, with your help.

We know that there are many many more camps in the Denver area and suburbs so if you see something missing here, please let us know! Also, please share with us your positive experience with any of these camps. If you have something negative to report, please keep it to yourself. We are not in the business of rating camps.

So parents….drum roll please…..

DENVER SUMMER CAMPS 2011!

For those with TWINKLE TOES:

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance – http://www.cleoparkerdance.org/school.html

Cherry Creek Dance – http://www.cherrycreekdance.com/

Dance Conservatory of Denver – http://www.danceconservatoryofdenver.com/

For the ANIMAL LOVER:

Denver Zoo – http://www.denverzoo.org/

The Wildlife Experience – http://thewildlifeexperienc.reachlocal.com

Butterfly Pavilion – http://www.butterflies.org/

Normandy Farms and Stables – http://www.normandyfarmandstables.com/

For the OUTDOOR ADVENTURER:

Avid4Adventure – http://www.avid4.com/

Altogether Outdoors summer camps - http://aocamps.com/

For those with GLOBAL SIGHTS:

Denver Montclair International School - http://www.dmischool.com/academics/summer-camps/

For the SPORTS ENTHUSIAST:

Gymnastics:

University of Denver – http://recreation.du.edu/familyyouth/?sec=co&main=6&main2=139&main3=287

Golf :

The First Tee of Denver – http://www.thefirstteeofdenver.org/

Fencing:

Denver Fencing Center – http://www.denverfencingcenter.com/camps.html

Basketball:

Denver Nuggets – http://nba.us/nuggets/community/summer_camps.html

Tennis:

Denver Park and Rec Tennis Camps – http://www.denvergov.org/Recreation/CityWideTennis/tabid/432355/Default.aspx

Soccer:

Little Kickers – http://www.bladium.com/SportFitnessClubHome.aspx?CompanyID=1&FacilityID=2

Skyline Soccer – http://www.skylinesoccer.org/Home

YMCA of Denver – http://www.denverymca.org/

University of Denver – http://denversoccercamp.com/

Lacrosse:

Gamebreaker Lacrosse Camp – http://www.laxcamps.com/camps/campLocation.html#com

Denver Lacrosse Club – http://www.denverlacrosse.org/

Multi-sport:

Stapleton All Sports – http://www.stapletonallsports.com/

University of Denver Youth Camps - http://recreation.du.edu/familyyouth/?sec=co&main=6&main2=139&main3=287

JCC – http://jccdenver.reachlocal.net/home/jcc-camps/sports-camps-2/

Bladium – http://www.bladium.com/SportFitnessActivities.aspx?companyID=1&facilityID=2&ActivityCode=16

Dream Big Sports Camps – http://www.dreambigdaycamp.com/dream-big-sports-camps/

YMCA of Denver – http://www.denverymca.org/

For the next PICASSO:

Art Students League of Denver – http://www.asld.org/

The Art Garage – http://www.artgaragedenver.com/Art_Garage/Home.html

Mizel Museum – http://mizelmuseum.org/

Artful Journey – http://artfuljourneyschools.com/

For the next OCSAR WINNER:

Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids-

http://www.theaterforkids.net/colorado_summer_camp.php?gclid=COCR6ou_4qYCFcIKKgod6BFf0A

Catchpenny Theatre – http://www.catchpennytheatre.com/

Denver Center for the Performing Arts – http://www.denvercenter.org/education/ProgramsforChildrenandTeens.aspx

For the MIT GRAD:

Denver Museum of Nature & Science – http://www.dmns.org/

For the future ENGINEER:

Lego Camp – http://play-well.org/schedule/class/state/state/Colorado

Science Matters – http://www.sciencematters.tv/Camps.do

For the TECH INSPIRED:

Open World Learning – http://www.openworldlearning.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=144&Itemid=98

Internal Drive – http://www.internaldrive.com/why-id/summer-day-camps-and-extended-day-camp-options-at-our-computer-camps/

For the PIONEER:

Four Mile Historic Park - http://www.fourmilepark.org/

For those with PATENTS PENDING:

Camp Invention - http://www.campinvention.org (you will find several locations around Denver that host this camp)

For the NATURALIST:

Nature Rangers – http://myenrichment.com/Default.aspx?tabid=33693

Denver Botanic Gardens – http://www.botanicgardens.org/

For the CREATIVE:

Denver Children’s Museum - http://mychildsmuseum.org/daily-programs/camps.aspx

All About the Arts - http://arvadacenter1.reachlocal.net/education/classes

For the FOODIE:

Sticky Fingers Cooking - http://stickyfingerscooking.com/

For the DREAMER:

Dream Big Day Camp - http://www.dreambigdaycamp.com/

For the ROCKER:

Camp Jam – http://campjam.com/denver

For the DAY CAMPER (various programs):

Dream Big Day Camp – http://www.dreambigdaycamp.com/

JCC day camps: http://www.jccdenver.org/camps/camps.php

Colorado Academy: http://www.coloradoacademy.org/podium/default.aspx?t=126234

Montessori School of Denver: http://www.montessoridenver.org/index.php/programs/summer-camp/

Stanley British Primary – http://stanleybps.schoolfusion.us/

South Suburban Parks & Rec:

http://www.ssprd.org/southsubnew/regonline.asp?tl=2&pdept_id=20269&strmode=1

Girl Scouts of Colorado – http://girlscoutsofcolorado.org/

Paddington Station – www.PaddingtonStation.org

For the OVERNIGHTER:

Sanborn Western Camps – http://www.sanbornwesterncamps.com/

Geneva Glen – http://www.genevaglen.org/

School Scoop: Montessori School of Denver

JM — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:41:07 +0000

School: MONTESSORI SCHOOL of DENVER

Website: http://www.montessoridenver.org/

Main Phone: 303-756-9441

Type: Private Montessori – Accredited member of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS)

Tuition & Fees: Tuition & Fees: Tuition for 2010/2011 school year is $11,470 ($6,880 for half-day until 11:30 AM) for Primary/Kindergarten and $12,180 for Elementary per student. The after school program is an additional $5,025 per year. Additional fees include an $895 per family facilities fee and $250 per family work bond fee (this deposit can be worked off throughout the year by volunteering time). Financial assistance is available for Kindergarten and Elementary students.

Click here for the MSD Overview Brochure: MSD Overview 2010-2011

Tours: Parent tours begin in October. Tours are for adults only and include an overview of MSD, an introduction to Montessori education, a classroom observation, campus tour, and a question and answer session. All tours require an appointment and reservations are limited. Toddler Program tours are held on Wednesday mornings from 9:45 am – 10:45 am. Primary Program tours take place on Tuesday mornings from 9:15 am – 10:45 am. Elementary Program tours are by appointment only. Please contact the school office at 303-756-9441 or info@msd-co.org to reserve your space for an upcoming tour.

Head of School: Stephanie Flanigan

Director of Admission: Tara Gehrke

Location: 1460 South Holly Street, Denver, CO 80222

Hours: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Ages/Grades: Toddler through 6^th Grade (ages 2-12). There are full day and half day programs for both Toddlers and Primary students. Kindergarten, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary have full day programs.

Class Size: Depending on grade-level, a class can be anywhere from 25 students to 30 students. The ratios for the classes range from between 1:7 and 1:12 also depending on grade-level. Classes are mixed age groups. The Toddler program is for 2 to 3 year olds and the Primary program is for 3 through 6 year olds. Lower Elementary is age 6 through 9 and Upper Elementary is age 9 through 12.

Before/After Care: There is no before care program at MSD. There is an after school program from 3:00 – 6:00 PM. There is also a “drop-in” after care program where parents can pay for specific days of the week if necessary. Additionally, there is an After School Enrichment Program (ASEP) that consists of quite a few very unique offerings including Lego building, super scientists, Broadway choir and princess party.

Facilities and Playground:

The MSD campus consists of several buildings that house multiple classroom groupings, offices, a community room and an absolutely stunning library that was commissioned and built about 7 years ago. The landscaping is well maintained and there are future plans to upgrade the playground which is already in good condition. In the wintertime, it is probably chilly for kids to transition from one building to another but they don’t seem to mind.

*Update: as of the 2010 summer, several enhancements have been made to the school facilities. These include enhancements to the playing field, The Upper Elementary now have five newly remodeled learning environments which house SmartBoards, Environmental Stewardship, Technology & Innovation and Entrepreneurship seminars, new flooring, upgraded bathrooms, cabinetry and storage. All upgrades were made with sustainability practices and recycled materials. There is also a new Art Room with more space and natural light.

Special & Core Programs:

MSD is committed to an overall Montessori philosophy that includes mixed-age classrooms, large blocks of interrupted work time, and an emphasis on self-directed, independent learners who take responsibility. This philosophy is also reflected in their core school-wide curriculum including service learning, experiential learning, real-world concepts and global education. Teachers are expected to enroll in continuing education and often participate in global educational expeditions. The school community (students and staff) has traditionally made “doing good” an integral part of the school culture by committing to and participating in numerous civic and charitable projects.

Beyond regular classroom lessons, students take Spanish, PE, Art, Music and Drama (starting in Lower Elementary) 1-2 times per week.

Using technology to support the curriculum is also very important to MSD. This would include SMART Boards, a library equipped with WiFi, a publishing center, and laptops to be used for class/student projects. The brand new Website was re-launched as of October 2009 and is filled with valuable information. Parents also receive monthly newsletters and weekly reminders sent out by administration and lead teachers.

Additionally, daily lunches are offered to MSD students through Love-a-Lunch. Parents can sign up for the service, look at menus and order lunch service any day of the week.

Impressions:

I have visited the Montessori School of Denver on multiple occasions. The first time, I was invited as a guest to their annual Fall Harvest Festival in 2008. It was a gorgeous sunny weekend and the campus was packed with families and buzzing with activity. They had the usual pumpkin sale (though these were very expensive organic pumpkins), tasteful carnival games, a train ride, chili contest and even a reptile menagerie. There were children riding on top of a giant tortoise and snakes slithering through the shrubs! It was a delightful scene.

The next time I visited MSD was that November for a tour with their Director of Admission, Tara Gehrke. A group of parents gathered in the gorgeous library by a warm fire. Tara spoke about the 45 year history of the school and answered questions we had before we braved the cold.

The buildings surround a lovely landscaped courtyard and playing field where students were engaged in an organized game of kickball with MSD’s full time Physical Education teacher. Not only to the students have recess twice a day, they also have PE 1-2 days a week as well. I loved hearing that these kids get plenty of physical activity to burn off energy! We wear lead over to the Toddler room for observation of their morning activities. There is only one class for two and three year old toddlers. It felt cumbersome with so many children and five teachers in one room though the activities were very organized. Adults may feel cramped, but the children seemed at ease with their environment and could freely go about their work be it inside or out. The space probably feels absolutely normal to them. In typical Montessori methodology, teachers would gently encourage each child to complete one task before they moved on to the next in an effort to keep order. This is true for meal time as well. It’s always so adorable to watch children eat at a table with placemats, napkins and glasses for milk. It’s a toddler sized fine-dining experience!

Next we visited one of the Primary classrooms. This was one of the older rooms of the school and a very interesting set up. Up a few steps and through the door to the room, you walk in and see a series of rooms and a central fireplace in which they have created a cozy reading nook complete with pillows. This room also seemed crowded though it was organized and run like a tight ship. The teacher in this classroom invited us in to observe the children in their morning work cycle and tour the series of rooms. It felt very cozy and active. We even observed conflict resolution between two children that went so smoothly it almost seemed like a setup!

The Lower and Upper Elementary classrooms located on the newer side of the campus were much more spacious but I must say that I liked the warm and homey feel of the older rooms. Once again, the kids were engaged in their work and it was almost as if a group of 10 adults were not even there hovering over their lessons.

After this, we made our way to the Community Room which is used for gatherings and PE on cold or very hot days. The Art facility was located below the Community room. Some Upper Elementary students were engaged in some very interesting art projects. The art teacher then brought us into another classroom filled with a complex web of string depicting an historical timeline of world events. All of this was created by the students and led by the teacher. Apparently it was so popular and successful with the students that they turned the concept into an after school enrichment program. My husband, who was on the tour with me, was so enamored by this creativity and unique learning process, he was giddy.

The tenure of teachers at MSD is outstanding; some have been at the school upwards of 13 years and several who’ve retired after 25 years of being with the school. The campus average is about 9 years. They believe wholeheartedly in promoting from within or “growing their own” and supporting each individual teacher through continuing education and flexibility.

Tara took us back to the library building and seated us in the language lab where she introduced us to a current MSD parent and opened the floor up to any additional questions we might have. There were several questions about fundraising and work bond hours as well as how Montessori educated children transition into a more traditional school as they progress in age.

One thing we came to realize is that if you have no interest in participating in the well being of the school and volunteering your time, it’s probably not the place for you. There are more than your average handful of community events, fundraisers, annual giving and volunteer opportunities that are presented at the beginning of the year. Families are expected to “work” (volunteer) for at least 25 hours in trade for work bond credit. This can be hard for families with dual working parents, so there is an option to pay off your work bond for a fee of $250 per year. What’s positive about these efforts is that the school is financially healthy and it creates an incredible sense of community. Parents have a lot of interaction with each other, as well as school administrators and staff, unlike some other private schools. Personally, I think it’s nice to know the parents of the children with whom my children spend the majority of their day.

All in all, my impression is that this is an extraordinary school and one that I would feel confident in sending my children to for years to come. You should not leave this school off your list if you are considering private options.

We welcome your comments and impressions on your experience with the Montessori School of Denver.