Camp Doodles Kindergartener Information

Because it is typically the Kindergarten parents who read our informational letter in its entirety, we have included some extra information for you at the bottom! 

We understand the concerns that you may have sending your child off to a new, bigger school with older children.  Your worries are valid, but we assure you that your child will be taken good (great!) care of and that we will do our best to adjust him/her to this new environment.  It may help ease your fears to know that our camp director has been working in a number of different Kindergarten classes throughout Mill Valley for the last few years and is especially understanding to their special needs.  Additionally, he has completed numerous Early Childhood Education and Child Development courses, not to mention that he went to Dominican University for his teaching credential and currently is a third grade teacher in Larkspur.

SO MANY CHANGES: It is important to realize that some entering Kindergarten are simply not quite ready for our camp program.  Entering into a new location, larger school, bigger kids and all of the sudden being the youngest children can be quite a handful for anyone to deal with.  In the event that we feel your child might not be benefiting from our program, we will not hesitate to contact you and encourage parents to let us know of any concerns/comments/suggestions they may have in order to help their child adjust to our program.  These children often come back the following year (as Ent. 1st graders) and find themselves right at home - it is amazing what one year can do!

THE TRANSITION:  The transition to a new school with new adults and children can be quite intimidating for you and your child.  When you arrive at camp, please let the front desk staff each day your child may need an extra boost getting adjusted and we will arrange for a buddy.  After signing in, most kindergarteners will go to a room where we have books, blocks, dolls, marbles, a doll-house, legoes and other fun hands on toys and educational manipulatives.

TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE: Many Kindergarten parents ask what their child's schedule will be like:

Mornings: Kindergarteners will join up with their counselors each morning and rotate through a variety of different activities, from arts & crafts to active game (sports, parachute, etc.) to quiet games (blocks, reading, etc.).

Lunch: Kindergarteners will eat lunch separately (with counselors) from the rest of the camp and then will be brought to our "Kindergarten Only" play area and given the option to stay there or join the rest of the camp on the playground.  About half stay and half go, always with the option to change their mind at anytime.

Afternoon Part 1: Kindergarten and most first grade campers will have quiet activities (reading, marbles, blocks, play-dough, etc.) immediately following lunch. Because most K's are not used to such full days, we help to pace them accordingly.  It is not uncommon for some of our Kindergarteners to take a 'power nap' on the pillows/couches during story-time.

Afternoon Part 2: Our afternoons normally consist of "choice time" activities. All campers are then divided by interest**. Because having so many great choices can sometimes be overwhelming, staff are on hand to assist all campers pick their 'favorite choice'.  The K's either either go wherever their favorite counselor or big buddy goes or hang out with one another.

Most days are slightly varied depending on that weeks theme and special days (Ice Cream Day, Water Day, etc.). 

** Yes, a kindergartner could play with a fifth grader.  No, we have never had any problems...in fact, we have experienced the opposite.  The older children work hard to be good role models and 'big buddies' for our youngest campers.  Normally have a Kindergarten/First grade only activity and a Second-Sixth grade (Summer Club) only activity during choice-time.