Clark Fork School Summer Camps
Missoula Montana
Clark Fork School summer camps offer fun and education wrapped up into one awesome package. Each week is packed full of regular summer-time fun like getting wet and playing outside. In addition, we also have a focus each week. Parents have the opportunity each Friday to see what their child has been doing. For example, after a week of learning about the art of theater, parents get to come see a performance!
The themes for each week are created with the idea of including every child. Children do not have to be overly excited about art in order to enjoy "art week." Each child will learn and discover according to his or her own unique needs and talents.
Our summer camps include similar philosophies to our school programs in that we recognize the importance of each child as a unique, special individual and encourage the growth of each child as a whole. We will continue to explore the world around us and keep our low child-to-staff ratio. Staff is highly experienced, trained individuals who have a passion and respect for children.
We work hard to make sure the camp is cost effective AND high quality. We want everyone to be able to afford our program but we also want to keep the ratios low and to provide a truly fun and exciting learning experience rather than being just another childcare program.
There is a one-time registration fee per camper, which covers supply expenses, including a camp T-shirt! Your total cost will be due upon registration. Registration begins Monday, April 11th on a first-come-first-served basis.
Preschool Camp 2011:
The cost of each two-week preschool camp session is $125. The registration fee is $10.
There are three 2-week sessions of preschool camp. The schedule is Tuesday through Thursday each week from 9am – 1pm.
Session 1: June 21-23, 28-30
Session 2: July 5-7, 12-14
Session 3: July 26-28, August 2-4
Clark Fork School summer camps provide a glimpse of what preschool is like throughout the school year. These sessions can be great fun for returning students or a fantastic introduction for children who have not yet experienced preschool.
Each day will include "explore time," small group time, time for learning and playing outdoors, and time to get wet! There will be one saunter or field trip per session.
Each child should come to camp with his/her own lunch and snacks, although there might be an opportunity for special camp snacks once in a while.
K-5 Program Themed Weeks 2011:
Standard Cost: The cost of each week-long session is $150, except the shorter week 4, which costs $120. The registration fee is $20
Family Discount: If you register more than one child, you receive a 10% family discount per additional child. This cannot be used with another discount.
Pick Three Discount: Sign up for three weeks and receive a $50 discount.
Club Wolf: all ten weeks of summer camp for $1,300 ($170 discount) due upon registration. (Please talk with us if you need to set up a payment plan.)
CFS offers a partial scholarship to a limited number of K-5 campers each week based on financial need. Please let us know if you are interested in being considered for this discount.
Week 1: Play Team
June 13-17; 8:30am-3:30pm
Let your imagination go wild creating, exploring, and playing outdoors. “Play Team” is a camp idea launched at the Teton Science School to offer children an opportunity for unstructured play. Campers will make a list of ideas at the beginning of the week, then, with the help of their teacher, will explore those ideas in a very relaxed and non-rushed environment. The theme is lots of PLAY!
Week 2: Adventure Sports
June 20-24; 8:30am-3:30pm
Are you a kid who likes to get out there and play hard? Well, this camp introduces some of the adventurous sports Missoula offers. Biking and skateboarding will be our focus as we kick it into summer-fun mode! All ability levels are invited to participate! Personal gear is recommended as CFS has limited borrow equipment available.
Week 3: Insect Investigators
June 27-July 1; 8:30am-3:30pm
Get ready to explore the amazing life of insects! We will identify local insects in nature and consult field guides to explore exotic insects from faraway places. Butterflies, grasshoppers, and the infamous bark beetle will be in attendance. Will you?
Week 4: Outdoor Adventures Part I*
July 5-8; 8:30am-3:30pm
Plans to go camping this summer? Prepare for a safe, efficient, and enjoyable time! Join other campers to build a “base camp” on the playground, including a shelter, a camp kitchen, and more. Learn basic lashing skills, fire safety and tasty camp cooking! Enjoy adventures on Tom Green Trail as we navigate and make maps to record our week!
*Outdoor Adventures begins Tuesday because of the holiday. The reduced rate for this camp is $120
Week 5: Awesome Art Part I
July 11-15; 8:30am-3:30pm
Draw, paint, color and create! This art camp will celebrate the techniques of famous painters and the styles they represent. Still-life, abstract, watercolor, printmaking and more! Campers will explore favorite colors, styles and mediums as we create art each and every day! Also, enjoy a field trip to the Missoula art museum!
Week 6: Awesome Art Part II
July 18-22; 8:30am-3:30pm
Build, sculpt, cut and mix! This art camp will celebrate three-dimensional and/or multi-medium art forms. Sculptures, paper-making, Andy Goldsworthy-inspired nature art, beading, jewelry-making and more! Campers will also enjoy a field trip to tour some amazing local sculptures!
Week 7: Fabulous Flora!
July 25-29; 8:30am-3:30pm
Conifers, wildflowers, and grasses, oh my! Explore the rich and varied flora of Missoula. With our guide books in tow, we will venture out on field trips and saunters to practice our plant identification and learn the history of local trees and flowers. There will be art projects using dye from local plants, teas made from herbs gathered on the trail, and perhaps even some tumbling with tumbleweed. Come discover the beauty and mystery of Montana's flora!
Week 8: Stream Team
August 1-5; 8:30am-3:30pm
Join us as we explore Rattlesnake Creek for signs of a healthy stream. Learn about aquatic insects, crustaceans and riparian plants. As Stream Team Investigators, we will ask questions, collect data, and journal our findings! Every day will include a creek side investigation, so be ready for wet feet and good fun!
Week 9: Explore Missoula
August 8-12; 8:30am-3:30pm
Celebrate summer with a week of exploring our community! Every day will be a new adventure. Activities might include visiting different parks, riding the Carousel, hiking, and many, many field trips, including a trip to Splash Montana and the fair!
Week 10: Outdoor Adventures Part II
August 15-19; 8:30am-3:30pm
Our most popular camp recurs this week! Prepare for a safe, efficient, and enjoyable “wilderness” camping experience! Build a base camp on the CFS playground, including a shelter, a camp kitchen, and more. Learn basic lashing skills, fire safety and tasty camp cooking! Enjoy local adventures on Tom Green Trail as we navigate and make maps to keep a record of our week!
