Arts and Academic Camps

Ages: For students entering grades 6–8.
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 8; maximum enrollment 12
Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.
Cost: $470; after March 31: $520.

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description:

Calling all daydreamers, storytellers, and poets: come join us for creative and personal writing. Think of this week as a great experiment with various forms, to find out what sticks with us. Short stories, free verse poetry, sonnets, and slam poetry are all fair game! We will work from our own passions for expression and find inspiration in writing prompts, poetic forms, beautiful poems, as well as the natural world around campus. We will draft, workshop, write, and rewrite.  And we will end the week with an open mic reading, as well as a chapbook of the group’s collected work.

Instructor: David Pontrelli is a graduate of Wesleyan University, a certified Connecticut English teacher, and a certified Amherst Writers and Artists workshop leader. His participants represent a wide range of ages and abilities, from inner-city children to adult professional writers. The workshops he leads stress participant safety and create an enhanced sense of community. He has been a featured reader at Art Works Gallery, the Hope Out Loud Peace and Arts Festival, and Word Forge. He is the author of two chapbooks of poetry and a full-length collection, Poems for Streets and People.  

Age: For students entering grades 6-9. 

Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 8; maximum enrollment 1
Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.
Cost: $470; after March 31: $520 

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: “Serial.” “This American Life.” “Crime Junkie” “Radiolab.” “The Daily.” “Stuff You Should Know.” “Planet Money.” “Ted Talks Daily.” “Armchair Expert.” “Welcome to Night Vale.” With over 2.4 million podcasts currently being produced, there’s something for everyone. Back in 2006, only 22% of adults in the US were aware of podcasting, but in 2022, most people ages 12 and up listen to podcasts, and there will be an estimated 100 million podcast listeners by 2024. We’re living in the Golden Age of podcasting, where anyone can share their voice with the world. 

During our week together, you will listen to a range of podcasts to learn techniques and inspire you as you begin the journey of making your own podcasts. You will learn the basics of podcasting, including how to choose a topic, conduct research, and plan and record a podcast. You will also learn about some of the technical aspects of podcasting: choosing the right equipment, editing your audio, and marketing your episode. This course will give you the opportunity to practice your communication skills and tap into your creativity as you work individually or collaborate in a group, ultimately producing a podcast to share your voice and ideas with the world.

Instructor:

Cathy Schieffelin earned her BA in English at Middlebury College and her Master’s in Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University. She has been teaching for 20 years, with 15 of those years at KO, and she serves as the English Department Chair. A longtime fan of podcasts, Ms. Schieffelin first became obsessed with the medium through Sarah Koenig’s groundbreaking podcast Serial in 2014. Ms. Schieffelin has taught podcast units in several English classes and teaches a senior elective at KO on podcasting. She is excited to explore new podcasts with her students and support them as they create their own. 

Ages: For students entering grades 4-10
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 6; Maximum enrollment 14.
Cost: $470; after March 31: $520 

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Computer programming, or coding, is a way of giving computers instructions about what they should do next. These instructions are known as code. Code can be written in several different languages. In this course, campers will learn how to design, build, and write code to solve problems or perform a task. In this Sampler Camp, students will explore a variety of programming languages and environments such as:

Visual Basic.Net 

This class will introduce the basics of Object Oriented Programming, covering how to build your own graphical user screens, add images, and sound, and process data with the click of buttons.  

Web Design

This class will introduce the basics of Web Page Building with HTML Tags like <body>, and <img>, and linking to a website or other web pages.

MIT App Inventor

This class will introduce another visual programming environment that allows students to build fully functional apps for Android smartphones and tablets.

Python:

This class will introduce the basics of the Python programming language, covering how to use data structures, organize and reuse code, draw shapes and patterns with Turtle, and create games and animations.

Instructor: KO faculty member Michael E. Ligon teaches HTML, Javascript, Visual Basic.Net, and AP Computer Science using Java programming with Eclipse. He also teaches programming at Capital Community College. He enjoys teaching students how to create their own GUI (graphical user interface) screens. In his spare time, Mike is an expert grill master and a part-time DJ.

Ages: For students entering grades 5-10.
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 10; maximum enrollment 18.

Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Cost: $470; after March 31: $520.
To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: 5, 6, 7, 8! Get ready for a variety of dance techniques for those of you who were born to bust a move! If you have never danced before or if you are already a ballerina, get excited about our dance and choreography opportunities within this camp! Throughout the week, participants will embark on a variety of dance styles: Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, etc. By Friday afternoon, students will have the opportunity to showcase their new repertoire for family and friends! This camp will have a main instructor in addition to several guest artist choreographers!! Don’t miss a step in registering for this camp! 

Instructor: Kyle Reynolds is an award-winning director who joined Kingswood Oxford School in 2018 as Director of Theater amid an accomplished career in theater education and directing. Kyle’s role at KO involves teaching both theater and public speaking classes as well as directing the fall play and the winter musical. Kyle recently established a highly successful new fall dance program. The Choreographer’s Showcase featured guest dancers/choreographers from around the country who worked with KO students for ten weeks producing a final show in the Roberts Theater. A true workaholic, Kyle teaches in both Middle School and Upper School, in addition to holding his collegiate professorship at several Connecticut colleges/universities. You may recognize Kyle from his accomplished work within Western Connecticut State University, Post University, Goodwin College, and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. Under Kyle’s instruction, his students have achieved successful careers in both Broadway and off-Broadway productions as well as national tours. At the college level, Kyle’s students have also gained acceptance to elite musical theater universities: Baldwin Wallace, Shenandoah, Ithaca, New York University Tisch, and the University of Michigan.  Kyle, a performer trained in the Sanford Meisner technique, continues to be inspired by the creativity and hunger for theatrical training at Kingswood Oxford. Kyle’s all-time favorite musical is, of course, Hello Dolly. 

Instructor: Victoria Santiago is a musical theater major at Dean College in Massachusetts. She has been in several professional musicals, one of which received the award for Best Classical Music in the State of Connecticut, A Chorus Line, where Victoria played the leading role of Diana Morales. After graduating from Dean College, Victoria is prepared to audition and hopefully work and build a career on Broadway. Victoria is extremely excited to return to CAMP KO for the 3rd year in a row! 

Ages: For campers entering grades 5 through 11
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 6; maximum enrollment 10
Before and after care are available at an additional cost

Cost: $470; after March 31: $520

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: If you love finding new ways to make your music unique, then Camp KO’s E-Music Week is for you! The Kingswood Oxford Music Technology Lab has many of the latest tools for you to make your own music including a ROLI Seaboard, Fl studio, GarageBand, Ableton Live, and Logic.  You can also explore sound design for video, live recording, MIDI controllers, and other vintage electronic music instruments. Students may also bring their electronic guitars or digital drum sets to further enhance their music. Campers will use the computer to make an original composition in any style that interests them…any style from hip-hop to pop to rock to progressive rock. We will end the week with a collection of new original music and a live performance!

Instructor: David Zucker, KO ‘88, a member of the Kingswood Oxford faculty teaches music courses to our middle and upper school students. He studied music performance and composition at Skidmore College and later studied Indian music in Madras, India. David’s first instrument was the piano, but he has considerable experience with guitar, as well. His influences are diverse and include classical, jazz, electronic, rock, and electronic music. David has had success as a performer, producer, and composer, spending many years as a working musician in both San Francisco and Seattle. While in Seattle, David worked considerably with film composer B.C. Smith. As a performer, Zucker toured the U.S. with his funk, fusion band, Siamese, and has toured Europe and South India. He has shared the stage with Phish, K.J. Sawka, Skerik, and Bill Frisell.  David has currently been working with Grammy award-winning composer, Paul Avgerinos, on composing music for television and film.  His music can be heard on many programs ranging from reality television to the NFL.

Ages: For campers grades 6-9

Time: Program day runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 8; maximum enrollment 14
Before and aftercare are available at an additional cost

Cost: $470; after March 31: $520

Activity fee: $25 per camper to cover all necessary supplies.

To view the Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: This course will allow students to sample several engineering topics.  We will design and build some projectile launchers and explore the basics of projectile motion.  We will study how different forms of energy (solar, chemical, wind, electrical) can be used to make cars go, and then we will construct cars to test the advantages of each of these systems.  In bridge and building, we will learn the basics of structural design and see how well we can span distance and support weight.  Other topics that we may explore include robotic arm design, drone construction, as well as glider and wing design.

Instructor: Alex Kraus is a veteran teacher at Kingswood Oxford, who has taught English, Latin, Chemistry, and Physics over a career of more than 30 years.  In addition to teaching, he has coached varsity swimming and diving as well as varsity track and field.  He holds a BA from Williams College and a MALS from Wesleyan University.

Ages: For campers entering grades 4 through 9
Space: Minimum enrollment 8; maximum enrollment 12

Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Before and aftercare are available at an additional cost

Cost: $470; after March 31: $520
Activity fee: $25 per camper to cover all necessary supplies.

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Paper quilling is an art form that involves the use of thin strips of paper that are rolled, coiled, crimped, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. Quilling is not only visually appealing, but it is also said to be relaxing and therapeutic.  It can help build fine motor and cognitive skills and has been used to improve concentration and relieve anxiety. In this course, campers will learn about the Pop Art movement and will create paper-quilled artwork of something that is from their current “Pop Culture”.   

Instructor: Instructor: Joslyn Austin is the Art Teacher at Wolcott Elementary School (formerly Norfeldt Elementary School).  She holds a degree in Art from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and a graduate degree in Art Education from CCSU. Since early childhood, Joslyn knew that she wanted to be an art teacher. She recognizes the unique qualities of each of her students and uses her creativity and passion for expression to connect on a deep level with them. Joslyn is a resident of West Hartford, a mom to three kids, and has been a coach and VP of the West Hartford Girls’ Softball League for the past eleven years.  

Ages: Open to students aged 12-15
Time: Camp day runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum class size 8; maximum class size 13.

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.
To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Cost: $425; After March 31; $475

Program Description: One smile, one hug, one handshake, and one word, can change the world.  If you believe that statement then you have the power to be a world-changer.  Spend one week this summer exploring the impact of food insecurity and learn valuable ways you can help address this issue in your own local communities and schools. Partnering with Connecticut Foodshare, we will get to have an insider’s view on how to respond to this issue with passion and action.  Learn about what it takes to address the root causes of hunger, spend time working at Healing Meals, visit Holcombe Farm in West Granby and meet their staff, and learn from organizations such as Hands on Hartford and Gather 55 to help create awareness and solutions to the growing problem of food insecurity.  You will have a fully immersive experience and will also be able to apply your volunteer hours for any hours needed for school.  Make the world a better place by helping to take care of your tiny corner.

Instructor: Tricia Watson has been with Kingswood Oxford School for over ten years. As a history teacher, academic advisor, and athletic coach, she is dedicated to guiding students along their academic and personal journey. She is passionate about being an active member of the community and looks forward to supporting the Service Learning project with CT Foodshare and several other local outreach programs. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked with at-risk adolescents through Daytop Village, Inc in Bronx, NY, and Redwood City, CA to help provide health and substance abuse services. In addition, while living in California, she worked on the School-to-Career program in the Fremont-Union School District to help students achieve their General Education degree and career-building skills. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Fordham University and a Masters in Education degree from Santa Clara University. She is excited to be joining the Camp KO team again this summer. 

Ages: For students entering grades 5-10.
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 12; Maximum enrollment 30.

Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Cost: $470; After March 31: $520

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description:

Ever wondered if you have what it takes to be on The Voice or America’s Got Talent? To join an a cappella group in college or to perform for special school assemblies and events? In this camp, you’ll explore why a cappella is unique—and why it’s so popular. You’ll discover fundamental performance skills as well as the latest techniques in the business. You’ll study sight-reading, ear-­training, harmony skills, vocal techniques, choreography, and vocal percussion, and will also learn how the latest technology can help produce a top-­level performance.

KO’s rehearsal facilities and technology will allow campers to not only study videos and recordings from our own daily sessions as well as from high school, college, and professional groups across the country. Moreover, singers will get to work closely with our state-of-the-art recording equipment and sound engineer instructor, Andrew Kim, to produce a professional recording and music video. Lastly, campers will work with the A Cappella Advanced singers on two joint performance pieces, working with and learning from older performers. The session will culminate with a final performance for everyone at Camp KO at Blue Back Square in West Hartford and also on KO’s campus.

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Instructor: David Baker ’04 is a native of West Hartford and an alumnus and teacher at Kingswood Oxford School where he directs KO’s select co-ed choir, Outlook, and the all-male a cappella group, Crimson 7. Additionally, David teaches history, coaches track and field, and helps organize the Wyvern Invitational A Cappella Festival, New England’s largest high school a cappella competition. David attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he was a Filene Music Scholar in voice and sang in the all-male a cappella group, The Skidmore Bandersnatchers. From 2005 to 2007, David performed with and directed the professional a cappella group The Vineyard Sound on Martha’s Vineyard. Over the past eleven years, David has sung with the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra (WHSO) numerous times and has performed at the Bushnell as a featured soloist. Currently, he lives in West Hartford with his wife Kata, also a teacher/coach at KO, his sons, Callan and Andrew, and his dog, Dobby. Baker trains for ultramarathons and triathlons in his spare time.

Director: Mallory Moser Inkles is a singer, actor, and teaching artist based in Manhattan. She spent seven years managing and performing full-time with Backtrack Vocals, an award-winning 5-member pop a cappella group. Mallory brings a wealth of experience, having toured nationwide to countless venues – including national television and on Broadway – and she spearheaded much of the educational programming the group offered to schools, corporations, and theaters all over the country. Mallory graduated with a B.A. in Theatre with a certificate in Musical Theatre from Northwestern University, where she performed in numerous musicals as well as with co-ed a cappella group, X-Factors. In her private teaching and coaching, Mallory takes a contemporary approach with a background in both classical and musical theatre training and can work with students on a variety of topics, including general vocal technique, proper breathing, song selection/preparation, acting a song, audition techniques, and more. Mallory got married in April 2022 and enjoys having new adventures in and around the city with her husband, Brandon.  

Ages: Open to students grades 5-8
Time: Camp day runs from 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum class size 8; maximum class size 12.

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Cost: $300; After March 31; $325

Description:
Join this afternoon poetry writing camp and discover your inner poet!

In a supportive and inspiring environment, students will spend the afternoons writing poetry, exploring their imaginations, and learning to express themselves creatively through the written word. Using a variety of exercises, we will dive into published poetry for prompts to spark our imaginations and unlock our unique voices. With a focus on creative self-expression and thoughtful reflection, students will spend time each day writing independently and collaboratively. As we engage our inner poets, we will have fun taking risks on the page, experimenting with form and imagery, and tapping into the creative potential inside us all. The week will culminate in student poetry reading for families.

Instructor: Melanie Faranello is an award-winning writer, educator, and founder of Poetry on the Streets. Her writing has been twice nominated for a Pushcart Prize and published in StoryQuarterly, Huffington Post Personal, Blackbird, StorySouth, Vestal Review, and elsewhere. Winner of the 2022 Marianne Russo Award from Key West Literary Seminars, her work has been short-listed for Mary McCarthy Prize in Fiction, William Faulkner Wisdom Competition, and The Dana Awards for the Novel. Recipient of an Individual Artist Fellowship Award in Fiction from the CT Office of the Arts, she received her MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. She has worked as a teaching artist in various communities throughout Chicago, NYC, and Hartford for twenty-five years. www.melaniefaranello.com

Ages: Students entering grades 4 to 8  
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students: 14
Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

Cost: $990; after March 31: $1040

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Have you ever dreamed of designing, building, and programming your own robot? Have you ever imagined all of the things a robot could do for you – like chores, homework, or walking the dog? At the Summer Robotics Program, campers in 4th through 8th grades will explore the world of robotics from a variety of lenses, ranging from mechanical design to computer programming to real-world applications. We will utilize the LEGO Mindstorms platform used by FIRST Robotics’ FIRST LEGO League (FLL) program. FLL allows campers to get excited about science and technology and learn valuable employment and life skills.

Our Summer Robotics Program focuses on a project about the creation and modification of robots to perform specific related tasks and obstacles in a competitive game setting. During our time together campers will begin to learn 3D design software, such as TinkerCAD, using consumer-grade 3D printers to bring their designs to life. Our campers will learn while building confidence, understanding, and independence in engineering and technology.

Instructor: Jeff Carpenter returns to Camp KO for his tenth season. He is a technology and engineering education teacher and a head coach for a Worlds-qualified VEX IQ robotics team. Over the years, he has worked with students in a variety of technology-based programs and will draw upon his experience working with students using various 3D modeling and printing solutions to help campers achieve and build a passion for technology and learning. Whether serving as a teacher or a mentor he encourages students to think unconventionally and be open to finding creative and different approaches to problem-solving. While completing a Technology & Engineering Education degree at CCSU, he used his CAD design, machining, 3D printing, electronics, and programming skills to design and build several human-powered and super-mileage (gas-powered) competition vehicles.

Ages: For students entering grades 5 to 10

Space: Minimum enrollment 8; maximum enrollment 16

Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $470, after March 31: $520

Before and aftercare are available at an additional cost.

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: In this class, students will learn how to program their own interactive stories, games, and animations all while using a free block-based visual programming language. Students will learn to think creatively, learn to solve problems, work collaboratively, design projects and express themselves creatively within this environment. 

This class will introduce students to MIT App Inventor software.  App Inventor lets students develop applications for Android phones using a web browser.  Students will run their applications on a phone, tablet, or emulator.  During this session, students will learn how to set up the software, set up the Android emulator (for viewing your app), design an application, code, test and run their applications.  

Instructor: KO faculty member Michael E. Ligon teaches HTML, Javascript, Visual Basic.Net, and AP Computer Science using Java programming with Eclipse. He also teaches programming at Capital Community College. He enjoys teaching students how to create their own GUI (graphical user interface) screens. In his spare time, Mike is an expert grill master and a part-time DJ.

Ages: For students entering grades 5-11
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students: 16
Cost: Course fee: $470; after March 31: $520

Activity fee: $25, covers all necessary supplies

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description:

Students will explore a variety of styles — documentary, photojournalism, landscape, and fine art photography — while learning the technical skills needed to become a skilled photographer. Each student will be provided with a Canon DSLR camera and an iMac equipped with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Students will print and exhibit selections from their work on the last day of camp. No prior photographic or computer experience is necessary and due to the independent nature of this course, those with experience will learn advanced techniques and have the opportunity to explore their creative style in greater depth.

Instructor: Kristen Weldon, Associate Director of Communications and Marketing at Kingswood Oxford School is also a highly sought-after local photographer who loves capturing moments in time and forever preserving them in pictures. She has taken photography courses in shooting and editing, posing, flash photography, and lighting, and uses Lightroom and Photoshop to edit her work. She photographs weddings, families, and events locally and around the northeast. In her spare time when she isn’t taking pictures her time is spent with her husband and three children. Her business website is kristenweldonphotography.com.

Ages: For students entering grades 4 to 9

Space: Minimum enrollment 8; maximum enrollment 16

Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $350, after March 31: $375
Activity Fee: $25 to cover supplies for producing a demo product.
Before and aftercare are available at an additional cost.

Full-day option with either creative writing (grades 5-8), or basketball (grades 4-9)

Course fee: $470; after March 31: $520

Activity Fee: $25 to cover supplies for producing a demo product.

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Welcome to Shark Tank! This program offers students the opportunity to learn entrepreneurship skills, sales negotiation, and Business 101! Students will learn about profit, gross, margins, valuations, equity, royalties, and more! If you’ve ever watched the television show, Shark Tank, we are going to do our own version where the students can participate both as entrepreneurs and sharks! 

Instructor: Kyle Reynolds is an award-winning director who joined Kingswood Oxford School in 2018 as Director of Theater amid an accomplished career in theater education and directing. Kyle’s role at KO involves teaching both theater and public speaking classes as well as directing the fall play, choreographer showcase, and winter musical. A true workaholic, Kyle teaches in both Middle School and Upper School, in addition to holding his collegiate professorship at several Connecticut colleges/universities, one of Kyle’s largest passions is public speaking, sales negotiations, and organizational leadership. It should come as no surprise that Shark Tank is a family favorite at the Reynolds home! 

Ages: For students entering grades 5-10.
Time: Camp day runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 8; maximum enrollment 16.
Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

Course fee: $470; after March 31: $520. 

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Have you ever dreamed of performing on a Broadway stage? You’re in luck! Broadway Week camp teaches musical theater techniques and training that will prepare you for either your next audition, your next big role, or even just for fun! You’ll explore why musical theater is one of the most unique art forms. You’ll study singing, acting, and dancing each and every day! 

Don’t have a ton of experience? No problem! All are welcome! We will dive into vocal warm-ups, intonation, musical theater expression, Broadway hit songs, stretching, movement, choreography, acting, improv, games, and more! Broadway Week campers will also get the opportunity to experience an audition masterclass! The session will culminate with a final share performance!

Instructor: Kyle Reynolds is an award-winning director who joined Kingswood Oxford School in 2018 as Director of Theater amid an accomplished career in theater education and directing. Kyle’s role at KO involves teaching both theater and public speaking classes, as well as directing the fall play and the winter musical. Kyle recently established a highly successful new fall dance program. The Choreographer’s Showcase featured guest dancers/choreographers from around the country who worked with KO students for ten weeks producing a final show in the Roberts Theater. A true workaholic, Kyle teaches in both Middle School and Upper School, in addition to holding his collegiate professorship at several Connecticut colleges/universities. You may recognize Kyle from his accomplished work within Western Connecticut State University, Post University, Goodwin College, and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. Under Kyle’s instruction, his students have achieved successful careers in both Broadway and off-Broadway productions as well as national tours. At the college level, Kyle’s students have also gained acceptance to elite musical theater universities: Baldwin Wallace, Shenandoah, Ithaca, New York University Tisch, and the University of Michigan.  Kyle, a performer himself who is trained in the Sanford Meisner technique, continues to be inspired by the creativity and hunger for theatrical training at Kingswood Oxford. Kyle’s all-time favorite musical is, of course, Hello Dolly. 

Instructor: Victoria Santiago is a musical theater major at Dean College in Massachusetts. She has been in several professional musicals, one of which received the award for Best Classical Music in the State of Connecticut, A Chorus Line, where Victoria played the leading role of Diana Morales. After graduating from Dean College, Victoria is prepared to audition and hopefully work and build a career on Broadway. Victoria is extremely excited to return to CAMP KO for the 4th year in a row! 

Ages: For students entering grades 4-9.
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 8; Maximum enrollment 12.

Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Cost: $470; After March 31: $520

Activity fee: $25 per camper to cover all necessary supplies.

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: 

Modern Hand Embroidery with artist Deborah Velásquez. Discover the tools, materials, and skills necessary for learning embroidery and transferring your ideas to fabric. Organizing your ideas and tools before starting your creative work is essential. Our very first project will be to make a sampler which will be your visual guide of stitches. You will learn the stem stitch, herringbone stitch, blanket stitch, chain stitch, lazy daisy stitch, satin stitch French knots, spoke stitch, thorn stitch, and back stitch to name a few. Once the sampler is completed the class will move on to a personal creative project.

For your creative project or projects, you may use printed fabric motifs such as flowers, plants, leaves, fruit, animals, patterns, or word art (resources provided) to embellish with stitches, bring your own clothing like jeans, jean jacket to embellish if you like. Iron-on pattern sheets will be provided if needed for hoop projects if you prefer to create your sewn masterpiece on an embroidery hoop to be hung on a wall as art. (hoops provided for all students to keep). You can look forward to “hoops” of fun with expressive needlework, playful patterns, simple motifs, and bold palettes.

As for materials, we will use different colored threads, embroidery needles, hoops, different fabrics, scissors, and a pencil. All materials will be provided.

Even if you’ve never used a needle before, you will be getting more confident with your embroidery techniques by the end of this class. This class is suitable for all skill levels, both beginning and experienced stitchers alike. No previous knowledge of embroidery is required.

Instructor: Deborah Velásquez is a Brooklyn original. She is an award-winning artist-designer and the author of Drawing in Black and White from Quarto Creates Publishing.  Her work includes paintings, prints, ceramics, stationery, textiles, rugs, wall art, and mobiles. The work is colorful and energetic, inspired by nature and the love of gouache, watercolor, and printmaking. She has exhibited in galleries and juried shows. Magazine features include in Redbook, HGTV, and Latina magazines to name a few. Deborah’s work is carried by Habitat UK, Minted, West Elm, Target, CarpetVista, Bed Bath and Beyond, and many home décor licensing companies. Career Highlight: Presenter at The Smithsonian Latino Center in Washington, D.C. She currently lives the creative life in the wooded hills of New England with her husband and two boys.

“Where Art and Beauty Meet Lifestyle”©

Visit her website at www.deborahvelasquez.com 

or follow her on Instagram @velasquezstudio.

Ages: For students entering grades 4-8.
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 8; Maximum enrollment 14.
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Cost: $990; After March 31: $1040
To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Have you ever dreamed of designing, building, and programming your own robot? Have you ever imagined all of the things a robot could do for you – like chores, homework, or walking the dog? At the Summer Robotics Program, campers in 4th through 8th grades will explore the world of robotics from a variety of lenses, ranging from mechanical design to computer programming to real-world applications. We will utilize the LEGO Mindstorms platform used by FIRST Robotics’ FIRST LEGO League (FLL) program. FLL allows campers to get excited about science and technology and learn valuable employment and life skills.

Our Summer Robotics Program focuses on a project about the creation and modification of robots to perform specific related tasks and obstacles in a competitive game setting. During our time together campers will begin to learn 3D design software, such as TinkerCAD, using consumer-grade 3D printers to bring their designs to life. Our campers will learn while building confidence, understanding, and independence in engineering and technology. 

Instructor: Jeff Carpenter returns to Camp KO for his tenth season. He is a technology and engineering education teacher and a head coach for a Worlds-qualified VEX IQ robotics team. Over the years he has worked with students in a variety of technology-based programs and will draw upon his experience working with students using various 3D modeling and printing solutions to help campers achieve and build a passion for technology and learning. Whether serving as a teacher or a mentor he encourages students to think unconventionally and be open to finding creative and different approaches to problem-solving. While completing a Technology & Engineering Education degree at CCSU, he used his skills in CAD design, machining, 3D printing, electronics, and programming to design and build several human-powered and super-mileage (gas-powered) competition vehicles.

Ages: Open to students entering grades 6–9.
Time: Camp day runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum class size 8; maximum class size 14.

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Cost: $470; After March 31; $520.

Activity fee: $25 per camper to cover all necessary supplies.

Description: This camp is intended for aspiring health professionals. Each day, campers will be introduced to a case study and do guided research, analysis, and lab activities to diagnose their patient and learn about a particular organ system. We will learn about the cavities of the body, anatomical positioning terms, and the homeostatic mechanisms through which our bodies regulate themselves. We will perform an autopsy of a pickle, look at human tissue under the microscope, learn how to suture an open wound with stitches, how to take a pulse, and blood pressure and listen to heart sounds and finally, dissect a chicken wing, sheep heart, cow eye, and fetal pig. 

We will include an introduction to some biological basics: a discussion of life-sustaining processes and the structure of cells, tissues, and some organs. Through multiple activities and lessons, we will seek to understand the source of human diseases, thereby gaining an appreciation for the life-sustaining role of each organ system. 

Instructor: Alex Kraus is a veteran teacher at Kingswood Oxford, who has taught English, Latin, Chemistry, and Physics over a career of more than 30 years.  In addition to teaching, he has coached varsity swimming and diving as well as varsity track and field.  He holds a BA from Williams College and a MALS from Wesleyan University.

Ages: For students entering grades 5-8
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum enrollment – 8; maximum enrollment 12
Before and aftercare are available at an additional cost

Cost: $470, after March 31: $520

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Do you daydream in poetry? Is there a character in your imagination ready to come to life? Does your mind contain a new universe, just waiting to be built? Calling all daydreamers, storytellers, and poets: come join us! This course will explore multiple forms of creative writing, including poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. We will craft poems, create characters, build worlds, and learn how to write the stories of our own lives. We will workshop as a group, learning the art of peer reviewing and how to share our own work with others. The course will culminate in the production of a chapbook of the class’ collective work, and we will end the week with a coffeehouse-style reading. 

Instructor: Olivia Piper is a writer, an educator, and a native New Englander. She earned a B.A. in English and Journalism from The University of Connecticut and a Master’s in English & Language Arts Education from Boston University. She is currently an MFA candidate in Creative Writing at Hollins University and an Assistant Poetry Editor for The Hollins Critic. Her poetry is forthcoming in Devastation Baby and has been previously published in HerHeart Poetry, Funicular Magazine, The Connecticut River Review, and Black Fox Literary Magazine.  

Ages: For campers entering grades 5 through 10

Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 8; maximum enrollment 16
Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

Cost: $470; after March 31: $520
To view our 2022 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: This course offers an introduction to Unity and steps students through the creation of their first 3D game. Unity is a tool that allows you to accomplish different types of tasks related to the video game production process. Unity provides game developers with a 2D and 3D platform to create video games. What makes Unity so appealing to developers is that it’s simple to use so you don’t need to start from scratch.

Students will learn how to install the Unity software and learn some basic C# code.   Students will also be provided assets to assemble a playable 3D environment that can be explored and interacted with. This course focuses on many of Unity’s major systems and just enough coding to apply gameplay logic to tie things together. Each student will leave the course with a unique first-person, third-person, or VR game; and a foundation of skills they can develop to make their next game.

Instructor: KO faculty member Michael E. Ligon teaches HTML, Javascript, Visual Basic.Net, and AP Computer Science using Java programming with Eclipse. He also teaches programming at Capital Community College. He enjoys teaching students how to create their own GUI (graphical user interface) screens. In his spare time, Mike is an expert grill master and a part-time DJ.

Ages: For students entering grades 6-9. 

Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 8; Maximum enrollment 12 
Before and aftercare are available at an additional cost

Cost: $470; after March 30: $520
To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Are you ready to break the next great story? Do you pursue the truth with a reporter’s spirit? If so, join us for Journalism 101: an exciting week full of writing, reporting, and discovery! We will learn to write like reporters, the art of conducting an interview, and we’ll explore campus and beyond to uncover the stories waiting to be told. The course will include the exploration of print journalism, journalistic photography, and podcasting as well as investigative reporting, the importance of local news, and human-interest stories. The week will conclude with creating a class newspaper and an accompanying podcast episode. 

Instructor: Olivia Piper is a writer, an educator, and a native New Englander. She earned a B.A. in English and Journalism from The University of Connecticut and a Master’s in English & Language Arts Education from Boston University. She is currently an MFA candidate in Creative Writing at Hollins University. She has worked as a reporter for The Valley Press and a News Production Intern with WNPR. She produced an episode of The Colin McEnroe Show starring writer and director Joss Whedon. Her print work can be found in The Valley Press, The Valley LIFE Magazine, and Natural Nutmeg Magazine. 

Ages: Students entering grades 5 to 10  
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students: 12
Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

Cost: $470; after March 31: $520

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: C# is a powerful and flexible object-oriented programming (OOP) language created by Microsoft.  C# can be used to create a number of different programs and applications: video games, mobile apps, desktop apps, cloud-based services, websites, and enterprise software. Like all programming languages, it can be used to create a variety of applications. Your potential with C# is limited only by your imagination. The language does not place any constraints on what you can do.  

In this class, students will learn a variety of basic data types, how to incorporate object-oriented programming with classes and multiple inheritances and how code can be grouped into modules and packages. Students will learn how to build simple programs, and debug and test their programs by writing to the Console window. 

Campers who enroll in the previous video game design week will continue to explore and learn more challenging aspects of C# coding and be able to further their video game creations from the previous week.

Instructor: KO faculty member Michael E. Ligon teaches HTML, Javascript, Visual Basic.Net, and AP Computer Science using Java programming with Eclipse. He also teaches programming at Capital Community College. He enjoys teaching students how to create their own GUI (graphical user interface) screens. In his spare time, Mike is an expert grill master and a part-time DJ.

Ages: For students entering grades 6-10.
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 6; maximum enrollment 12.
Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

Cost: $470; after March 31: $520.

Activity fee: $25 per camper to cover all necessary supplies

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description:

There has been a break-in at 1438 Boulevard, and local police are confused by the anonymous tips they’ve received. The Chief of Police has called in a crack group of investigators to help solve the crime. Will you be one of them?

This introductory course focuses on the skills and concepts behind crime scene investigation and forensic science. Whether you want to be a crime scene investigator or you just like science and problem-solving, this course will help you hone your investigative skills and also cover a wide range of science topics — including physics, chemistry, and cell biology, to name a few — in the process of learning about forensic science. You will engage in hands-on activities and labs that mimic real-life work in the field of forensic science, discussions about real issues and uses of forensic science, and you will of course investigate the mysterious break-in. Instead of learning only science concepts, you’ll learn how to use science to answer questions. Topics covered include; crime scene processing, physical evidence, fingerprinting, serology & DNA, hair & fiber trace evidence, soil comparison, and document examination.

Instructor: Graham Hegeman has taught Biology and Environmental Science for the past 7 years. He recently came to Kingswood Oxford from St. John’s School in Houston, Texas. Graham holds a Master of Science in Biology and has a diverse set of experiences in science, including studying rainforest ecology in remote areas of Australia and working as an intern at the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory. Graham loves hiking, camping, and board games.

Ages: For students entering grades 7-10; (3D Modeling/Printing experience not necessary)
Time: Camp day runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum class size 6; maximum class size 14. 
Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee. 

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Cost: $990, After March 31: $1040

Description: Do you love to design, build, or create? Do you have an interest in 3D printing and dream of ways of applying these skills to the world around you? If your answer is “yes,” this two-week session is for you! Whether you are a 3D modeling/printing pro or just developing an interest, you will explore a variety of engineering-focused problems to be solved using your developing engineering skills. 

At Camp KO we will have at our disposal several Flashforge Creator Pro printers and a range of Autodesk software to challenge the beginner to the experienced. Daily lessons and goals are scaled to match beginner groups and intermediate groups. Come to Camp KO and bring the designs from your mind to the real world. 

This session is designed to focus on developing 3D Design and Printing skills. Budding 3D modelers/printers and those with more experience will focus on the application and development of their skills through interactive and collaborative design while addressing obstacles at their skill level. Campers will develop a network of peers and mentors who are also interested in changing their world through scientific and technological innovation. 

Instructor: Jeff Carpenter returns to Camp KO for his tenth season. He is a technology and engineering education teacher and a head coach for a Worlds-qualified VEX IQ robotics team. Over the years he has worked with students in a variety of technology-based programs and will draw upon his experience working with students using various 3D modeling and printing solutions to help campers achieve and build a passion for technology and learning. Whether serving as a teacher or a mentor he encourages students to think unconventionally and be open to finding creative and different approaches to problem-solving. While completing a Technology & Engineering Education degree at CCSU, he used his skills in CAD design, machining, 3D printing, electronics, and programming to design and build several human-powered and super-mileage (gas-powered) competition vehicles.

Ages: For students entering grades 4-­­9. 

Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 8; maximum enrollment 12.
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Cost: $470; after March 31: $520

Activity Fee: $25 – Covers all tools and materials used in projects.

Description: 
Explore and learn the art of Printmaking with this fun and challenging course for beginners as well as those with some experience. Printmaking is a process-oriented medium that makes your brain do somersaults. We will use a variety of techniques, such as nature printing, linocut, and monotype to create a portfolio of unique images. Every day we will use a new technique and some days we will mix them. At the end of the week, we will showcase each camper’s creations with an art show. The fun part about printmaking is that there are always happy accidents. All levels of artistic ability are welcome.

Instructor:

Liza Martin is a practicing printmaker and painter, who received her MFA in Printmaking from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. She has taught art at Tunxis Community College for over 20 years and currently teaches at Annie Fisher Montessori School. In addition to teaching and making art, Liza loves to grow vegetables in her community garden, and trail run in the hilly woods of Connecticut, and now she is having a blast walking her dog, Coco.

Ages: For campers entering grades 4 through 10

Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum enrollment 5; maximum enrollment 10
Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

Cost: $470; after March 31: $520
To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description:

This session will give students an opportunity to work together as a rock band. Students will choose a name for the band and then work on material throughout the week.  We will do a mix of original music and cover songs.  In past years we have come up with some great original material which was all written within the week. At the end of the week, we will perform a concert and showcase what we have done. When learning instruments, many students do not get the opportunity to play music or jam with other kids. This session will allow students to do just this, to play music together. Campers must have some musical instrument experience and vocalists are also welcome.

We will focus on listening to each other, playing in time as a group, and soloing and improvisation during a song. We will also explore the roles each instrument plays in the band and how these roles affect the overall sound. For example, we’ll focus on getting the drummer and bass player to play together, and making sure guitar players and keyboard players play parts that complement each other and don’t get in each other’s way. The week will be filled with musical games that will instill confidence and encourage group bonding. All instruments are welcome, not just traditional rock instruments. Come rock out with us and join the fun! 

Instructor: David Zucker has been studying music since childhood. He grew up in Bloomfield and graduated from KO in 1988. He studied music performance and composition at Skidmore College and later studied Indian music in Madras, India. David’s first instrument was the piano, but he has considerable experience with the guitar, as well. His influences are diverse and include classical, jazz electronic, rock, and electronic music. David has had success as a performer, producer, and composer. He spent many years as a working musician in both San Francisco and Seattle. While in Seattle, David worked considerably with film composer B.C. Smith. As a performer, Zucker toured the U.S. with his funk, fusion band, Siamese, and has toured Europe and South India. He has shared the stage with Phish, K.J. Sawka, Skerik, and Bill Frisell. David has currently been working with Grammy award-winning composer, Paul Avgerinos, on composing music for television and film. His music can be heard on many programs ranging from reality television to the NFL.

Ages: For campers entering grades 4 through 9
Time: Program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum enrollment 8; maximum enrollment 12

Before and aftercare are available at an additional cost

Cost: $445; after March 31: $495

To view our 2022 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: In Three-Dimensional Design we will hand-build both sculptures and functional objects. Many of the materials we use will be recyclable and household items. This will encourage creativity while helping the environment. We will also incorporate natural materials. One goal is to create a village, which will be a group project. There will be no limits on creativity.

Instructor: Liza Martin teaches three-dimensional design at Tunxis Community College and is a practicing printmaker and painter, who received her MFA in Printmaking from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. She has taught art at Tunxis Community College for over 20 years and currently teaches at Annie Fisher Montessori School. In addition to teaching and making art, Liza loves to grow vegetables in her community garden, and trail run in the hilly woods of Connecticut, and now she is having a blast walking her new puppy, Coco.

Ages: For students entering grades 7-10; (3D Modeling/Printing experience not necessary)
Time: Camp day runs from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum class size 6; maximum class size 14. 
Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee. 

To view our 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Cost: $990, After March 31: $1040

Description: Do you love to design, build, or create? Do you have an interest in 3D printing and dream of ways of applying these skills to the world around you? If your answer is “yes,” this two-week session is for you! Whether you are a 3D modeling/printing pro or just developing an interest, you will explore a variety of engineering-focused problems to be solved using your developing engineering skills. 

At Camp KO we will have at our disposal several Flashforge Creator Pro printers and a range of Autodesk software to challenge the beginner to the experienced. Daily lessons and goals are scaled to match beginner groups and intermediate groups. Come to Camp KO and bring the designs from your mind to the real world. 

This session is designed to focus on developing 3D Design and Printing skills. Budding 3D modelers/printers and those with more experience will focus on the application and development of their skills through interactive and collaborative design while addressing obstacles at their skill level. Campers will develop a network of peers and mentors who are also interested in changing their world through scientific and technological innovation. 

Instructor: Jeff Carpenter returns to Camp KO for his tenth season. He is a technology and engineering education teacher and a head coach for a Worlds-qualified VEX IQ robotics team. Over the years, he has worked with students in a variety of technology-based programs and will draw upon his experience working with students using various 3D modeling and printing solutions to help campers achieve and build a passion for technology and learning. Whether serving as a teacher or a mentor, he encourages students to think unconventionally and be open to finding creative and different approaches to problem-solving. While completing a Technology & Engineering Education degree at CCSU, he used his skills in CAD design, machining, 3D printing, electronics, and programming to design and build several human-powered and super-mileage (gas-powered) competition vehicles.

Ages: For students entering grades 8-12
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum number of students: 12; maximum number of students: 30
Cost: Course fee: $445; after March 31: $495

Need-based scholarships available. 

Contact the Camp Director at 860-727-5032

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description:

Camp KO will partner with the Girls Future Firefighter Camp (GFFC) in the summer of 2023. This program will reach out to young women entering grades 9-12 who are interested in public safety, police, fire, and EMS, led by Chief Shelly Carter, the Institutional Fire Chief for DDS Fire and Emergency Services, Southbury Training School Campus. Chief Carter is retired from the City of Hartford Fire Department. She is the first black female fire chief in New England. GFFC will include training and curriculum for a fun, educational, and empowering experience that hopes to create confident, courageous, and strong young women. Their mission is to introduce young ladies to fire and emergency services careers with hands-on training, building mentor relationships, and promoting leadership skills. This program is designed to open the doors of opportunity and encourage self-confidence.

GFFC focuses on training in many areas of the fire department, including, but not limited to:

• Emergency Medical Services
• Fire Prevention
• Fire Investigation
• Don and doff personal protective equipment and breathing apparatus.
• Icebreaker team-building exercises 
• Fire apparatus familiarization
• Physical fitness
• CPR certification
• Emergency dispatch
• Report writing

Instructor: To learn more about Fire Captain, Shelly Carter, and the GFFC staff, visit this link.

Ages: For students entering grades 4-8
Time: 12:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students: 14
Cost: Course fee: $350; after March 31: $375

Food and supplies fee: $25

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description:

Come learn how to cook healthy and delicious dishes with courage and confidence! Discover where food comes from, how it makes us strong, and how to prepare healthy and delicious dishes with ease. Topics will include fermentation (feeding healthy gut bacteria!), eating the rainbow, superfoods with superpowers, saving the planet with plant-based meals, and cultivating your inner master chef with skills to impress. We’ll be preparing food together daily, enjoying the fruits of our labors, and may even have a few treats to take home and share with family and friends.  

Please specify food allergies when registering.

Instructor:

Terry Walters is the best-selling cookbook author of CLEAN FOOD, CLEAN START, EAT

CLEAN LIVE WELL, and most recently, NOURISH: Plant-based Recipes to Feed Body Mind and Soul. She is a James Beard Foundation Award finalist, recipient of the Nautilus Gold and Silver Book Awards, and recipient of the World Gourmand “Second Best Vegetarian Cookbook in the World” and “Best Vegetarian Cookbook in  the United States” Awards.

Terry is a highly sought-after educator, consultant, and speaker, and has been teaching

plant-based cooking and wellness to audiences all over the world for over twenty years. She is a dedicated chef, wellness coach, and advocate, sharing her knowledge and passion for making healthy change in the way we eat and live. She is an avid runner, skier and hiker – living what she teaches; doing her best to embrace good health for herself, her family, her community and the environment. 

For more information, visit her website at www.terrywalters.net.

Ages: Open to students entering third grade in the Fall of 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Incoming third graders will focus on the core subjects of reading, math, science, and social studies to prepare them for the academic demands of third grade. Throughout the day, campers will develop their reading comprehension, fluency, and problem-solving skills in an inviting and exciting learning environment. They will be engaged in hands-on, collaborative activities, while also receiving small group and individualized instruction throughout the day. Children will also have enrichment opportunities such as physical fitness, yoga, and mindful stress reduction techniques. Campers will leave equipped with the tools necessary for success in third grade, and many positive memories. 

Instructor: Patrick Scully received a Bachelor’s in Social Sciences from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master’s in Elementary Education from The University of New Haven. Patrick is in his 6th year as a classroom teacher in Meriden, CT.  In the summer of 2019, he was awarded a Fund for Teachers fellowship grant and spent the summer bicycling across the United States, collecting resources and documenting his experiences to enrich his curriculum and inspire students. In his free time, Patrick loves to garden and go outside for bike rides and hikes with his wife, Rachel, and son, Rylan.

Ages: Open to students entering grades 4 in the Fall of 2023
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Math Program (Morning Session)

Incoming fourth graders will focus on basic math skills. The campers will reinforce topics they were introduced to over the past year as well as exploring topics they will see next year. Each day the students will start by doing mental math to help solidify math facts and then review a key concept that they should have been exposed to in the previous school year. The students will practice their problem-solving skills as well as exercise their collaboration skills by talking through these problems in groups. There will be an emphasis on fractions and decimals as well as working through multistep word problems. These activities will help the students solidify their understanding and also allow them to make connections to topics they will learn this year. Throughout the week the students will improve their math skills and help them build their math confidence so they are ready to start the school year! 

Instructor: Brad Caswell is entering his 14th year teaching this fall. After graduating from Hamilton College, he received his master’s in Special Education from Fitchburg State University. Brad teaches at Bloomfield High School as a special education teacher. His focus as a teacher is creating a nurturing environment where everyone feels supported and enjoys the learning process. When he is not working he enjoys spending time with his family, running, and exploring new places. 

Reading and Writing Program (Afternoon Session)

Incoming fourth graders will focus on the core subjects of reading and writing to prepare them for the varied ways they will use these skills in upper elementary school. Centered in self-reflection, campers will develop their reading comprehension, fluency, and active reading strategies, as well as build on their writing instincts in creative and analytical writing activities. In an inviting and exciting learning environment, campers will connect reading and writing skills to their everyday lives and personal interests, working to push the boundaries of their comfort zones as communicators. 

Instructor: Michelle Caswell earned her BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, where she also completed a minor in Education. Entering her 12th year teaching and her 8th year at Kingswood Oxford as an English teacher in the upper school, she looks forward to her fifth summer at Camp KO, where each day brings a new challenge and opportunity to play. Building relationships and the belief in each student as a unique individual are central to Mrs. Caswell’s beliefs as an educator. 

Ages: For students entering grade 5 in Fall of 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Reading and Writing Program (Morning Session)

Incoming fifth graders will focus on the core subjects of reading and writing to prepare them for the academic demands of upper elementary school. Centered on code-switching and self-reflection, campers will play with the many ways we read, write, and communicate in our lives. In an inviting and exciting learning environment, campers will develop their reading comprehension, fluency, and active reading strategies, as well as build on their writing instincts in creative and analytical writing activities. In our hands-on, collaborative activities, we will equip ourselves with reading and writing skills that will help us tackle upper elementary and beyond while gaining an understanding of the power we hold as readers, writers, and communicators. 

Math Program (Afternoon Session)

Incoming fifth graders will focus on necessary math skills for success in the upcoming school year while having an enjoyable summer experience. We will review important concepts from the 4th grade and use them to build toward an understanding of problem-solving skills at the fifth-grade level. Students will practice important academic skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and self-reflection. Each day the students will start by doing mental math to build their math facts fluency and use this to form the foundation of our fifth-grade explorations later in the day. There will be an emphasis on fractions and decimals as well as working through multistep word problems. The week’s goal will be to improve our math skills and confidence while having fun. 

Instructor: Michelle Caswell earned her BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, where she also completed a minor in Education. Entering her 12th year teaching and her 8th year at Kingswood Oxford as an English teacher in the upper school, she looks forward to her fifth summer at Camp KO, where each day brings a new challenge and opportunity to play. Building relationships and the belief in each student as a unique individual are central to Mrs. Caswell’s beliefs as an educator. 

Instructor: Brad Caswell is entering his 14th year teaching this fall. After graduating from Hamilton College, he received his master’s in Special Education from Fitchburg State University. Brad teaches at Bloomfield High School as a special education teacher. His focus as a teacher is creating a nurturing environment where everyone feels supported and enjoys learning. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, running, and exploring new places. 

Ages: Open to students entering grades 6 in the Fall of 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description:

Math Program (Morning Session)
Incoming sixth will focus on pre-algebraic topics as well as basic math skills. The campers will reinforce topics they were introduced to over the past year as well as explore topics they will see next year. Each day the students will review a key concept that they should have been exposed to in the previous school year using open-ended problems. The students will practice their collaboration skills by talking through these problems in groups. These activities will help the students solidify their understanding and also allow them to make connections to topics they will learn this year. Throughout the week the students will improve their math skills and help them build their math confidence so they are ready to start the school year! 

Reading and Writing Program (Afternoon Session):

Incoming sixth graders will focus on the core subjects of reading and writing to prepare them for the academic demands of middle school. Campers will practice their active reading strategies, develop their writing instincts, and engage with their critical thinking skills in an inviting and exciting learning environment. Centered on code-switching and self-reflection, campers will play with the many ways we interpret the world around us through the written word. They will build their ability to persuade and inform by learning how to engage with multiple audiences as well as with new and exciting types of literature and story structures. In our collaborative activities, we will equip all campers with reading and writing skills that will help them to tackle middle school and beyond while gaining an understanding of the power we hold as readers, writers, and communicators. 

Instructor: Tylon Smith is a Middle School Math Teacher here at Kingswood Oxford School and former alumni of KO. He holds a B.S. in Sports Management and M.A. in Teaching. Tylon has worked with kids since his high school years and has always had a passion for teaching and mentoring the youth. He is a former College Basketball All-American (both Athletic and Academic) and a professional basketball player. 

Fun Fact: He currently plays for a local semi-pro basketball team called the Hartford Shockers where they are the defending ECBL Champions and he is the back-to-back Player of the Year.

Instructor: Olivia Piper is an educator and a writer who holds a B.A. in English and Journalism from UConn, and a Master’s in Teaching English & Language Arts from Boston University. Previously, she worked as an English Instructor with Hartford Youth Scholars, where she was responsible for designing and implementing an enriching English curriculum for incoming middle school students. She is currently a candidate for an MFA in Creative Writing at Hollins University. 

Fun Fact: When she worked in local news directly after graduating from undergrad, Olivia covered a story about a locally famous dog’s 13th birthday party

Ages: Open to students entering grades 7 in the Fall of 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Reading and Writing Program (Morning Session)

Incoming seventh graders will focus on the core subjects of reading and writing to prepare them for the academic demands of middle school. Campers will practice their active reading strategies, further develop their writing instincts, and engage with their critical thinking skills in an environment that is fueled by peer collaboration and discussion. Campers will with the many ways we read, write, and communicate in our lives. Campers will learn world-building skills that can be employed in both creative and academic writing, as well as engaging with diverse and thought-provoking literature that will take them beyond the page. In their classroom activities, campers will further develop reading and writing skills that will help them tackle middle school and beyond, all while deepening their own understanding of the power we hold as readers, writers, and communicators. 

Instructor: Olivia Piper is an educator and a writer who holds a B.A. in English and Journalism from UConn, and a Master’s in Teaching English & Language Arts from Boston University. Previously, she worked as an English Instructor with Hartford Youth Scholars, where she was responsible for designing and implementing an enriching English curriculum for incoming middle school students. She is currently a candidate for an MFA in Creative Writing at Hollins University. 

Fun Fact: When she was in 7th Grade, Olivia was a member of her school’s poetry club, and they published their very own collection of poems

Math Program (Afternoon Session)
Incoming sixth will focus on pre-algebraic topics as well as basic math skills. The campers will reinforce topics they were introduced to over the past year as well as explore topics they will see next year. Each day the students will review a key concept that they should have been exposed to in the previous school year using open-ended problems. The students will practice their collaboration skills by talking through these problems in groups. These activities will help the students solidify their understanding and also allow them to make connections to topics they will learn this year. Throughout the week the students will improve their math skills and help them build their math confidence so they are ready to start the school year! 

Instructor: Tylon Smith is a Middle School Math Teacher here at Kingswood Oxford School and former alumni of KO. He holds a B.S. in Sports Management and M.A. in Teaching. Tylon has worked with kids since his high school years and has always had a passion for teaching and mentoring the youth. He is a former College Basketball All-American (both Athletic and Academic) and a professional basketball player.

Fun Fact: He currently plays for a local semi-pro basketball team called the Hartford Shockers, where they are the defending ECBL Champions, and he is the back-to-back Player of the Year.

Ages: For students entering grades 8 and 9 in Fall of 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Math Program (Morning session)

Incoming eighth and ninth graders will focus on Algebra and Geometry, through the lens of the eight mathematical practices. Campers will reinforce topics they were introduced to this year as well as explore topics they will see next year, all while focusing on critical problem-solving skills. Each day will begin with a quick review of a key topic that students should have encountered in the previous school year. This review is followed by a series of intriguing problems that push students’ understanding of the topic allowing them to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. We will finish each problem-solving discussion with a challenging activity in which students collaborate in teams to construct viable solutions and critique the reasoning of others. Throughout the week engaging in math exploration and personal reflection will build the students’ math confidence and help to uncover the true beauty of math. 

Instructor: Leonardo Cisija has been helping students bolster their confidence in math since his later high school years, starting with volunteer work as a math tutor and eventually becoming a high school calculus teacher. He is currently studying mathematics at Southern Connecticut State University. Over the years, he has worked with students of various backgrounds, ages, and skill levels, developing a wide range of individualized approaches to math instruction. He places great emphasis on the problem-solving and critical thinking skills behind the formulas so that students may learn to navigate new mathematical challenges that rote memorization cannot solve. He believes that, most importantly, students should learn not to fear the feeling of being lost—it is, after all, the first step to exploration.

Reading/Writing Program (Afternoon Session)
Incoming eighth and ninth graders will focus on critical, active reading and writing skills as they prepare for the challenges of their first years of high school. Campers will practice different strategies for active reading and explore writing in a variety of contexts, from analytical writing to personal reflection, all in a classroom environment that focuses on developing critical thinking and communication skills in engaging and fun ways. Reading and writing lessons will be paired with general study and organizational skills that will help campers adjust to the demands of the new school year. Throughout the week, engaging group activities will show campers the many choices available to them as readers, writers, and communicators, as well as the strategies to pursue those choices once they make them.

Instructor: Cameron Biondi earned his BA in comparative literature from Yale University, with a focus on literature in English, Spanish, and Italian. He is entering his fifth year at KO as an Upper School English teacher and the girls varsity and JV squash coach, after teaching English at an elementary school in Seoul, South Korea. This is his third summer at Camp KO, and he is excited to share his love of reading and language with the campers. In his teaching, he focuses on putting into practice the key communicative skills that allow us to express the many ways in which literature moves us.

Ages: For students entering grades 4-9
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students: 12
Cost: Course fee: $470; after March 31: $520

Activity fee: $25, covers the cost of all paints, canvases and brushes

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Explore the technical and aesthetic principles of painting with water media, primarily watercolor. Topics include paint identification and application, use of color, basic spatial relationships, composition, abstraction, and self-expression. This process-oriented course for beginners as well as those with some experience will cover the selection and use of water media materials in a variety of styles and deal with varied subject matter from still life to the landscape. Favorable weather conditions will allow us to experience creating “en Plein air” (the act of painting outdoors to better capture the changing details of weather and light particularly relevant to the mid-19th-century Hudson River School and to Impressionism). Watercolor painting not only offers a meditative, tranquil creative experience but also aids in the development of visual problem-solving and critical thinking skills as they apply to the artistic process. All levels of artistic ability are welcome.

Instructor: Robbie Terenzio is an elementary school art teacher who is extremely passionate about making connections, forming partnerships, and creatively transforming the conceptual into the tangible. Several of his works in 2D and graphic design have been selected and featured in local exhibitions. As a school teacher, Robbie seeks to inspire beauty and creativity within students’ work while constructing and curating positive, emboldening experiences.

Ages: For students entering grades 6-9
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students: 14
Cost: Course fee: $470; after March 31: $520

Activity fee: $25, covers all necessary supplies

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description:

If you love movies, then Camp KO’s new “Screenplay Writing & Movie Exploration” week is for you! Campers will learn how to write their own scripts using the same screenplay writing techniques as professionals in the film industry. They will also learn details about the video production process, camera shot types, storyboarding basics, and successful film concepts through discussions centered around critically-acclaimed movies such as Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). We will end the week by pitching our movie ideas to each other in a mock studio meeting which parents are invited to attend. To read more about the week, visit this link.

 Instructor: Jack Robert Clonan has been fascinated by films and the movie theater experience since a young age. His favorite parts of the filmmaking process include special effects, character development, and world-building. For the past few years, he has been developing a screenplay for a project about a 16-year-old high school student with Down Syndrome who accidentally gets superpowers one day after becoming fused with an ancient alien creature. Jack has extensive knowledge about the film industry, including a comprehensive understanding of the elements found in both contemporary and classic films. He has seen most critically-acclaimed films and goes on weekly trips to the movie theater to view every single new release. He writes in-depth reviews on each of these experiences, and hopes to work for Rotten Tomatoes in the future. He graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 2022 with a degree in Technology & Engineering Education (K-12), but his favorite topic to develop lesson plans for was always video production. Jack’s passion for film led him to found a production firm called Iridescent Studios in 2019. Along with his cousin, Jack plans to spearhead production on multiple projects centered around characters with special needs to help increase our world’s understanding of these individuals. 

Co-Instructor: Caitlin Clonan is a talented artist, animator, and filmmaker. She graduated from Cazenovia College in 2021 with a degree in Visual Communications. Her favorite aspects of the filmmaking process include shooting scenes, storyboarding, and editing the final product. From successfully running the social media pages of a wildlife center in the Adirondack Mountains to being a professional ski photographer at Hunter Mountain in New York, Caitlin has always followed her passion for being creative everywhere possible. During the pandemic, she even started her own ice cream truck business called Lickety Split Frozen Treats where she illustrated the entire menu and publicity herself. She has made many award-winning short films starring her brother Luke Clonan (who has Down Syndrome) and has become a huge advocate for including people with disabilities in the film industry. She wants to demonstrate the importance of this accepting mentality and bring change to cinema by helping develop unique projects at Iridescent Studios.

Ages: Open to students entering third grade in the Fall of 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description: Incoming third graders will focus on the core subjects of reading, math, science, and social studies to prepare them for the academic demands of third grade. Throughout the day, campers will develop their reading comprehension, fluency, and problem-solving skills in an inviting and exciting learning environment. They will be engaged in hands-on, collaborative activities, while also receiving small group and individualized instruction throughout the day. Children will also have enrichment opportunities such as physical fitness, yoga, and mindful stress reduction techniques. Campers will leave equipped with the tools necessary for success in third grade, and many positive memories. 

Instructor: Patrick Scully received a Bachelor’s in Social Sciences from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master’s in Elementary Education from The University of New Haven. Patrick is in his 6th year as a classroom teacher in Meriden, CT.  In the summer of 2019, he was awarded a Fund for Teachers fellowship grant and spent the summer bicycling across the United States, collecting resources and documenting his experiences to enrich his curriculum and inspire students. In his free time, Patrick loves to garden and go outside for bike rides and hikes with his wife, Rachel, and son, Rylan.

Ages: Open to students entering grades 4 in the Fall of 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Math Program (Morning Session)

Incoming fourth graders will focus on basic math skills. The campers will reinforce topics they were introduced to over the past year as well as exploring topics they will see next year. Each day the students will start by doing mental math to help solidify math facts and then review a key concept that they should have been exposed to in the previous school year. The students will practice their problem-solving skills as well as exercise their collaboration skills by talking through these problems in groups. There will be an emphasis on fractions and decimals as well as working through multistep word problems. These activities will help the students solidify their understanding and also allow them to make connections to topics they will learn this year. Throughout the week the students will improve their math skills and help them build their math confidence so they are ready to start the school year! 

Instructor: Brad Caswell is entering his 14th year teaching this fall. After graduating from Hamilton College, he received his master’s in Special Education from Fitchburg State University. Brad teaches at Bloomfield High School as a special education teacher. His focus as a teacher is creating a nurturing environment where everyone feels supported and enjoys the learning process. When he is not working he enjoys spending time with his family, running, and exploring new places. 

Reading and Writing Program (Afternoon Session)

Incoming fourth graders will focus on the core subjects of reading and writing to prepare them for the varied ways they will use these skills in upper elementary school. Centered in self-reflection, campers will develop their reading comprehension, fluency, and active reading strategies, as well as build on their writing instincts in creative and analytical writing activities. In an inviting and exciting learning environment, campers will connect reading and writing skills to their everyday lives and personal interests, working to push the boundaries of their comfort zones as communicators. 

Instructor: Michelle Caswell earned her BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, where she also completed a minor in Education. Entering her 12th year teaching and her 8th year at Kingswood Oxford as an English teacher in the upper school, she looks forward to her fifth summer at Camp KO, where each day brings a new challenge and opportunity to play. Building relationships and believing in each student as unique are central to Mrs. Caswell’s beliefs as an educator. 

Ages: For students entering grade 5 in Fall of 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description:

Reading and Writing Program (Morning Session)

Incoming fifth graders will focus on the core subjects of reading and writing to prepare them for the academic demands of upper elementary school. Centered on code-switching and self-reflection, campers will play with the many ways we read, write, and communicate in our lives. In an inviting and exciting learning environment, campers will develop their reading comprehension, fluency, and active reading strategies, as well as build on their writing instincts in creative and analytical writing activities. In our hands-on, collaborative activities, we will equip ourselves with reading and writing skills that will help us tackle upper elementary and beyond while gaining an understanding of the power we hold as readers, writers, and communicators. 

Instructor: Michelle Caswell earned her BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, where she also completed a minor in Education. Entering her 12th year teaching and her 8th year at Kingswood Oxford as an English teacher in the upper school, she looks forward to her fifth summer at Camp KO, where each day brings a new challenge and opportunity to play. Building relationships and the belief in each student as a unique individual are central to Mrs. Caswell’s beliefs as an educator. 

Math Program (Afternoon Session)

Incoming fifth graders will focus on necessary math skills for success in the upcoming school year while having an enjoyable summer experience. We will review important concepts from the 4th grade and use them to build toward an understanding of problem-solving skills at the fifth-grade level. Students will practice important academic skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and self-reflection. Each day the students will start by doing mental math to build their math facts fluency and use this to form the foundation of our fifth-grade explorations later in the day. There will be an emphasis on fractions and decimals as well as working through multistep word problems. The week’s goal will be to improve our math skills and confidence while having fun. 

Instructor: Brad Caswell is entering his 14th year teaching this fall. After graduating from Hamilton College, he received his master’s in Special Education from Fitchburg State University. Brad teaches at Bloomfield High School as a special education teacher. His focus as a teacher is creating a nurturing environment where everyone feels supported and enjoys the learning process. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, running, and exploring new places. 

Ages: Open to students entering grades 6 in the Fall of 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Description:

Math Program (Morning Session)
Incoming sixth will focus on pre-algebraic topics as well as basic math skills. The campers will reinforce topics they were introduced to over the past year as well as explore topics they will see next year. Each day the students will review a key concept that they should have been exposed to in the previous school year using open-ended problems. The students will practice their collaboration skills by talking through these problems in groups. These activities will help the students solidify their understanding and also allow them to make connections to topics they will learn this year. Throughout the week the students will improve their math skills and help them build their math confidence so they are ready to start the school year! 

Instructor: Tylon Smith is a Middle School Math Teacher here at Kingswood Oxford School and former alumni of KO. He holds a B.S. in Sports Management and M.A. in Teaching. Tylon has worked with kids since his high school years and has always had a passion for teaching and mentoring the youth. He is a former College Basketball All-American (both Athletic and Academic) and a professional basketball player. 

Fun Fact: He currently plays for a local semi-pro basketball team called the Hartford Shockers where they are the defending ECBL Champions and he is the back-to-back Player of the Year.

Reading and Writing Program (Afternoon Session)

Incoming sixth graders will focus on the core subjects of reading and writing to prepare them for the academic demands of middle school. Campers will practice their active reading strategies, develop their writing instincts, and engage with their critical thinking skills in an inviting and exciting learning environment. Centered on code-switching and self-reflection, campers will play with the many ways we interpret the world around us through the written word. They will build their ability to persuade and inform by learning how to engage with multiple audiences as well as with new and exciting types of literature and story structures. In our collaborative activities, we will equip all campers with reading and writing skills that will help them to tackle middle school and beyond while gaining an understanding of the power we hold as readers, writers, and communicators. 

Instructor:

Olivia Piper is an educator and a writer who holds a B.A. in English and Journalism from UConn, and a Master’s in Teaching English & Language Arts from Boston University. Previously, she worked as an English Instructor with Hartford Youth Scholars, where she was responsible for designing and implementing an enriching English curriculum for incoming middle school students. She is currently a candidate for an MFA in Creative Writing at Hollins University. 

Fun Fact: When she worked in local news directly after graduating from undergrad, Olivia covered a story about a locally famous dog’s 13th birthday party.

Ages: Open to students entering grades 7 in the Fall of 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Reading and Writing Program (Morning Session)

Incoming seventh graders will focus on the core subjects of reading and writing to prepare them for the academic demands of middle school. Campers will practice their active reading strategies, further develop their writing instincts, and engage with their critical thinking skills in an environment that is fueled by peer collaboration and discussion. Campers will with the many ways we read, write, and communicate in our lives. Campers will learn world-building skills that can be employed in both creative and academic writing, as well as engaging with diverse and thought-provoking literature that will take them beyond the page. In their classroom activities, campers will further develop reading and writing skills that will help them tackle middle school and beyond, all while deepening their own understanding of the power we hold as readers, writers, and communicators. 

Instructor: Olivia Piper is an educator and a writer who holds a B.A. in English and Journalism from UConn, and a Master’s in Teaching English & Language Arts from Boston University. Previously, she worked as an English Instructor with Hartford Youth Scholars, where she was responsible for designing and implementing an enriching English curriculum for incoming middle school students. She is currently a candidate for an MFA in Creative Writing at Hollins University. 

Fun Fact: When she was in 7th Grade, Olivia was a member of her school’s poetry club, and they published their very own collection of poems

Math Program (Afternoon Session)
Incoming sixth will focus on pre-algebraic topics as well as basic math skills. The campers will reinforce topics they were introduced to over the past year as well as explore topics they will see next year. Each day the students will review a key concept that they should have been exposed to in the previous school year using open-ended problems. The students will practice their collaboration skills by talking through these problems in groups. These activities will help the students solidify their understanding and also allow them to make connections to topics they will learn this year. Throughout the week the students will improve their math skills and help them build their math confidence so they are ready to start the school year! 

Instructor: Tylon Smith is a Middle School Math Teacher here at Kingswood Oxford School and former alumni of KO. He holds a B.S. in Sports Management and M.A. in Teaching. Tylon has worked with kids since his high school years and has always had a passion for teaching and mentoring the youth. He is a former College Basketball All-American (both Athletic and Academic) and a professional basketball player. 

Fun Fact: He currently plays for a local semi-pro basketball team called the Hartford Shockers where they are the defending ECBL Champions and he is the back-to-back Player of the Year.

Ages: For students entering grades 8 and 9 in Fall of 2023

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Space: Minimum number of students: 8; maximum number of students 14
Half-day morning and afternoon options available:

Cost: Full Day Fee per week: $470, after March 31: $495

Program hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Before and after care are available at an additional fee.

Half-Day Fee per week: $375 (Limited to 2 spots)

Program Hours: 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Before and aftercare are available at an additional fee.

To view the 2023 Camp Day Schedule, visit this link.

Math Program (Morning session)

Incoming eighth and ninth graders will focus on Algebra and Geometry, through the lens of the eight mathematical practices. Campers will reinforce topics they were introduced to this year as well as explore topics they will see next year, all while focusing on critical problem-solving skills. Each day will begin with a quick review of a key topic that students should have encountered in the previous school year. This review is followed by a series of intriguing problems that push students’ understanding of the topic allowing them to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. We will finish each problem-solving discussion with a challenging activity in which students collaborate in teams to construct viable solutions and critique the reasoning of others. Throughout the week engaging in math exploration and personal reflection will build the students’ math confidence and help to uncover the true beauty of math. 

Instructor: Leonardo Cisija has been helping students bolster their confidence in math since his later high school years, starting with volunteer work as a math tutor and eventually becoming a high school calculus teacher. He is currently studying mathematics at Southern Connecticut State University. Over the years, he has worked with students of various backgrounds, ages, and skill levels, developing a wide range of individualized approaches to math instruction. He places great emphasis on the problem-solving and critical thinking skills behind the formulas so that students may learn to navigate new mathematical challenges that rote memorization cannot solve. He believes that, most importantly, students should learn not to fear the feeling of being lost—it is, after all, the first step to exploration.

Reading/Writing Program (Afternoon Session)
Incoming eighth and ninth graders will focus on critical, active reading and writing skills as they prepare for the challenges of their first years of high school. Campers will practice different strategies for active reading and explore writing in a variety of contexts, from analytical writing to personal reflection, all in a classroom environment that focuses on developing critical thinking and communication skills in engaging and fun ways. Reading and writing lessons will be paired with general study and organizational skills that will help campers adjust to the demands of the new school year. Throughout the week, engaging group activities will show campers the many choices available to them as readers, writers, and communicators, as well as the strategies to pursue those choices once they make them.

Instructor: Cameron Biondi earned his BA in comparative literature from Yale University, with a focus on literature in English, Spanish, and Italian. He is entering his fifth year at KO as an Upper School English teacher and the girl’s varsity and JV squash coach, after teaching English at an elementary school in Seoul, South Korea. This is his third summer at Camp KO, and he is excited to share his love of reading and language with the campers. In his teaching, he focuses on putting into practice the key communicative skills that allow us to express the many ways in which literature moves us.

Instructor: TBD