Imagine a summer filled with running, tumbling, jumping into foam pits, making arts and crafts, playing games and even sliding down water slides?
It's the ultimate kid fantasy and it's available at Hilton Head Island Gymnastics this summer.
"We try to do as many activities as we can," said Cecilia Barrero of Hilton Head Island Gymnastics. "We do a little gymnastics during the summer camp, about 45 minutes to an hour."
For more information about
Hilton Head Island Gymnastic's
Summer Camp, click here.
Summer camp gymnastics are geared toward beginners and basic gymnastics. Advanced gymnasts are divided up and put into different groups. Typical activities include: cartwheels, basic tumbling, forward and backward rolls, handstands, how to get up on the bar and how to hold yourself, swinging, floor skills, trampoline and more.
But a lot of the summer camp kids aren't interested in gymnastics.
"They're interested in jumping in the foam pit and just going crazy!" said Barrero, laughing.
Camps are available for potty-trained children ages 3 and over.
The camps always start with free play. By 9:30 a.m., the groups warm up, stretch and condition. They move on to push-ups and abdominal exercises. They have a snack and partake in free time.
"Gymnastics skills are used for other sports and helps with flexibility and strength," Barrero said. "We have a lot of kids who have improved in other sports, such as baseball. Gymnastics takes a lot of coordination and flexibility."
In addition to exerting energy, campers also can relax while watching a movie or put their creative talents to the test with fun arts and crafts projects, such as beaded necklaces, hats, ties, chalk and paint.
"Parents still have to work during the summer while kids would have to stay inside and be attached to the TV," Barrero said. "Summer should be enjoyable. It should be about activities and play."
And just to keep the schedule interesting, organizers have planned themes, such as Sport Day with basketball, soccer, volleyball and many more indoor and outdoor activities. The most popular is the once-a-week Water Day with a water slide.
"The camp is a lot of fun," Barrero said.
Hilton Head Gymnastics summer camp program has exploded in popularity. Now, the busiest day of the year sees between 60 and 70 kids. However, children are closely supervised with eight children to one adult.
Hilton Head Gymnastics started in 1996 as a non-profit by a board of parents. Luis Barrero and Julie Stone took over the gym in 2000. Luis Barrero was a coach for a national team in Bolivia, South America, who moved to the U.S. in 1998. Julie Stone has been a gymnast all of her life. She attended Clemson University and also coached.
Island Gymnastics staff members are selected based on character, love for children and background/demonstrated teaching abilities in the sport. Staff members are continually evaluated and trained. Staff member are safety certified through USA Gymnastics (the governing body for gymnastics in the US).
Registration begins April 1. Campers can choose between the following five time frames with various customized packages from June 7 through Aug. 13:
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where:
Hilton Head Island Gymnastics is located in River Walk Business Park at 379 Brown Cove Road near Okatie Elementary School, across from Grace Coastal Church, off Highway 170.
Cost:
There is a 10 percent off on packages if parents sign up between April 1 and June 4. Daily rates are available for all times slots. Packages are also available for all times slots and can be customized for 20 days, 12 days, 8, days, or 5 days. All days in packages can be used throughout the summer; they do not have to be consecutive days. Transportation is also available for $1 per day; pick-up is at 8 a.m. and drop-off is at 5:30 p.m. at the parking lot of the Cross Island Medical Center. All meals are included in the cost.
Contact:
For more information, call Hilton Head Gymnastics at 815-6590 or visit http://hhigymnastics.com
