Every day at Tenacre begins with a handshake as the head of school greets arriving students. This act of trust and personal attention sets the tone for all that follows. At Tenacre, we embrace the elementary years. As a Pre-K through Grade 6 coed school, we offer a dynamic and exciting environment in which children progressively develop critical thinking skills, become confident and joyful learners, and move forward into higher education and life as caring citizens.
At the heart of our educational philosophy is the critical need to balance nurture and challenge. Nurture, particularly in the younger years, allows children to grow, feel safe, and develop an empowering sense of confidence--"I can do it." Challenge takes on a greater role as students welcome the opportunity to prove themselves in many difficult learning situations.
Every child at Tenace is a full participant, a valued contributor to our vibrant community. In classrooms, on our playing fields, in art, music, and drama, our students are actively engaged in their own education. It is our belief that when every child has multiple opportunities to succeed, every child can and will succeed.
Our proudest tradition is that of valuing every student. We are a small school where everyone knows each other, where academics, creativity, and good citizenship are high achievements to strive toward, and where children learn firsthand the rewards and responsibilities of being part of a community.
Our focus is on the total child. The goal is to respond to the academic, emotional, physical, social, and moral dimensions of each child with a unique philosophy that creatively combines traditional and innovative elements of elementary education.
This popular program is for children four years of age by the start of camp who are ready to stay a whole day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (8:25 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.) and a half day on Tuesday and Thursday (8:25 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.). This group pursues many of the regular full day camp activities in a schedule modified by two half days.
Coed groups are led by Head Counselors with early childhood experience. On any given day, the campers may work with clay, pursue art, music, yoga and craft activities; take instructional swim lessons; play sports and games; and learn about nature.
Our daughter made so much progress in the swimming program - we were so impressed not just with her actual swimming, but also with the confidence and enthusiasm about swimming she gained!
We believe that swimming is an important life-saving skill and we continually get top marks for our swim program. THE FOURS have a swim lesson each day, and most 4 year olds swim 1:1. THE FOURS also have a recreational swim time on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon. The swim staff is entirely separate from the counselor staff, and all members of the swim staff hold Lifeguard Training (LGT) certification, and some hold Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification. On the first day of each session, the new campers are tested for their swimming ability, and at the end of each child's enrollment in camp, an evaluation of progress is sent home in the form of a swim report.
We will update our camp families in the spring about what swimming will look like for Summer 2022. In Summer 2021, all of our campers had a swimming lesson every day.
Each week we have a special theme and campers can dress up on Fridays if they choose. Our "Fun Friday" activities are created around the weekly themes.
The Four's program maintains a ratio of 1 counselor to every 5 children, plus an adult Activity Specialist. Each group of 4-year-olds is led by a Head Counselor that has early childhood experience.
The Four's program has a designated home-base classroom that they meet in every morning. This classroom space is a familiar place for The Fours to change for swimming, eat snack, eat lunch, and have some of their activities.
Extended Afternoons are available on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Aftercamp Child Care is available until 6:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday, and until 5:15pm on Friday.
Children enrolled in the Extended Afternoons on Tuesdays and Thursdays may stay for Aftercamp. Children that leave at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursday, may stay for Aftercamp on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
$1,416 per two-week session Minimum Enrollment: two-week session
Session 1: June 27 - July 8th (closed on Monday, July 4th) Session 2: July 11 - July 22 Session 3: July 25 - August 5 Session 4: August 8 - August 19
Extended Afternoons on Tuesday/Thursday (optional): $30/day from 1:00pm - 3:15pm
Session 1 is discounted (Camp closed on 7/4): $1,316
8-Week Discount: 5% off the total tuition Sibling Discount for 2 children: 5% off the 2nd child ; Each camper must attend for 6+ weeks of camp Sibling Discount for 3 or more children: 5% off the 2nd child ; 10% off the 3rd, 4th child ; Each camper must attend for 3+ weeks of camp
Minimum Enrollment There is a 2-week minimum in the Day Camp (June 27 - August 19). Enrolling for two-weeks gives children the chance to settle into camp, get to know new friends, and experience all of the camp activities. We find that campers who participate in multiple weeks of camp improve their skills and feel more confident in their abilities. The Rising Star Sports sessions are stand alone weeks.
Tenacre Day Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), and is celebrating more than 40 years of providing a safe, fun, wonderful day camp experience for children.