Specialty Camps

Our two-week Specialty Camps offer programs for a wide variety of interests that campers might have. For each two-week session, we offer a program for Specialty Middle (entering 2nd & 3rd) and Specialty Upper (entering 4th - 6th). 

While participating in Specialty Camp, campers spend approximately half of their day in specialty based programming, and half of the day participating in traditional camp activities. Some traditional camp activities we offer include art, indoor sports, nature, music, ropes/challenge course, team sports, crafts, theater arts, field sports, clay, newcomb, kickball, archery, and more. Just like Full Day camp, each camper in Specialty Camp will receive a swimming lesson every day and also have a free swim period.

All of our Specialty Instructors are exceptionally qualified and have many years of experience in youth education.

Dates & Rates

Session 1: June 24 - July 5, Closed 7/4
Tuition: $1,575 (Camp is closed on Thursday, July 4th)

Session 2: July 8 - July 19
Tuition: $1,750

Session 3: July 22 - August 2
Tuition: $1,750

Session 4: August 5 - August 16
Tuition: $1,665 (The last day of camp is a half day. All campers picked up at 12:15pm)
 

Specialty Middle (2nd & 3rd)

List of 4 items.

  • Session 1: Wearable BLING (and Blink)!

    Buttons that sing! Bracelets that glow! Hats that talk back! This workshop is half fashion design - half electrical engineering. Learn to design, build, and program circuits you'll hide inside your most fashionable accessories. Add a little more shimmer (literally) to your favorite outfit!
  • Session 2: Circus, Circus

    Explore all things "Circus" during this two-week specialty camp. Campers will create costumes and props, learn about circus history and famous shows around the world, participate in circus related workshops such as circus tricks and gymnastics, and more! Come clown around with us this session for Circus, Circus!
  • Session 3: Flip this Dollhouse!

    One of the world's most powerful families has ordered a trendy new dollhouse only to be dismayed when it arrives empty and bare! Using CAD software, laser and vinyl cutters, and all your interior design intuition, you must outfit these vacant-walled travesties with computer designed, hand built furniture, wall treatments, and window dressings before the dollhouse is cast into the rubbish or, worse yet, the fireplace!
  • Session 4: Globe Trotters

    The Great Wall of China, the cuisine of Peru, and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris! Who needs 80 days to travel around the world when you can do it in two weeks? Campers will learn about different cultures, create art projects, discover games and performances of different countries, and even dive into the history of some of these civilizations. Come travel the world - right from Tenacre!

Specialty Upper (4th - 6th)

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  • Session 1: Raid the Arcade!

    First you design and program a video game. Then, you design a user interface for your game (think joystick, rollerball, buttons). Then, you design and build a classic 3D enclosure for your game. THEN... you set up your game next to all your friend's games and raid the arcade!
  • Session 2: Crazy Carnival Games

    Have you ever shot water into the mouth of a clown in order to inflate a balloon? Have you ever tried to knock over a tower a milk jugs to win a giant gorilla? Have you ever tried fishing a prize from a spinning pond with a magnet? Students will design and build a true-to-life-sized game similar to those found in the classic American traveling carnival. Did we mention it also has to fold up and store on a truck?
  • Session 3: Theater

    Theater is a great venue for expression and increased self-confidence! Using the Actor’s tool box, the Voice, Face and Body, students will study characterization, emotions, physicality and storytelling. Through improvisational games and activities, we will learn new skills for the stage and create a show for a final performance. Students will also work together to create text, props, costumes and small set pieces for their show. The culmination of skills learned in this session will inspire students to challenge themselves and gain a strong appreciation for the Theater On and Off the stage!
  • Session 4: Footloose Robots

    Imagine an apocalyptic future long after humans have gone extinct ruled by robots. The robots' brains are becoming sentient, and now they are experiencing the urge to... dance? Start using sound editing software to edit a new futuristic beat and then program a robot that will move (with style) to your composition! 

More Information

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  • Counselor to Camper Ratio

    The counselor to camper ratio for our specialty camps is 1 counselor for every 5 campers. The group staff is comprised of a specialty instructor with vast knowledge and teaching experience, along with group counselors to help the instructor during specialty activity periods. The group counselors travel with the group throughout the day to their traditional camp activity periods as well.
  • Hours

    • Drop-off Hours: 8:00 - 8:25am
    • Pick-up Hours: 3:15pm
    Monday through Friday
    Full Day
    8:25 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

    Aftercamp is available until 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Swimming Lessons

    We believe that swimming is an important life-saving skill and we continually get top marks for our swim program. Specialty campers have a swim lesson each morning and the group lesson size is small. 

    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.

    In addition to offering instructional swimming, we also offer a daily  recreational swim period as an activity.
  • Theme Weeks

    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.

    2024 Themes
    Week 1: Outerspace
    Week 2: Toyland
    Week 3: Secret Agents
    Week 4: Carnival
    Week 5: Disney
    Week 6: Kids Wanna Rock!
    Week 7: Fantasy
    Week 8: Olympics

List of 4 items.

  • Fun Friday Theme Weeks

  • Low Counselor to Camper Ratios

  • Lunch Available for Purchase

  • Two Swim Times Daily

We Are Accredited

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.  Learn why choosing an accredited camp is important. 

Learn More About the Tenacre Summer Program