Breakwater Enrichment Center's Mission Statement
Table of Contents
age continuum ............p. 4 early childhood (EC) ....p. 6 g. 1-9 camps overview..p. 14 g. 1,2,3 camp info .........p. 18 g. 4-9 camp info ............p. 24 expeditions ...................p.30 registration info ...........p. 36
Breakwater’s mission is to engage our students in an optimal learning experience that inspires them to live well on the planet, embrace their whole being, and realize their full potential. We accomplish this by empowering youth to explore and develop their interests, talents, and passions in a nurturing and safe environment.
Early Childhood Education at Breakwater dgorman@breakwaterschool.org phone: (207) 772-8689 x232 fax: (207) 772-1327 Summer Camp at Breakwater summer@breakwaterschool.org phone: (207) 535-7437 fax: (207) 772-1327
Summer Camp
Campers who have completed Kindergarten and are on their way toward the 1st, 2nd or 3rd grades in the fall of 2025 are welcome to join our 1-2-3 Summer Camp! Run by an exceptional team of young elementary educators, this full-day camp explores the same themes offered to the “big kids” but at a pace that is developmentally aligned with the growth, curiosity and emotional needs of our younger campers. 1-2-3 Camp joins the older grades in All Camp afternoons, and has the chance to spend time with older siblings and friends and to engage in a wide range of fun activities.
Toddlers/Rising Preschool 18 months - 3+ years
18 Months - Rising Kindergarten
Rising 4th - 9th grades Campers who have completed the 3rd grade and are on their way to the 4th grade or higher in the fall of 2025 are welcome to join our 4-9 Summer Camp! Organized into teaching teams of 4 Explorations, plus off-campus Expedition camps, our full-day “big kid” camp has something for everyone. Campers can choose to spend every camp day immersed in just one Exploration that ignites their curiosity and wonder, or trade-off every other day between two different Explorations. Whichever option they choose, they will be supported by our experienced and fun-loving teams of adult educators, young adult counselors and teen counselors-in-training.
Our Toddler/Rising Preschool program provides a summer of fun for our youngest friends! It is an optional continuation of our academic year toddler program, providing consistency of care and environment to support young children’s development.
Summer at Breakwater: Age Continuum
Preschool/Rising Kindergartners 3-5+ years
Rising 1st - 9th Grade
Our programs consist of Two 4-week sessions available for 5 full or 5 half day enrollment options. We place a high priority on consistency of care in all of our early childhood programs. Therefore, The Toddler/Rising Preschool program is only open for families enrolled in Breakwater’s 2024-2025 academic year program. The Preschool/Rising Kindergarten program places the highest priority on families enrolled in Breakwater’s 2024-2025 or 2025-2026 academic year programs. In the event that there is space available, outside families can apply for admission to our Early Childhood Summer program. Contact Danielle Gorman, our Early Childhood Division Director, at dgorman@breakwaterschool.org for admission inquiries.
There are so many reasons to choose Summer at Breakwater! For 7 weeks this summer we offer rising 1st - 9th graders the chance to explore their interests and maximize their chances to follow their curiosity in learning, growing and having fun! Each day is full of chances to play, make friends, learn from older mentors such as Counselors and Counselors-In-Training, and engage with provocations set out by top-notch educators. When these explorations are done for the day there's still time for a variety of activities, from games to guest speakers, art shows to archery, camp fires, resting in the chill zone, or walking in Fore River Sanctuary: every day has choice, adventure, education, exploration, connection, excitement, and snacks. There are a whole lot of snacks. Join us!
Our Preschool/Rising Kindergarten program is a play-based program filled with exploration in the arts, nature, water-play and summertime activities. Like our school year program, our summer program is inspired by Reggio Emilia pedagogy and other emergent, play-based curricular approaches to education. Sessions are taught by our early childhood lead teaching faculty who encourage each child’s creative spirit and expression in a safe, nurturing environment.
Early Childhood Summer Program
Rising 1st thru 3rd grades
Summer at Breakwater celebrates the innate curiosity of each and every child. Our teachers will connect with your child, discover their individual passions and create provocations to spark further investigation and summertime adventure.
Early Childhood Overview
Danielle Gorman, Early Childhood Summer Program Director dgorman@breakwaterschool.org
All of our early childhood summer programs take full advantage of our Breakwater campus with multiple playgrounds, gardens, areas for biking, and fields for games and water play.
Curiosity:
Community:
We celebrate each child as the complex and fascinating person they are. We model and foster gratitude, generosity, resilience, compassion, kindness, courage, and initiative.
SUMMER AT BREAKWATER, EARLY CHILDHOOD
We have intentionally designed our summer program with longer, 4- and 8-week sessions to cultivate meaningful and consistent connections throughout the year for our youngest members. We invest in a community of children, parents, and teachers as partners in a journey of learning, discovery, and delight.
"There is nothing better for my life as an educator than to walk alongside our youngest learners as they discover and embrace their world and themselves. Having the opportunity to continue our programming year-round, to introduce our children to their world throughout the cycle of all four seasons, allows the magic of the Breakwater Way to come to life in its fullest."
Our Toddler/Rising Preschool and Preschool/Rising Kindergarten programs pick up right where the school year leaves off – providing the same play-based, emergent curriculum rooted in a celebration of the natural world that we offer through our Breakwater Way. All programs are guided by our experienced, dedicated teaching faculty who bring their passions and talents in outdoor education, art, music, dance, and storytelling to our summer season. The Breakwater Way rests on its foundation of: curiosity, character, and community.
Character:
Toddler/Rising Preschoolers
8:00 AM Drop Off Outdoor Provocations 10:00 AM Bicycling, Field Games, or Gardening activities 11:30 AM Playground 12:00 PM Half day pick up 12:15 PM Lunch 12:30 PM Rest, Relaxation, Quiet Play Time 1:45 PM Outdoor Play; Art, Music, & Creative Movement 3:00 PM Pick up
8:00 AM Drop Off Outdoor Provocations 9:30 AM Snack 10:00 AM Adventures on Breakwater campus 11:30 AM Lunch 12:00 PM Half Day Pick up 12:15 PM Rest/Nap/Quiet Play time 2:15 PM Outdoor Play 3:00 PM Pick up
Preschool/Rising Kindergartners
Early Childhood Daily Schedule
Early Childhood Dates & Rates
Program Dates Two Four Week Sessions Session One: June 23rd - July 18th, closed on July 4th Session Two: July 21st - August 18th Hours Full day: Monday-Thursday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am -12:00 pm Half Day: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Program Rates Session 1 (4 weeks, no camp July 4th) Full Day $2853/ Half Day $2098 Session 2 (4 weeks) Full Day $3003/ Half Day $2208 Aftercare Monday-Thursday 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Friday 12:00-3:00 pm Aftercare is available to families for an additional fee. Details available upon registration. For more information , email Danielle Gorman , dgorman@breakwaterschool.org
Early Childhood Registration
Early Childhood Summer Program Cancellation and Refund Policy
All cancellations made by families three-weeks prior or more to the start of the summer session will be refunded in full minus the registration deposit. Any cancellations made less than 21 days to the start of the summer session or after the summer session has started are non-refundable. Breakwater will not issue refunds in the event of missed summer sessions days due to illness/injury, forgotten registrations, or behavior concerns. In the event of illness/injury or family emergency, Breakwater will evaluate the circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Breakwater strives to provide an inclusive learning environment and welcomes students of all abilities. Our early childhood summer program does require specific physical, emotional, or cognitive abilities in order for children to be successful. Our Early Childhood Summer program staff ratios do not provide one-on-one support or guidance. If you have questions about how your child’s specific abilities will affect their summer experience, please contact the Early Childhood Division Director, Danielle Gorman, at dgorman@breakwaterschool.org, to discuss the situation and devise a plan that will benefit your child.
The Preschool/Rising Kindergarten program places the highest priority on families enrolled in Breakwater’s 2024-2025 or 2025-2026 academic year programs. In the event that there is space available, outside families can apply for admission to our Early Childhood Summer program. Contact Danielle Gorman, our Early Childhood Division Director, at dgorman@breakwaterschool.org for admission inquiries.
All summer programs are subject to minimum and maximum enrollment. In the event that Breakwater cancels a program, parents will be notified and provided a full refund.
In the event that Breakwater cancels a program caused by events beyond Breakwater’s control (i.e. COVID), Breakwater will reimburse families 50% of their tuition of the remaining program (after initial deposit) if in session and 100% of the program if canceled before the session began.
A $300 non-refundable deposit per session ($600 for 8 weeks) is due at time of registration or acceptance into the program. Payment plans are available with balance due in full on Thursday, June 5th or the registration will be forfeited. Separate required forms are due prior to the start of summer sessions and are made available on our registration website.
Early Childhood Child Abilities
Early Childhood Registration Overview
Rising 4th - 9th grades
Summer Camp Program
Rising Grades 1-9
Greetings, campers! We hope when you read this you are enjoying a wonderful winter - full of just the amount of snow and hot chocolate, good books and sledding that you'd hoped for! How were your fall and/or winter holidays? Did you have a warm and wonderful time with family and friends? What are you grateful for this winter? We are, of course, grateful for all of you! Summer at Breakwater is one of our favorite places and times in all the world, and we am looking forward to returning to this special place and time and seeing all of you again. We enjoy renewing relationships with those of you we already know, and meeting and getting to know those of you who will be brand-new this year: don't worry, making new campers feel welcome is one of our special cares and talents at Summer at Breakwater summer camp. You will belong in no time, just as you are! As always, our wonderful team of Coordinators, Teachers, Counselors and CITs will join us and even though we said it last year we'll say it again: we are going to have more campers, more diversity and more fun than ever in Summer 2025. So, make your Explorations selections, sign up, and we'll see you soon at Morning Meeting! Your Summer Camp Admin Team Jennifer, Kevin, Chelsea, Val & Nico summer@breakwaterschool.org jemrich@breakwaterschool.org
Rising 1st, 2nd & 3rd grades
Rising Grades 1-9 Camp
Summer is my favorite time of year. The long days are filled with a variety of activities that allow all of us, children and adults alike, time to grow in different ways than we often do during the rest of the year. I am looking forward to spending my summer at Breakwater, learning and growing with our eager campers, their families and our team of amazing summer camp staff. Summer at Breakwater Camp is a place that allows campers to explore, be curious, learn new ideas and skills, be active, relax, socialize and have fun!
Drop off 8:00 am - 8:30 am Camp 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Pick up 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm AfterCare 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Amy Pichette Enrichment Director apichette@breakwaterschool.org
Hours
Rising 1st , 2nd & 3rd Grades Session 1 June 23 - July 18 / $1760; 4 weeks *No camp on July 4th Session 2 July 21 - August 8/ $1385; 3 weeks Rising 4th - 9th Grades Session 1A June 23 - July 3/ $835 *No camp on July 4th Session 1B July 7 - July 18/ $925 Session 2A July 21 - August 1/ $925 One Week Expeditions Rising Grades 5th - 9th for Overnight Expeditions; Rising 4th - 9th for Day Expeditions Session Weeks & Costs listed on pages 30-35
We encourage families to sign up for multiple week sessions. We will not be accepting 1 week camp sign-ups.
Rising Grades 1-9 Camp Dates & Rates 2025
Ashley Costa 1st, 2nd & 3rd grade Camp Coordinator
Rising 1st, 2nd & 3rd Grades Daily Schedules
Daily Schedule
Hello 1st & 2nd & 3rd grade Campers, returning and new! I hope you’re all having an excellent school year so far. I am so excited that it is finally time to start thinking about summer again! Summer is a season full of endless possibilities — it’s a time to step outside, embrace new adventures, and discover something new about the world and yourself. I fully believe that summer is the perfect opportunity for kids to explore their passions, develop new skills, and create memories. Rising 1-2-3 camp offers a nurturing environment where children can be themselves, make lasting friendships, and dive into a world of exciting experiences. Whether it's trying out a new activity, working on a creative project, or simply taking in the joy of summer alongside new friends, Summer at Breakwater is where curiosity meets fun. We want every day to be an opportunity to learn, grow, and be inspired. We can't wait for your child to experience the magic of Summer at Breakwater — exploration, friendship, new possibilities, and FUN await! See you on the playground this summer!
Arrival & Social gatherings 8:00 am -10: 00 am Explorations 10:00 am-2:30 pm, including lunch! All-Camp afternoons - 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Pick up 3:00 pm -3:30 pm AfterCare 3:30 pm -5:00 pm
Hello 1st & 2nd & 3rd grade Campers, returning and new! I hope you’re all having an excellent school year so far. I am so excited that it is finally time to start thinking about summer again! Summer is a seaso full of endless possibilities — it’s a time to step outside, embrace new adventures, and discover something new about the world and yourself. I fully believe that summer is the perfect opportunity for kids to explore their passions, develop new skills, and create memories. Rising 1-2-3 offers a nurturing environment where children can be themselves, make lasting friendships, and dive into a world of exciting experiences. Whether it's trying out a new activity, working on a creative project, or simply taking in the joy of summer alongside new friends, Summer at Breakwater is where curiosity meets fun. We want every day to be an opportunity to learn, grow, and be inspired. We can't wait for your child to experience the magic of Summer at Breakwater — exploration, friendship, new possibilities, and FUN await! See you on the playground this summer!t.
Summer is about discovery, and the rising 1st, 2nd & 3rd graders spend their days doing just that: exploring! While we make plenty of time to participate in the activities of “the big kids” at the beginning and end of the camp day, the main focus of our days are self driven, with teachers and counselors adapting offerings based on campers’ interests. The 1st grade cohort follows a schedule uniquely adapted to include campers' favorite activities while also providing a safe and cozy experience that allows for breaks, snacks, playtime with friends, and plenty of unstructured outdoor play as needed. This camp has all the flexibility and responsiveness your young camper needs! The 2nd & 3rd grade cohort is welcome to pal around with the 1st grade or with older campers at several points of the day, while also enjoying activities that have been prepared specifically to meet their developmental needs: group scavenger hunts and other cooperative and competitive games; visits from wildlife experts and trips to study animals, bugs, and the human body; adapted visual and mechanical arts opportunities that are both challenging and fun; and more! Camp days begin and end with self directed outdoor play, fostering relationship building and encouraging child-led problem solving. Campers are supported in exploring friendships, ideas, abilities, and community. The 1-2-3 Team is looking forward to another collaborative, exciting, and (most of all) FUN summer!
Rising 1st, 2nd & 3rd Grades Overview
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Sports and Games Opportunities to engage in organized sports and games are offered daily. Obstacle courses, sprinklers, slip n' slides, blob tag, dance parties, and fort building are regular parts of the program. Informal sports games, such as soccer, organized and led by the kids, happen throughout the day. Participation is always voluntary, and can change from day to day.
Explorations
Outdoor Adventure In Maine, we are so fortunate to be abundant in the outdoors. At Summer at Breakwater, Campers are encouraged to wonder, be curious, and get engaged with their natural surroundings. From identifying plants and animals on our playground and making campus maps, caring for and observing Blue Death Feigning Beetles, to walks to the Fore River Sanctuary, campers are given many opportunities to connect with the outdoors. We look forward to seeing what natural wonders we discover this summer!
Visual and Mechanical Arts Campers have the opportunity to explore many mediums and processes to create art. Materials and loose parts are readily available and accessible in classrooms for children to engage and create with daily. An optional Art Block is available for campers to opt into where they will be led through a more teacher directed craft or idea, then given time and space to explore the concept on their own.
Rising 1st, 2nd & 3rd Grades
Portland Cultures and Communities Throughout the summer there will be opportunities to satisfy curiosities about the different people and groups who live in and around Portland. We'll hear from a number of guest speakers, taste new and different foods, listen to new languages and music and visit places that open our eyes to the incredible diversity of our city and state.
"I am thrilled to come together again with the fantastic staff and begin planning this summer's Performing Arts Exploration. I always get so excited by the refreshed energy of people coming together!" ~Christian, Summer Camp Teacher
Rising 4th - 9th Grades Daily Schedule
Drop Off - 8:00 am - 8:30 am Social Gathering & Morning Meeting 8:30 am -9:30 am All Campers are invited to breakfast, outdoor playtime, and camp stewardship. Morning Meeting begins @ 9:00 am. Explorations 9:30 am - 2 pm Rising 4th - 9th graders choose from 4 categories of Explorations. Recreation Visual & Mechanical Arts Performing arts Portland Cultures & Communities Campers enjoy lunch within their Exploration groups All-Camp afternoons - 2:00 pm -3:30 pm All campers will enjoy opportunities to play and explore at stations and activities set up around the campus. Pick Up - 3:00 pm -3:30 pm Please note that all drop-off and pick up is curbside at the Green Gate on Capisic Street. April 2025 Update: AfterCare - 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm AferCare will be offered to campers (additional cost/limited space).
Explorations = Camper Choice! Camp Explorations will run everyday: Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm Campers can choose an Exploration for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (MWF) and an Exploration for Tuesday and Thursday (TTH) . Campers may choose to stay within one content area for their entire camp experience or have two different content areas: MWF Exploration and TTH Exploration. Expeditions are off-campus explorations. For more information on Expeditions, please skip ahead to page 30.
Once Explorations are done for the day we still have a whole lot of the camp day ahead of us! All campers will enjoy opportunities to play and explore at stations and activities set up around the campus. Activities might include (but are not limited to): Special guests and guest speakers Jessieland visits (Breakwater's 22 acre nature preserve in Cumberland) Performances & shows Breakwater Live Playtime Field day Camp fires and “tent camping” Archery Campus hide-and-seek Curiosity Lab Flying Squirrel sports teams Every Exploration has a wrap-up and presentation/performance at Breakwater Live during All-Camp.
Rising 4th - 9th Grades All Camp Afternoons
Rising 4th-9th Grades Explorations for Everyone
"I'm always excited for Summer at Breakwater; physical activity, outdoor adventures, learning, and good friends. I can't think of a better place to be!" -Zach, Summer Camp Teacher
Performing Arts Exploration
Visual & Mechanical Arts Exploration
Recreation Exploration
If your passion and curiosity lies in art-making, you might want to spend all or half of your week in our Visual & Mechanical Arts Exploration. Here are some things that this Exploration may include throughout Summer 2025: Painting and Drawing Outdoor Art 3D Design Studio Tinkering & Mechanical arts in our Curiosity Lab Pottery and ceramics Printmaking Fabric arts
Portland Cultures & Communities Exploration
If your passion and curiosity lies in all the ways you can get up, get out, and move, you might want to spend all or half of your week in our Recreation Exploration. Here are some things that this Exploration may include throughout Summer 2025:* Sports skills - indoors & out! Team building Off-campus outings Sports Teams Dance, Aerials, & Performance
If your passion and curiosity lies in exploring what people from around our diverse city and state make, eat, listen to, and laugh about; if you want to know more about the people, animals, and natural landscapes that are our neighbors, and if you have a bit of a sense of adventure, then you might want to spend all or half of your week in our Portland Cultures & Communities Exploration. Here are some things that this Exploration may include throughout Summer 2025: Wildlife visits and photography Fiber arts and farm visits Wabanaki guest speakers and food foraging Garden-to-table outings and cooking Cuisines of Portland, including Afghan and Angolan cooking Museum and other cultural trips and exhibitions!
If your passion and curiosity lies in all the ways performers and theater technicians express themselves, you might want to spend all or half of your week in our Performing Arts Exploration. There are so many possibilities in the Performing Arts, which is why our educators are flexible and responsive to campers' interests. No matter what the group chooses, there are always opportunities for improv games, performances during All-Camp, music, dancing, and chances to learn about the technical aspects of producing performances.Here are some things that this Exploration may include throughout Summer 2025:
Rising 4th-9th Grades Explorations
April 2025 Update: The theater team will be offering the following musicals each session! Session 1a: Seussical the Musical Jr. Session 1b: Shrek the Musical Jr. Session 2a: Frozen Jr.
One Acts and Play Writing Musical Theater Digital Music Composition Songwriting, or Singing Improv games Set Design and Stage Management Solo and Group Dancing Costuming & Make-up
April 2025 Update: Aerials & Dance will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the traditional recreation/off campus outings available on Tuesdays and Thursdays - campers will have a choice!
Squam Lake Paddling Week 1: June 24-June 28 Rising 5th - 7th Grades $795 Paddle and camp on beautiful Squam Lake in NH! Campers will spend a day meeting their group and preparing for their overnight trip. They will depart on Tuesday for four days and three nights of wildlife viewing, hiking and camping. This trip will also feature a visit to the Squam Lake Science Center to see birds of prey and other New England Wildlife up close. Bike Packing to Freeport Week 1: June 24-June 28 Rising 5th-9th Grades $795 Breakwater Bike-packing: Portland to Freeport & beyond. Highly recommended for those who have pedaled the peninsula in the past with Breakwater or for those more experienced riders, our popular ride from Breakwater to Freeport returns for summer 2024! We'll spend the first day of camp prepping our gear and going on a local ride, after which campers will head home for the night at the usual time. The second day of camp, we will embark on our amazing journey north to Wolfe's Neck State Park where we'll camp for two nights. While at Wolfe’s Neck, we'll have the opportunity to kayak and adventure on this amazing piece of property. By Thursday, we'll get back on the bikes and head southwest towards Jessieland, making a stop at the desert of Maine along the way! After a night of camping at Breakwater’s ‘home away from home,’ we'll spend Friday riding through Falmouth back to Breakwater. Riders who want to join the Freeport fun, but would prefer not to camp out for any/all of the 3 nights will also have the option of being picked up in the evenings by their family and dropped back off the next morning. While we highly encourage camping with us as part of the adventure, we are flexible and dedicated to make this grand adventure work best for you! Summer In The City On Two Wheels Week 2: July 1 - July 5, no camp on July 4th Rising 5th - 9th Grades $395 Pedal the peninsula, and beyond, all week long! These casual, full-day rides include lunch and snack stops along the way, as well as artistic, cultural and historical points of interest. We'll cover the peninsula in its entirety, traverse the Casco Bay Bridge into South Portland, make a trip around Peak's Island, and much more during this fun-filled week! This camp aims to show young people how easy it can be to use the bike as a means to explore, enjoy, and interact with the world around them. Campers will bring a backpack to carry a small snack, a picnic lunch, a water bottle, and a helmet. We also ask that you bring $10 each day for a fun snack or two along the way. Rides will be about 10-15 miles each day. There will be no camp on Thursday, July 4th.
Breakwater Expeditions
Summer at Breakwater summer camp includes opportunities for both daytime and overnight Expeditions. These outdoor adventure opportunities allow children rising 5th - rising 9th grades (4th - 9th grades for Day Expeditions) to hike, paddle, climb, bike, and camp with other young outdoor enthusiasts! There are a wide range of activities, both near and far, and something truly magical happens when campers are away from campus (for a day or days), away from parents and caregivers, and supporting one another in learning new physical, emotional and intellectual skills that help them meet the kinds of challenges that can only be encountered by getting outside! The particular strength of our outdoor adventure program is that we keep trips small, and, like our day camp, we encourage a wealth of social and emotional learning that leads to self-awareness and deeper friendships and connections. It's not only about where you go and what you do, it's about who you travel with, how well you get to know them, and how they in turn come to see you for who you are: many deep and lasting connections are made during Breakwater Expeditions. We hope your child will join these adventures as a day tripper or overnight camper. Once you register, specific information about the location(s), packing lists and trip leaders will be sent to you.
Week 3 Mountains to Sea: Exploring the Presumpscot Watershed June 30 - July 3rd, $625 (no camp July 4) Paddle, hike and learn about watershed ecosystems close to home before setting off on a single overnight toward the end of the week. Make friends while engaging in ecosystem science in fun and eye opening ways! Campers will get a chance to try out a variety of types of paddling, including a canoeing trip. Explore the Presumpscot River watershed with friends Visit beaches and rocky tidepools Paddle in the lakes and streams of the Presumpscot headwaters Take in the views from one of the watershed’s highest hills Learn more about science, nature, and ecosystems! Travel to a campsite via canoe and spend the night This Expedition is open to 5th - 9th graders Week 4 Expedition Day Trips July 7-11, $625 Hiking, biking, archery, paddling and climbing - try a little bit of everything Expeditions has to offer on our Day Trips this week! This Expedition is open to 4th - 9th graders
Week 1 Expedition Day Trips June 16 - 20, $525 (no camp June 19th) Hiking, biking, archery, paddling and climbing - try a little bit of everything Expeditions has to offer on our Day Trips this week! This Expedition is open to 4th - 9th graders Week 2 Cycle in the City June 23-June 27, $600 Campers enjoy an opportunity to hone their biking skills and build up to longer bike rides around Portland/South Portland in a supportive group without an overnight component. We’ll stop for snacks and cultural exposure at a variety of ethnic grocery shops, and visit a number of public parks. Cover all of Portland over a week, from the seaside and brick downtown, to the parks that earn it the “Forest City” nickname Try new flavors as we explore the foods of Portland’s diverse communities Learn skills for safe and fun travel by bike Make friends with a shared interest in biking! This Expedition is open to 4th - 9th graders *Once you register, specific information about the location(s), packing lists and trip leaders will be sent to you via email
Week 5 Life In the Wilderness: Mixing Modern and Ancient Skills July 14-18, $775 Campers will learn a mixture of traditional survival skills and modern backpacking methods, while also learning how to care for themselves and the environment. Creating tools, using them, and connecting with the land through hiking, stories and interactive games makes this a week well suited for all kinds of outdoors enthusiasts! This camp will include one overnight. Learn useful life skills like fire building, knot tying, and how to safely and effectively handle axes and knives Build, and then sleep in, shelters you make! Hike a number of mountains around greater Portland Cook your own food over open fires and camp stoves Spend a morning practicing archery Engage in other fun activities like whittling, story telling, and forest games This Expedition is open to 5th - 9th graders Week 6 Expedition Day Trips July 21-25, $625 Hiking, biking, archery, paddling and climbing - try a little bit of everything Expeditions has to offer on our Day Trips this week. This Expedition is open to 4th - 9th graders Week 7 Expedition Day Trips July 28 - August 1, $625 Hiking, biking, archery, paddling and climbing - try a little bit of everything Expeditions has to offer on our Day Trips this week. This Expedition is open to 4th - 9th graders Week 8 Expedition Day Trips August 4-8, $625 Hiking, biking, archery, paddling and climbing - try a little bit of everything Expeditions has to offer on our Day Trips this week. This Expedition is open to 4th - 9th graders
Registration Overview Breakwater’s summer registration for all 2025 Rising 1st - 9th grade students is available online to the public on Friday, January 17th via enrichment.breakwaterlearning.org. Pre-Registration is now available. A $75-300 non-refundable deposit per camp is due at time of registration. Payment plans are available. The full balance is due on Thursday, June 5th, 2024 or the registration will be forfeited. All prior Enrichment Center balances must be paid in full before we accept further registrations. Contact summer@breakwaterschool.org with any questions.
Cancellation and Refund Policy All summer programs are subject to minimum and maximum enrollment. In the event that Breakwater cancels a program, parents will be notified and provided a full refund or credit towards a new camp selection. In the event that Breakwater cancels a program caused by events beyond Breakwater’s control (i.e. COVID), Breakwater will reimburse families 50% of their tuition of the remaining program (after initial deposit) if in session and 100% of the program if canceled before the session began. All cancellations made by families three-weeks prior or more to the start of the camp session will be refunded in full minus the registration deposit (see registration overview for more information). Any cancellations made less than 21 days to the start of camp or after camp has started are non-refundable. Breakwater will not issue refunds in the event of missed camp days due to illness/injury, forgotten registrations, or behavior concerns. In the event of a serious illness/injury or family emergency, Breakwater will evaluate the circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Camp Behavior Policy Summer at Breakwater provides a high quality camp experience for a wide diversity of campers. All of our camps require a specific physical or cognitive ability in order for campers to be successful. Summer staff ratios do not provide one-on-one support or guidance. We do not hire summer staff trained in special education and cannot provide behavioral health support. If at any time it becomes clear that your camper requires these services or supports to be successful, we will ask you to come pick them up from camp. Should this behavior happen more than once, the camper will not be allowed to return to camp. We do not provide refunds in these circumstances. Families who choose to provide their own one-to-one support are very welcome to do so, and we will make every effort to welcome and accommodate these folks within the bounds of our regular camp day and camp norms and expectations. Please contact Summer Camp Director Jennifer Emrich to discuss: jemrich@breakwaterschool.org
The change from 3rd - 9th grade to 4th - 9th grade camp Summer at Breakwater summer camp is growing and changing to meet the needs of our camp families. Camp for our younger campers has become very vibrant and very full. We want to make sure that we are able to offer more spots to rising 1st & 2nd grade families while also providing special attention to our rising 3rd grade campers: some of whom are more than ready for "big kid " camp, and some who feel quite overwhelmed by it. Therefore, we are opening up an extra 1st grade classroom and combining our offerings for rising 2nd and 3rd graders. Our rising 2nd and 3rd grade educators have created fun-filled explorations that we think will speak directly to this age group - lots of hand-on activities, everything you could ever want to know about mud, bugs, water, wild animals and slime, and also group scavenger hunts, the chance to go on bike riding adventures, introductory classes to more advanced visual arts and tinkering skills and a whole host of other wonderful opportunities. That said, one of the great things about being part of Breakwater is that we respond to the whole child, and if your camper belongs in an older age group (or likes to hang out with a younger one) that's where we will put them so that they get the most out of their summer with us. Sign up according to school grade level, but rest assured that we will get to know your child quickly and with care, and will place them in the best environment for their safety, growth and sense of fun and adventure.
Financial Aid . Financial Aid: Need-based financial aid is available for any rising 1st - rising 9th grade camper. Campers may register for camp, pay the deposit, then apply for financial aid within 7 days of registration. If we are able to award financial aid, we will notify the family and apply the award to the account. If we are not able to award financial aid, and you are not able to pay the balance, we will return the deposit. To learn more about this opportunity and to apply, please email summer@breakwaterschool.org
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