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BounceU
Not just birthday parties—summer camp and more!

by Cory Todd
Kids love any opportunity to bounce sky high at BounceU, but summer camp takes imaginations to new heights! Create and Bounce is a camp for children ages 6 to 11 that combines exciting art projects with structured physical activity. Camps are conveniently located at 1271 Little Gloucester Road in Blackwood, and 1205 Warren Avenue in Cherry Hill.

There’s so much to love, admits Paul Flynn, an owner along with Michael Dougherty, that “it is tough to point out a single aspect of camp” as the standout kid favorite. “Campers will participate in several different structured activities and learning projects each day. The activities will vary and will teach children teamwork, build coordination, balance and endurance. Not to mention, we make time for them to bounce on our inflatables.”

Family Friendly
The Anderson family of Berlin has sent their 7-year-old daughter to Create and Bounce camp for the past two years, while their 5-year-old started last year. The family enjoys the flexibility, convenience, warm environment and friendly staff.

“It was wonderful for me as a part-time worker to be able to bring them in whenever it worked for me,” says Kelly Anderson. “I didn’t have to lock in to paying for the whole summer, or even half the summer in May, and have it written in stone. That was wonderful for me to be able to play the schedule by ear.” That flexibility will continue this summer for busy families.

The Andersons also appreciated that their girls spent hot summer afternoons in air conditioning. “A lot of places have their kids out on the playground or in the pool all day, and that’s really exhausting when they’re young,” Kelly says. “But, they were still getting the same exercise that they would get if they were on a playground environment.”

Most importantly, the Anderson girls loved camp! They enjoyed meeting other kids who lived nearby, but didn’t go to their school. Kelly says that the camp did a great job of separating the kids by age to tailor projects to each child’s skill level.

“The younger kids got extra time to see their projects through, and they were so proud of their projects,” recalls Kelly. “The kids got to show everyone what they made. What my girls loved most, though, was every Friday they would shut the lights out and have a cosmic bounce party for them!”

This summer promises to bring a variety of theme days and special activities into each camp week. Every day, campers may bounce, play games, color or relax with their friends. Some of the structured learning activities that will be offered this summer include BounceU Olympics, hopscotch, jump rope, hula-hoop and parachute activities. “We have also added for this year a lineup of special guest visitors that include the local police and fire department, a storyteller, Zumbatonic instructor, magician and more,” Flynn says.

The camp also includes weekly themes to keep kids excited and engaged. These have included: Exploring the Viking Age, Zootastic, All about Me, Wild West Masquerade, Discover Wild Animals, Dino Time, Under the Sea Adventures, Over the Rainbow, World of Robots, and Homes and Habitats.

A Safe Environment
Personal attention and safety are key components of the camp. “For every eight campers we will have a minimum of one instructor to supervise,” says Flynn. “Also, we will incorporate the buddy system for all campers.”

Anderson felt very secure with the camp’s supervision. “I was a nervous, neurotic mom, so if I was passing by I’d pop my head in to make sure everything was going the way it should. Young kids don’t always communicate the way you want them to, so I would come check things out. They really did do an awesome job.”

The staff welcomed Kelly’s visits, understanding her concerns. “They really got to know all the parents,” she says. “There were a few times when I had my Dad pick them up and they made sure that he was on the emergency contact list and they checked his ID before they sent my kids with him.”

The camp is also very careful to accommodate to campers’ food allergies. They provide healthy snacks to supplement lunches that campers bring from home.

Reasonably Priced
Early drop off and late pick up are available at no extra charge, making camp even more affordable. “We believe that our camp is the best value for the parent’s dollar when you consider not only our price, but the value your child gets from the entertainment, activities and structured play, and exciting art projects that the kids participate in for the entire summer,” adds Flynn.

Camp starts at $90 per week, or $850 for 11 weeks for Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 to 5 p.m. Half-day schedules for Monday through Friday cost $125 per week or $1,099 per week. The best deal yet is full-time, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, for $175 per week or $1,650 for 11 weeks.

Create and Bounce camp will run from June 20 through Sept. 2. For more information call Camp Coordinator Karen Seykot at (856) 669-9611, email kseykot@bounceu.com or visit www.bounceu.com. Make sure you call Karen and mention this article for an early bird discount for registrations prior to May 1.

BounceU Summer Camp

Times; Days; Weekly Pricing; 11-week Pricing (Best Deal!)
9am to 5pm; Monday through Friday; $175.00; $1,650.00
9am to 1pm or 1pm to 5pm; Monday through Friday; $125.00; $1,099.00
9am to 5pm; Tues, Wed, Thur; $125.00; $1,099.00
9am to 1pm; Tues, Wed, Thur; $90.00; $850.00
1pm to 5pm; Tues, Wed, Thur; $90.00; $850.00

Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 2 (April, 2011).
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