About Summer Camp

"My youngest just said that she can’t wait for summer so that camp will start and she can ‘have fun every day!"
—Long Time Summer Camp Parent

For campers entering Kindergarten through 6th grade in September 2013

Since the 1920’s, the Dedham Community House Summer Camp has helped create lifelong childhood memories of summers filled with fun in the sun! We strive to provide a safe, comfortable, fun, enriching and reliable child care environment that promotes the physical, social, and intellectual well-being of the school-aged child. Through a variety of activities, your child will have the opportunity to make new friends, try new things and to just be a kid!

Activities

Swimming: Our beautiful pool, built in 2010, is 3 1/2 feet deep at the shallowest end and 5 feet at its deepest. Campers receive two swim lessons per week, taught by our American Red Cross / YMCA certified lifeguards. We also offer free swim in the afternoons. The campers also have use of the new pool house which includes locker rooms, a first aid station/office and a covered pavilion for kids to escape the sun for a bit!

Archery: Campers learn proper safety and form, and experience what it is like to shoot an arrow at our archery range, set in the woods on the banks of the Charles River. Classes are led by our certified Archery Instructor.

Drama: Campers learn to express themselves creatively through games, songs and role playing. They also prepare weekly skits that are performed on Fridays, right after the cookout.

Arts & Crafts: Children participate in one-day and long-term projects. Past projects include tie-dyeing, sculpture, muraling, crayon rubbing, collages, and jewelry making. Emphasis is on making interesting things out of everyday materials.

Woodworking: Campers learn how to properly use and care for equipment as they develop skills that will last them a lifetime. Strict safety procedures are followed. All long and short term projects are age appropriate.

Sports & Games: Emphasis is on both teamwork and individual success. Sample activities include basketball, kickball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, dodgeball, capture the flag and much more.

Science & Nature: Campers participate in great science experiments and nature activities which may include topics such as chromotography, rockets, astronomy, chemistry, meteorology, sound and more. Nature activities may include a camp garden, tree profiling, environmental projects among others.

Rec Room: Campers get the chance to relax for a little while each day in our rec room where they can play foosball, ping pong, board games, read a book or just hang out.

Special Event Days: Each Friday we host special event days which include Camp Olympics, Carnival Day, Hawaiian Luau Day and much more! Each special event day is accompanied by a cookout where hamburgers and hot dogs are provided to all campers.

Field Trips: Each week (except Week 1) campers have the opportunity to attend one of our exciting field trips. Trips may include a Paw Sox game, Roger Williams Zoo, Davis Megamaze and Water Wizz among many exciting others. Field trips are optional and must be preregistered. Campers not attending trips still enjoy a full day of camp activities.

Trailblazers Program: The Trailblazers Program for campers going into 7th and 8th grade, offers our older campers the same camp experience as the younger ones but also adds community service to the program. For more information please visit the Trailblazers page.