This program invites small groups of children to read, formulate opinions, and discuss stories from a wide array of genres. Through class discussions, the campers will be introduced to main story elements such as plot, characters, and setting. Book Buzz campers will delve into a character’s motivations, the relationships between protagonists and antagonists, themes, metaphors and more so that campers both understand an author’s purpose and begin to draw their own conclusions. This Book clubs will create a space for children to talk, ask questions, and interact with peers in a comfortable manner. The discussions will encourage teamwork, foster a child’s ability to listen and react, create a sense of community around books while strengthen camper’s reading, communication, and analyzing skills.

Projects using various media bring out the artist in everyone. Tie-dye, cave paintings, abstract collages, printmaking, Zentangling, and plaster masks are just a few of the projects happening in Art Now! One  The possibilities in this art-based activity period are limitless!

Every class provides a new project which introduces a novel technique. Our shelves fill to capacity with a variety of exciting individual masterpieces; including open-mouthed creatures, taco fish, hand bowls, flowers on lily pads, pinch pot caricatures, and mini name platters. Campers also receive short lessons on the composition of clay, the structure and use of glaze, and the kiln that fires their work.

Dance class isn’t all about pink tutus and glittery costumes. Dance is one of the best forms of physical and mental exercise. We recognize that some campers may not feel comfortable in a class predominately made up of female students. We are offering a “boys only” dance classes. All campers will have a blast and make great friends all while getting a great cardio workout and increasing coordination and muscle tone.  B-boys, hip hop, step, and jazz dance steps are taught.  This class will combined with Poms. 

Units G, H, and I also enjoy weekly day trips, such as bowling or visiting trampoline parks. Each trip provides additional opportunities for our senior campers to bond.

Please note: Overnights and Day Trips are TBD. The COVID-19 plan is to provide Unite G, H, and I special on-campus activities instead of day trips. A special activity could be on-campus laser tag. The possibility of overnight trips will be reassessed in June. 

Do you want to learn how we can save our Earth? Be an environmental engineer! Learn how to design, build, and test instruments that help us recycle, dispose of waste, and clean our environment. Build water filters, rooftop gardens, oil spill cleaners, wind farms, rain water collection systems, aquaponic devices, and more. Campers will learn about soil, water, air, and the sciences related to them to find solutions to environmental problems.

Lights! Camera! Action! After discussing various genres, campers will work in small groups to create storyboards for their short film or favorite commercial. The assigned director and camera crew start filming the action. Campers use iPads to film and then edit their films and add special effects. The films are added to the camp blog at the end of the session. Campers also have been enjoying playing the role of journalists in their efforts to create the Weekly GAC. The crew travels around camp investigating all the breaking stories, like campers’ Spirit Day wear and the solar cooker fun in science. That’s a wrap!

Each summer is filled with a multitude of camp traditions! The 4th of July Parade and Fun Run, Spirit Days, and the staff vaudeville show are always camp highlights. Additionally, each year culminates with the famous GAC Cup tournament. 

Unit E and F campers can enjoy outdoor education with a one-night, two-day overnight trip at Echo Hill Outdoor School. Units G,  H & I have a two-night, three-day overnight trip at Echo Hill. Click for more information on the outdoor education program. 

In this activity, campers learn the basics of video game design and get to design their own video game using basic programming software called Scratch and a web-based program called Sploader. Campers discuss the development of games, and what makes a good and memorable video game. Another component of this class is 3D printing. 3D printing offers campers the ability to experience their projects from the model stage to actual creation of the model. This creates both excitement and a better understanding of the design process as they gain hands-on experience it from conception to creation. The individual features are seen more clearly as the student builds the project layer by layer.

In Pi Club, campers work on specific skills identified through a pre-assessment based on the camper’s grade level. After the developing skills are identified, campers are given an individualized program. Campers learn and review math skills using the online educational tool Splash Math. Another component of Pi Club is completing math labs. Math labs are cooperative partner activities where campers practice their problem solving and reasoning skills. To reinforce competency skills in a fun and engaging manner, campers learn and participate in many different math games daily.

Campers learn several high-energy pom routines choreographed to a mash-up of songs that they request. After learning basic arm positions, like "T," "Buckets," "Candlesticks," and "Touchdown," campers choose their music and put together their routine for the Senior Showcase! This class will be combined with Dance Jam. 

Campers can choose swimming instruction as one of their activities. We follow a Red Cross instructional program and work in small groups to develop swimming confidence. Instruction is given in stroke mechanics, diving, and turns. Swimming Instruction is a required activity choice for all Unit D and E campers. For campers in F & GH, it is a choice. If interested, parents must select this activity by emailing the camp office at camp@greenacres.org before the first day of camp. For more information on our swimming program, click here. 

Campers enjoy a wide range of classic GAC games such as: street hockey, Medic, One-Pin, Sit Down Ball, Doctors and Soldiers, Dodgeball, Pundad Ball, and California Kickball. Through these athletic activities and games campers develop their coordination, physical fitness, athletic abilities, and team skills all while having fun! For campers looking to pursue a sports path, they have plenty of opportunities here. This program will be combined with Tournament Ball and will follow COVID-19 protocols. 

Campers are split into separate teams and play various traditional team sports. Activities such as handball, basketball, and indoor soccer top the list as camper favorites. These group activities allow campers to develop their abilities in a supportive yet competitive atmosphere. Tournament Ball gives campers a chance to work as a team and realize that cooperation is necessary to accomplish a task. Campers concentrate on developing their skills in one sport per week. Instruction is given and campers practice drills, as well as play games. At the end of each week, campers compete in a team tournament. This program could be modified due to COVID-19 protocols and will be combined with the TEAM GAC.  

After formulating their own design, campers work on developing plans with accurate dimensions. They cut the wood needed, assemble their creation, and either paint or stain the finished product. Counselors work with campers to master the tools and materials needed to do each job. Skate ramps, benches, boxes, stools, tables, Chinese checkerboards, planes, cars, shelves, skateboards, baseball bats, shields, doll houses, and book stands have all been created in the Green Acres Woodshop.

Young Writers campers will learn both bookmaking and storytelling skills. This class is designed to boost the camper’s depth of writing and cognitive thinking while bringing your camper’s characters and stories to life through self-publishing experiences. Topics include story structure, genres, literary techniques, illustrations, and bookmaking. The class will end with a Young Writer’s Celebration where campers will share their works with the camp community.