Children Enjoy Arts, Athletics, Nature from Home in Virtual Camp

In Coach Matt Kleiman and Coach Joe DeProssino’s virtual athletics class on July 15, learning how to throw, catch and run with a football was on the roster.

“Does everybody have a football of some type?” Coach Kleiman asked, prompting students to dash away from their computers to find something to use.

They quickly returned, carrying their finds – a football, Nerf ball, soccer ball, beach ball and balls of various other types and sizes. “We’ll make do with whatever you have,” Coach Kleiman said.

The class was part of Camp Poco to Go, an alternative to in-person camp on the school campus this summer. Campers still enjoyed arts and crafts, athletics, nature and the company of friends, but in a safe way. Poco to Go offered more than 30 hours of live sessions and pre-recorded programming each week for rising pre-kindergarteners through ninth-graders.

Campers had opportunities to interact and socialize, with a balance of on-screen and off-screen activities. They enjoyed many of same fun programs that take place on campus each summer, such as “Superheroes!” and “Color War!” theme weeks. Families could buy a theme-related craft and activities kit each week.

“I am extremely proud of the program that we offered during this challenging summer,” said Kerry Papa, assistant camp director and a Pocantico teacher.

In the Wilderness Club, 16 children went on virtual hikes and nature walks since they were not able to make use of the extensive trail system surrounding campus. They met for two live sessions a week, and instructors provided at least a half hour of pre-recorded content Monday through Friday. Ms. Richard recorded herself on hikes, including at Rockefeller State Park, and asked children to look for birds, trees and other things in the videos.

On July 15, they “traveled” to Australia and Italy. At the Australia Zoo, they saw a Burmese python, alligators, a wombat, lemurs, meerkats and more.

“This is one of my favorites. What is this?” asked instructor Angel Richard, who led the class with teaching assistant Dawn Horecky.

When rising first-grader Ava Bracracero responded that it was an alligator, Ms. Richard asked how heavy this type of alligator gets. Ava guessed 500 pounds. “That’s very close!” Ms. Richard said. “It’s 700 to 900 pounds.”

When they talked about tigers, rising fourth-grader Jasmine Elsara volunteered to explain what an endangered species is.

“Endangered means this type of animal species, there are not many left of it, and if we don’t protect them, they could be gone forever and we won’t ever see them again,” she said.

In Italy, they went on a virtual walk and played trail bingo, recording and drawing pictures of snow, rocks, mountains, hikers and other things they noticed. Ms. Richard asked how long they thought it took to climb to the top of a mountain.

“A few days because mountains are very, very high, like up to the clouds,” said camper Caitlin Doherty, a rising fourth-grader.

As the class continued, Ava said she had just seen a groundhog in her backyard.

“Nature is around us all the time, boys and girls,” Ms. Richard said. “We just always have to remember to keep our eyes open for it.”

Even though the camp is virtual, being able to see the children and have them keep in touch in this atypical year is important, Ms. Horecky said. “I like that to keep going,” she said. “Even though it may be a small group, they need it. We need it.”

In the athletics course, students learned about football, basketball, swimming strokes and other sports. The July 15 session strayed into a few other topics, including one camper’s slime collection.

Children learned that stitching on a football is called laces. The coaches explained where to place their fingers on the football, and how to throw, catch, tuck and run with it to protect it from the other team.

Some of the campers were inside and others practiced the skills in their backyards. The coaches offered words of encouragement and talked about the importance of hand-eye coordination and footwork.

“Remember that when you finish the throw, you want to flick your wrist; throw your wrist forward so you can try and make the ball go in circles,” Coach DeProssino said.

Rising sixth-grader Melany Hernandez’ younger brother, Julian Torres, who is entering pre-kindergarten, chased her around their backyard as she practiced tucking and running.

“I’m seeing some real good stuff here, Coach Matt,” Coach DeProssino said.

After the practice, the coaches answered questions from campers about holding the football, tackling and fumbling.

Camper Lilivati Cox, a rising fifth-grader, asked if they played football when they were younger. “I primarily just played with my friends on grass in a backyard while Coach Joe was a very good high school football player and he played a little in college and he coaches high school football now,” Coach Kleiman said. “So Coach Joe is very experienced.”