Kick-Start Your School Year
Our Spanish Immersion Day Camp Program is a full immersion language experience, meaning lead instructors speak in Spanish 100% of the day, every day – with the understanding that we nurture and support children, if needed, in their native language (English).
For children who have already studied Spanish, this program will complement a continued experience at school.
For boys and girls entering 1st-7th grades
Spanish Immersion Week 1
August 5th-9th, $280
Spanish Immersion Week 2
August 12th-16th, $280
EXAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:45-8:15 AM | Llegada | Drop off at Camp Newaygo |
| 8:30-10:00 AM | Trabajo en Equipo | High & Low Ropes Course Adventures (rockclimbing, teambuilding, zipline) |
| 10:00-11:00 AM | Arte y Música | Arts & Music |
| 11:00-11:45 AM | Almuerzo y Recreo | Lunch and Free Play |
| 11:45-12:45 PM | Tiro al Arco | Shooting Sports (archery, slingshots) |
| 12:45-1:00 PM | Cambio de ropa (traje de baño) | Campers change into Swimsuits |
| 1:00-2:00 PM | Actividades acuaticas | Waterfront Activities |
| 2:00 PM | Descanso/Cambio de ropa | Sunscreen/Water Break/Change out of Swimsuits |
| 2:15-3:15 PM | Activación física (combate escénico, yoga, esgrima)| Afternoon Pump Up (Stage combat, yoga, fencing) |
| 3:15 PM | Bocadillo | Snack |
| 3:30-4:30 PM | Aventura en la naturaleza (Caminatas, cocina al aire libre, construcción de refugios) | Wilderness adventure (hikes, outdoor cooking, shelter building) |
| 4:30-5:00 PM | Juegos y Canciones | Games & Silly Songs |
| 5:00-5:30 PM | Reflexión | Wrap up from our Day |
| 5:00 – 5:30PM | Despedida | Pick up at Camp Newaygo |
Language Competency
Unlike adult learners, children are able to absorb a language naturally. They learn through song, dance, interactive and experiential play. They mimic pronunciation fearlessly and build vocabulary effortlessly. It beats hours in the high school Spanish lab!
Our Staff
Our Program leader, Lilka Espinosa is a native Spanish-speaker from Toluca, Mexico. This is her fifth year on staff at Camp Newaygo. Lilka went to Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México for Biomedical Engineering and now works full time at Camp Newaygo; she’s experienced in working with kids all ages, she’s passionate about growing and learning through nature and sports.
“Learning a new language gives you a whole new way to see the world”-Lilka
“This program will be a wonderful opportunity for kids to get back into the feel of an immersion environment just in time for school!” .”
– Nick Nelson, Grant Elementary Spanish Immersion Teacher
“Learning a second language at an early age stimulates brain development and expands cognitive abilities. Greater neural activity promotes denser tissue in the areas of the brain related to memory, attention, and language resulting in greater flexibility in thinking, enhanced mental development, improved listening and problem-solving skills, and sensitivity to other cultures. -Bialystok 2001, Mechelli et al., 2004; Kovelman, Baker, & Petitto, 2006