This is it! Summer Camp 2020 is finally upon us! Under the cloud of a global pandemic, we were not sure camp would even happen this year, but we are excited to say, Summer Camp is here!
We view this version of camp as our most important yet. It comes on the backdrop of virtual school which saw kids experiencing months of time cooped up at home. Viking’s camps this summer will be the first group experience for kids in months. With all the excitement around our camp opening up, we are taking a measured approach to make sure camps are a safe environment for everyone.
In addition to our current safety procedures and protocols, we are now introducing updated COVID-19 policies meant to keep everyone at Viking safe and healthy. We are in the process of taking all the new COVID guidance and turning it into digestible bits of information that fully educate you on the new safety changes.
NEW PROTOCOLS, PROCEDURES, AND PRECAUTIONS
The following list is a brief overview of just some of the new protocols, procedures, and precautions Viking is taking at camp in 2020. As the summer progresses, some of these protocols may change. These changes may occur due to new guidance from the health department or we may determine better operation procedures as the camp season progresses. This is new to everyone and we will work through the changes together.
- Drop Off & Pick Up Times will be staggered. (i.e. Group A will get Dropped Off at 8:40am and Picked Up at 2:40pm, Group B will get Dropped Off at 9:00am and Picked Up at 3:00pm) Each Camp Group will have a six hour camp day, unless your child is in the Extended Day group.
- Drop Off and Pick Up will be done from the car. At Drop Off, a Health Care Supervisor will perform a quick screening of each camper including a temperature check with a contactless thermometer and ask a series of COVID related questions to the parent/guardian
- Only one parent/guardian can be at Drop Off and Pick Up.
- Parents and staff must sign written attestations daily regarding any household contacts with COVID-19, symptoms (e.g., fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, or diarrhea), or if they have given children medicine to lower a fever.
- All staff will go through a health screening when arriving to camp prior to any camper arrivals. Each staff member will have their temperature checked with a contactless thermometer and be asked a series of COVID related questions
- Health Checks will be taken periodically during the day
- All Health Check and Temperature Checks will be recorded and maintained on file
- All groups will be less than 12 including staff
- All staff will receive special COVID health and cleaning training
- Social Distancing will be practiced at ALL times, including activities
- Each group will have their own assigned indoor space for the entire week in the event of inclement weather or excessive heat
- Equipment will NOT be shared between groups and will be disinfected after each use
- Hand washing and hand sanitizing will be required multiple times throughout the day
- Campers must have written parent/guardian permission to use hand sanitizer
- Campers and Staff will not be able to switch groups during a week of camp
- Groups can and will NOT be combined during any camp day
- Campers must supply their own masks to be worn at Drop Off, Pick Up, and whenever moving to and from an indoor location or bathroom.
- Health Care Supervisors will wear PPE coverings and masks at Drop Off and Pick Up. Coaches will wear masks any time they are not with their group.
Camp Locations
This summer is definitely different, but we are planning on funning camps for residents in the communities below. This can change, but we hope to bring our brand of fun to the following towns and cities:
- Brookline
- Boston
- Arlington
- Canton
- Medway
- Newton
- Wayland
About Viking Summer Camps
We know we have your bundle of love in our care for at least 30 hours each week and we are planning to fill that time with FUN! There will be new games, twists to classic games, and a reimagined tournament day. The Viking Team is excited for your child to share their positive camp experiences with you.
In Brookline, in addition to our multi-sport camps, we offer Sport-Specific Camps including Soccer Camp, Baseball Camp, Flag Football Camp, and Soccer Academy.
Viking Camps typically run from 9am-3pm, but this summer the will be a new staggered drop off and pick plan. We will share more on this in June. We also offer Extended Day (8am-5:40pm and 8:20-6:00). All Viking camps are one week long. Players may register for one or more weeks.
Types of Viking Summer Camps
Soccer Camps
At our Soccer Camps, we teach campers both basic and advanced techniques of soccer, including dribbling, passing, receiving and shooting. We keep it fun and lively with games like Goalie Wars, Dynasty, and 4-way Soccer. All Viking Soccer Camps conclude with a reimagined Viking World Cup!
Baseball Camps
At our Baseball Camps, we teach campers the important techniques used in all aspects of the game. Our coaches will teach campers the fundamentals of batting, fielding, throwing, pitching, and base-running. Baseball Camps also include many games like the Home Run Derby, Pickle, Spud, and Fenway Baseball. Viking’s Baseball Camps always conclude with the Viking World Series!
Flag-Football Camps
At our Flag-Football Camps, we teach campers skills that will be useful on both sides of the ball. Some of the skills we teach include the core components of passing, catching, and de-flagging or defensive position. Our flag football camps also include a combine, a Punt, Pass & Kick competition, and of course, concludes with the socially distant Viking Football Challenge!
Basketball Camps
At our Basketball Camps, we teach campers all the skills required to become the next LeBron James. Our coaches will teach both basic and advanced techniques that are important on both sides of the ball. The skills include, but are not limited to, dribbling, shooting, passing, defensive positioning and more. The coaches will also teach the campers different plays and different defensive strategies (i.e. zone and man-to-man). We will also play a variety of games including Knockout, Dynasty, and Steal the Cookies. All Viking Basketball camps conclude with the Viking Basketball Competition!
Viking Ninja Warrior Camps
At our Ninja Warrior Camps, coaches spend a part of each day putting the athletes through a specific set of exercises so they can conquer the Ninja Warrior Course in the fastest time possible. During the camp week, athletes also play a bunch of Ninja Warrior style games to develop other crucial skills like endurance, coordination, and focus. As the week concludes, athletes show their progress at the Ninja Warrior Proving Ground. On final day, kids get to tackle all of the Ninja Warrior course obstacles to see how they’ve improved. Campers also get to conquer our super high quality and massive inflatable obstacle course!
Multi-Sports Camps
For our Multi-Sports Camps, we will introduce the kids to a variety of sports, games, and activities. Our games are simple to learn and really fun to play. We like to introduce kids to games that they in turn can bring home and play with their friends. This approach allows kids to focus more on playing and having fun versus listening to a laundry list of rules and watching elaborate set ups. Games we play include (but are not limited to):
- World Cup
- Goalie Wars
- Dynasty
- Shoot Out
- Home Run Derby
- Whiffle Ball
- Pickle
- Fenway Baseball
- Knockout
- 3 Point Contest
- King of the Court
- Street/Floor Hockey
- Kickball
- Dodgeball
- Flag Football
- Volleyball
- Team Handball
All Viking camps must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local board of health.
Viking Summer Camp Details
The coaching and instruction offered at all Viking Sports Camps is intended to meet the needs of players of all ages and skill levels. Children will not only work on individual skill development, but on how to effectively participate on teams. All camps are co-ed. The philosophy at all Viking camps is safety, good sportsmanship, and fun.
Viking Sports Camp Coaches
Every coach who will be on the field this summer in Brookline will be returning from last summer. Directors Heather and Nicole will lead an all star cast of coaches who are enthusiastic, professional, and have years of Viking experience.
Our coaching staff has gone through numerous COVID-19 trainings to ensure Viking’s camp is a safe environment. Our coaches serve as role models for campers. Positive relationships between coaches and campers build confidence and self-esteem. Each group in 2020 is capped at 12 people including coaches. The coach to camper ratio complies with Massachusetts Health Department guidelines and is as follows: 1 coach per 5 campers for children 6 and under; 1 coach per 10 campers for children 7 and older.
What To Bring To Camp
New this year, all campers will be required to bring at least 2 cloth masks. In addition to that all players should bring appropriate clothing for the climate and to participate in a fun day of sports. All campers should bring a light snack, plenty of drinks, and a packed lunch to camp. Although water will be provided, campers must bring their own water bottle. All players should apply sunscreen at home before coming to camp and should bring a bottle of sunscreen to camp so that coaches can remind them to reapply it in the afternoon; Viking Sports Camps will also have sunscreen available (Hypoallergenic SPF 50) for players who forget to bring their own. Players that bring cleats must also bring sneakers in case we play inside or on the basketball court.
Sports equipment to be provided by parent/guardian:
- Multi-Sports camp: sneakers
- Baseball camp: a baseball glove is required. Cleats are recommended, but all campers must bring sneakers.
- Basketball camp: a basketball and sneakers are required
- Soccer camp: a soccer ball, and cleats* are required, but all campers must bring sneakers.
- Flag Football camp: a football, gloves, and cleats* are recommended, but all campers must bring sneakers
*Although cleats are optional, but HIGHLY recommended for flag football and baseball, players MUST bring sneakers to camp each day in case we use the basketball court or gym.
Theme Days
Each week our camps for kids ages 4 and up feature a theme day. Participation is optional, but the day is always a lot of fun. Our photographer also captures the day to share the memories with you.
Here are a few of our 2020 Theme Days:
Jersey Day: GO PATRIOTS! Show your team pride by wearing your favorite sports jersey or dressing as your favorite sports pro!
Character Day: What a crazy cast of characters you’ll meet on this day with everyone dressed as their favorite TV, book, video game, or movie character.
Super Thursday: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Viking campers dressed as their favorite superhero or super villian. Some you may recognize and some may be new ones imagined by the camper themselves. Just remember with great power comes great responsibility.
Viking Summer Camp Locations
Brookline
In Brookline, our summer sports camps are held at Baker School. Viking is fortunate enough to have access to the entire field and indoor facilities. The field is the large and can be used for multiple sports. On inclement weather day (rain or excessive heat), we have access to the entire school located at the same location.
On occasion, we may need to use an alternative Brookline location for camp. The first location we may use is at the Soule Recreation Center (652 Hammond St in Chestnut Hill). This is a beautiful location that is situated in a very peaceful, wooded part of Chestnut Hill. The amenities at this location include a full-size soccer pitch (that we can play any sport and game on), a smaller turf soccer field, a third grass field, and for inclement weather days, we have access to the Soule Gym, which is apart of the same complex. The Soule Recreation Center is located just off of route 9 near the brand new Star Market. For parking, please use the upper parking lot located at 436 Heath St.
Our second alternative location for our summer camp is Waldstein Park (aka Dean Rd. Park) in Brookline. This beautiful and newly renovated park is located near the corner of Dean Rd. & Beacon St. The park is located on Dean Rd. opposite the Beaconsfield T-stop (MBTA Green Line, D-Line). It is also about a five minute walk from Cleveland Circle if you are heading inbound on Beacon St. This park amenities include a baseball diamond, soccer goals, running track, basketball court, and water park. All amenities are brand new and parking is very convenient for drop off and pick up, as there are multiple options for parking on Dean Rd., Clinton Path, and Strathmore Rd. In case of inclement weather, we use the Runkle School Gym, who’s entrance is on Clinton Rd. near Dean Rd.
Arlington
Canton
Medway
Newton
Wayland