This summer is BIG! It is our 25th year anniversary and we could not be any more excited for the 25th iteration of our popular summer camps. Since the last whistle was blown to conclude our 2017 summer camp, we have been working tirelessly to make 2018 an unforgettable summer camp experience for your child.
We have added some new features like face painting and weekly photo journals. We refreshed our Theme Day calendar with uniquely fun ideas that will excite the whole camp. And our world famous Tournament Day will be bigger and more engaging than ever before.
In short, we have waited 25 years for this summer to come and we plan to make it spectacular!
New Camp Locations
This summer we are launching camps in a few new communities including Newton. Viking Sports will be at Camp Gan, which is located at Solomon Schechter’s Lower School. In addition to Brookline and Newton, we will be bringing our brand of fun to the following towns and cities:
- Amesbury
- Canton
- Concord
- Framingham
- Hamilton
- Lexington
- Manchester-By-The-Sea
- Norwood
- Sharon
- Sudbury
- Wayland
About Viking Summer Camps
All of our Multi-Sport Summer Camps include a fun variety of sports including soccer, basketball, baseball, flag football, dodgeball, kickball, capture the flag, floor hockey, team handball, watermelon, gaga ball, reindeer tails, and many other sports, gym games, and camp activities. In addition to our multi-sport camps, we offer Sport-Specific Camps. Our camps are designed to promote regular physical activity, sportsmanship, and values. At Viking, we strive to create the best possible experience and atmosphere of engagement and teamwork for all of our campers. All participants receive a Viking T-shirt and Trophy!
Our Brookline Camp offerings include multi-sport camp, soccer camp, baseball camp, flag football camp, and soccer academy. Our Sudbury Camp offerings include multi-sport camp, Viking Ninja Warrior camp, track and field camp, Snag Golf camp, basketball camp, soccer camp, and baseball camp. Our Lexington Camp offerings include multi-sports camp, baseball camp, and basketball camp. All other towns where we will be operating will only be Multi-Sports camps.
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. This time varies from town to town. We also offer early drop off (8am-9am) and extended day (3pm-6pm) options for most of our camps. Our multi-sports camps range in age from 4 – 13 (grades Pre-K through 8th). Our sports specific camps’ age range vary from town to town and from sport to sport. 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 the 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 Viking Super Bowl!
Street Hockey Camp
At our Street Hockey Camp, we teach campers the essentials to becoming a great hockey player all while keep the campers engaged in a fun learning environment. Campers will learn proper passing and shooting techniques as well as stick handling techniques and correct defensive positioning. We will also have the campers learn basic plays. And we will be playing multiple adrenaline pumping games and tournaments throughout the week concluding with the Viking Cup!
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 Final Four!
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
- Gaga Ball
- Capture the Flag
- Newcomb
- Reindeer Tails
- Pony Express
- Head Catch/Flinch
- Watermelon
- Many variations of Tag
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
All coaches are carefully selected based on their enthusiasm, professionalism, and experience. Our pool of highly qualified coaches includes athletes, teachers, established coaches, and undergraduate and graduate college students. Every Viking coach is dedicated to helping children learn and play sports. Our coaches & CITs serve as role models for campers. Positive relationships between coaches and campers build confidence and self-esteem. 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.
A Typical Daily Schedule
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00am | Campers enrolled in Early Drop-Off arrive and check-in* |
| 8:55am | Campers arrive and check-in |
| 9:00am | Campers go to their groups and begin morning stretches |
| 9:20am | Instruction and games begin |
| 10:30am | Snack |
| 11:00am | Instruction and games resume |
| 12:30pm | Lunch and board games (time to relax) |
| 1:25pm | Instruction and games resume |
| 3:00pm | Campers check-out and depart* |
| 6:00pm | Extended Day concludes* |
*Early Drop-Off, Extended Day, and Camp Check-Out time vary for each location
Note: Every group takes multiple water, shade, and sunscreen breaks throughout the day
Early Drop-off/Extended Day
For some locations, we are able to offer pre-registered early drop-off (8:00am-9:00am) and extended day (3:00pm-6:00pm) options are available for campers. During early drop-off and extended day, children may choose to read, write, draw, play board games, watch sports/other videos, learn chess/checkers, play more sports/games and more.
Rain Day & Excessive Heat Days
Every Viking Camp has an indoor alternative in case of rain or excessive heat.
What To Bring To Camp
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 (Water Babies Hypoallergenic SPF 50) for players who forget to bring their own. Players that bring cleats must also bring sneakers in case we play inside the gymnasium or on the basketball court.
Sports equipment to be provided by parent/guardian:
- Multi-Sports camp: shin-guards are recommended.
- Baseball/T -ball camp: a baseball glove is required. Cleats* are recommended .
- Soccer camp: a soccer ball, shin guards, and cleats* are required.
- Flag Football camp: a football and cleats* are recommended.
*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 2017 Theme Days:
American Pride: (for the week of the fourth of July) dress in red white and blue ‘cuz you’re proud to be an American where at least you know you’re free.
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 the Brookline High School (66 Tappan St.) Viking is fortunate enough to have access to the entire Cypress Field and Tappan Gymnasium Sports Complex. Cypress Field is the large sports field in the center of the Brookline High School complex. The field space alone has two full-size baseball diamonds and a regulation size football field (or soccer pitch). We also have access to the many regulation size and miniature soccer goals on site. This space allows us to play many different sports and games and split into multiple groups. The field is located next to the Cypress St. Playground which also allows us access to the outdoor basketball court and water park. The Brookline High School is located off about two blocks off of Rt. 9 and is just off of Cypress St. Not only is this location perfect for Brookline residents and the surrounding communities, but it is great for any parent who commutes into the city and needs an easy drop-off for their child’s camp. There is plenty of free parking (two parking lots, plus either side of Tappan St., Greenough St. and the left side of Davis St.) and it is also on the MBTA Green Line (D-Line Brookline Hills Stop). On inclement weather day (rain or excessive heat), we have access to the entire Tappan Gymnasium Complex, located at the same location. The complex consists of two full-size gymnasiums, a top-floor pavilion (which is the size of three full size basketball courts in one enormous open room!) and many large multi-purpose rooms.
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.
Lexington
In Lexington, our summer sports camps are located at the Center Recreation Complex (90 Worthen Rd). This location is near Lincoln Park next to Parker Field and right down the road from the Lexington High School. This is a beautiful location with large open fields, a well manicured baseball diamond, and outdoor and indoor basketball facilities. Drop-off and pick-up is easy and convenient and there is plenty of parking.
Sudbury
In Sudbury, our multi-sport summer camps take place at the Curtis Middle School (22 Pratts Mill Rd). The middle school is located near Haynes Meadow. Our baseball camps take place at Featherland Park. While there is no specific address you can use the following addresses for the two available entrances: 479 Concord Rd and 18 Morse Rd. Our soccer camps take places at Haskell Field (44 Fairbank Rd). This location is an enormous soccer complex across the street from the Atkinson Pool.