It may feel like we just made it to spring, but Amber Lake is already thinking summer—North Branford Public Schools (NBPS) Enrichment Summer Camp, that is.

The 2nd grade teacher at Jerome Harrison Elementary School (JHS) is ready for her fourth year as summer camp co-director with Ryan Dombrowski, a science teacher and science co-department leader at North Branford High School (NBHS). Ryan is entering his third year as summer camp co-director.

Camp registration is open now at northbranfordschools.org, where every event planned is already lined up and presented for parents to peruse within each weekly session. Now in its 20th year, the camp, based at Totoket Valley Elementary School, offers creative activities, exciting travel days and plenty of hands-on fun during an eight-week run. Weekly camp sessions for area students (not just North Branford) entering grades 1 to 8 will begin June 20 and end Aug. 12.

“Parents can register for the whole summer or they can register for a week at a time. We try to get it out as early as possible so that people have child care options,” says Amber, adding, “It really is unlike any other camp at least like I’ve ever known, with certified staff and [campers] participating in a specific enrichment they’ve chosen to learn about. And they’re taking a lot of stuff home with them, whether it’s crafts or cakes...They’re not just walking away empty-handed. I think that all adds to the value for families.”

Families have the ability to pick and choose camp dates that fit their summer schedule. As an enrichment camp, the program provides flexible registration options within age bands (grades 1 to 3, grades 3 to 6, or grades 4 to 8).

“There are different offerings every week, which is awesome—they never get bored!” says Amber. “It’s also great because they might develop a passion for something new, whether it’s a sport, cooking, a craft...you name it, we have it.”

Amber got her start with the summer camp program in the summer of 2015, shortly after joining NBPS as a grade 2 teacher at JHS in 2014. She was named JHS Teacher of the Year in 2019.

“I love my kids,” she says of her students. “One of the things I love about summer camp is I get to see a lot of my kids year after year after year, and see how big they’re getting! Some of them from my very first class are going into high school next year, so they can’t come back as campers this year, but a lot of them are trying to be volunteers! I could just cry, it makes me so happy.”

Amber’s first interaction with the camp program was being asked to draw the summer camp T-shirt theme for that year (this year’s “dino”-mite theme is Prehistoric Summer).

“So I did, and then the director at the time said, ‘Hey, do you want a summer job?’” as a camp counselor, Amber recalls. “I said ‘Sure!’ I used to be a volunteer at the Mothers Against Drunk Driver’s Youth Leadership camp in the past, and I’ve always loved summer camp. So I thought, ‘Let’s see what this camp’s all about.’”

That successful start for Amber later turned into an offer to run the camp. She enjoys the role, especially due to working with Ryan as co-director.

“It’s a big job for one person, and it’s great having Ryan as co-director, because he and I can bounce ideas off of each other. We work really well together,” Amber says.

Each camp week runs five days and is structured with hours including drop off (8 to 9 a.m.), enrichment programs (9 a.m. to noon), and recreation (noon to 4 p.m.).

“What makes it unique and what makes it more than a summer school camp feel is that kids have the ability, if they arrive at 8 a.m., to have an hour together before they start whatever camp they choose that week. And then, from 9 to 12 they’re in their own group, working on their one specific [enrichment camp weekly selection], like ‘Fizz, Bubble, Goo’”—think slime-making, etc, says Amber. “So they’re enjoying their time learning new things for whatever specific content it is that they choose.”

The camp also offers field trips off campus.

“We bring the whole camp to Quassy [Amusement Park], which is an exciting undertaking,” says Amber. “And we have a lot of trips for middle school kids.”

One of the camp weeks, Wet & Wild, offers a field trip-based camp for five days for middle school students and takes them to five different area theme parks in five days.

The camp also invites plenty of local entertainers to come and visit, she notes.

“We have hula hoop demonstrations, we have karate demonstrations, exotic animal shows; we’ve rented cotton candy machines and water slides; we’ve done slip’n slides...We try to keep it as exciting as possible.”

Amber and Ryan are ably assisted by a crew of counselors including many NBPS certified teachers on staff, those from other districts, camp alumni and others. Many students involved in the NBHS Dream Team volunteer with the camp.

“It’s more structured than a camp that might have recreation all day, but it’s fun because kids get to meet new kids they might not have met before, and they might get to learn something new,” says Amber.

Now with 20 successful years of NBPS Summer Camps, the programming and its staffing has proved to provide a special summer opportunity for all, says Amber.

“It’s about making lifelong friends and developing a passion for learning.”