What ages are eligible for Wildcat Mini-Camps?

Wildcat Mini-Camps are built for the smallest Wildcats with the biggest imaginations. These camps are open to students entering Pre-K through Grade 4, which means campers should be at least four years old, fully potty-trained, and ready for a full day of fun. Each group is organized by age, so your little one isn’t building LEGOs with fourth graders or accidentally wandering into a cooking class meant for older kids. Instead, they’ll explore, play, create, and maybe even get a little messy in age-appropriate adventures. It’s the kind of summer experience that keeps them learning without them even noticing. Sneaky, right?

Can students earn academic credit during the Summer Session?

Yes, and it’s legit. For students entering Grades 9 through 12, the RCDS Summer Session offers for-credit courses like Geometry and Chemistry. These aren’t half-hearted classes with a side of sunscreen. They’re full-on, five-week commitments with homework, exams, and even final projects. But don’t worry, the vibes are still positive and the support is top-notch. Students walk away not only with credit that might appear on their transcript but also with a serious sense of accomplishment. It’s a chance to get ahead, lighten your load during the school year, or dive deep into something new while still having evenings free for ice cream.

What’s the schedule like for a typical day in the Strength & Conditioning Camp?

Let’s just say it’s a camp that starts with a warmup and ends with a “Wow, I did that?” Each session runs Monday through Thursday and kicks off with dynamic stretches that wake up more than just muscles. From there, campers rotate through strength circuits, agility drills, and conditioning workouts designed to make them faster, stronger, and more confident. No two days are the same, but every session brings a solid mix of challenge and encouragement. Coaches keep it high-energy and positive while helping kids learn proper form and avoid injury. It’s a good kind of tired, and they’ll feel like champs.

What kind of service learning is part of the ACTION program?

ACTION isn’t just a catchy acronym—it’s a whole vibe. Students spend the week diving into workshops that build leadership skills and stretch their thinking. They explore empathy, collaboration, and decision-making through hands-on activities, then apply what they’ve learned by designing their own service projects. One day might involve tackling a group challenge, while the next includes reflection and creative problem-solving. There are plenty of laughs and even a few heartfelt moments. By the end, students walk away more confident in their voices and more aware of their power to spark change. Plus, there are team chants and signs, because of course there are.

A Wild Summer at Rye Country Day School: Where the Fun Doesn’t Take a Vacation

When most schools close their doors for summer, Rye Country Day School throws theirs wide open. Why? Because learning doesn’t go out of season—it just puts on shorts, sunscreen, and maybe a soccer jersey. At RCDS, summer is anything but ordinary. With six standout programs that serve students from pre-K all the way through high school, this school proves that opportunity never takes a vacation.

Let’s take a little tour through the six RCDS summer hits that have students smiling, sweating, studying, and sometimes hopping on international flights.

RCDS Summer Session: Academic Enrichment & For-Credit Courses

Who says summer school has to be boring? Definitely not RCDS. The Summer Session is packed with for-credit and enrichment courses in everything from chemistry and algebra to public speaking and poetry. Students can get ahead, catch up, or just explore something new—all in a setting that’s more supportive than stressful. It’s academic growth but with more sunlight and fewer pop quizzes. Think of it as brain gain season.

RCDS Wildcat Mini-Camps: Engaging Summer Fun for Young Learners

For the youngest Wildcats, summer is a time to play, build, create, and maybe get a little messy (in a good way). Wildcat Mini-Camps are designed for students entering Pre-K through Grade 4, and they’re all about engaging curious minds through hands-on themes like LEGO robotics, cooking, art, sports, and even backyard science. Kids leave with new skills, new friends, and maybe a cookie recipe or two. You’ve been warned.

RCDS June Sports Camps: Skill Development in Lacrosse, Baseball & More

If your child dreams in corner kicks, slap shots, or buzzer-beaters, June Sports Camps at Rye Country Day are basically a summer miracle. This is not your average “run a few laps and call it a day” type of camp. We’re talking next-level action in lacrosse, baseball, basketball, field hockey, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. Students get hands-on coaching from RCDS’s own varsity staff, plus guest coaches who know their way around a whistle.

One minute your kid is perfecting their footwork in soccer drills, and the next they’re working on that crossover that’ll break ankles come fall. And if they’re into baseball? Welcome to four days of throwing mechanics, infield skill work, and live hitting. Basically, this camp turns “just staying active” into “actually getting better.” Teamwork, grit, and water breaks? Check, check, and check.

RCDS Strength & Conditioning Camps: Build Athletic Performance

Here’s a camp where the warmup might leave you wondering if that was the workout. But don’t worry, it’s all part of the plan. Strength & Conditioning Camps are where student-athletes build power, speed, agility, and confidence with expert guidance. Athletes rotate through lifting stations, agility ladders, resistance training, and even mobility work that would make a yoga teacher proud.

This isn’t about benching your body weight for bragging rights. It’s about getting stronger in a smart way, learning proper form, and pushing yourself just the right amount. Whether your child wants to improve their 40-yard dash or just feel more powerful when they hit the field, these camps help turn potential into progress. Bonus: the vibe is upbeat and welcoming, even when everyone’s dripping in sweat.

RCDS ACTION Program: Summer Leadership & Team Building

Let’s take a break from squats and spikes and talk about something equally important: leadership. The ACTION program (that’s Ambition, Courage, Thoughtfulness, Integrity, Ownership, and Nerve, by the way) is a weeklong whirlwind of team-building, discussion, and hands-on projects. Picture students holding signs they designed that say things like “Confident” or “Determined,” then giving presentations about what those words really mean.

There’s role-playing, group problem-solving, and the kind of bonding that can only happen when you’re chanting team cheers with people you met three hours ago. It’s heart, it’s hustle, and it’s kids learning that leadership isn’t just about talking loud—it’s about listening well and showing up for others.

RCDS Summer Travel Programs: Global Exploration & Learning

For students who want more than just camp memories, RCDS Travel Programs open the door to the world—literally. One group might be hiking through Iceland, exploring geothermal wonders while learning about sustainability. Another could be in Spain, practicing Spanish at a local café and realizing churros taste better after a full day of cultural immersion.

Then there’s Costa Rica, where biodiversity lessons happen in actual rainforests. These trips aren’t just about sightseeing. They’re about stepping out of comfort zones, connecting across cultures, and discovering that sometimes the best classroom doesn’t have desks. It has volcanoes, markets, and new friends who speak another language.

Why RCDS Summer Is One-of-a-Kind

What makes RCDS summer so special isn’t just the variety of programs (although, wow, there are a lot). It’s the quality, care, and intention behind each one. Every camp, course, and travel itinerary is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and keep kids meaningfully engaged. Whether your child is an athlete, artist, academic, adventurer—or a little bit of everything—there’s a place for them to thrive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What ages are eligible for Wildcat Mini-Camps?
Wildcat Mini-Camps are built for the smallest Wildcats with the biggest imaginations. These camps are open to students entering Pre-K through Grade 4, which means campers should be at least four years old, fully potty-trained, and ready for a full day of fun. Each group is organized by age, so your little one isn’t building LEGOs with fourth graders or accidentally wandering into a cooking class meant for older kids. Instead, they’ll explore, play, create, and maybe even get a little messy in age-appropriate adventures. It’s the kind of summer experience that keeps them learning without them even noticing. Sneaky, right?
Can students earn academic credit during the Summer Session?
Yes, and it’s legit. For students entering Grades 9 through 12, the RCDS Summer Session offers for-credit courses like Geometry and Chemistry. These aren’t half-hearted classes with a side of sunscreen. They’re full-on, five-week commitments with homework, exams, and even final projects. But don’t worry, the vibes are still positive and the support is top-notch. Students walk away not only with credit that might appear on their transcript but also with a serious sense of accomplishment. It’s a chance to get ahead, lighten your load during the school year, or dive deep into something new while still having evenings free for ice cream.
What’s the schedule like for a typical day in the Strength & Conditioning Camp?
Let’s just say it’s a camp that starts with a warmup and ends with a “Wow, I did that?” Each session runs Monday through Thursday and kicks off with dynamic stretches that wake up more than just muscles. From there, campers rotate through strength circuits, agility drills, and conditioning workouts designed to make them faster, stronger, and more confident. No two days are the same, but every session brings a solid mix of challenge and encouragement. Coaches keep it high-energy and positive while helping kids learn proper form and avoid injury. It’s a good kind of tired, and they’ll feel like champs.
What kind of service learning is part of the ACTION program?
ACTION isn’t just a catchy acronym—it’s a whole vibe. Students spend the week diving into workshops that build leadership skills and stretch their thinking. They explore empathy, collaboration, and decision-making through hands-on activities, then apply what they’ve learned by designing their own service projects. One day might involve tackling a group challenge, while the next includes reflection and creative problem-solving. There are plenty of laughs and even a few heartfelt moments. By the end, students walk away more confident in their voices and more aware of their power to spark change. Plus, there are team chants and signs, because of course there are.