For Eric Mordoff, the last day of Personal Fullfilment camp on Friday signified the end of a summer ritual. Madoff has been happily attending the camp for the last nine consecutive summers, since the summer after kindergarten. Its a great place to hang out, says Mordoff who will be a freshman at Brien McMahon in September. The best thing about coming back year after year is that Ive made good friends here.
Organized by the Norwalk Public Schools, PF Camp is for students grades 1 through 8--the middle school camp takes place at Nathan Hale and runs for five weeks. This year, approximately 100 students were offered 70 different activities to choose from on a weekly basis. Computers, cooking, engineering, dodge ball, capture the flag and video arts. The camp ran a World Cup-like soccer tournament and an "American Idol"-like competition. It even came up with its own game, Crazy Ball, baseball with volleyball. It doesnt feel like school at all, says Mordoff whose favorite activity was dodge ball.
Bob Seferian, director of the camp, says he is mindful of the kids age. We dont want to make it babyish, but we also cant make it too advanced. Seferian, a special education teacher at Roton during the school year, says that all the counselors are certified Norwalk Public School teachers and many are middle school teachers so they understand the age group.
I think this camp gives parents peace of mind, says Joan Smith, Assistant Director of the camp who teaches kindergarten at Naramake Elementary School. Kids are spending their time in a constructive way. They are happy with their friends.
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