The Herricks Summer Recreation program has been operating for 40 years, but has never been more popular than today, according to the program’s operators.
“We have a waiting list. It’s a popular program,” said Beth Rosenman, who has directed the summer program for the past two years. Attendance, Roseman said, reached 500 this year.
Rosenman, who is also lead teacher at the Denton Avenue School, said part of the program’s success can be attributed to its staff constantly looking for ways to improve.
This year, she said, that included added three new programs – Mad Science, a course intended to be both entertaining and educational; a magic course; and a course in sign language
Mad Science instructor Sara Rubin, a former teaching assistant in the Herricks School District conducts experiments with miniature volcanoes and bottle rockets to show kids the practical – and fun – side of science.
“For them to learn that science is more than textbooks and equations is great,” said Rubin, who currently teaches elementary education in the Lynbrook School District.
“We get to play around and no work,” said Preston, a third grader participating in a new science class.
First graders learning sign language were singing “Old MacDonald” and signing with their small hands for the different animals one particularly day.
In another room, pre-K and kindergartners were getting an introduction to yoga.
Students in grade six through eight learned basic magic tricks from Susan Florendo, who teaches at the Buckley Country Day School.
“They’ve done magic with rubber bands, cards and coins,” she said.
Herricks students from pre-K through eighth grade are eligible to join in the fun.
A full day, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. costs $946 per student for the six-week program that started in the first week of July. The morning-only program, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. costs $567 per student. (Both fees are modified for second and third children from one family.) A limited number of scholarships is offered for families in need.
Program administrator Mona Taradash has been involved in the summer program for the past 33 years.
“I love the kids. I love working with Beth. I love the diversity of the program. We offer a large variety of activities,” said Taradash, who is retired from teaching physical education at Cardozo High School in Bayside, Queens for 30 years.
Sessions in dancing, cooking lessons, arts & crafts, musical theatre and computer skills are among the options available in the summer program along with athletics and team sports.
The 35 volunteers who help teachers oversee the activities are all Herricks High School students or graduates of Herricks High who need two letters of recommendation from their teachers to be considered.
On Friday – designated as paint-your-counselor day – they were visibly enjoying themselves along with the students who’d colorfully decorated their faces and bodies.
“We’re family here,” said Karishna Ramani, in her 10th year as a counselor and currently majoring in educational foundation at Buffalo State College. “It’s what you do.”
Ramani said a day doesn’t pass without thoughts of Craig Lagnese, the popular Herricks High teacher who preceded Rosenman as summer recreation director before his sudden death in the fall of 2011.
‘’He brought us all together. He created a bond we never experienced outside of camp,” Ramani said.
He also encouraged that program participants have fun – a legacy that continues to this day.
“We had water fights and we had so much fun,” said Sam Aziz, back for his third year as a counselor after graduating Herricks High in June.
Rosenman said there’s a strong sense of unity in the camp among the counselors.
“It’s very nice. It’s a really warm atmosphere. Everybody works together as a team,” Rosenman said.
In the gym, second grade girls and boys were playing a tame variation on dodge ball, tossing soft foam balls at one another.
“They love athletics,” Rosenman said.
The program includes swimming at Christopher Morley Park and bowling at Herrill Lanes on Herricks Road on hot days as well.
“It’s fun to go to the pool. And it’s fun to hang out with my friends. And we have a talent show,” said Kara, a fifth grader planning a gymnastics and dance performance for the show.
The kids also have a chance to make new friends from all of the district elementary schools, providing an opportunity for building future social bonds.
“I like that the kids you meet will be in middle school and high school,” said fifth grader Allison.
