Life Outdoors
Our Camp Programs are immense in offerings and experiences! There is something for everyone. Outdoors and indoors, athletic and artistic, academic, and just pure fun! Take a look at just a small sample of all of the adventures to be had at RSSA. These programs are already included in the camper's daily schedules based on their divisions so there is no need to choose ahead of time.
At our Archery Range, campers will receive comprehensive instruction in technique, form, terminology, and range safety. Beginning in the Owl Division, they will learn the essentials of archery safety and the fundamentals of shooting an arrow. After mastering these basics, campers will have the opportunity to practice their skills on the range, utilizing recurve bows and fiberglass arrows. Our bow inventory caters to all experience and strength levels, from young aspiring archers to seasoned pros.
Safety is our top priority, and we ensure that each session is not only secure but also engaging and educational. While at the range, campers may enjoy trivia, lighthearted jokes, or a game of bocce ball while they wait for their turn to shoot—activities that many find to be the highlight of their experience!
Renbrook School has one of Connecticut’s oldest and one of the largest tree-based adventure courses. Our older campers will get a chance to enjoy this historic course as they continue their journey at Renbrook School Summer Adventure. This course utilizes both low and high rope elements. Campers start with ice breakers and team-building exercises to acclimate themselves with their co-campers and the course. They then move on to low ropes, where the elements have fun names like swinging log, triangle traverse, and whale watch. Here cooperation and communication are key to their team's success. Once they have accomplished the low elements, they will move on to the high elements.
Vertical playground, pampers plank, flying squirrel, these are just a few of the names of our high ropes elements. Here campers will have to support each other as they jump from tree to tree, fly like a squirrel, or balance high in the trees.
All of these challenges are supervised by experienced and certified challenge course instructors. The campers will learn to trust the rope and each other as they climb, jump and fly through this course. Confidence in themselves and their teammates will help campers complete each element.
Your camper will enjoy a variety of exciting games during their time in PE, including capture the flag, freeze tag, soccer, kickball, and the renowned slip-n-slide. We meet multiple times a week with each group to engage in both cooperative and competitive games, all tailored to be age-appropriate with rules that accommodate the campers' abilities. Our staff often joins in the fun, sporting huge smiles that rival those of the campers.
Younger campers will start with easy-to-learn games, while older campers will have a range of options during their visits to Williams Field.
Once a week, weather permitting, we’ll roll out the tarp and turn on the water for the highly anticipated slip-n-slide. Some campers may slide down timidly, while others embrace the experience, spending the entire period sliding down, climbing back up, and repeating the fun. Whether in small or large groups, on their backs or tummies, campers will have a blast trying out every sliding style—and loving every moment!
The RSSA Tennis Program offers players of all skill levels the opportunity to enhance their abilities while being inspired to embrace this lifelong sport. Campers engage in a variety of drills and games, guided by experienced tennis coaches, with a primary focus on ground strokes and serving.
Each lesson typically begins with a warm-up that includes stretching, light running, and a fun game designed to build coordination and racket control. Younger campers will work on developing their hand-eye coordination and grasping the fundamentals of tennis. To add an element of enjoyment, we incorporate targets to enhance accuracy and foster healthy competition, allowing all participants to play at their own level.
For more experienced campers, we provide advanced instruction with increased repetitions of essential skills. They will also have the chance to play singles or doubles matches against their peers, learning proper scoring and even challenging counselors in pursuit of victory! In addition, we emphasize lessons in sportsmanship and teamwork to cultivate well-rounded players. The highlight of each session comes at the end, when campers compete in the camp favorite… JAILBREAK!
Our hiking trails offer campers an excellent opportunity to connect with nature while exploring our beautiful campus.
Set within our expansive 75-acre Renbrook Campus, these trails meander through diverse ecosystems, showcasing the beauty of the outdoors. Campers will encounter towering oak and maple trees, fragrant pine forests, and impressive boulders that make for fascinating discoveries. Along the way, they will also find serene waterways and picturesque views, creating a tranquil atmosphere for exploration.
Whether they're observing local wildlife, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature, or simply taking a leisurely walk, these trails provide a perfect backdrop for adventure and learning. It's an experience that encourages campers to appreciate the natural world around them!