Every activity at Birchmont is undertaken with the concept that at no time should winning or losing be confused with a child's personal worth.

So we "meet" each camper at the activity level where he or she feels comfortable and confident. Once this is accomplished, or program progresses through building skills and providing challenge.

We understand that campers who say they don't like softball are not likely to be proficient at it. So we take the pressure out of playing. Once the basics of catching, throwing, and hitting are learned, we alter the rules to de-emphasize winning and losing , concentrating instead on developing skills and having fun. By allowing everyone to "get up" in an inning, we put the emphasis on improving batting and fielding, rather than who's safe or out.

This philosophy transfers well to off-field activities, both familiar and new. With no "fear of failing," children who have never worked with clay, water-skied, or navigated ropes courses before are now willing to give then a try. Each activity area is run by staff members dedicated to and proficient in that specific specialty.

For more experienced campers looking for a competitive challenge, we offer the excitement of intercamp competition and tournaments, always stressing the ideals of good sportsmanship and fair play.

To ensure our campers are motivated, we let them choose their desired activity 60-70 percent of the time. Our daily schedules offer many "split" activities. This allows campers to have a choice throughout the day. Other activities are designed as "clusters."

Our "NOTCHES" cluster lets groups decide between Arts & Crafts, Woodworking, and Nature Studies; "R.A.G.G." incorporates Riflery, Archery, Golf, and miniature Golf, while Weight-training, Aerobics/Dance, and Gymnastics make up the "W.A.G." cluster. And, of course, there's ample time for tennis, baseball, basketball and other sports, as well as all the activities on our breathtaking waterfront.

Whatever your child's personal choice, our expert staff is always on hand to give them the skills to succeed - and make sure they have a great time learning them.

While Birchmont offers your children a myriad of exciting endeavors, tennis and waterfront activities are emphasized on a daily basis. The reason is simple: we firmly believe they possess a life-long appeal.

While active participation in sports like football, hockey, and lacrosse usually fade with age, the social, physical and recreational benefits of tennis and waterfront activities such as swimming and sailing endure.

Our tennis program is run by our USPTA professionals and a staff of 12. A dozen all-weather Plexi-paved courts are grouped into three banks of four. Each camper's playing level is assessed and grouped within a 'bank,' so everyone plays comfortably on his or her own level, and is appropriately instructed and challenged to improve. Our courts are also well-lit for evening play.