The 2013 Leadership conference was a great experience! The way it was planned was fantastic. First they energized us with some games useful to play  at camp with kids you are supervising.  After that they sent you to an extremely enjoyable improvisation class.  Then, they allowed us to choose  a class.   In this class there was not really any writing or school like work, but there were interesting conversations about how to make the summer better for you and the kids you are working with. We also watched lots of YouTube videos that were hilarious but also taught about how to  act as a role model.

Finally we met the keynote speaker, Steve Maguire. Mr. Maguire kept everyone awake and raring to go with his presentation on how to keep the summer fun for one and all. Following Mr. Maguire was lunch  and then another class of our choosing which was just as good as the first. Following  this was a wrapping up session where you discussed with other people who were there what happened and how you liked it. I would definitely recommend this program to everyone!

Meet Your Mateys Day Camper Orientation is Saturday, June 22nd.  All campers will receive a mailing over Memorial Day weekend with their assigned camp groups.  Each camp group will receive an assigned time between 8:30am and 4:00pm to meet their camp mates and group counselors.  Each session will last for one hour and will consist of a welcome reception, camp activity/icebreaker, parent Q&A session with the Divisional Supervisor and Head Counselor and a special snack.  Campers will also be able to sign up for private lessons including one-on-one swim lessons, hockey lessons and tutoring.  The Ocean Floor Supply Store will be open as well with additional apparel items available for purchase.  Remember to bring your essential camp items to leave in your locker or cubby!

The first day of camp 2013 is Monday, July 1!  We can’t wait to welcome hundreds of campers and staff back to the RIVA for our 21st season.  Check back for more information about activities for the first week of camp.

An Enthralling Whimsical Celebration of the Imagination

Please join us as we celebrate our community with our children’s laughter.

Download the official event flyer

Saturday- May 4th, 2:45pm & 4:30pm honoring Peninsula Counseling Center
at Rolling River Day Camp 477 Ocean Ave. East Rockaway, NY 11518

Sunday, May 5th. 11:00am & 1:00pm honoring Kulano and the Jewish Community Center of the Greater Five Towns
at Kulanu Central Avenue & McGlynn Place, Cedarhurst, NY 11516

Reserve Your Seats Today and Save! Seating Is Limited
Advance Tickets: $5.00 per child and $10.00 per adult.
Tickets at the Door: $10.00 per child and $15.00 per adult.
All proceeds will benefit the participating service organizations serving our community.

Sales Information: 516-374-5800
RBlock@FiveTownsCommunityChest.org (Credit Cards Accepted)

Checks Payable to:
“Five Towns Community Chest”
1004 Central Avenue, Woodmere, NY 11598

Over 45 local businesses from across the Tri-State area provided interactive activities at the festival. Children experienced multiple free demos and live performances by 5 Star Sports and Entertainment Academy, Femcho, The Dance Space, Adel’s International Karate and Mad Science. The children were also treated to a live performance by the up-and-coming teen empowerment pop group “Lucki Gurlz.” Participating merchants also opened pop-up stores to sell items including jewelry, fashionable hand bags, and air-brushed t-shirts.

Such efforts from local merchants along with a larger-than-expected turnout helped the festival exceed its charitable goals. Enough funds were raised to sponsor the camp tuitions for three children recommended by Peninsula Counseling Center. Rolling River Community Development Manager Andrew Liebowitz was more than pleased with the community’s response. “Watching a community that was so devastated by Hurricane Sandy only months ago come together and enjoy a fun-filled and charitable event was an incredible display of resilience.” Rolling River Events Manager and festival coordinator Alison Goodman agreed, saying, “We come to work every day wanting to put smiles on children’s faces and through the community’s support, we are now able to help three children have the summer of their dreams.”

Launched in 2010, The Campmates Program™ is a joint partnership between Rolling River Day Camp and Peninsula Counseling Center, one of the oldest and largest mental health counseling centers on Long Island.  The program awards complimentary tuitions to children associated with Peninsula Counseling Center. Local business donations and community fundraisers such as the Rock-the-River Festival provide year-round support for this program.  Over the past three years the initiative has provided over 25 tuition-free camp scholarships for children in Nassau County & Queens.

Friday, May 3 from 3:30-6:00pm (raindate Saturday, May 4 from 10:00-1:00pm)

Saturday, May 18 from 10:00-1:00pm

May Play Days are great for:

• Alumni campers to reunite with old friends
• New campers to get situated and meet new camp friends
• Prospective campers to tour the campgrounds

May Play Days allow campers to play on Rolling River’s innovative Pebble Playground, on the beautiful natural grass fields, on our 3 basketball courts, and more. We would appreciate if all of our current families could log onto their Camp In-Touch Accounts and RSVP.

If you have any questions about May Play Days, please email alison@rollingriver.com.  See you in May!

The Rock-the-River Spring Festival and Fundraiser is open to the entire community and is an annual family-friendly event featuring live performances, carnival rides, food, music, gymnastics, extensive crafts fair, and much more.  There is free admission to the campgrounds and unlimited ride bracelets are being sold for $10 each (individual ride tickets are $3 each).  All proceeds raised support Rolling River’s Campmates Program, which awards tuition-free camperships to children recommended by Peninsula Counseling Center.

The Live Performances and Special Activities Include:

• 12:30-12:45pm- Dancing with femcho (DJ Booth)
• 12:45-1:45pm- Mad Science Interactive Show (Auditorium)
• 1:00-2:00pm- The Dance Space Live Performance (DJ Booth)
• 1:30-2:00pm- Adel’s International Karate Demo (Gymnastics)
• 1:45-2:15pm- Myrtle the Turtle Mascot Appearance
• 2:15-2:45pm- Lucki Gurlz Live Concert Performance (DJ Booth)
• 3:00-3:15pm- Dancing with femcho (DJ Booth)
• 3:00-4:00pm- 5 Star Sports Academy Activity & Parkour Show (Field)

Presented by Local Luxuries, the monthly publication that highlights exquisite merchants and services.

The Festival is open to the public and this year’s family-friendly event features:

• Many Carnival Rides and Inflatable Slides and Games
• Fun-Filled Pony Rides
• Concert Performance by girls music group Lucki Gurlz (2:15pm)
• Extensive Crafts and Vendor Fair featuring dozens of vendors selling food products, collectibles, toys, clothing, accessories, jewelry, cosmetics and more!
• Face Painting with Rainbow Rosie
• Arts & Crafts with Macaroni Kid of Oceanside/Long Beach/RVC
  
• Dance Performances by students from The Dance Space
• Open Playgrounds and Gymnastics Activities
• Interactive Dancing hosted by femcho
  
• Hands-On Show and Demo Performance from Mad Science LI
• Food/Refreshments provided by Del Mir Caterers
• Hawaiian-themed shaved ice truck from Kona Ice
• Giveaways and Activities from Sponsors such as Temple Am Echad, Astoria Federal, Power Home Remodeling, NEFCU, Green Art Plumbing Supply and More
• Raffles including the chance to win a free children’s birthday party at Rolling River Day Camp
• Summer Camp Open House, Tours and Special “On-the-Spot” Festival Discounts

General admission into the festival is free and ride tickets are available for sale on the day of the festival.  Ride tickets can be purchased for $3 per ticket or $10 for unlimited rides. All proceeds collected for rides, raffles and food are donated directly to The Campmates Program.

Click HERE to download the 2013 Rolling River Day Camp Calendar

All tickets sold have the chance to win a spot to high-five the Islanders or ride the FanZam in front of thousands of fans during intermission!!! A total of 8 winners will be randomly selected (1 ticket = 1 entry to win).

When: Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 7:00pm vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning

Price: $28 per ticket (retail price $41 per ticket), see order form for section information

How to Purchase: Download and complete the form below and mail back or drop off in the Camp Office with payment.  Payment is cash only for this event.  Seats will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Download the NY Islanders Reunion Order Form Now

The evening was broken up into separate activity offerings according to the age of the children. Children currently in 3^rd grade and younger were treated to a pajama party and Movie Night, where they played games such as freeze dance and BINGO and watched popular kid-friendly movies in Rolling River’s Sea Breeze Theater.  Children in 4^th grade through 10^th grade experienced a supervised DJ dance party complete with snacks, games and of course dancing under the disco lights!  The after dark activities allowed campers to reconnect with their camp friends as well as make new friends with local children from the community.

The event was a symbolic new beginning for a community devastated by the flooding and destruction of Hurricane Sandy. Specifically, many of Rolling River’s camp families in East Rockaway, Oceanside and Long Beach were severely affected by the aftermath of the hurricane and parents have been pushed to the limit while dealing with contractors and insurance companies.  Associate Director Marissa Allaben added, “After many hard months of rebuilding our facilities, we wanted to show the community that we have persevered like many other businesses and we were happy to give parents a night out to themselves.”

This is not the first time Rolling River has stepped up to provide support for their local community. The camp sponsors numerous community events and festivals and holds many fundraisers throughout the year to send deserving children to camp at no cost to the families.  Their popular “Campmates Program” has sent over 25 local children to Rolling River since 2010.