Brooks Day Camp

Ages 3-4

Playful Days, Meaningful Moments

Group 1 Half Day

Our Group 1 Half Day program offers a warm, nurturing introduction to camp for our youngest participants. Each morning blends unstructured play, hands-on activities, and gentle guidance—helping young children build early confidence in a supportive, joyful environment.

At this age, participants thrive through simple routines, exploration, and caring relationships. Our experienced counselors create spaces where children feel safe, included, and ready to try new things at their own pace.

Daily activities include imaginative play, early arts experiences, movement, nature exploration, and sensory-based learning—all intentionally designed for early childhood. Each two-week session features a playful camp-wide theme that adds excitement and helps participants feel connected to the larger Brooks community.

This half-day option is a wonderful way for children new to structured programs to ease into routines similar to a preschool setting. Many families find that the experience supports school readiness while allowing for meaningful family time in the afternoons.

Group 1 Half Day participants enjoy a variety of engaging, age-appropriate activities that encourage creativity, movement, and early social connection. Each morning includes a simple rotation of indoor and outdoor experiences such as imaginative play, early arts, sensory exploration, nature time, and movement-based activities.

Every two-week session features a light, playful theme that brings groups together through shared stories, dress-up moments, and special gatherings. These themes help our youngest campers feel included in the larger Brooks Day Camp community while keeping each day fresh and fun.

A full list of camp activities is available below.

Read Full Activity Descriptions

Arts & Crafts
Drama
Explorations
Game Zone
Golf
Gymnastics
Music
Paddle Sports
Playground
Sensory Play
Sports
Strength & Agility
Swim Lessons

Schedule

A Typical Day

8:30–9:00 AM	Drop-Off
9:00–9:10 AM	Morning Meeting
9:10–9:45 AM	Sensory Play
9:55–10:30 AM	Gymnastics
10:30–10:45 AM	Snack
10:45–11:20 AM	Swim Lessons
11:30–12:05 PM	Arts & Crafts
12:15–12:30 PM	Pick-Up

Everything They Need for a Great Day

What’s Included at Brooks

Daily snacks
Daily swim lessons
All activity materials and supplies
Weekly special events and camp traditions
Access to the Health & Wellness Center, staffed by licensed professionals
Experienced group counselors trained in safety, inclusion, and youth development
Skilled activity instructors leading age-appropriate programs across arts, athletics, and outdoor exploration

Photos

Four children sit on grass near a tree. Two children are eating hotdogs from paper plates while the others smile at the camera.

A group of children and a few adults, seated and smiling, appear to be watching an engaging performance or event in an indoor setting.

Five children dressed as cowboys and cowgirls pose for a group photo outdoors in front of a building.

A smiling child in a swimming pool holds onto the edge while gripping a yellow toy.

A group of children and a camp counselor participate in a water balloon fight on a sunny day, running through a grassy area near a tennis court fence.

Program Team

Lynn Bowen

Group One Coordinator

Lynn has been part of the Brooks community since age four, having spent more than thirty summers building friendships and making lasting memories. During the academic year, she is a Preschool Teacher at Temple Emanuel Preschool in Andover. At camp, Lynn serves as the Group One Coordinator, supporting the counselors who work with our youngest participants and helping create a warm, developmentally responsive start to each child’s camp experience.

Outside of work, Lynn enjoys spending time with her husband and son—who attends Day Camp—taking Zumba classes, and relaxing on the beach in Maine.

Rebekah (Becky) LaRochelle

Day Camp Supervisor

Becky joined Brooks in 2017 as a Group Coordinator and now serves as the Day Camp Supervisor. She oversees the planning, administration, and daily operations of the program, working closely with the leadership team and group coordinators to create engaging, developmentally aligned experiences for campers.

Becky is passionate about youth development and fostering a positive, inclusive environment. After a long career as a classroom teacher, she now works with students in grades one through eight as a technology teacher specialist. Becky’s family is also deeply connected to the program—both of her sons grew up attending the Day Camp, and one continues to return each summer as a member of the staff. She holds an M.A.Ed. and B.S. from Salem State University and lives in North Andover with her family.

Peter Moccia

Aquatics Supervisor

Peter studied chemistry at the University of Connecticut and has been a science teacher at Brooks School for seven years. He lives on campus with his family and oversees the summer aquatics program. With extensive experience in swimming pools and lifeguarding, Peter has worked in aquatics safety and pool operations since age sixteen.

He is lifeguard certified and a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) and works closely with the facilities team to ensure safe and well-maintained pool environments. Peter loves watching campus tran

Renae Cerri

Activities Supervisor

Renae joined Brooks School Summer Programs in 2017 and brings a strong background in both education and athletics. She holds dual degrees in elementary education and geological sciences from Salem State University. A former gymnast and volleyball player, she is passionate about movement, teamwork, and helping children discover new interests.

After serving as the gymnastics head, Renae now leads the activities team, overseeing the planning, implementation, and daily operation of sixteen activity areas as well as all camp-wide special events. She loves spending time outdoors, traveling with friends and family, and creating joyful summer experiences for campers.

Nicole Belisle

Logistics Supervisor

Nicole brings nearly twenty years of experience in school-based nutritional services to her role supporting Summer at Brooks operations. She leads the logistics team with a focus on safety and compliance, ensuring alignment with all Commonwealth of Massachusetts and North Andover Board of Health regulations. Nicole holds certifications in ServSafe, Allergy Awareness, CPR, and First Aid.

During the school year, she works as a teaching assistant and leads a team of youth development professionals in North Andover’s after-school program. A member of the Brooks summer team for more than ten years, Nicole enjoys softball, pickleball, and gaming. She lives in North Andover with her husband, two dogs, and a cat.

Melissa Donais

Health Care Consultant

Melissa Donais has served as the Health Care Consultant for Summer at Brooks since 2021, providing clinical guidance and ensuring compliance with all state and local health regulations. A Family Nurse Practitioner with more than a decade of primary care experience, she earned her master’s degree in nursing from Boston College and previously practiced at North Reading Medical Associates. Melissa is a graduate of Phillips Academy Andover and Yale University, where she received the Lily Rosen Prize in Women’s Health for her research on the Female Athlete Triad.

An accomplished runner, Melissa continues to compete in local and regional events. She lives in North Andover with her husband, Nate, their two children, Brennan and Audrey, and their dog, Uta.

Shannon Savage

Health Services Supervisor

Shannon Savage oversees the Summer Health Center’s daily operations, managing the nursing team and ensuring safe, responsive care in partnership with our Health Care Consultant. She brings more than a decade of nursing experience across critical care, pediatric rehabilitation, and family medicine, along with several years in nursing education and simulation.

Outside of Brooks, Shannon works as a Family Nurse Practitioner supporting pediatric and primary care patients. Her family is also part of the Summer at Brooks community—her son attends the Day Camp—and she enjoys spending time outdoors and staying active with family and friends.

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