Teaneck Summer Camp Week 3 Report

Week 3 of chess camp was a blast, filled with games, sports, and lots of learning. The students made significant progress in their understanding of chess, demonstrating improved strategic thinking, enhanced problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of various chess principles.

Daily Schedule and Activities

Every day began with an exciting three rounds of "Circle of Doom," a fast-paced game where attention is key. After this energizing start, students attended two morning chess classes, tailored to their skill levels. Each class lasted 45 minutes with a 15-minute snack break in between.

Outstanding Students

The best students this week were:

  • Gabrielle in Seth’s class

  • Itamar in Jacob’s class

  • Basil in Adam’s class

  • Isabella in Yaakov’s class

  • Max in Chris’s class

  • Reece in Ivette’s class

Their dedication and enthusiasm were evident in their improved performance during games and practice sessions.

Sports and Outdoor Fun

Post-classes, students transitioned to outdoor sports, breaking into age-based groups. Points were earned daily, culminating in prizes at the end of the week. This week's winners were Greyson, Daniel, Max, Michael, and Ely.

Dodgeball was a crowd favorite, with three epic rounds each day. Max stood out with a spectacular game on Friday, single-handedly leading his team to victory and earning the title of Best Dodgeball Player of the Week.

Chess Tournaments and Special Events

After a 30-minute lunch break, the afternoon was dedicated to chess tournaments. Students competed in groups based on their levels, with the following winners:

  • Section 5: Josue

  • Section 4: Yoni

  • Section 3: Itamar

  • Section 2: Basil and Trary (tie)

  • Section 1: Ely and Max

The July 4th Blitz Tournament was particularly thrilling, with older kids competing fiercely and younger kids learning the fast-paced game of blitz chess. The winners were Michael, Basil, and Reece. The week concluded with a blitz and bughouse tournament and an ice cream party, adding a sweet finish to an action-packed week.

Coach Jacob’s favorite moment of the week was the blitz/bughouse tournament, in which our students used not only their chess abilities on their own games for the blitz rounds, but also worked together during bughouse to compete for the first place trophy. Everyone had a great time playing with their friends and coordinating with their teammates, and ultimately it was a blast. We hope to have it again in future weeks!

Conclusion

Overall, the chess camp successfully combined learning and fun, helping students enhance their chess skills and knowledge. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn were evident throughout the week, making it a memorable and productive experience for everyone involved.

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