Silent Night

IMG_0148My wife and I shared a cab home last night after she finished up an evening of “team building” with her co-workers (at a cooking class!) and I caught up on some assigning and editing. Both of our children, 15 and almost-12, had left that morning to go skiing for a few days in the company of another family (with my wife heading out to join them tonight). Yes, you read that right! We got home last night to a childless apartment that was clean and quiet and free of family melodrama. It was so disorienting. Though in the morning my wife and I agreed on another word for it.

The word—dare I say it—was “pleasant.”

Pleasant as in the lights weren’t on in every room.

Pleasant as in there weren’t jackets and hats and sneakers strewn about the living room.

Pleasant as in there was no flip-flopping of friendliness and frustration, of hugs and haranguing.

We’ve been here before, when the kids were at sleepaway camp at the same time. But that was an expected part of the transcript. These plans came together in the last few days, and only with the agreement of a very generous friend.

Last night we joked about how much it seemed like how things used to be before we were married and had children. But I think we were also both aware that the real joke was on us: On how much it was like how our lives will be in the future.

Last night was the quiet of the childless.

Tonight, with my wife gone, is the quiet of aloneness.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp

<p>Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp offers five daily rotating activities such as swimming, ice skating gymnastics, rock climbing, parkour, indoor/outdoor turf, and courts plus more in its ample 175,000 sq. ft. facility and 35-acre outdoor area. Aviator Summer Camp also offers off-site and on-site field trips such as a day at Green Meadows Farm, Launch Trampoline Park, and a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The summer camp runs from 9 am-5 pm with early drop off and late stay available. Bus transportation is also available throughout Brooklyn. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included. Sign up by February 28th to receive up to $300 off camp with early bird discounts.</p>

Homage Skateboard Academy

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Summer Program provides a well balanced INDOOR and OUTDOOR camp experience </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">in the Gowanus/Boerum Hill area.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Kids can take advantage of both the physical and mental benefits of exercise and outdoor exploration, along with indoor activities in a temperature controlled state of the art Skatepark. Campers build their skate skills in a fun and safe indoor environment, then take those skills outdoors gaining further confidence in their abilities.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to daily outdoor programming, each Wednesday (weather permitting), we will go on a mini field trip to a local skatepark or skate spot.  Field trip spots include: Prospect Park, Washington Park (Brooklyn), Thomas Greene Park, a local Skateshop, Astoria Park (dependent on the group). We will spend more outdoor time on field trip day! We will meet at Homage in the morning during regular drop off hours and then head out for the day.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our experienced instructors love to teach skateboarding and are constantly progressing in their teaching abilities, just like their skating abilities. Our coaches are Red Cross Certified for both CPR and First Aid, and have years of child care experience. Our brand new Skatepark, designed and built by World Class Skatepark Builders Push Parks, allows for skaters of any level or ability to learn, practice, and have fun!</span></p> <p style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><strong id="docs-internal-guid-db7b5156-7fff-c2d6-b5c1-33b29def4b3e" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-weight: normal;"> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AGES 6-14 </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5:1 RATIO - STUDENTS:COACHES</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ALL LEVELS WELCOME</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LOANER BOARDS AVAILABLE</span></p> <p style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-weight: normal;"> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Sessions offered mid-June-August</p> <p style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-weight: normal;"> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HOURS</span></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EARLY DROP OFF 8:30am-9:00am</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CAMP DAY 9:00am-3:00pm</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LATE PICKUP* 3:00pm-4:00pm Skating Allowed, Extra Time to Practice</span></p> <p style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-weight: normal;"> </strong></p>

Take the Stage at the Park Slope Day Camp

<p dir="ltr">Take the Stage is a three-week experience for theater artists that offers the experience of creating an original show with friends and performing it. Majors available in Drama, Dance, Music & Stagecraft, Take the Stage blends innovative performing arts activities with traditional day camp including half-day trips & special event theme days in Prospect Park. </p> <p dir="ltr">Take the Stage runs in two 3-week sessions. Performances will be held for PSDC groups on Thursday and for families and friends on Friday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Extended hours and transportation from most Brooklyn neighborhoods available. Options to mix and match with Traditional Camp and Sports Academy.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a4a05926-7fff-16fe-65b7-8086d8c0b59f">For campers entering Grades 1 - 8.</span></p> <p><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-a4a05926-7fff-16fe-65b7-8086d8c0b59f">Register while discounts are at their highest.</span></strong></p>