About Us
A Day in the Life
What can your camper expect when they show up at Camp One?
Most importantly, they can expect a calm, safe, and nurturing environment. Here’s how we do things:
Campers arrive between 8:45 and 9:00 and free play until everyone is settled in. We host a morning circle every day to build community, play games, and set up for the day.
The rest of the morning consists of one structured activity and one play break. Activities are extremely variable depending on the subject matter, but campers can always expect a hands-on, project, or play-based activity that relates to the theme of the week. We strive to ensure that kids are spending their time having fun. It is summer, after all!
In the middle of the day, we take a lunch break before heading out for our hour long recess/play break. Recess/play is an hour long and takes place on a large playground on site. When we come back inside, campers take fifteen minutes to calm their bodies and minds with an independent, quiet activity of their choosing.
In the afternoon, we facilitate our second activity of the day (still related to our theme and always hands-on). Once we wrap up, campers eat a snack and get ready to head home for the day!
Meet the Founders
Lauren and Italia met in 2015 in the College of Education at Georgia State University. They became fast friends, further bonding over deep concern for the state of humanity after the 2016 presidential election cycle. After a year together in the Early Childhood Education department, Lauren and Italia joined CREATE, a residency program designed to prepare novice teachers for successful careers in education. Through CREATE, Lauren and Italia were able to student teach alongside each other while intently focusing on identity and social justice work. After graduating, Italia and Lauren were paired together and began their 1st year teaching as partner teachers of the most wonderful group of first graders to ever exist! :) Through trial and error, constant work, and partnership, Lauren and Italia made it through their first year before splitting apart to teach in separate classrooms as part of the CREATE program design. In her sixth year of teaching, Italia now teaches 3rd grade in a neighborhood public school. Lauren spends her days writing curriculum for a daycare. Through the ten years they’ve been close friends, Italia and Lauren have held each other accountable to keep equity front of mind both in the classroom and out.
Meet the Team
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Italia Kostrinsky
FOUNDER
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Lauren Miles
FOUNDER
I was SO excited when I learned Lauren and Italia were starting a summer camp! I just know it will be the most loving, fun, and exciting environment. They are truly two of the most favorite teachers among kids and adults at Parkside. I am constantly in awe of these two lovely ladies!
— Emily Butcher, parent