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YOUR EXPERIENCE
As seen on
on August 24, 2011
Age: - 7
What did you/your child like about the summer camp?
My daughter already knew the basic rules of chess, but in one week of camp at NY Chess & Game, she became a very strong and passionate player. The counselors are very attentive and the focus is on teaching. In addition to chess, they play Monopoly and other board games, as well as Wii. She loved it.
What would you change about the program?
They watch a movie every day after lunch. My daughter considered this a real treat, but it's not my idea of the best way for kids to spend a beautiful summer afternoon. In fact, although they claim to visit the playground regularly, the only time they really seem to go outside is on Fridays, when they do a field trip. Also, there is some competition, with trophies going to the winners. In my view, it's ok -- important even -- for kids to learn that you win some and lose some, but it can be a painful lesson for children (like mine) who are used to equal treatment and being praised for everything. Finally, there's a pronounced gender imbalance at this camp. While my daughter was never the only girl, and I was pleased to see a couple of female counselors, it's very boy-oriented at an age when kids tend to self-segregate by sex. That said, my daughter got along well with the other kids and had fun.
Will you send your child back to this summer camp program next year? (Or would you if you could?)
Yes
Would you recommend this program to other parents for their child in the future?
Recommend
Last year I was called to my fifth grade son's school to visit the principal. She was concerned about my son's behavior and his dismal grades. She indicated that "special education" may be what he needed. I resisted this idea and began to seek alternative activities to stimulate my son's mind and give him focus. On a whim, I decided to enroll him in the New York Chess and Game Shop After School program. He was reluctant to go at first, but after the first day - he came home excited about the staff, the other children he met and the new world he discovered called "chess". He described his experience with such enthusiasm, his older brother was curious enough to want to check it out. I ended up enrolling both of them for the entire school year. Soon after, I noticed a significant change in my fifth grader. He seemed calmer, less easy to frustrate and more concerned about his grade results. By the end of the school year he was awarded 15 different awards in recognition of his academic achievement. He was recognized for excellence in Language Arts, Math, History and Science to name a few. He was also placed on the honor roll. The principal expressed her pleasant surprise at my son's turn around. The experience was a very positive one for us.
Ms. K. D.
Mr. Whitted has worked closely with the New York City Parks Department, through consultant and free services to our many programs. He has coordinated and facilitated New York Chess & Games "learn to play chess" clinics for participants of all ages.
The programs are always executed in a professional, organized, interesting and relatable format and the staff is easy to work with and reliable.
I would recommend New York Chess & Games to any organization looking for a chess program or interested in any of their services.
If you have questions, please feel free to call me (deleted) I am also reachable by email.
Thank you
R. M. - Deputy Chief of Recreation.
As a career executive in the financial industry, I had ambitions of achieving a certain level of competency in my field. There were a series of tests I had to pass to become a Chartered Financial Analyst and I had failed the first one - twice. Last year I began taking chess classes at the New York Chess & Game shop to sharpen my mental abilities and because I really love the game and always wanted to learn to play it well. As the chess classes began to unfold, I began to learn personal but significant things about myself and how I process, retain and apply information. I was shocked and dissapointed with some of what I learned but my instructor was always patient, supportive, and encouraging. About 3 months in, I began studying to take this dreaded CFA exam for the 3rd time and I noticed something. The system I used to process, analyze, and decide my moves on the chess board seemed to improve the results in my CFA exam studying. I was remembering more information - acurately. I was excited about my progress and studied harder and with more expectancy. Finally test day came. I shared my anxiety with my chess instructor and he confidently expressed his expectation that I would pass. After taking the exam, there is a waiting period of about two weeks before the results are posted online. My wife and I woke up early on the grade arrival date, logged on to the website and searched for my name. It was there with a passing grade next to it. I am positive that my chess classes helped me tremendously in getting that result.
Mr. H.S
Today was the first day of our school chess program and I wanted to let you know everything went great!!!
Mr.Daniel is AMAZING!! He motivated the children and kept them focused. He has a great sense of humor with the children and they were engaged, as well as learning, from start to finish. The teachers are extremely happy and cannot wait until he comes back next Friday. Thank you so much!!
MS. J.D. P.S. 50 Q
Chess went really well. The kids absolutely loves it. Mr.Ben was great w them! Looking forward to the next session. Thanks!
Ms. D
Jose Barbosa School
To the Director of N.Y.Chess and Games,
We wanted to let you know how much the students and teachers appreciate Mr. Daniels. He is enthusiastic, interesting, fun, and patient. He comands the students attention and encourages them to play chess. We also enjoyed his lessons because of how energetic and positve he is. Mr.Daniels is a great teacher. We were lucky to have him. We hope he can come back next year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Rosen, Ms. Holmes, Ms. Zanoni
Teachers at P.S.50Q
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