Woodmont Camp marks 20th summer

Campers enjoy spending time each day on the playground.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Counselors Corey Sweeney and Zach Diaks with some of their campers, including Jake Borgese, of Wantagh, and Matt Martorano, John Flock and Jake Quinn, all of Seaford.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Jason Goldberg, director of the Woodmont Summer Camp, was joined by counselors and campers during lunch recently at Mandalay Elementary School.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Michael Handell, 11, of Wantagh, left, and Jack Moore, 9, of Seaford, competed in a game of Ga-ga ball.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

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It’s a milestone summer for Woodmont Camp, which is celebrating its 20th year serving children in Wantagh, Seaford and beyond.

The summer program operates at Mandalay Elementary School in Wantagh. There are more than 450 campers enrolled in the program, and a typical day draws anywhere from 90 to 150 children. Director Jason Goldberg said that some kids come every day, while others are there a few days a week. There are also full-day and half-day options.

The camp is open to children ages 3-15, and runs through the end of August. “A lot of camps close up that last week,” he said. “We’re running it.”

Last year, Woodmont and the Wantagh School District agreed to a five-year extension, which will keep the camp there every summer through at least 2019. Goldberg said that this is the first summer that his campers are enjoying the new playground at the school, which opened last September after fundraising efforts by the Mandalay Playground Committee.

Campers can be easily identified by their maroon T-shirts, while the counselors are spotted in their yellow shirts. Goldberg said he has a devoted staff of local high school and college-age students, and even some teachers looking to keep busy during the summer. “We have a great staff,” he said, adding that many return year after year.

Alex Diaks, 19, of Wantagh, is working her second summer there. The NYU student also convinced her brother, Zach, a recent Wantagh High School graduate, to become a counselor this summer.

“It’s fun. You get to be outside,” she said, adding that “it’s good practice” as she studies to become a teacher.

Diaks said she would like to continue working there for several more summers. She enjoys the energy that the campers bring. “It’s all for the kids,” she said. “I just want them to have fun. They spend the whole school year working hard.”

Brian Sparke, 21, of Wantagh, is in his fourth year as a counselor. He is a Chaminade High School graduate and attends Providence College.

Like Diaks, Sparke said he enjoys the enthusiasm of the kids and their willingness to participate. “I’d rather have a very energetic group,” he said.