Get your brain’s gears moving this April at our Spring Break Chess Camp!
Join us for days of chess classes and more at our new location at 6043 Transit Road! Camps will include various chess lessons, along with plenty of practice, puzzles, and other fun activities to keeps students’ minds active and entertained. Special activities will be planned for each day to keep students engaged and learning.
All levels are welcome!
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Now with both Half-Day and Full Day options!
Full Day Camp
Half-Day Camp
Where: 6043 Transit Road, #101B, East Amherst, NY 14051
When: April 14th-18th
Times: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Rates:
After March 27th, 2024:
$105/ 1 Day $420/ 5 Days
Before March 27th, 2025:
5 Day Discount (20% Off): $400.00
4 Days: $380.00
1 - 3 Days: $100/ Day
Where: 6043 Transit Road, #101B, East Amherst, NY 14051
When: April 14th-18th
Times: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Rates:
After March 27th, 2024:
$60/ 1 Day $240/ 5 Days
Before March 27th, 2025:
5 Day Discount (20% Off): $220.00
4 Days: $210.00
1 - 3 Days: $55/ Day
Lunch and Snacks
Lunch
Full-Day Camp Students must either bring or purchase a healthy lunch! Lunch will be held at 1:15pm.
If purchasing a lunch, please make sure to sign-up and select that option during checkout AT LEAST two days before camp. We cannot guarantee to have a lunch for your child if this option isn’t selected at least 48 hours before their first day of camp.
BCA lunches will vary from day-to-day, with a menu being sent out two days before camp. We will make sure to have options available for all students regardless of their dietary restrictions.
Snacks
All students will receive a light snack at approximately 11:00am.
Snacks will be hypoallergenic, and we will take individual students’ dietary needs into account.
On Fridays all students will receive pizza during snack time for no additional charge.
Example Lunch Menu
Alfredo Pasta with Chicken & Broccoli
Five Cheese Rigatoni (Vegetarian)
Breakfast Sandwich
Chicken Nuggets
More to come!
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Chess Lessons
Lessons will vary depending on students' needs, and we will split into groups based on their levels! Types of lessons will include:
Analyzing and learning the history behind exciting Grandmaster and World Champion games throughout history
Learning tactical ideas and how to spot them (tactics from forks to windmills, checkmate patterns, etc)
Discussing strategic ideas and how to utilize them (from simple center control to recognizing when even trades aren't so even after all, and exploiting subtle endgame weaknesses.)
Cooperative group quizzes on previously covered topics.
Many other exercises to help improve students’ problem solving, critical thinking, and other essential skills.
Points and Prizes
At camp students will earn "points" for active participation, good behavior, and achieving goals. On a student's last day of camp for the week, they will be able to exchange their points for a special prize! The more points, the more options they will have for prizes.
Brain Break Activities
While students will be expected to come to camp to learn and improve their chess, it's important to keep things fun! We will offer a variety of ways to keep students interested and engaged. These include:
A "quiet corner" with books, coloring supplies, and other peaceful activities for students who are overwhelmed and need a break.
A daily "break time" where students can enjoy a fun and engaging game together. Themes include board games, werewolf, trivia, Pictionary, and more!
Many chess variants (alternate rule sets that make one think about the game differently), including some new ones we have purchased just for this camp! Variants help students feel refreshed while still allowing them to practice the types of thinking that will benefit them in traditional chess.
Various other activities!
Additional Activities
Camps will also include other activities, such as:
"Simultaneous Exhibitions" (one coach plays every student at once, with each getting their own board and game)
Mini chess tournaments
"Chess Challenges" that demand students to play with specific limitations or goals
Plus many other fun and educational activities.
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Additional Resources:
For additional practice outside of camp, each student may make their own free Lichess account and join the Buffalo Chess Association chess team on Lichess. To create and log into your Lichess account, click here: https://lichess.org/signup.
To join our Lichess team, click here: https://lichess.org/team/buffalo-chess-association.
You will need to create a free Lichess account before you can join the team. PLEASE NOTE: If you do not specify your child’s name and why you are joining the team, you will be declined. This is to make sure our team stays a safe place for all of our students!
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