6th Annual Kids’ Triathlon

Where else can kids ages 7 – 14 lace up their sneakers, pump up their bike tires and grab a swimsuit to compete in an exciting, kids-only triathlon?  On Daniel Island, of coarse!

Organized by the City of Charleston Recreation Department, over 100 kids are expected to participate in the Daniel Island Kids’ Triathlon scheduled for this Saturday, June 18. The Triathlon starts at the Pierce Park pool, where competitors will race between 100-200 meters. Next they’ll race to their bikes, which will be waiting for them at the transition area on Pierce Street, and begin a 2.6 to 5.5 mile bike ride through Daniel Island’s neighborhoods. Last, the kids will take to the road on their feet, finishing the race with a half-mile to one-mile run.

All distances are based on age groups with three top finishers from each group winning awards. But everyone is a winner in this race, and all finishers will receive a medal.

This year’s triathlon is at capacity but spectators are welcome to cheer the kids on as they compete!  Be sure to check back to see a gallery of images from this year’s race.

Non-Stop Summer Camp Fun Right Here on Daniel Island

Spring has sprung, and before you know it summer will be here!  Soon the kids will be out of school and will be looking for some non-stop action.  Never before has there been so many high-quality, exciting summer camps offered right here on Daniel Island. Residents can choose from a wide variety of programs that will entertain youngsters all summer long. But be sure to sign up early as many of these camps fill up quickly!

Japan Karate Institute Summer Camps

Packed with tons of fun and exciting activities, Japan Karate Camps take place from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and feature daily karate instruction, educational programs at area parks, a day at a water park, visits to area historic sites, painting classes, karate tournaments with the other area Japan Karate Institute summer camps, pizza parties and much, much more! Visit www.japankarateinstitute.com for more information.

Camp Invention

A day at the Camp Invention program is packed with hands-on activities, brainstorming, experimentation and unbelievable action!  This camp develops creative thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills for kids entering grades one through six. This camp is held July 11 – July 14 at the Daniel Island School.  Go to www.invent.org more information.

Island Adventure Camp at the Family Circle Tennis Center

Held every summer at the Family Circle Tennis Center, Island Adventure Camp is an excellent way for children ages 5-12 to stay active and entertained during their summer off. Running from early June through mid-August, the camp offers weekly, daily and half-day sessions. Children are grouped by age and partake in the following daily activities: tennis, soccer, nature’s best, daily specials and arts and crafts. The main objective is FUN and the camp staff designs the whole program around that one objective. Visit www.familycirclecup.com for more information.

HAL 3-In-1 Tennis Camp at the Family Circle Tennis Center

Available for all ages, this revolutionary training system will improve your hand-eye coordination. This fast-paced program makes hitting 5,000 balls a week fun, boosting confidence and improvement. Go to www.familycirclecup.com for more information.

Basketball Camp

Participants will learn and improve basic fundamentals and skills of the game.  Emphasis on using the backboard, setting and rolling off picks, moving without the ball, defensive drills and foul shooting are just a part of what is covered during the week.  K5 – 9th Graders welcome.  This camp is held at the Daniel Island School Gym from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm or 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, dependent on age group.  Go to www.charleston-sc.gov for more information.

Swim Lessons & Camps at Pierce and Scott Park Pools

A variety of swim camps and lessons will be offered this summer at the pools at Pierce and Scott parks. Group and private swim lessons are available for all ages. Each class will be taught by a Red Cross-Certified Water Safety Instructor. Call (843) 971-4405 for more information.

Boys Lacrosse Camp

Designed specifically for boys ages 6 – 14 who want to learn more about the sport of lacrosse and work on their skills and improve their game, this camp is for all skill levels.  It takes place on the field behind the Daniel Island School from June 6 – June 9 (June 10 is a rain date) from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Go to www.charleston-sc.gov for more information.

Charleston Battery Day Camp

The Charleston Battery Day Camp is offered as a weeklong camp for boys and girls ages 5- 13.  This camp is designed to develop the fundamental techniques of soccer in a fun learning environment.  Campers can attend half-day, full-day or weekly sessions. A certified Athletic Trainer is on site throughout the duration of the camp.  Go to www.charlestonbattery.com for more information.

Girls Hip Hop Creative Arts Camp

Girls ages 4 – 11 are invited to participate and learn hip hop moves, tumbling, stretching and basic dance steps.  This camp also includes daily art projects and games.  On the last day, a brief showcase will be performed for the parents.  It takes place at the Daniel Island School gym from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Visit www.charleston-sc.gov for more information.

Summer of Discovery at Daniel Island Academy

This camp provides a fun-filled curriculum that offers a relaxed summertime “discovery” of interactive themes for children ages 1 to 6 years during June and July. Full-day, half-day and Mother’s Morning Out programs are available, and all students, including Summer-Only students, may enroll in weekly and monthly sessions based upon age and availability. Click on www.danielislandacademy.com for more information or to register your child.

Daniel Island Baseball Camp

Boys and girls ages 8 – 12 are invited to attend this camp held at Freedom Park (located behind the Daniel Island School) June 20 – 24 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Players will learn the fundamentals of baseball through instruction, drills and games.  Click on www.charleston-sc.gov for more information.

Summer Camps at the Daniel Island Club

The Daniel Island Club offers a variety of summer camps for children of all ages! Junior Tennis Camp, Junior Golf Camp, Kid’s Camp and Kid’s Camp Plus will introduce the Club’s youngest members to the basic fundamentals of golf, tennis, fitness and swimming (activities vary between camps) in a fun and exciting way. Camps are reserved for members of the Daniel Island Club. Call (843) 971-3555 for more information.

Bishop’s Wrestling Camp

This wrestling camp from coach Paul Spence will take place at Bishop England High School’s gym on June 20-24 for students in third through eighth grade. A morning session (9 am – 12 pm) for novice wrestlers will focus on fundamental positions, basic setups, takedowns and more. The afternoon session (1-4 pm) is for experienced wrestlers, who will receive more in-depth and faster-paced instruction.  Medals and certificates will be presented to outstanding campers. For more information, call (843) 425-9527 or email Pspence@behs.com.

Buy Local! Daniel Island Farmers’ Market Open till Sept. 30

With the growing season in full bloom, the South Carolina Lowcountry is practically overflowing with delicious vegetables, herbs and beautiful flowers! And the best place to get your hands on fresh, local produce is at the Daniel Island Farmers’ Market, which is back for its second year at the Family Circle Tennis Center.

Each Thursday = through September 30, the Daniel Island Farmers Market will feature local farms, artists and vendors selling their locally grown foods and goods. Local produce will include sugar snap peas, arugula and spinach, onions, yellow squash, tomatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon and more delicious spring and summer fare! Our Local Foods will also have organic, grass-fed beef and chicken.

Capt’ Hatt’s Shrimp Market will be selling fresh Carolina shrimp and seafood, as well as their delicious fried shrimp and crab cakes. Other food vendors will be on hand selling everything from kettle corn and hot dogs to southern home cooking. Dinner is served!

Artisans will have a variety of handmade arts and crafts for sale including jewelry and iron work inspired by the work of Philip Simmons, local blacksmith and artist. Money raised from these sales will go to the Philip Simmons Foundation. This week’s Farmers’ Market comes just in time for Mother’s Day so get over there and grab mom something local and unique!

Each week the market will feature great live entertainment and in celebration of this week’s first 2010 market, the Daniel Island Hip Hoppers will perform. Also, at the Daniel Island Academy tent, kics can decorate their own personal planter and pick starter seeds of basil, cilantro and mint to add their home gardens.

Stop by the Daniel Island Farmers Market for fun, food and to support local farms, artists and businesses! More information can be found HERE.

2009 Daniel Island Farmers Market.

Springtime Fun at the Annual Daniel Island Easter Egg Hunt

Spring was in the air at the Annual Daniel Island Easter Egg Hunt at Smythe Park on Saturday, April 3, 2010. Temperatures in the 80s, blooming azaleas and a carpet of lush springtime grass created the perfect backdrop for this annual event. Approximately 7,000 eggs were gobbled up by more 380 Daniel Island children. Overall, an estimated 600 residents attended the event! The fun and merriment was made possible through the sponsorship of several island business and the hard work of residents!

Special thanks goes out to the following individuals and companies: the Daniel Island Rotary Club, Longshore Boats, DoodyCalls Premier Pet Waste Removal, Daniel Island Professional Partners Network (DIPPN), Daniel Island Hip Hop, CrossFit Gym, Robert Ivy Ballet, Chris Noland, Knockout Mosquito, LLC and Valary Dryer Photography.

Be sure to check out more of the event pictures taken by photographer and Daniel Island resident, Valary Dryer. More photos can be found at the Daniel Island community website .

A Rare Sight: Snow Falls on Daniel Island

Not since 1989 has the South Carolina coast been blanketed with measurable snow. It’s usually our neighbors in the upstate who deal with the cold temperatures and falling snow. But that wasn’t the case on Saturday, February 13, when Daniel Island residents woke up to as much as three inces of snow covering their porches, yards and docks.

We might boast about our mild winter weather and warmer temperatures, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t enjoy the chance to get outside and play in the snow, build snowmen, make snow angels and even participate in a few snowball fights!

The snow lasted just a few hours before it melted away, but there were memories made on Daniel Island that morning that will last much, much longer!

Take a look at some of the photos island residents sent in:

Don't miss the fun at Park Day this Saturday, Oct. 10!

Park Day is back! For the ninth year, thousands of Daniel Island and Charleston residents and visitors will descend upon Children’s Park on Daniel Island for a day of family-filled fun including food, music, games and much, much more!

Festivities at this year’s Park Day will include live entertainment by the Islanders and the Electric Company. Activities and events include everything from pumpkin painting and children’s crafts, dance contests and gardening exhibits to a “Wild Kingdom” showcasing a petting zoo, exotic and native birds, reptiles and more. There will also be jump castles, pony rides, bungee trampolines, a climbing wall and tons of activities for all ages! And it’s all in the name of giving back to the community: Proceeds from Park Day events benefit more than 30 area non-profit organizations.

A variety of restaurants and vendors will be offering Lowcountry treats and other favorites, including barbecue, oysters, fresh shrimp, ice cream, pizza, boiled peanuts and more. Football fans can catch the day’s games on the big screens at the Island House Sports Pub. Beer and other beverages will be available for sale throughout the day.

And don’t forget to bring your four-legged family member to the Dog Showcase, which will feature a Dog Spa with wonderful spa services for your dog, outdoor café with dog treats, pet training advice, and other dog related activities. Representatives from seven animal rescue groups will also be on hand with dogs available for adoption!

Visit www.danielislandparkday.com for a complete list of activities and events!

And take a look at the photo gallery below for pictures from previous years at Park Day!

New Photo Gallery: Daniel Island's 4th of July Extravaganza!

Daniel Island was THE place to be over the 4th of July weekend, with more that 600 residents participating in the great events and celebrations all over the island!

Residents started the celebration at Friday night’s “Decorate Your Ride” party, where everyone decorated their bikes, golf carts and stroller’s for the next day’s parade, and then relaxed and enjoyed the sounds of the Coconut Groove Band.

Saturday morning started out with the first-ever “Pancakes in the Park” where residents enjoyed delicious pancakes with proceeds going to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. If you missed the breakfast this year, don’t worry, it will be back next year! The Charleston Youth Company then performed patriotic numbers in Etiwan Park to get the crowd ready for the parade.

Next, the parade made its way from Etiwan Park over to the Piece Park Pavilion, where residents enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon at the pool with activities and games for the whole family.

We are already excited for next year!

Summertime & the Livin’s Easy!

George Gershwin got it right when he wrote, “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy” in his classic American folk opera Porgy and Bess. So, in celebration of summertime in the Lowcountry, we’d like to share with you some of our favorite summer scenes from life on Daniel Island.

Enjoy!

What’s your favorite thing about summertime on Daniel Island and in Charleston? Send in your favorite summer shots and we’ll add them to our gallery. Email photos to contact@myislandtown.com.

Daniel Island Independence Day Celebrations!

With the end of June right around the corner, island residents are busy making their plans for the 4th of July. Picnics, pools, beaches, barbecues, fireworks and more are all on the agenda this Independence Day on Daniel Island and around the Lowcountry!

Daniel Island’s Independence Day traditions continue this year, beginning on Friday, July 3rd, when residents will head over to Pierce Park  to decorate their bikes, golf carts, strollers and wagons in preparation of the July 4th parade the next day. Children’s performer and kazoo-extraordinaire Rick Hubbard will take the stage from 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Then, the Coconut Groove Band, a five-piece band featuring steel drums, breezy acoustic guitar and fun tropical-themed music, will perform.

The next morning, members of Hello! Daniel Island, a group dedicated to welcoming newcomers to the island, will say good morning to island residents with a pancake breakfast in Etiwan Park, a benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Afterwards, live entertainment will get everyone in a patriotic spirit for the parade.

The annual 4th of July parade will begin at 11:00 am at Etiwan Park. From there, residents will march through the neighborhoods to Pierce Park for more fun in the sun and in the pool, where the aquatics staff will lead fun water and poolside games!

Food and drinks will be available for purchase at all these great Independence Day events.

Check out the photo gallery below to see photos from previous years.

Daniel Island Academy Adding Kindergarten to its Curriculum for the 2009-2010 School Year

Daniel Island’s popular early child learning center is expanding its program this fall with the addition of a kindergarten class designed to help prepare children to excel when they enter elementary school. On Tuesday, June 23 from 10 a.m. until noon, parents interested in learning more can come to the school to talk one-on-one with the new Kindergarten teachers.

“Kindergarten is a significant transition hurdle for children, especially when entering a school with larger classrooms and students with a wide range of pre-kindergarten preparation,” stated Kerry Nowosielski, Director of the Daniel Island Academy. “Our program offers an incredible opportunity for a child to prepare to excel in an elementary school program.”

The kindergarten curriculum hours will be from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., but tuition also covers the school’s extended childcare hours (6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday). As with all of the Academy’s full-time programs, wholesome and nutritious snacks and lunch, prepared daily by the school’s full-time chef, are included.

Daniel Island Academy is the only East Cooper area pre-school accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard for early child education. The school offers full-time, part-time and mother’s morning out programs for children ages one through five.