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 Scarsdale, NY - Great Play, a one-of-a-kind concept in the children’s gym category, has opened its first site in New York State, in the Midway Center in Scarsdale.
Great Play is a unique children’s gym experience housed in a proprietary Interactive Arena™ - a patent-pending network of computers, projectors, video sensors and sound that immerses the players in a fun-filled learning/playing experience. Through a carefully crafted curriculum of “directed play,” kids ages six months to 12 years develop motor skills and sport skills via instruction and playing specially designed games.
Younger players develop motor skills alongside a playful animated mascot, Buddy, who along with the coaches turns classes into fun-filled interactive experiences: for instance an obstacle course aided with the Arena technology, becomes an adventurous hike through the woods or a journey into space, and throwing practice becomes a game of discovering animated surprises hidden in the projected scenes. Older children receive instruction in one of 24 essential sport skills each class, aided by visual breakdowns of each skill. This is followed by a series of games that turn practicing the technique into play. Examples include kicking field goals through uprights with an interactive referee, and taking jump-shots in a cheering arena with a giant scoreboard counting down.
“As soon as you step inside Great Play you’ll see the difference,” says Keith Camhi, who co-founded Great Play with his wife Jyl. “We don’t use static configurations of gymnastics and playground equipment. Our stations change several times per class, including the equipment and the entire visual environment. The breadth of activities we incorporate helps make every visit to Great Play fun and exciting – no two visits are the same. But the fun also has a deeper purpose – our curriculum is designed to cover a full spectrum of motor skills and sport skills to help a child become physically successful and confident. The foundation that our program builds for children really sets us apart.”
For younger Players, Great Play’s curriculum is designed to build a comprehensive foundation of stability, locomotor and manipulative skills – the building blocks of physical development. For older Players, ready to combine those foundation skills into sport skills, Great Play uses its own SCORE™ training methodology that divides skills into a number of bite-sized steps, and guarantees quick initial success that can be built upon, to quickly create proficiency and confidence.
Getting Into Scarsdale
It was the combination of this updated curriculum, the engaging high-tech environment and the reaction from customers of Great Play that convinced Mark Steinberg, one of the owners of Midway, to lease a highly coveted space at the center to Great Play over several competing potential tenants.
Steinberg explained, “Once I visited the Great Play operation in Stamford and saw the excitement of the kids there and spoke to some of the parents, it was just a no-brainer. It didn’t take me a lot of time to think this through and offer the spot to Great Play. It’s a great fit with our other tenants too. Parents bringing their kids to a class or party might also get a cup of coffee at Starbucks, do some shopping at Lakeshore Learning, CVS, Denny’s or Rojay Party Store, get a workout in at Planet Fitness or go to Tranquility Spa. And afterwards they can visit Panera Bread or Cold Stone with the kids.”
“And from my own personal experience, as a parent of a 15 year old,” he explained, “I wish Great Play were around when my son was younger! He wasn’t into sports, but I know he would have enjoyed Great Play and would have been more athletic and active today as a result. And for birthday parties – once you’ve gone through the effort of having one in your own house, you can really appreciate doing it someplace like Great Play instead!”
Jyl Camhi, co-founder of Great Play explained the decision to pursue Midway: “We had been looking for the perfect location to expand into Westchester County for some time. We wanted a convenient location with plenty of parking, a safe clean environment for kids, and a landlord that was committed to being family-friendly. We couldn’t be happier with the fit at Midway Center on every point. Since our arrival, they’ve even added a seating area complete with flat panel TV for parents to relax while the kids are taking a class! And the neighboring tenants have embraced the concept, partnering with us on everything from co-marketing to giving our customers discounts on food for birthday parties. We are confident this will be another fantastic Great Play location!”
About Great Play
Great Play is a gym for kids founded in 2006 by Keith and Jyl Camhi after several years of research. Great Play’s goal is to help children develop motor skills, sports skills and fitness to foster a healthy, confident, active life. Great Play coaches guide children ages six months to 12 years in fun, structured play designed to boost confidence at each level. Instruction is supported by Great Play’s new patent-pending technology; the Interactive Arena™ uses computer technology, image projection and directional sound to bring the space to life. The company also offers unique birthday parties.
The original Great Play is located in Stamford, Connecticut. The Company has just begun offering franchise opportunities and its first franchised location recently opened in Redmond, Washington. More information can be found at www.greatplay.com.
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