Summer Camp

Morning 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Girls Basketball (3rd – 8th grade)

This camp is for elementary and middle school girls interested in improving their basketball knowledge and skill. Camp will teach the fundamentals of ball-handling, shooting, and defensive positioning while incorporating live game situations. Contact Kim deMarigny, camp director. 

Knight Stars Dance (1st – 8th grade)

Are you ready to dance at the Pope Prep Knight Stars Dance Camp? Coach Jessami Jacobson and the Pope dance team will teach campers jazz, pom, and hip-hop routines, along with dance techniques and fun games. The focus of this camp is to learn and perfect dance skills performed on a dance team and to have fun! Contact Jessami Jacobson, camp director.

Soccer (2nd – 8th grade)

Level up your soccer skills with Pope Prep coaches and players. This camp is designed for boys and girls of all skill levels in soccer. For elementary-age players and players who have only a basic familiarity with the game of soccer, the focus will be on building or developing the four basic soccer skills: dribbling, passing, defending, and shooting. For middle-school-age players who have played competitive soccer before and want to continue their development towards higher levels of competition, the focus will be on further refinement of the fundamental soccer skills and awareness of game-specific techniques and strategy. Contact Eduardo Nunes, camp director. 

Afternoon 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Filmmaking (3rd – 8th grade)

Have you ever wondered how movies are made? Be a filmmaker at Pope Prep! During this week of camp, campers will explore the entire filmmaking process: scriptwriting, casting, costume and set design, filming, and editing. Using iMovie to produce a film with a team, students will learn how a story becomes a movie as they enhance literacy, digital literacy, and teamwork skills through this project-based learning experience. At the end of the week, campers will have a short film they can share with others. Campers may bring their own technology (iPhones, iPads, or other video-recording devices) or use available technology resources at Pope Prep. Contact Jennifer Smith, camp director. 

Junior Cheerleading (Pre-K – 5th grade)

At Junior Cheer camp, we will focus on the fundamentals of cheerleading. The Pope Prep Competition and Football cheerleaders will teach sidelines, cheers, dance, and the basics of jumps, tumbling, and stunting. We will emphasize the proper technique on all skills to prepare them for their future cheerleading endeavors. We will show off their new skills at a pep rally open to the parents at the end of the week! Let's get out and show off our spirit, GO KNIGHTS! Contact Whitney Whittaker, camp director.

Morning 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

3D Printing (5th – 8th grade)

Join us to learn the basics of computer-aided design (CAD) software and engineering design principles. We will use TinkerCAD to create models of objects that we "bring to life" on the 3D printer. Students will leave the week with a greater understanding of engineering design, some newly acquired CAD skills, and the designs they have printed. No previous experience with CAD or 3D printing is required; anyone from grades 5 - 8 is welcome. Contact Luke Diamond, camp director.  

SLIME! SLIME! SLIME! (1st – 6th grade)

Hello all you SLIME lovers and SLIME newcomers, this camp is all about _____, you guessed right!! We will learn to make all kinds of slimy slimes. Join us for some fun! Campers must wear clothes that can get stained and messed up!!!! Contact Susan Snyder, camp director. 

Flag Football (1st – 8th grade)

Pope Prep Flag Football Camp is designed to develop players' fundamental skills and field sense. Campers will be organized by age and ability. Activities include scrimmages, positional work, and working on the fundamentals of the game, such as passing, receiving, and de-flagging. The week will conclude with the Pope Prep Bowl, allowing the campers to showcase their skills while fighting for bragging rights! Contact Pat Kennedy, camp director. 

Track…on your mark, get set, GO! (3rd – 8th grade)

Come out and experience Track and Field at Pope Prep! Campers will spend the week learning running techniques, drills, strength and conditioning, and field events, including high jump, long jump, shot put, and discus. Students will compete on teams in the relay events, obstacle courses, and other team challenges. The entire week will be filled with chances to improve as a runner and an athlete. The camp ends with a track meet open to spectators on Friday. Contact Kim Childress and Betsy Pierpaoli, camp directors.

Girls Volleyball (4th – 8th grade)

Join Lady Knights players and staff at Pope Prep Girls Volleyball Camp! This camp will provide a fundamental environment for beginning players to learn and improve court movement along with the very basics of volleyball! Campers will use lighter volleyballs and a modified court size to ensure success for all beginners. This camp will also provide a more intense learning environment for intermediate/advanced players to grow in expertise and hone their volleyball skills. Each camper will receive ball control, passing, setting, hitting, serving, and defense instruction. Individual drills, group instruction, and game experience will meet the needs of all ages and ability levels. Contact Kim Shaver, camp director. 

Wrestling (4th – 8th grade)

Wrestling Camp is geared towards those that want to learn more about the sport and advance themselves for the upcoming season. Open to boys and girls of any skill level. Contact Jason Allman, camp director. 

Afternoon 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Camp Rock! (5th – 8th grade)

This summer will rock! Come and learn the basics of rhythm, songwriting, vocals, and performance. Prior experience is not required. A limited number of instruments are available for campers; having your own instrument is recommended. Rock on! Contact Scott Parrelli, camp director. 

LEGO-Palooza (Pre-K – 3rd grade)

At LEGO-Palooza, campers will learn and create using Legos. Campers will have fun with free build time and age-appropriate design challenges. We will celebrate with a LEGO party on the last day! Contact Cara Wade, camp director. 

Minecraft Mania (2nd – 6th grade)

Do you love Minecraft? Then this is your camp! Campers will participate in a variety of Minecraft activities, both online and hands-on. Students will bring their devices for our survival and creative mode challenges. Students will also participate in activities offline, including Minecraft Legos, Minecraft arts and crafts, Fort building, and a few other STEM-related activities. This is a fun and interactive camp designed for 8-12-year-olds who love Minecraft. Students must bring their own device with the Minecraft app downloaded. Contact Kim Childress, camp director. 

Boys Basketball (3rd – 8th grade)

The Pope Prep Men's Basketball coaches and players will demonstrate and teach solid foundations for all fundamentals of the game, motivation, sportsmanship, and positive self-esteem. Each camper will receive instruction in all aspects of play, including ball-handling, passing, catching, shooting, offensive spacing, moving, and defense. Our teaching progression takes into account various skill differences. Therefore, to make the most of learning opportunities, all campers are evaluated and placed within groups of similar ability, regardless of age. Through small group instruction, campers participate in station work, drills, and game experience from simulated game situations, 3v3 and 5v5. Contact Charles Wade, camp director. 

Tennis (2nd – 8th grade)

This camp is designed for children with little or no previous tennis experience. Emphasis will be on fundamentals, basic principles of stroke production, and learning to hit the ball back and forth through games. Low compression balls and smaller courts are used to ensure children have better control and experience success from the very beginning. Campers should bring their own tennis racquet. Contact Danny Castro, camp director. 

Morning 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Beginning Robotics (5th – 8th grade)

If you choose to accept it, your challenge is to create robots that move, pick up stuff, and pop balloons all on their own. Campers will learn to build and program a Lego EV3 robot in Beginning Robotics. The emphasis will be on getting the robot to move, turn, and utilize sensors. In the spirit of FIRST Lego League, campers will use cooperation within a competition setting to solve problems. Contact Haley Topper and Rebecca Jansing-Kaestner, camp directors. 

Science Sleuths: Outdoors! (K – 5th grade)

Love a mystery? Learn how you can use science to solve problems. This year, our sleuths will learn to look for clues and solve mysteries using science in the great outdoors. Learn how insects give clues about water quality and how to look for clues about the animals and plants that we might not even notice. We'll have lots of fun exploring the outdoors on campus. We will travel to a local park to hike and put our new skills to the test on Friday! Contact Jennifer Dye, camp director. 

Fundamentals of Baseball (K – 8th grade)

Campers will learn the fundamentals of throwing, catching, pitching, fielding, base running, base stealing, and hitting. Along with these skills, campers will learn life lessons to help them grow as individuals on and off the baseball field. Campers must bring their baseball gear, cleats, and tennis shoes. It's a fun week of learning the game of baseball! Contact Chris Parker, camp director. 

Golf (1st – 8th grade)

Golf camp will cover golf basics, including the full-swing fundamentals, grip, posture, alignment, and ball position. The camp will also cover short game basics, pitching, chipping, putting, and bunker play. Each camper will receive one-on-one and group instruction in each area of the game. Campers will also have the opportunity to put their skills to the test through fun competitions. Please note that the cost of the camp includes a $25 greens fee and that campers must be dropped off and picked up at Twelve Stones Golf Club. Contact Chris Wantz, camp director. 

Girls Volleyball (3rd – 8th grade)

This camp will provide a fundamental environment for beginning players to learn and improve court movement along with the very basics of volleyball! Campers will use lighter volleyballs and a modified court size to ensure success for all beginners! This camp will also provide a more intense learning environment for intermediate/advanced players to grow in expertise and hone their volleyball skills. Each camper will receive ball control, passing, setting, hitting, serving, and defense instruction. Individual drills, group instruction, and game experience will meet the needs of all ages and ability levels. Contact Eduardo Nunes, camp director. 

Afternoon 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Crafty Creators (Pre-K – 2nd grade)

We are calling all Crafters! Come to a relaxed crafting camp, create sensory bottles, paint with a pendulum, go on a nature walk to collect items for your natural sun catcher, and more. We will celebrate our camp by launching water rockets we decorate throughout the week. Contact Cara Wade, camp director. 

Creative Writing (3rd – 8th grade)

Let your imagination flow and come learn how to write your own short stories! Campers will develop skills in writing short stories, being exposed to both flash fiction and flash non-fiction. Campers will learn how to implement the mantra of creative writing: "show, don't tell," allowing them to write captivating stories which appeal to the readers' senses. The camp is a great way to refine campers' vocabulary and grammar and prepare them for another school year! Contact Eduardo Nunes, camp director. 

Wacky Tacky Week (K – 5th grade)

A week of Wacky Tacky Fun, from art projects to dancing, to tie-dye, and more! Every day of the wacky tacky week will be something new, artsy, and exciting. Get ready for a silly week with friends, crafts, and fun. Contact Jenna Chipkin and Sydney Surprenant, camp directors. 

Girls Softball (1st – 8th grade)

Pope Prep Softball coaches and players will demonstrate and teach the campers the fundamentals of softball. Campers will learn different aspects of the game, including catching, throwing, pitching, fielding, hitting, and base-running. They will participate in various drills and games to help them develop skills and take away life lessons applicable beyond the softball field. Campers will need to bring their softball gear, including gloves, helmets, cleats, and tennis shoes (depending on the weather). It will be a fun week of learning the game of softball! Contact Becky Savage, camp director. 

Gym Classics: Dodgeball, Kickball, & More! (K – 6th grade)

If you like the classic games from physical education class, this camp is for you! Campers will participate in different forms of Dodgeball, Kickball, and more. These games promote teamwork, competitions, conditioning, leadership, and physical well-being. Other games will include: Capture the Flag, Four Square, and Handball. Contact Pat Kennedy, camp director. 

Morning 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Field Day Fun (1st – 6th grade)

Every day is field day at Field Day Fun camp! The week will be filled with sports, games, and water fun! Students will learn how to work with a team and motivate each other through a series of games and challenges, including relay races, tug of war, egg spoon races, water games, and so much more! Contact Jenna Chipkin and Sydney Surprenant, camp directors. 

Intermediate Robotics (5th – 8th grade)

In this camp, the focus will be on building specific attachments that are helpful for different competition challenges: forklift, conveyor, catapult, claws, and arms. Whether you participate in FLL or VEX, you will learn the building skills you need to complete your next competition challenge. Contact Haley Topper and Rebecca Jansing-Kaestner, camp directors. 

Afternoon 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

SLIME! SLIME! SLIME! (1st – 6th grade)

Hello all you SLIME lovers and SLIME newcomers, this camp is all about _____, you guessed right!! We will learn to make all kinds of slimy slimes. Join us for some fun! Campers must wear clothes that can get stained and messed up!!!! Contact Susan Snyder, camp director. 

Boys Lacrosse (2nd – 8th grade)

Pope Prep Boys Lacrosse camp develops players' fundamental skills and field sense. Campers will be organized by age and ability. Activities include positional work and working on the fundamentals of the game, such as passing, catching, shooting, dodging, defense, and ground balls. There will also be numerous 3v3, 5v5, and 7v7 games throughout the week. We will crown Camp Champions on the final day! If a camper doesn't own a lacrosse stick, we will lend out sticks as long as supplies last. Contact Pat Kennedy, camp director. 

Pickleball (2nd – 8th grade)

Welcome to Pickleball camp! The game with the funny name is the fastest growing sport in the US and a great way to introduce your child(ren) to racquet sports. The game is easier to play than tennis -- the racquet is shorter, the court is smaller, and the ball is slower. While combining tennis, ping pong, and badminton elements, children often have an early appreciable satisfaction with Pickleball—greater contact with the ball, longer rallies, and the gratification of quickly excelling at a new sport. This camp will be indoors in one of our gyms. No previous experience is necessary, but campers must have their own pickleball paddles, which can be purchased at local and online retailers (see links below). Contact Danny Castro, camp director. 

https://www.pickleballcentral.com/Pickleball_Paddles_for_Juniors_s/290.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxd-rbBxALE 

 

 

Jason Allman is an assistant wrestling coach at Pope. 

Danny Castro is entering his 13th season as the head tennis coach at Pope for both high and middle school. He played collegiate tennis from 1998 to 2001 at UT Martin and is USPTA Certified Coach.

Kim Childress is in her 18th year of teaching and 7th year at Pope Prep. During her 18 years, she has taught mathematics to grades 7-12, and she is also the head track and field coach. 

Jenna Chipkin is a new addition to the faculty and assists with the Hand-in-Hand Options Program at Pope.

Steve Cleek is a retired Nashville police officer. He served 29 years in a combination of roles, including patrol, homicide, academy detective, and training officer. Steve is an alumni parent and works security for Pope. 

Kim deMarigny is in her first year as Pope's head women's varsity basketball coach. She also teaches mathematics. 

Luke Diamond is in his 13th year of teaching science at Pope Prep. He has a BSE Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering degree from the University of Michigan.

Jennifer Dye is the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Pope Prep. She is a graduate of MTSU and Vanderbilt, a recipient of the Tennessee Science Teacher Award, National Association of Biology Teacher Award, and the Presidential Award of Excellence for Science Teaching.

Jessami Jacobson is the head high school dance coach at Pope and is a former member of the nationally ranked University of Memphis Dance Team.

Rebecca Jansing-Kaestner is in her 10th year of teaching science at Pope and oversees the Robotics club. 

Pat Kennedy is in his third year as head men's varsity lacrosse coach at Pope and serves as an admissions officer. Coach Kennedy played college lacrosse at Syracuse University, winning a National Championship. He has coached lacrosse for 19 years and won a Texas state championship.

Grace Lascara is a 2016 Pope alumna. She played lacrosse at Pope and received an athletic scholarship to play at Kennesaw State University. 

Eduardo Nunes is in his first year as an assistant volleyball coach at Pope. He grew up playing volleyball in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and later played at the club level at Duke University. He hopes to share his knowledge and passion for the game with campers and help them to develop as volleyball players.

Chris Parker is the head baseball coach at Pope. He is the only coach in Tennessee high school baseball history to lead four different programs to the state tournament. Coach Parker begins his 14th season as the coach of Team Tennessee, which takes the 20 best underclassmen in Tennessee each year to Oklahoma to compete in the prestigious National Sunbelt Classic tournament. Since taking over Team Tennessee in 2010, he has led them to three Sunbelt Classic Championships, three runner-up finishes, and two third-place finishes. Coach Parker has over 300 total wins in his career and has been the TBCA's Sectional coach of the year four times (2007 Cascade, 2009 Blackman, 2014 Forrest, 2017 Pope Prep).

Emily Parrelli is in her first year as an assistant middle school volleyball coach and English teacher for both middle and high school at Pope. 

Scott Parrelli is a musician and teaches language arts and mathematics at St. Pius X Classical Academy in Nashville. 

Arynn Powers is a middle school math teacher at Pope who loves to play strategy games of all types with family and friends. He joined the Pope Prep faculty in 2021. 

Kim Shaver is entering her 14th season as the head volleyball coach at Pope Prep and is the Hand In Hand Options Program Director.

Jennifer Smith taught English and creative writing before becoming the Director of Marketing and Communications and the adviser for Pope Prep's Knights Media program.

Susan Snyder is Pope's school nurse and a grandmother of two beautiful grandkids, making her an expert in making slime. She uses her creative slime skills to satisfy her passion for science and experiments. 

Sydney Surprenant is new to the Nashville area and is currently Saint John Vianney School's secretary. 

Haley Topper joined Pope in 2018. She is an assistant women's basketball coach and teaches science at Pope. 

Cara Wade is a STEM Curriculum designer that loves to create fun experiences for children. She is a recipient of the Tennessee Science Teacher of the Year award and STEM Teacher of the Year at the elementary level.

Charles Wade is the head men's varsity basketball coach at Pope. Coach Wade played college basketball at Trevecca Nazarene University. Before arriving at Pope, Coach Wade was a physical education teacher and a football and basketball coach for Metro Nashville Public Schools for 13 years. 

Chris Wantz is entering her 16th season as the head men and women's golf coach at Pope. She has been a member of the PGA of America since 1999 and has over 25 years of golf teaching experience.

Whitney Whittaker is in her 4th season as the head coach of the football and competition cheerleaders at Pope and led them to place in Nationals. Coach Whittaker cheered for her school team and all-girl and coed all-star teams throughout high school. She was selected as an All-American cheerleader at UCA, where she cheered all through college.