When looking for summer camps to enroll their children in, some parents might not be immediately drawn to the idea of a chess camp, but the curriculum at this local after-school enrichment program might just change their minds.
Reb Phillips created the Knight School about five years ago after falling in love with the concept one of his college friends had created. This concept involved teaching chess in a fun, fast, and dynamic environment with a curriculum unlike normal.
“The things that chess teaches,” said Phillips, “the puzzle solving, the complexity of the game and the way it makes kids immediately engage… it is amazing to me.”
Before the pandemic hit, the Knight School offered after-school programs at nearly 40 schools within the St. Johns and Duval counties, with around 400 kids enrolled, but they were forced to switch to online programs once the schools shut down.
The virtual classes turned out to be a blessing in disguise, according to Phillips, because the Knight School was able to grow due to new, online resources.
Now the Knight School is only in a handful of schools for after-school programs but is gearing up for a very busy summer of camp programs.
Knight School summer camps will be offered at 5 different schools within the two counties, with week-long programs where kids will be taught the ins and outs of the complex game while also developing their social skills.
“Not only is it this critical thinking game, but also a very fun and social activity for the kids to engage in,” said Phillps. “It just activates their brain on a whole other level.”
The Knight School’s summer camp programs are already filling up but do still have spaces available. On top of their camps, the School also offers private lessons (either in person or via virtual outlets) which include one-on-one sessions and a more in-depth opportunity to learn the complex game of chess.
