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From Stamford CT to Redmond WA
Great Play Knows No Boundaries
August 7, 2008, Stamford, CT – Just two years after opening its pilot location in Stamford, CT, Great Play, a one-of-a-kind concept in the children’s gym category, has opened its first franchised location across the country in Redmond, WA, owned by Marie Maxwell.
"We weren't really planning to grant our first franchise 2500 miles away, but with an operator as strong as Marie in a market as strong as Redmond, we couldn't pass it up," said Jyl Camhi, co-founder of Great Play."
Great Play is a unique children’s gym experience. Through directed play, kids ages six months to 12 years develop motor skills and sport skills via instruction and playing specially designed age-appropriate games in the company's proprietary Interactive Arena™ -- a patent-pending network of computers, projectors, video sensors and sound.
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 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. A few examples include kicking field goals through uprights with an interactive referee, and taking jump-shots in a cheering stadium with a giant scoreboard counting down.
"As soon as you step inside Great Play you’ll see the difference," says Keith Camhi, Great Play co-founder. "There are no static setups of heavy equipment. Our stations change several times per class and not just the equipment, but the entire visual environment. The breadth of activities we incorporate helps make every visit to Great Play fun and exciting. But it 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 breadth of our program really sets us apart."
For younger Players, Great Play’s curriculum is designed to give a comprehensive framework in 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.
It was the combination of this updated curriculum and the engaging high-tech environment that ultimately attracted Redmond franchise owner Marie Maxwell to Great Play.
"After a long career at Microsoft, I decided that it was time to do something on my own," explains Marie. "I had looked at several of the popular children's gym franchises, but the curriculums seemed dated and one dimensional. Jyl Camhi and I had worked together at Microsoft in the 90s and kept in touch over the years. When I heard what she and her husband Keith were doing, I took a trip to Stamford to see it in action. I knew immediately the health conscious, sports-oriented people of the Pacific Northwest would embrace this unique concept."
About Great Play
Great Play is a youth play and sports center founded in 2006 by Keith and Jyl Camhi. 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 3000 sq. ft. space to life. The company also offers birthday parties.
The original Great Play is located in Stamford, Connecticut with an additional location opening September 1 in Scarsdale, New York. It 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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UPCOMING EVENTS
Open House
Great Play will be hosting open house events at all three of its locations: Stamford, CT, Scarsdale, NY and Redmond, WA from Monday August 25 through Thursday, August 28, 2008. The events are free to the general public. For a schedule of activities, the fall class schedule or birthday party pricing and information please visit the location’s website listed below.
LOCATIONS:
Stamford, CT
2000 W. Main St.
203-978-1333
www.greatplay.com/stamford
Scarsdale, NY
969B Central Park Ave
914-713-3470
www.greatplay.com/scarsdale
Redmond, WA
16510 Cleveland St, Suite N
425-885-3800
www.greatplay.com/redmond
