Sure, it’s spring, and schools are still in session, but it’s never too early to block out your summer. And if you have children looking to enjoy the warm months, summer day camps are always a nice opportunity for engaging in fun outdoor activities. And in the New York City area, there are a great variety of camps to choose from. Here are two public and two private day camps that have my inner child’s eye.
Summer Rising – Public
The Department of Education’s Summer Rising will offer free, full-day camp programming in all five boroughs. Academic classes, social-emotional learning, and field trips to various venues are included, as are breakfast, lunch, and a snack for every camper. New York City children K-8 can participate.
The camp is administered by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and the DOE. It has origins in 2021 to help kids after the height of the pandemic. Registration to enroll in Summer Rising for this year will be available by late March. The program will commence on Wednesday, July 5 at a variety of locations that families can express a preference for.
Fresh Air Fund – Public
The free Fresh Air Fund experiences at sleepaway camps in New York’s mid-Hudson Valley or via volunteer host families along the East Coast allow campers to enjoy swimming, hiking, and other sports. Other activities include classes on music, coding, photography, and art.
Since its founding in 1877, not-for-profit The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to almost two million children from New York City’s underserved communities.Applications are on freshairfund.my.site.com/apply.
Fun Station Day Camp – Private
This camp is held at Fun Station’s main site in Travis. It offers a more play-oriented experience, with rides, arcade games, basketball courts, laser tag and more. There are also field trips to the movies, bowling, sports games, and even Keansburg Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe, Medieval Times, and Jenkinson’s Boardwalk.Registration is currently open. The camp is held from 9 a.m. through 3:30 p.m., with early and extended hours. It’s priced at $3,300 for eight weeks.
Fresh Air Fund – Public
The free Fresh Air Fund experiences at sleepaway camps in New York’s mid-Hudson Valley or via volunteer host families along the East Coast allow campers to enjoy swimming, hiking, and other sports. Other activities include classes on music, coding, photography, and art.
Since its founding in 1877, not-for-profit The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to almost two million children from New York City’s underserved communities.Applications are on freshairfund.my.site.com/apply.
Staten Island Academy Day Camp – Private
Staten Island Academy’s campus in Todt Hill offers a varied sports, science, and swimming experience for children of all ages. It also has an Adventure/Counselor-in-Training program for teens entering grades 9 and 10, allowing them to enjoy field trips while also taking classes to become a counselor.
The camp is in action from June 17 through Aug. 11, with daily weekday hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. An extended day service is available for additional fees. There is an ongoing discount for all fully-paid registrations before the first of May.
Camp rates depend on age and the number of days your child will attend camp. Visit https://www.statenislandacademy.org/summer for the full rates list.
