Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

We can't get over the number of amazing special interest summer camps for kids—cooking programs, circus classes, writing camps and more.

By Lindsey Garland, Lizzie Plaugic and Mary Squillace Thu Feb 7 2013

Photograph: Julie Larsen Maher

Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Bronx Zoo's Animal Kingdom Camp
Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

ArchiCamp
Photograph: Courtesy Bilingual Buds

Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Bilingual Buds
Photograph: Courtesy Butter Beans

Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Butter Beans Food & Garden Camp
Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Center for Architecture Foundation Summer@the Center
Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Circus Camp @ SLAM
Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Cirque d'Ete
Photograph: Arianys Wilson

Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

FIAF Summer Camp
Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Junior Keepers
Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Kids Make Movies Camp
Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Little Language Playgroup
Photograph: Sarah Paulson

Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

New York Botanical Garden Camp
Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Queens Zoo Week of Wildlife
Photograph: Courtesy Take Two

Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Take Two Film Academy
Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Taste Buds
Photograph: Madeline Cohen

Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Thalia Kids Book Club Camp
Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Writopia

Photograph: Julie Larsen Maher

Summer camps for kids: The best special interest camps in NYC

Bronx Zoo's Animal Kingdom Camp

Niche-loving children will have no shortage of camp programs to choose from this year—there are more special interest summer camps for kids in New York City than ever before. Mini fashionistas can use their summer break to learn the ins and outs of the fashion industry while future Top Chef contestants can try their hand at making chocolate. Other special interest summer camps for kids include architecture classes, film-making programs and foreign language session.

RECOMMENDED: Summer camps for kids

Special interest camps

Animal Kingdom Camp

Price band: 2/4

Kids embark on behind-the-scenes adventures at the famous Bronx space, getting the opportunity to observe the zoo's furry, scaly and slimy residents up close. They'll check out cubs at Tiger Mountain, roam the Butterfly Garden and visit the Congo Gorilla Forest to learn about the animal kingdom and its habitats. This year, tots can register for two consecutive weeks for a longer animal adventure. Camp runs June 24–Aug 30; Mon–Fri 10am–4pm. One-week session $350. Ages 8 to 12.

Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd, (at Fordham Rd), 10460

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ArchiCamp

Price band: 2/4

Tweens intrigued by our city's ubiquitous skyscrapers can design their own at this program. Participants study architectural principles and then apply them to mini construction projects. Excursions to local buildings and neighborhoods bring concepts they discover in class to life. Camp runs Aug 19–23 and Aug 26–30, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. One-week session $525. Ages 9 to 13.

44 E 32nd St, (between Park and Madison Aves), 10016

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Bilingual Buds Mandarin Immersion Camp

Price band: 2/4

Native Mandarin speakers lead little ones through interdisciplinary activities anchored around a theme, like Thanking the Moon (a study of Chinese culture). Kids explore each theme through cooking, crafts, music, science, drama or storytelling, and teachers deliver all instruction in Mandarin along the way. The program is open to students with beginning through advanced Mandarin skills. Camp runs June 24–Aug 16. Call for pricing on four-week sessions. Ages 2½ to 10.

175 Riverside Blvd, (between 68th and 69th Sts), 10069

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Butter Beans Food and Garden Camp

Price band: 2/4

Culinary-minded kids choose from four sessions, each with a different farm-to-table theme—how food is grown, produced, preserved or prepared. All participants take field trips to local gardens, farms and farmers' markets and "cook" their own lunch almost every day. Other activities might include visiting local chefs and beekeepers, pickling vegetables and learning to compost. At the end of camp, tots will leave with a homemade cookbook. Camp runs July 8–Aug 16, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Six-week session $3,150, five-week session $2,625, four-week session $2,300, three-week session $1,725, two-week session $1,250, one-week session $625. 15% discount offered before March 15. Ages 5 to 12.

W 13th St, (and 7th Ave), 10011

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Camp Can-I-Cook

Price band: 2/4

Kids with a curiosity for the culinary focus on a different cooking technique each week in classes like Just Chillin’ where campers will make frozen treats and Vive Le France, where campers will learn traditional French recipes. Camp runs July 8–Aug 30, Mon–Fri, Tues–Fri or Wed–Fri, 9am–noon or 1pm–4pm. Five-day session $309, four-day session $249, three-day session $189. Ages 7 to 18.

108-10 72nd Ave, (between Austin St and Queens Blvd), 11375

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Center for Architecture Foundation Summer@theCenter

Price band: 2/4

Architecture, urban planning and landscape design come to life through studio projects, walking tours and site visits. Middle-school kids have the added perk of digital-design computer classes like Waterfront Green Design and House of the Future. Center for Architecture Foundation, 536 La Guardia Pl between Bleecker and West 3rd Sts (212-358-6133, cfafoundation.org). Camp runs June 27–Aug 29, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Two-week session (ages 14 to 18) $1000, one-week session $500, four-day session $400 (Aug 26–29). Ages 8 to 18.

536 La Guardia Pl, (between Bleecker and W 3rd Sts), 10012

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Children's Summer Fashion Design Camp

Price band: 1/4

Wannabe Marc Jacobses spend their time learning the ins and outs of the fashion industry in five classes throughout the day: Fashion Branding, Design and Sewing, Fashion Illustration, Fashion NYC and Accessory Design. Each session ends with a fashion show for parents. Camp runs July 8–Aug 30, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. $200–$6400, depending on length of day and number of weeks. Ages 6 to 13.

21 W 39th St, (between Fifth and Sixth Aves), 10018

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Circus Camp @ SLAM

Price band: 2/4

Kids learn to fly through the air with the greatest of ease on the trapeze at this Williamsburg  camp. They also get to sample other circus favorites; during the sessions, campers bounce on the trampoline, try out tumbling, walk the tightrope and study Elizabeth Streb’s Pop Action technique. On Fridays they show off their new skills to family. The big top can even accommodate preschoolers: Children ages 3 to 5 learn basic tumbling in the Little Kid Action Camp. Camp (ages 6 to 12) runs July 8–Aug 2, Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm. One-week session $625. Little Kid Action camp (ages 3 to 5)  runs Aug 5–16, Mon–Fri 9:30am–12:30pm. One–week session $295. Ages 3 to 12.

51 North 1st St, (between Kent and Wythe Aves), 11211

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Cirque d'Ete

Price band: 3/4

Kids sample life under the big top by learning acrobatics and clowning basics from specialized staff members. They're also introduced to circus music, costumes and sets. Camp runs July 8–Aug 16, Mon–Fri 8am–4pm or 8am–1pm. Three two-week sessions $2,915 (full day), $2,260 (half day); two two-week sessions $2,085 (full day), $1,600 (half day); one two-week session $1,150 (full day), $840 (half day). Ages 4 to 11.

P.S. 58, 330 Smith St, (at Carroll St), 11231

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FIAF Summer Camp

Price band: 1/4

Whether your petit enfant is saying her first “Bonjour” or has the language of love down pat, you’ll find an appropriate program for her among FIAF’s summer offerings. À Petits Pas camp (ages 1 to 5) runs July 5–26, Fridays; Aug 5–30, Mon–Fri 9:30–10:15am, 10:30am–noon or 1–2:30pm. Four-week session $120 –$170. À Petits Pas summer mini camp (ages 3 to 5) runs July 1–Aug 1, Mon–Thu 9am–noon or 1:30–4:30pm. One-week session $250–$330. Summer Fun in French: Petit Tour de France camp (ages 5 to 11) runs June 24–Aug 1, Mon–Thu 9:30am–4:30pm. Two-week session $1,035–$1,400. Immersion for Kids and Teens camp (ages 11 to 17) runs June 17–Aug 23, Mon–Fri 9:30am–12:30pm. Two-week session $560. French Cultural Fun and Discoveries camp (ages 11 to 15) runs June 17–July 26, Mon–Fri 1–4pm. Two-week session $660–$750. Ages 12 months to 17 years.

22 E 60th St, third floor, (between Madison and Park Aves), 10065

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Junior Keepers

Price band: 2/4

Kids learn the ins and outs of working at a zoo. Participants help prepare meals for animals, talk to keepers and design an exhibit of their own that they'll display in an "exhibit fair" at the end of the week. Camp runs July 22–26, Mon–Fri 9am–3pm. One-week session $325. Ages 11 to 12.

Queens Zoo, 53-51 111th St, (at 53rd Ave), 11355

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Kids Make Movies Camp

Price band: 2/4

Future Steven Spielbergs can get a feel for what it’s like behind the camera as they try their hand at every aspect of the movie-making process. Kids will work in small groups to write the screenplay, make storyboards, operate professional video cameras, sound equipment and lights, act and direct. In the post-production stage, campers will edit their footage in iMovie. One week after camp ends, all participants receive a DVD of their cinematic masterpiece. Camp runs July 1–5, July 20–25 and Aug 10–15, Mon–Fri, 9am–1pm or 2pm–6pm. Five-day session $595. Ages 8 to 15.

780 Riverside Drive, (between 155th and 156th Sts), 10032

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Little Language Playgroup

Price band: 1/4

This camp seamlessly blends Italian lessons with fun, age-appropriate activities. Kids may start the day with an Italian immersion class that involves music and dance. Later they might flex their creativity with cooking, drawing or painting before playing percussion or acting out their favorite fairy tale. The day usually winds down with stretching and yoga along with some classical music. Camp runs July 1–Aug 1, Mon–Fri 9am–1pm. One-week session $200. Ages 4 to 8.

7921 Seventh Ave, (between 80th and 81st Sts), 11228

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Museum of the Moving Image Summer Media Camps

Price band: 2/4

The venerable Queens spot offers tweens and teens a chance to work with the museum's computers, software and equipment to put together their own onscreen creations. Children ages 9 to 11 choose from three weeklong sessions covering movies (Aug 5–9), animation (Aug 12–16) and video game design (Aug 19–23), while teens ages 12 and up refine their skills in an advanced animation and video-game-design program. Camp runs Aug 5–30, Mon–Fri 10am–4pm. Extended hours available for an additional price. Three-week session $1,100, two-week session $800, one-week session $450. Ages 9 and up.

36-01 35th Ave, (at 37th St), 11106

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New York Botanical Garden Camps

Price band: 1/4

This summer the NYBG is offering three weeklong, nature-oriented camps: the Art in Nature Camp, in which budding artists explore the connection between art and nature and meet professional horticulturalists; the Forest Adventure Camp, wherein kids undertake forest hikes, scavenger hunts and tree climbs; and the Wild Wetlands Camp, which introduces kids to the life of marshes, rivers and ponds. Art in Nature Camp: July 8–12 and July 29–Aug 2; Forest Adventure Camp: July 22–25 and Aug 12–16; Wild Wetlands Camp: July 15–19 and Aug 5–9. Mon–Fri 9am–4pm; extended-day options available for an additional fee. One-week session $250. Ages 5 to 10.

2900 Southern Blvd, (Bronx River Pkwy at Fordham Rd), 10458

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Queens Zoo Week of Wildlife

Price band: 2/4

This weeklong animal extravaganza introduces kids to the different animal groups that reside in the zoo. Campers will also study invertebrates and learn how to care for a compost bin. Camp runs July 8–12, July 15–19, Aug 19–23, Aug 26–30; Mon–Fri 9am–3pm. One-week session $325. Ages 6 to 7.

Queens Zoo, 53-51 111th St, (at 53rd Ave), 11355

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Take Two Film Academy

Price band: 3/4

Instead of buying your tween a movie ticket, empower him to make his own films. These weeklong workshops teach kids to write, direct, edit and act in their own movies using professional equipment and editing software. • The Mandell School, 795 Columbus Ave at 100th St (917-546-6816, taketwofilmacademy.com). • Leman Prep, 1 Morris St between Broadway and Greenwich St. Camp runs June 17–Aug 23, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. One-week session $800. Ages 8 to 16.

Various locations

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Taste Buds Camps

Price band: 2/4

Each session of this cooking camp has a different theme: Kids can work with chocolate, make baked goods, or create classic NYC dishes and specialties from around the world. Iron Chef–like challenges are also on the menu. Camp runs June 10–Sept 6, Mon–Fri 9am–noon (ages 4 to 8) or Mon–Fri 1–4pm (ages 9 to 13). One-week session $415; multiweek discounts available. Ages 4 to 13.

109 W 27th St, tenth floor, (between Sixth and Seventh Aves), 10001

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Thalia Kids Book Club

Price band: 2/4

Kids hobnob with best-selling authors and participate in writing workshops and literary excursions around the city. In the past, campers have met with big names like Norton Juster (The Phantom Tollboth) and Rebecca Stead (When You Reach Me). Camp runs July 22–Aug 16, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. One-week session $650. Ages 9 to 14.

Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, (at 95th St), 10025

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Writopia Camp

Price band: 2/4

Youngsters expand their imaginations under the guidance of professional writers in this nonprofit organization’s summer programs. Kids work with a published author to create a piece of fiction, a memoir or a poem, or opt for the Playwriting and Performance session, where they spend time with a playwright, composing an original play. Camp runs June 10–Aug 30, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, 9:30am–noon, 1–4pm or 4–7pm. Two-week session $1,600 (full day), $1,020 (half day); one-week session $850 (full day), $560 (half day). Ages 6 to 18.