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Summer camps in NYC that kids will love

Kids will have a blast and make lasting memories at these summer camps in NYC

Written by
Jennifer Picht
&
Paulina Jayne Isaac
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School will be out for the summer before you know it, so it’s time to start making plans for the summer. How will you keep the kids entertained? There are plenty of playgrounds, parks and outdoor activities to keep them off the couch and active, but there’s nothing like a summer camp to provide enriching, entertaining experiences. Summer camps in NYC range from academic to athletic to just plain fun, not to mention sleepaway camps that give you a little more room to breathe. Whether you’ve got an animal lover, an outdoor enthusiast, a budding scientist or a sporty type, there’s a summer camp offering just the right schedule of opportunities. And if you want to get in on the fun, check out the best family camp programs in the city.

Summer camps in New York

  • Things to do
  • Camps
  • Brooklyn

The New York Aquarium Camp offers aqua-based activities on weekdays for campers from 9am to 3pm. The camp also offers an extended care add-on that runs from 3-5pm. This includes fun activities, exhibit visits, and nature play exploration. Kids in grades Pre-K (must be at least four) to eighth grade can enjoy different programs that focus on sea animals like jellyfish, sea lions, penguins whales, crabs, sharks, and more!

  • Things to do
  • Camps
  • The Bronx
  • price 2 of 4

If you’re a parent to a young animal lover then you can’t go wrong with the Bronx Zoo Summer Camp option. There are educational and fun experiences for grades kindergarten through eighth grade—and programming for toddlers (with a parent or caregiver present), too. Offerings include Kinderzoo, Little Vets, Junior Scientists and more. There are camp options that begin at 3-day and go up to two weeks. The zoo also offers extended care for children.

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Camp Corlears focuses on giving kids space outdoors to play, learn and laugh with their friends. The Chelsea elementary school offers a “Super Saplings camp for ages 3 to 4 that’s available as both a half-day camp and a full-day camp. Your kid can also join the “Budding Branches camp for ages 5 to 6 or the “Outdoors in NYC camp for ages 7 to 11. Children will be inspired by nature and their own artistic creativity to join in a vibrant and welcoming community. One thing that sets Camp Corlears apart is its Tuition Equity and Accessibility Model (TEAM), which determines the equitable tuition level (from zero to maximum) for all families.

  • Things to do
  • Camps
  • Chelsea
  • price 3 of 4

If a summer full of sports or arts and crafts doesn’t seem like the right fit for your kid, then try the National Museum of Mathematics’ MoMath Summer Camp. Don’t worry, the campers don’t just work on math problems all day. It’s just as fun as any other camp. The camp separates the group by age-related programs. Epsilons are rising first through third graders, Deltas are rising fourth through sixth graders, and Gammas are rising seventh through ninth graders. There are five mathematical-themed camps that kids can choose from. Masks are required in the museum.

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  • Sports and fitness
  • Chelsea
  • price 2 of 4

McBurney YMCA has a traditional day camp as well as a swimming camp and kinder camp, but it also offers a robotics camp for those 6 to 8! Kids can design, build and program independent robots using LEGO Mindstorms equipment and software. While having fun, they’ll be working their creative muscles, problem-solving, working with others and learning STEM skills. When not building robots, they’ll be having fun with traditional camp activities from arts and crafts to science and more.

  • Things to do
  • Camps
  • price 4 of 4

92 Y is a classic choice when it comes to sending your kid to camp in NYC. The campers will get transported to its beautiful 50-acre Rockland County campgrounds for a summer full of activities that will even make adults jealous. Horseback riding, martial arts, robotics, rock wall climbing, filmmaking, and cooking are among some of the activities available to the campers. Rockland County is six miles from the Bronx, so kids can be scheduled to get picked up at a city bus location.

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  • Things to do
  • Camps
  • Upper East Side
  • price 3 of 4

When it comes to Asphalt Green’s summer day camps, there are two locations to choose from. The Upper East Side and Battery Park City locations will provide an abundance of activities that will surely satisfy any camper. If a day camp isn’t the right fit, mini-camps, swim camps, and soccer camps are also offered. Their Summer Day Camp runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Tuition includes all activities, field trips, daily lunch, and snacks.

Downtown United Soccer Club
  • Things to do
  • Camps
  • West Village
  • price 1 of 4

Great soccer players aren’t born—they’re made. Even Cristiano Ronaldo and Megan Rapino had to start somewhere, right? If you spot greatness in your kid (or if they just really like kicking a ball around), Downtown United Soccer Club is a place where they’ll thrive. The day camp offers a full-day option for older campers and a half-day option for younger campers. Having been around for more than 25 years means that they know how to teach kids skill work, ball mastery, coordination, and movement.

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The West Side Y has so many options for kids and each year is a different theme. This year’s is “West Side Water World,” which will be envisioned through fun arts and crafts and programming. It’s all about teamwork, physical activity and inclusivity. This Y has camps for all ages, up to 12.

  • Kids
  • East Village

Parents can choose between various 14th Street Y Camp options. One option, the New Country Day Camp, is perfect for kids who want to participate in a variety of activities ranging from science to athletics. It’s located right in the middle of the 75-acre Staten Island Greenbelt. Kids in grades K-8th grade are free to choose to camp outside of Manhattan. While the New Town Day Camp is located at 14th Street Y facilities in Manhattan are strictly for children ages 2-5. They also offer the New Country Pride Camp for LGBTQ+ youth ages 5-13. All three day camps pride themselves on teaching kids creative arts, science and technology, and sports and games in a fun and inclusive space.

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  • Things to do
  • Camps
  • Queens

Your child will learn first-hand about nature at Queen’s Botanical Garden Camp. Living in New York doesn’t always offer a lot of greenery, so this is a chance for your child to learn about planting, playing, and observing in what’s dubbed an “urban oasis,” where people, plants, and a variety of cultures are celebrated through gardens and educational programs. Your camper will come home from camp knowing more about the natural world than when they started at the beginning of the season.

City Sail is Hudson River Community Sailing’s week-long sailing and STEM camp where kids can enjoy their summer break on the river. The camp recommends two weeks to start, so kids have the opportunity to learn basic skills, and then reinforce those skills. If you’re concerned about your kidding sailing in adverse weather, don’t be. They will not go on the water if there are dangerous conditions (sustained winds above 20 knots or imminent lightning/thunder). If there’s inclement weather, the campers will focus on land-based activities and games until conditions improve. They’re bound to have fun no matter what!

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When it comes to Mill Basin Day Camp, the options are endless. The camp offers five different programs: Pioneers for the youngest campers, Adventures, Stars, Explorers, and Teen Camp. Kids are split up into age-appropriate groups and led by multiple teachers and counselors, depending on the specific group’s needs. Mill Basin prides itself on offering innovative programming and careful staff selection to make sure that your child has the best possible summer experience.

If your little camper is looking to get their hands dirty, then send them to Play:ground. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to reimagining urban life as a place where children can freely explore, play, and create. “The Yard” is a place where kids play in hidden nooks, muddy paths, and on kid-built structures. There’s a place for kids to work with tools, building materials, and fine art. This is the camp for kids who like to get their hands dirty.

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