Community Corner
Local Guide to Summer Camps for Kids
With the warm weather on the way, now is the time to select a great summer program before they all fill up.
With a little less than four months left in the school year, local parents have already started planning for their kids’ summer vacation.
And that means one thing: summer camp.
To help you decide, Wantagh-Seaford Patch has compiled this summer camp guide featuring a host of programs in town – and many others from nearby towns – to make the job of picking the one that’s right for your kids a much easier experience.
See the list below, and if you think we missed some, please add the camp details in the comment section.
Wantagh-Seaford
Location: Wantagh
Name: Wee Friends Day Camp
Type of camp: Variety/sports/crafts
Cost: *Call for details
Where: Wee Friends Day Camp,1865 Beech St., Wantagh
When: June 24 - Aug. 5
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment, as space permits.
Details: Wee Friends summer program is for toddlers through 10th graders based on the Chaim Ginot philosophy, which always focuses on the positive and daily hand-on experiences. Children ages 2 - 6 enjoy a nursery and kindergarten program with limited class size for individual attention while older children’s activities includes arts, sports and enrichment activities.
For more information call: 516-783-0600
Location: Seaford
Name: Seaford Community Pre-School
Type of camp: preschool/
Cost: *Call for details
Where: Seaford Community Pre-School, 2160 Washington Ave., Seaford
When: *Call for specific programs
Deadline for registration: Open Enrollment
Details: Seaford Community Preschool is a Christian preschool that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church of Seaford. It is currently in its 42nd year of operation and offers classes for children ages 2 1/2 to 4 years old.
For more information call: 516-785-0070
Location: Wantagh
Name: Maplewood
Type of camp: variety/sports/arts
Cost: Nursery School: $1,950 - $3,700; Kindergarten: $2,050 - $3,850; Completing 1st Grade: $2,200 - $4,150; Grade 2 and older: $2,300 - $4,300; Mini-Day Program: $1,500 - $2,900.
Where: Maplewood, 2166 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh
When: June 24 - Aug. 16
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment as space permits.
Details: Maplewood offers mini-day, three-day a week and full week programs for children age 3 through school age. Camp activities feature American Red Cross instructional swimming, aquatics, sports, arts, dance, computers, cooking, music, special events and travel programs for older groups.
For more information call: 516-221-2121
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Location: Wantagh
Name: Mad Science
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Type of camp: educational/science
Cost: $180 - $239 per half-day week, $345 - $365 per full-day week
Where: St. Jane Frances De Chantal Church, 1309 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh.
When: June 24 - Aug. 30
Deadline for registration: Ongoing registration, space is limited.
Details: Mad Science offers fun half-day and full-day science summer camp programs for children entering kindergarten to 6th grade. Each week, camp has a different theme from Crazy Chemworks and Flight Academy to Advanced Robotics with hands-on experiments and activities.
For more information call: 516-620-6768
Location: Wantagh
Name: Love to Sing
Type of camp: music/performing arts
Cost: $1,200 until April 1
Where: Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church, 1845 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh.
When: Four Sessions: June 24 - 28, July 8 - 12, July 15 - 19, July 22 - 26
Deadline for registration: Ongoing registration, space is limited.
Details: Love to Sing offers four one-week summer programs for children ages 5 - 13 who love music to have a concentrated music workshop and fun musical activities. Young campers will sing along to favorite songs from pop stars and musicals.
For more information call: 516-884-4000
Merrick
Location: Merrick
Name: Merrick Woods Country Day School
Type of camp: outdoors/sports/crafts
Cost: Rookie Camp: $1,325 - $1,900; Younger Camp: $1,795 - $4,525; Traditional Camp: $3,600 - $4,945; Tween Explorer: $3,600 - $5,145; Top Notch Teens Travel: $3,300 - $5,575.
Where: Merrick Woods Country Day School, 1075 Merrick Ave., Merrick.
When: June 27 - Aug. 22
Deadline for registration: Tuition due by May 1
Details: Merrick Woods offers a summer day camp program for children, divided into age groups: Younger Camp (nursery - kindergarten), Traditional Camp (grades 1 - 4), Tween Explorer (grades 5 - 6), Top Notch Teens Travel (grades 7 - 10). Camp activities include swimming, athletic sports, arts and crafts, club time to pursue individual interests and special events. Tween explorers will go on two field trips each week, while Teen Travels go on trips throughout the tri-state area.
For more information call: 516-483-7272
Location: Merrick
Name: Coleman Country Day Camp
Type of camp: variety/outdoors/sports/arts
Cost: Cubs in Training: $1,500 - $2,000; Entering Nursery School: $3,350 - $3,650;
Entering Pre-K: $4,350 - $4,650; Entering Kindergarten: $5,350 - $5,650; Scouts & Explorers: $6,450 - $6,750; Forty-Niners: $6,650 - $6,950. Sibling Discount available.
Where: Coleman Country Day Camp, 55 Babylon Tpke., Merrick.
When: June 27 - Aug. 22
Deadline for registration: First-come, First-serve as space permits.
Details: Coleman Country Day Camp offers a spirited, Western-style community summer program for children ages 20 months to entering 8th grade. Older children are divided into two groups: Scouts & Explorers (grades 1 - 4), Forty-Niners (grades 5 - 8). Camp activities include team sports, miniature golf, instructional swim lessons, wall climbing, archery, ziplines and more.
For more information call: 516-620-4300
Location: Merrick
Name: Alphabetland Day School & Camp
Type of camp: pre-school/sports/crafts
Cost: * Call for specific programs
Where: Alphabetland, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, Merrick.
When: July 1 - Aug. 23
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment, as space permits.
Details: Alphabetland runs a summer day camp for children ages 7 - 12 at their Merrick location. Children take part in activities such as swimming, basketball, soccer, arts and crafts, drama and music. Field trips for older campers include picnics, bowling, visits to Cyclone basketball games, the beach, Bronx Zoo, and New York aquarium with transportation provided. At the end of the season, the kids and their counselors put on a great camp show for parents’ entertainment.
For more information call: 516-826-9339
Bellmore
Location: Bellmore
Name: M.A.T.S.S. Kids Gym Summer Camp
Type of camp: gymnastics/sports
Cost: * Call for specific programs
Where: Two locations: M.A.T.S.S. Kids Gym, 2629 Grand Ave., Bellmore
When: July 5 - Aug. 23
Deadline for registration: Early Bird specials through June, open enrollment as space permits.
Details: M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym offers summer program for children ages 2 - 10. Small group sizes are the norm. Daily activities will include arts and crafts, music and movement, and playtime in indoor gyms. Weekly themed programs are available for children over age 7 that will feature specialties including magic shows, pony rides, puppet shows and field trips.
For more information call: 516-221-1330
Location: Bellmore
Name: South Shore Country Day Camp
Type of camp: variety/sports/crafts
Cost: *Call for specific programs
Where: South Shore Country Day Camp, 1149 Newbridge Rd., Bellmore.
When: June 24 - Aug. 16
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment, as space permits.
Details: South Shore Country Day Camp offers five camp programs for children: Hot Tots & Kiddie Camp (ages 3 - 5) with half-, mini- and full-day options, Adventurers Program (grades 1 - 4), Explorers Club (grades 5 - 6), South Shore Teens (grades 7- 9). Hot Tots and Kiddie Camps feature Red Cross swimming instruction, mini-sport, music and drama, arts and more. Adventurers and Explorers programs focus on sports, creative and performing arts, swimming, nature/environmental studies, elective clubs and field trips. South Shore Teens program features day trips to local attractions and four overnight trips, including a three-day trip.
For more information call: 516-785-3311
Location: North Bellmore
Name: Camp Iconic
Type of camp: variety/sports/arts
Cost: $2,755 includes lunch; $3,575 includes lunch and busing
Where: Camp Iconic, 2600 Regent Place, North Bellmore.
When: June 25 - Aug. 9
Deadline for registration: Open Enrollment, as space permits.
Details: Camp Iconic is a brand new full-day summer camp run by Wee Friends for children entering kindergarten - 8th grade. Its facilities include air-conditioned classrooms, indoor gym, full-sized fields and an in-ground pool. Camp activities will feature
sports/tennis programs, swimming, arts and crafts, musical theatre, multimedia/music technology, music and dance, special events including an Olympic-style camp competition.
For more information call: 516-781-8800
Location: North Bellmore
Name: Alphabetland Day School & Camp
Type of camp: pre-school/sports/crafts
Cost: * Call for specific programs
Where: Alphabetland, 1775 Newbridge Rd, North Bellmore
When: July 1 - Aug. 23
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment, as space permits.
Details: Alphabetland runs a summer day camp for children ages 3 - 6 at their Bellmore location. Children will take part in activities such as swimming, basketball, soccer, arts and crafts, drama and music. Field trips for older campers include picnics, bowling, visits to Cyclone basketball games, the beach, Bronx Zoo, and New York aquarium with transportation provided. At the end of the season, the kids and their counselors put on a great camp show for parents’ entertainment.
For more information call: 516-826-9339
Massapequa
Location: Massapequa
Name: Wind ‘N Willow
Type of camp: educational/arts and crafts/outdoors
Cost: $108 - $270 per week for three-quarter days, $160 - $394 per week full time. Sibling Discount available.
Where: Wind ‘N Willow, 1201 N. Broadway, Massapequa.
When: July 1 - Aug. 9, closed July 4.
Deadline for registration: Ongoing, as long as space is available.
Details: This Massapequa-based pre-school offers summer camp programs for children ages 18 months - 5 years, from one- to six-weeks in length with different themes. Activities available at their summer camp include arts and crafts, music, nature study, and weekly pizza parties.
For more information call: 516-752-8613
Location: Massapequa
Name: Massapequa Soccer Club
Type of camp: sports/soccer
Cost: $130 Massapequa Soccer Club players, $150 non-club members; Mini-Camp: $100 per player
Where: *Field to be determined
When: Four Sessions: July 8 - 11, July 15 - 18, July 22 - 25, July 29 - Aug. 1
Deadline for registration: Open Enrollment.
Details: Massapequa Soccer Club offers four one-week long camp programs where players can learn news skills and and drills. Mini-Camp is for U5 and U6 players, with full-day programs for older players.
Location: Massapequa
Name: Tutor Time of Massapequa
Type of camp: Educational
Cost: * Call for details
Where: Tutor Time Massapequa, 100 Grand Ave., Massapequa
When: June 25 - Aug. 30. Enrichment program: Sept. 3 - 6.
Deadline for registration: Open Enrollment.
Details: Tutor Time runs a 10-week summer camp with different themed weeks the include art, sports, nature, technology, cooking and animals. Children are divided into groups by age: Discoverers (age 3), Explorers (ages 4 - 5), Adventurers (grades K - 5). Adventurers will take field trips twice a week along with sports, arts and crafts and more.
For more information call: 631-799-1234
Location: Massapequa
Type of camp: educational
Cost: *Call for details
Where: Montessori’s Children School, 98 Jerusalem Ave., Massapequa
When: July 1 - Aug. 9
Deadline for registration: *Call for specific programs
Details: This early childhood education center offers a summer program for children ages 3 - 6. The program’s activities include ceramics, woodworking, science, puppet making, arts and crafts and special guest days.
For more information call: 516-541-6365
Location: Massapequa
Name: Massapequa School District Summer Sports and Summer Recreation
Type of camp: educational/sports
Cost: *To be announced before May 22
Where: *To be announced before May 22
When: July 1 - Aug. 9, Closed July 4.
Deadline for registration: First-come, first-serve.
Details: Massapequa School District offers a number of summer recreation and summer sport camp programs for baseball and football to tennis. These programs are open to Massapequa School District residents only and are contingent on the passage of the school budget.
For more information call: 516-308-5080
Location: Massapequa
Name:Sportime
Type of camp: sports/ tennis
Cost: Junior Multi-Sport Camp: $215 - $270 per week half day, $395 - $475 per week full time; Junior Tennis Camp: $215 - $270 per week half day, $395 - $475 per week full time.
Where: Sportime, 5600 Old Sunrise Highway, Massapequa.
When: June 24 - July 26
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment, as space permits.
Details: Sportime of Massapequa offers two sports camp for children during the summer: Junior Multi-Sport Camp (ages 4 - 14), Junior Tennis Camp (ages 4 - 17). The Junior Multi-Sport camp allows athletes to try their hand at a variety of sports, while Junior Tennis Camp allows children to focus on tennis.
For more information call: 516-799-3550
Location: Massapequa
Type of camp: outdoors/variety/sports
Cost: $200 first child, $275 for two children, $75 for each additional child in the same family
Where: Majorie R. Post Park, Unqua Road and Merrick Road, Massapequa.
When: July 1 - Aug. 9, closed July 4.
Deadline for registration: June 14
Details: The Town of Oyster Bay offers a summer recreation program for children ages 4 - 12 at town parks and beaches. Activities include sports, games, field trips, shows and even the 34th Annual Tobay Games. The day is divided into morning session, 9:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and afternoon session, 12:45 p.m. - 3 p.m. No supervision is provided for lunch hour between 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. so parents must make arrangements. Visit the town’s website for five other locations.
For more information call: 516-797-412
Location: Massapequa
Type of camp: educational/science
Cost: $180 - $239 per half-day week, $345 - $365 per full-day week
Where: Presbyterian Community Church, 150 Pittsburgh Ave, Massapequa.
When: June 24 - Aug. 30
Deadline for registration: Ongoing registration, space is limited.
Details: Mad Science offers fun half-day and full-day science summer camp programs for children entering kindergarten to 6th grade. Each week, camp has a different theme from Crazy Chemworks and Flight Academy to Advanced Robotics with hands-on activities.
For more information call: 516-620-6768
East Meadow
Location: East Meadow
Name: Big Chief
Type of camp: Outdoors/sports/arts
Cost: * Call for specific programs
Where: Big Chief, 2427 North Jerusalem Rd., East Meadow.
When: June 24 - Aug. 16
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment
Details: Big Chief offers half-day, mini-day and full-day programs for children ages 6 weeks - 12 years. The half-day program runs from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., mini-day from 10:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., and full day from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Extended hours are available free of charge. Hot lunch is served daily. Younger children participate in arts, instructional swimming lessons, sports, music, drama and more. Older campers’ activities include sports, horseback riding, archery, rock climbing, science clubs and field trips to local museums and planetariums.
For more information call: 516-781-3900
Hempstead
Location: Hempstead
Name: Hofstra Summer Camps
Type of camp: sports/performing arts/academics
Cost: Specialty Camps: $825 - $2,500; Learning Institute: $1,675 - $4,880; Sports Academy Camp: $775 - $3,400; Hofstra and Nassau BOCES Camp: $1,000 - $3,590. $50 application fee for all except BOCES camp.
Where: Hofstra University, 1000 Fulton Ave, Hempstead.
When: Four Sessions: July 1 - 12, July 15 - 26, July 29 - Aug. 9, Aug. 12 - 16
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment as long as space is available.
Details: Hofstra Specialty Camps and the Learning Institute offer a spectrum of two-, four-, six- and seven-week co-ed camps for children entering kindergarten - 9th grade. There are more than 20 Specialty Camps, including actors workshop, dance, fine arts, golf, musical theater, science, soccer, tennis, more, in addition to 13 Learning Institute camps that encourage children to reach their academic potential. The Sports Academy camp allows athletes in grades 3 - 12 to learn new and drill new skills in 12 sports, including baseball, basketball, dance, pep band, wrestling, girls' lacrosse camp and more.
For more information call: 516-463-CAMP (2267)
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