new york family's ultimate guide to summer camps 2012

Spring/Summer 2012 | newyorkfamily.com

SUMMER CAMPthE 2012 UltiMAtE gUidE to

Is Your ChIld readY?

(are You?)Camp de-Bunked: a dIreCtor, a Counselor, andan 11-Year-old Camper

tell all

10 QuestIons to ask a dIreCtor

Camp’s BIg dIvIdend: lIFelongFrIendshIps

2 New York Family 2012 Ultimate Guide To Summer Camp

Do you have concerns about your child’s schoolwork?

» Has your school voiced concern about your child’s academic progress?

» Does your child avoid reading?Drake Bennett Summer Schools are focused on offering the best educational intervention program possible.This 1st-6th grade summer school provides intensive reading, writing and math intervention for students with signifi cant academic needs, intermixed with delightful hands-on classes in science, drama, art and sports.All classes are taught by professional educators, all of whom are single-subject specialists who know how to get kids totally involved. The students rotate among six teachers daily, refreshed as they switch focus throughout the summer school day. We’ve been running this summer program for six years in San Francisco, where we operate Northern California’s largest private remedial summer school. We are bringing to New York this unique instructional model that we’ve been fi ne-tuning since 2006.

» Daily multisensory literacy and math intervention» Speech and language pathologist available for daily therapy» Patient intervention for students with catching-up to do» On-site gym for daily sports program and recesses » Ages: Kids rising to 1st-6th grades in 2012-13» Dates: July 30-August 24, Monday-Friday» Hours: 8:00-6:00 (early dismissal optional)» Class size: Maximum 12 students/teacher» Why August in the city? So they’ll be more confi dent and

prepared in September

Our summer host is The Epiphany School, 141 East 28th at Lex.We do not occupy The Epiphany School campus until July 28, so

please contact us directly atwww.drakebennett.org

646-707-3443

Drake Bennett Summer SchoolsDrake Bennett Summer Schools

inside

CONTACT USFor editorial suggestions, contact New York Family Editor Eric Messinger at [email protected].

For sales information about New York Family, The Ultimate Guide To Summer Camp, the Camp Fairs, The Right Camp and other Manhattan Media products and events, contact New York Family Publisher John Hurley at [email protected].

STAFFEditor: Eric MessingerSenior Editor: Whitney Casser; Associate Editor: Kat HarrisonContributing Writer: Jess MichaelsProduction Manager: Ed Johnson; Designer: George W. Widmer

Sales: John Hurley, Mary Ann Oklesson, Gina Waldman, Alex Schweitzer, Ceil Ainsworth, Seth Miller, Marty Strongin, Laura MishkinAdvertising Production: Quarn Corley

©2012 Manhattan Media, LLC | 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016T: 212.268.8600 | F: 212.268.0577 | www.manhattanmedia.com

features6-7 SpeCiAl ChOiCeS

There’s a bloom in camps—general and specialized—that welcome children with special needs.

14 iS YOUr Child reAdY FOr CAmp? Most kids have some trepidation the first time. Here’s how you can bolster their overall readiness (and yours).

16 KeepiNg iN TOUCh To help parents and children feel connected, many camps now allow one-way emails and occasional phone calls in addition to handwritten letters.

18-19 The eNdUriNg BONdS BeTweeN CAmperS As social communities with lots of shared values and fun, summer camps often produce friendships that last a lifetime.

22-23 The Big QUeSTiON Choosing the right type of camp for your child—single sex or coed? Traditional or specialist?—can make all the difference.

26 A CAmp FOr everY BUdgeT If you’re worried about how to afford summer camp, here are some cost-saving steps.

28 reSeArChiNg A SUmmer CAmp 10 questions to ask the camp director.

30-62 SUmmer CAmp direCTOrY

64-66 liFe leSSONS A director, a counselor and an 11-year-old camper share their perspectives on the camp experience.

New York Family 2012 Ultimate Guide To Summer Camp 3


editor’s note

Camp: a LifeLong LegaCyFor years I knew that my wife retained wonderful memories of summer camp, but hadn’t maintained any of those friendships. Then about seven years ago, she got the call. A representative from her college alumni of-fice emailed to tell her that someone named Ellen from Camp Kear-Sarge was trying to contact her. Ellen, in fact, was her counselor for four years—she all but helped raise her. They reconnected and just like that, Rebecca was looped into a world of 30 or so women who shared some of the best days of their childhood together and were making their way back into each others lives. There’s since been mini-reunions and big reunions, including one in the New Hampshire town where Camp Kear-Sarge was but is no more. You should have been there! There were 27 women who couldn’t stop laughing and cry-ing and hugging and drinking all weekend and then there was another NYC husband and me minding our business.

Since my own summer camp chops are relatively meager, I evoke the experience of my wife to assure you that I know from where I edit, and have tried to fill our annual Ultimate Guide To Summer Camp with a mix of helpful and inspiring stories. For par-ents with children at the beginning of their camp journey, there’s much to think about

and hopefully we will help to clarify some of your most important questions while also suggesting some good ideas and leads. We also tried to give you a taste of why people like my wife feel like summer camp is one of the greatest gifts you can give a child.

As it happens, my 11-year-old daughter feels the same way. You can read her assess-ment of camp life on page 64. Elena’s story may be the most helpful of all.

Before signing off, I’d like to offer a special thanks to The American Camp As-sociation, New York & New Jersey for their partnership in putting together The 2012 Ultimate Guide To Summer Camp. We also work with the ACA, NY & NJ on the New York Metropolitan area’s biggest Camp Fair series (see below)—and I’m continually impressed with how dedicated they are to helping families navigate the summer camp maze. Their awesome Director of Commu-nications Jess Michaels researched and wrote almost all of the stories in this guide. Thanks, Jess! Now take a break.

May your child experience summers to remember—at camp and every where else.

Eric Messinger Editor, New York Family [email protected]

Three Great Summer Camp Research Essentials The American Camp Association, New York & New Jersey: Don’t let their name

fool you. While they’re here for local parents, they help parents discover the best camp for their children anywhere they want to go, whether it’s to a nearby day camp or a summer camp in Maine. A good starting point is to visit their website (aca-nynj.org) and use ACA’S camp search directory known as The Camp Wizard. Likewise, they have a camp placement specialist, Renee Flax, who is available for free one-on-one consultations to start or better define your search. Contact her at 212.391.5208, or 800.777.CAMP, or at [email protected].

Camp Fairs: Though some people have time, wherewithal and sheer will to visit a few camps before deciding on one for their child, there are many good options out there. What’s wonderful about the joint Camp Fair series between New York Family and the American Camp Association, New York & New Jersey is that it gives parents (and children) a free and convenient way to meet the representatives (and often the camp directors themselves) of 40-50 day and sleepaway camps. At the very least, a Camp Fair will broaden your sense of the possibilities out there. Better yet, you may discover the camp of your child’s dreams. For more info about the Camp Fairs, with dates and locations, visit newyorkfamilycamps.com.

The Right Camp: Perhaps this goes without saying, but making a good match between your child and camp goes a long way to insuring a memorable summer experience and hopefully a happy and lasting relationship between camper and camp. To help families and camps connect, this winter New York Family launched therightcamp.com, a one-stop resource for families seeking the ideal summer camp for their children. Based on the success of our popular Camp Fairs, we have created an online resource where families can now attend a year-round “virtual” camp fair. At therightcamp.com, families simply check off their preferences (from sleepaway to day camps, from location to special activities, from facilities to food) and generate a list of camps that meet their criteria. Then they are able to see a full page of detailed info about their selected camps—including photos, videos, activities, amenities, testimonials, Facebook page links and contact information. Visit TheRightCamp.com for more.


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summer camp provides children with the opportunity to develop new skills, build self confidence and learn to work with others as a team. There are many factors

you need to consider when looking for a camp for your child including a camp’s philosophy, program emphasis, and what type of child is successful at the camp they are looking into. And a parent of a child with special needs is going to have even more considerations that go beyond the usual camp search. Not every summer camp is equipped to address the specific needs of every child with special needs. However, if parents do their research, they are certain to find a summer camp that will provide their child with a successful summer camp experience.

First, it is important for you to consider what you want your child to take away from the camp experience and what your child wants out of his or her camp experience. Do you want your child to gain independence and learn daily living skills without your assis-

tance? Improve social interactions? Make new friends? Decide what your must haves are and what is on your wish list. When speaking to the camp director, make sure the camp has the must haves and this will help you narrow down your summer camp choices when

speaking with camp directors. Next, you want to talk to the camp

director at the camp you are interested in sending your child to and ask questions about their program and also tell the direc-tor about your child. “Parents really want to dig down and understand what popula-tion the camp services and who the camp is really trained to work with,” says Eric Sasson, Camp Director at Camp Akeela, a resident camp for children with Asperger’s Syndrome and Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities in Thetford Center, VT. “When speaking to a camp director, parents want to describe their child and the challenges he or she has and you want to ask if the camp has had kids like this in the past. If so, ask the director to tell you about those kids. If they had melt downs at camp because they don’t do well with transitions, how does the staff handle it? Parents want to know that a camp direc-tor and staff are going to be able to handle these challenges and behaviors when they aren’t there.” It is important for parents to

have honest conversations with the camp director about their child and share specifics, whether you are looking into a mainstream camp or a special needs camp. Tell the camp director about your child’s most challenging days. You want to be assured that the camp you are choosing can handle the issues that may come up during the summer.

Families are also encouraged to choose a summer camp where the director is interested in meeting your child and family. Families want to know that the camp isn’t just taking your child but that the camp has determined that it is the right fit for your child. “After speaking with a family, we meet with the parents and the child to make another level of determination if this will be a good fit. It gives us insight into the child’s family life and child and to see if we have the services that can provide the right camp experience for this child,” says Lisa Tobin, Director of Round Lake, a resident camp for children with learning differences and social

speCiaL ChoiCes For Children With Special Needs, There’s Been A Wonderful Bloom Of Camps—General And

Specialized—That Can Help Them With Their Challenges While Enjoying The Full Camp Experience

Find the perfect camp for your child at TheRightCamp.com

Continued on page 8


communication disorders in Lakewood, PA. Families should feel that the camp director is doing as much questioning about your child as you are questioning the camp director.

When deciding between a mainstream camp and a special needs camp, you also have to consider what will work best for your child. Many mainstream camps can often accommodate children with special needs but it’s important to have honest conversa-tions with the camp director about your child and find out whether the camp is equipped to handle the challenges that your child may have. They may or may not have the extra supervision your child may need or the expe-rience in dealing with your child’s needs. Special Needs camps focus on specific chal-lenges your child may have and structure their program around those needs with extra staffing, shorter and more structured activ-ity periods, and can be better prepared to handle issues that may arise. “Parents need to consider if their child can travel with a group. Do they tend to wander off? Do they get distracted? Do they need extra attention? If so, a mainstream camp may not be able to give your child the attention he or she needs,” says Lisa Tobin. “Also, at a typical camp, children are in sports and challenging activities that may be difficult for your child to keep up with. It may be better to be with kids at the same level with the same chal-lenges.” Parents should also consider, what is going to be the best experience for him or her and where they are going to fit in? “For children who have mainstreaming in the rest of their life, a special needs camp community can understand and specialize in their needs,” explains Eric Sasson. “Often times, children with special needs have to work so hard to fit in at public school. But for our kids, camp is an amazing sense of relief that they are around children just like them. They make friends and go back to school feeling good about themselves. It’s nice for them to be the best athlete at camp.”

OThER iMPORTAnT quESTiOnS AnD COnSiDERATiOnS:

» Look beyond the website and don’t wait until the last minute to choose a sum-mer camp. One of the best determinations

when choosing a camp can be to tour the camp the summer before. See the camp in action so you can get a good feel for the camp program.

» Talk to other parents of children with special needs. Ask the camp director if there is a family you can talk to with a child similar to your child. Ask the parent how their child did at camp and how the camp handles issues.

» For overnight camp, parents shouldn’t let their own anxieties get in the way of sending their child to camp. Independence from you can be good for your child’s devel-opment. However, parents should consider

how their child does at the end of a day when they get home from school. Do they need time to veg out? How does your child sleep? Do they need a quiet place or can they share a room at home? Are they more intolerable at night? Some kids have difficulty with this so when they are in camp environ-ment, these things can manifest themselves. Talk to the director about these habits to see if your child is the right fit for their program.

» Ask about the staff-to-camper ratio. What does that ratio mean? How much staff is walking around with your child activ-ity to activity? What does it look like in the

bunk at night? Ratios can mean something different at each camp so you want the direc-tor to spell it out for you.

» What activities will your child be participating in and how will your child be encouraged to try new things if he or she is showing resistance?

» How will the camp communicate with you about your child during the camp session?

Remember, no matter what your child’s special needs are, there is a day or resident camp program that will provide your child with a memorable summer. For assistance in finding a summer camp for your child, you may contact the American Camp As-sociation, NY and NJ’s Camper Placement Specialist Renee Flax at 212.391.5208 or reg-ister for a free, personalized list of camps that meet your child’s needs at www.searchfora-camp.org. Another good resource in finding a camp for your child with special needs is calling Resources for Children with Special Needs at 212.677.4650 ext. 20 or 34.

Tell the camp director

about your child’s most challenging

days. You want to be

assured that the camp you are choosing can handle

the issues that may come up

during the summer.

Here is a selection of day and resident camps for children with a variety of special needs

Camp AkeelaThetford Center, VT 866-680-4744campakeela.comResident camp for children with Asperger’s Syndrome and Non-Verbal Learning Differences, coed, ages 9-17

Camp NejedaStillwater, NJ 973-383-2611campnejeda.orgResident Camp for children with diabetes, coed, ages 7-15

Camp NorthwoodRemsen, NY 315-831-3621nwood.com Focuses on a providing a great camp experience to a coed population of immature, learning challenged children in need of structure and individualized attention.

Camp OakhurstOakhurst, NJcampoakhurst.com732-531-0215Resident Camp for children with physical disabilities, coed, ages 8 to adult.

Clearpool (a Program of Green Chimneys) Carmel, NY clearpool.org845-225-8226With a focus on both academic and social support, this coed residential camp welcomes children with special needs, ages 10 -18, experiencing, emotional, behavioral, social, and/or learning challenges.

Easter Seals Camp Merry Heart Hackettstown, NJ908-852-3898nj.easterseals.comResident camp for children with Attention Deficit Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Diabetes, Mental Retardation, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida, coed, ages mixed

Happiness is CampingHardwich, NJ718-295-3100happinessiscamping.orgResident camp for children with cancer, coed, ages 6-15

Frost Valley YMCA Camps and YAI

Claryville, NY frostvalley.orgyai.org 212-273-6298Resident camp through Frost Valley YMCA and YAI, the National Institute for People with Disabilities. Mainstreaming at Camp (MAC) is designed to serve children with developmental disabilities and to promote inclusion into the broader camp community.

Ramapo for ChildrenRhinebeck, NY 845-876-8403ramapoforchildren.org Resident camp for children with special needs with a wide range of emotional, social and developmental challenges, coed, ages 6-16

Round Lake CampLakewood, PA973-575-3333roundlakecamp.orgResident camp for children with Aspergers, PDD/NOS, High Functioning Autism, ADD/ADHD, coed, ages 7-19

Southhampton Fesh Air HomeSouthampton, NY631-283-1594sfah.orgResident camp for physically challenged campers with Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, and other physical disabilities, coed, ages 8-18.

Summit Camp & TravelHonesdale, PA 800-323-9908summitcamp.comResident camp for children with attention issue including ADD/ADHD, Aspergers Syndrome, awkward social skills, verbal or non-verbal learning disabilities, and/or mild social or emotional concerns. Some campers also have Tourette’s syndrome, O.C.D and/or mild mood issues, Ages 7-17. Summit Travel works with older children, coed, ages 15-19 with similar issues.


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A fun-filled summer of enriching experiences and friendships can make a world of difference in your child’s life!

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NEW_NYFamily2012_HALF 12/1/11 1:00 PM Page 1

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y our child going to summer camp for the first time is a big step in his or her life. While it is an exciting

time, your child going to camp may cause some nervousness for both you and your child. So how do you know when the right time is to send your child to camp? “When considering camp, you want to make sure you look at your child with an objective eye,” says Adam Weinstein, Executive Director of the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey. “How do other people describe your child to you? How well does your child interact with friends and adults? What activities does your child enjoy? Does your child need a great deal of nurturing or do they tend to be independent? Answer-ing these questions will help you figure out if your child is ready for camp and which camp environment is right for him or her.”

Interest & Readiness - How did your child become interested in going to camp? “Talk to your child in order to assess his or her readiness,” says Ross Coleman, Camp Director of Coleman Country Day Camp. “Does your child sound excited about the adventure? Is he or she comfortable separat-ing from you for segments of time? Does your child enjoy playing with other children? Does he or she thrive on achieving mile-stones of independence?” Answering these questions will help you determine if your child is both interested and ready for camp. Remember, the decision to go to camp should be made together. Keep in mind that the more involved children are in the process, the more ownership they feel. This helps ease concerns about camp, and can help make a child’s camp experience more successful.

Age - You want to consider your child’s age when considering camp. Day camps are designed for children three years and up. Children can go to sleepaway camp at the age of seven. But families should keep in mind that just because a child is seven-years-old, doesn’t mean he or she is

emotionally ready for sleepaway camp. Day or Sleepaway - If you are consider-

ing sleepaway camp, make sure your child has had successful overnights away from home with friends and relatives. Were these overnights positive experiences? You want to make sure your child is mature enough to go away for an extended period of time and that that he or she can do certain things indepen-dently like showering, getting dressed and brushing their teeth.

Expectations – You should learn about the camp program ahead of time and create positive expectations for your child. Talk about camp throughout the year. “The known is comforting to a child so take a tour of the camp the summer before,” says Ann Young, Director of Camp Hilltop in Hancock, NY. “Go into a cabin and meet

and talk to the directors. Touring will build your child’s excitement about camp while familiarizing them with the camp program, activities, camp layout, the cabins, and the staff.” Many overnight camps also offer Rookie Days which give future campers a chance to experience camp in session by joining in on camp activities for the day or for a weekend. The more a child feels involved in the process of choosing a camp, the more successful their camp experience is likely to be.

Positive Messages - It is important for parents to share positive messages about sum-mer camp. It is common for a child to have some apprehension as the first day of camp approaches—encourage your child to talk about these feelings. Let your child know you are confident in your child’s ability to have a wonderful summer camp experience

is your ChiLd ready for Camp?

Tips For Getting Yourself Ready » Make sure you talk to the camp

director. When you are choosing a camp, ask the camp director questions and get to know him or her. Ask the director to describe the camp’s philos-ophy and how the staff implements it. Make sure the philosophy reflects your own family’s value system. Find out about the camp director’s background and the staff training. Ask about the age of the counselors and what is the counselor-to-camper ratio? Talking to the camp director and learning about the camp program will help you feel more comfortable and will ease any nervousness you may have.

» Keep in mind that camp directors have your child’s best interests in mind and the skill to guide your child towards an appropriate level of independence, self-confidence and success.

» Remember that kids often get over the adjustment to a new experi-ences and a new environment before parents get used to the next stage of development. While your child is adjusting to camp, don’t make pick up deals and offer to rescue your child from camp. Instead, offer positive en-couragement that you know he or she will have a successful summer.

» If your child is at sleepaway camp, don’t focus too much on cor-respondence from camp in the first few days of camp. If you receive a discouraging phone call or a letter from your child, remember that like any new experience, adjusting to camp may take a few days and that severe homesickness is rare. Encourage your camper to enjoy all the exciting camp activities that camp has to offer and remind him or her of all the wonderful aspects of camp.

» When your child is at camp, allow him or her to solve their own problems or ask a counselor for help. Camp is a setting that allows your child to experience the real world in a safe environment. Kids learn quickly to rely upon themselves and the camp staff they trust at camp instead of their parents.

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f or generations, summer camp has been a respite from technology, a chance for children to unplug and

connect with nature and each other. But camp directors and owners also know that in today’s connected world, it can be difficult for parents to completely discon-nect from their children and to not receive immediate feedback about them. “In fact, camps are making it easier for parents to keep in touch with their child and to have a window into their child’s camp experi-ence,” says Renee Flax, Director of Camper Placement for the American Camp As-sociation, New York and New Jersey. “But it is important for parents to know their child’s camp communication policy before the summer begins and for them to honor it, whatever that policy is. Remember that summer camp is a chance for your child to gain independence and to be able to make decisions and solve problems on their own.”

Besides traditional letter writing, many camps offer families different forms of communication to stay connected to their children.

OnE-WAY EMAiLS Today’s parents are busy and camps

know that email is an easy and conve-nient way for them to keep in touch with their children while they are at camp. Many summer camps subscribe to ser-vices that allows parents to send one-way emails to their campers and the emails are printed out and given to campers with the mail. Most camps don’t allow email correspondence back but campers can write their parents letters in response. One-way email is a quick and efficient way for parents to correspond with their children.

CELL PhOnESThe majority of summer camps have a

no cell phone policy. Parents and children are asked to honor this policy and leave cell phones at home. Some parents try and hide a cell phone with their children’s clothes but by doing this, parents are going against the camp’s policy and they are teaching their children that it is okay to break rules.

Camp is a chance for children to gain independence from their parents and learn to solve problems on their own or with the assistance of camp staff. Even if parents find this policy difficult because they are accus-tomed to contacting their child whenever they would like, they should remember that camp is a place for campers to unplug from technology, build independence and

be a positive, cooperative and rules-respect-ing member of a community while being apart from their family.

OnLinE PhOTOS/ViDEOS Many camps post daily or weekly

pictures of campers enjoying activities on a password-controlled website. Through these services, parents are able to email their favorite pictures to friends and family, download pictures and purchase the photos. Camps also post pictures and video on their camp’s Facebook page. The advantage to these pictures and videos being posted is that parents are able to get a glimpse of their child at summer camp doing various activi-ties. The disadvantage is parents can read into an emotion they see on their child’s face. For instance, a look of concentration on a child’s face when focusing on playing a sport

can be misconstrued as being unhappy. Or if a photographer doesn’t capture a photo of a child for a few days, parents can think something is wrong and they may wonder where their child is. (Insider Tip: If you feel you’re not seeing enough of your child in the photos, tell them in your next letter to pay more attention when the photographer comes around.)

PhOnE CALLS Each camp has its own phone policy

when it comes to camper and parent phone calls. Some camps allow scheduled phone calls once a week, some a few times a ses-sion, others once a session and others not at all. If your child has a birthday during the camp session, a phone call is almost always allowed for that special day. Make sure you check with your camp before camp begins to understand their phone call policy. Families should keep in mind that while they may be excited to hear their child’s voice, sometimes hearing a parent’s voice can be difficult even for a well-adjusted camper having a wonder-ful summer. Frost Valley YMCA, a resident camp in Claryville, NY has a no phone call policy between camper and parents. “Our campers are here for two-week sessions. A child that is here can often take 3 or 4 days

to get adjusted to camp. If a child hears their parents’ voice, even if the child is well adjust-ed at camp, he or she could get upset,” says Dan Weir, Director of Frost Valley YMCA. “Parents are welcome to call us for updates on their child. We also post 80 pictures online every other day of each age group, post on our blog throughout the summer, and allow for one-way emails from parents to camper. Parents want information about their child and we do our best to provide it while maintaining our camp philosophy.” Campus Kids-Minisink in Port Jervis, NY, a weekday resident camp where children go home on the weekends, allows campers to call home up to two times a week. “We draw many new families that aren’t considering traditional sleepaway camp. These children want to try sleepaway camp but they aren’t interested in long sessions,” says Jani Bro-kaw, Director of Campus Kids-Minisink. “Just knowing that phone calls are an option eases any concerns our parents and campers have. We have many kids that don’t take advantage of the phone calls but knowing that calling home is an option is comforting to them.”

WRiTinG LETTERSLetter writing between campers and

parents has always been the traditional way to communicate while a child is at resident camp of course. In an age where most children don’t often write letters, camp gives children the chance to main-tain the almost lost art of letter corre-spondence. Many camps have a scheduled number of letters that campers must write their parents during the summer and camps encourage parents to write letters to their campers. “The hand-written letter is important both as a real, personal account of events, thoughts and feelings between parents and children, but also as an im-portant step in the child’s in-camp devel-opment of life skills including self expres-sion and communication,” says Andrew Keener, Director of Camp Sloane YMCA, a resident camp in Lakeville, CT. Camp Sloane has a no phone call policy but posts pictures online and allows parents to send one-way emails.

“how are things at Camp?” Most Camps Try To Be Low-Tech Havens While Offering A Number Of Ways—From One-Way Emails

To The Occasional Phone Call—For Parents and Children To Stay In Touch



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is there any friend like a camp friend? Of course there is, though summer camp is such a unique and social expe-rience, one of the best things about it is often the close

friendships you make. There’s even some research: In a poll of campers, the American Camp Association (ACA) found that 96% say camp helped them make new friends and 92% say that people at camp helped them feel good about them-selves. The research also showed that 69% of parents feel like their child remains in contact with friends made at camp.

There are many reasons summer camp has traditionally been a place that helps foster friendships that can last years to a lifetime.

Summer camp is a community. Camp-ers and counselors eat meals together,

share in camp traditions and rituals, take part in activities together and at resident camp, live in bunks together for weeks at a time. Campers and staff become like family. For the majority of campers, be-ing at summer camp is the first time they

have lived with or eaten every meal with a group of people other than their family. As a community that lives, eats and partici-pates in activities together, campers must learn to adapt, make decisions as a group and respect other people’s needs.

For many children, a reason camp friendships are so strong is because camp can be a respite from constraints at home and a place to gain confidence in social skills, which ultimately affect friendships. At home, children have gone to school with the same children for years and children may be labeled as the shy or the athletic child. At camp, you can reinvent yourself in an accepting community.

Camp professionals are also trained in the management of group dynam-ics. Counselors are trained to empower

children in their group to feel comfortable and encourage each child to contribute to the group. This shows each child that he or she is valued and gives children social confidence within the group. This helps children feel more comfortable with the people in their group, therefore making it easier for friendships to be formed.

Camps commit themselves to teach-ing campers to respect each other. If disrespectful or hurtful behaviors occur between campers, counselors are there to talk to the campers and make this a teach-able moment, unlike in a classroom when sometimes these behaviors can go unno-ticed and unresolved.

“Camp is a place where children participate in a wide variety of activities affording them the opportunity to succeed

the speCiaL Bonds Between Campers

As Social Communities With Shared Values And Lots Of Group Fun, Camps Often Produce Friendships That Last A Lifetime




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the speCiaL Bonds Between Campers

Should Your Child Go To Camp With A Friend? A question that parents often ask Renee Flax, the Director of Camper Placement

at the American Camp Association, NY and NJ. Her thoughts: Camp is a place where children can reinvent themselves. Your child has gone to

school with the same children for years and may be thought of at home as the athletic child or the shy child. At camp, your child can be whoever they would like to be. It’s harder to do that when your child is at camp with a friend from home. Your child can have their camp life and home life.

When you send your child to camp with a friend, your child will feel they have that friend to count on and might not be as outgoing in making new friends. One of the friends may also get closer to another camper and the child he or she came with could feel left out. You might run the risk of the children not being as close when they return home after the summer.

If your child won’t go to summer camp without a friend, have a conversation with the camp director and let him or her know that these children are friends from home. Consider putting the friends in separate bunks. The friends will still see each other every day, but they will have the opportunity to be with new campers and push their comfort zone a little bit.

Going to camp is a growth experience for children. For children who go without a friend, it lets them know that they can meet new friends and be independent and in the end, gain self reliance.

Often parents will make a decision about camp based on the camp that their friends’ children attend. Unless your child is similar to theirs with comparable needs and interests and you both have the same values, you may find that the camp they find ideal for their child, might not be the right fit for yours. Do your own research and make sure you know and agree with the philosophy of the camp you are considering.

and fail amid a positive and support-ive environment,” says Andy Lilienthal, Owner and Director of Camp Winnebago, a resident camp for boys in Fayette, Maine. “Because the worth of a child is not measured by the quality and level of their accomplishments but rather by the effort and attitude displayed, children have the unique opportunity to support and interact with each other through a range of emotions that helps fosters understand-ing, mutual admiration and tolerance—all integral ingredients to creating strong and lasting friendships that we see flourish all the time at camp.”

Ask many adult summer camp alumni today about their summer camp memo-ries and they will recall the strong camp friendships and the bonds they still have with these friends today. Summer camps know camp alumni enjoy seeing each other every year to reminisce about sum-mer camp traditions and to rekindle the magic of summer camp so they organize camp reunions for former campers and staff. At reunions, camp friends share stories, sing camp songs and take part in favorite camp activities. Each summer, Matt Baumoel, who attended a resident camp in New Hampshire for 13 years as

both a camper and staff member, goes to his camp reunion. “Over the last 25 years, since leaving my summer camp, the bond among all of my camp friends has strengthened to family. When we return to camp for our annual in-camp re-union, it’s as if we never left. Now, nearly three decades later, I find it inspiring to see campers forming the same amazing bonds with each other that I did so many years ago.”

Sending your child to summer camp is a wonderful way for him or her to form new, long lasting friendships and to become part of a caring community. “As technology becomes a growing part of children’s lives, camp has become an even more valuable place for children to unplug and relate to each other in the ‘real world,’” says Rebecca Rhodes Rothman, Director of Deerkill Day Camp in Suffern, NY. “Whether it’s negotiating on the play-ground such as who is going to push the merry-go-round and who is going to ride on it, working together to create a group skit for the camp show, or deciding who is going to play what position in a soccer game, opportunities at camp abound for children to navigate new social situations and develop all-important life skills.”


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when searching for a sleepaway camp—or resident camp, as some call them—there are many factors families need to consider. The most basic decision

involves the type of camp, but even that has its subtleties. One must consider the pros and cons of a general camp ver-sus a specialty camp. Likewise, do you want your child in a coed or single sex setting—or a kind of hybrid known as brother-sister camps?

Here are the key differences between camp types. It is not that one type is better than the other, of course. It is simply a matter of where your child will be more successful and happy.

Single Sex Camps – Single sex camps don’t have campers of the other sex at camp. At single sex camps, female camp-ers may be more willing to try new things and feel less self-conscious since boys are not around. The way they look, how their hair is, or the type of clothes they wear

all become less relevant. (Note: There are single sex, coed and brother-sister camps that have uniforms for this reason as well). For some boys, a single sex environment will allow them to be more sensitive and not feel like they are going to be judged. Finding it easier to center their program on the interests of just one sex, many single sex camps go for more of a specialty mix than a general mix, with a focus on certain activi-ties or themes, like sports or arts. “After we explored several options, we chose an

all-girls camp for our daughter,” said parent Barbara Leshinsky. “I wanted to counter the social pressure most kids face in school. I also felt convinced that the all-girls camp would prove to be valuable to help build her self esteem during her adolescent years. My daughter is also extremely athletic and I knew she would be challenged athletically and not afraid to express her competitive-ness or ability.” Although campers spend their daily activities, evening activities and special events with children of the same sex, single sex camps often have regular socials with nearby camps of the opposite sex. The number of socials with another camp usu-ally increases with the age of the campers.

Coed Camps – At coed resident camps, the girls and boys have many shared facili-ties, including the waterfront, dining hall, and sports fields. Coed camps have a clear separation of boys’ bunks and girls’ bunks. Gail Gold chose a coed camp for her three girls. “Camp is like a mini version of the real world. A coed camp has given my girls a chance to experience friendships

with boys and build strong social skills in a safe, nurturing environment,” she says. “The girls have a distinct living area away from the boys which allows them to have bonding with other girls but they get to experience other camp activities with the boys at camp—they get the best of both worlds.” Even though coed camps have shared facilities, it doesn’t necessarily mean that all daily activities are coed. Each coed camp is different: some camps have some coed daily activities, other coed camps keep daily activities separate, but the boys and girls come together for meals, some evening activities, canteen, and special events like carnival, color war and off-camp trips.

Brother-Sister Camps – Brother-Sister camps are two camps on the same property or close by to each other. They usually have the same owners but each camp has its own traditions while also sharing traditions between the two camps. Each camp has their own facilities includ-ing different waterfronts and dining halls. Brother-Sister camps allow girls and boys

the Big QuestionChoosing The Right Type Of Camp For Your Child—Single Sex Or Coed?

Traditional Or Specialist?—Can Make All The Difference.



to participate in separate activities during the day just like a single sex camp or some coed camps, but for many Brother-Sister camps, girls and boys come together for meals, special events and some evening activities. Many Brother-Sister camps also schedule special sibling activities so brothers and sisters have a chance to see each other and spend time together on a regular basis during the summer. “When we were looking for a summer camp four years ago, I had never heard of Brother-Sister camps,” said Amanda Greenblatt, the mother of twins, one boy and one girl. “My daughter said she wanted an all-girls camp and my son was interested in a coed camp. I was trying to figure out how I was going to manage two different camps and two different visiting days until I came across a Brother-Sister camp that felt right for both of my children. Each camp has their own colors, traditions and songs and my children get to do separate activities during the day but are brought together on weekends to do activities together. My kids often bicker at home but when they talk about camp, they recall the fond memories of times they spent together.”

Traditional Camps - Traditional sum-mer camps offers children a varied camp experience with many different camp activities such as swimming, archery, ropes course, arts and crafts, soccer, basketball, boating and drama, among many oth-ers. For parents looking to provide their children with a social and developmental experience, such as learning life skills, developing independence, learning re-sponsibility and connecting with people, the traditional camp will provide these experiences. Campers at traditional camps also become part of a community and will enjoy traditional summer camp activities such as Olympics, Color War, Bunk Activ-ity Days, Community Service Projects, Carnival and trips-off-camp.

Specialty camps - Specialty camps focus on a specific camp activity or related camp activities for a given period of time. There are many different types of specialty camps available for children for just about every interest such as horseback riding, tennis, drama, gymnastics or soccer. Some kids who have a dedicated passion during the school year look to a specialty camp to help them take it to the next level. Other kids with a long-term specialty want just the op-posite: to use summer camp as a chance to try new things, and a big variety of things. In addition to interests and activities other specialty camps are distinguished by their focus on children with certain kinds of special needs like autism or diabetes. Reli-gious orientation can be a unifying theme of certain camps too, thought they still will be segmented by sex and by the general or specific focus on the day-to-day activities.

What Type Of Camp Best Suits Your Child?

Answering the following questions can help families decide what type of camp will work for their child.

Does your child have a lot of friends of the opposite sex during the school year or have a sibling of the op-posite sex that he or she likes spend-ing time with? If yes, a coed camp or brother-sister camp would most likely be the best fit for your child.

Is your child athletic and likes to spend his or her day playing sports? If yes, many single sex camps focus on sports, whether it’s a boys’ camp or a girls’ camp.

Do you feel that your child spends too much time focusing on the op-posite sex? If you answered yes, maybe a single sex or brother-sister camp would be a good choice and allow your child to focus on friendships and the activities that he or she enjoys.

During the school year, does your child like participating in soccer, school plays and tennis? If yes, he or she may like a more varied day and may prefer a traditional camp where the camper can participate in many different activities each day. Tradi-tional camp gives them exposure to a whole range of activities and allows children to develop many different skills and talents.

Does your child attend an all girls’ or all boys’ school? If your child does, maybe sending him or her to a coed or brother-sister camp during the sum-mer would be a good change and allow your child to socialize with children of the opposite sex in the safe environ-ment of camp.

Does your child focus on only in one activity most of the time and shows little interest in anything else? If yes, a specialty camp focused on that activity might be the right fit for your child. But clearly that’s a discussion worth having with your child, in case he or she might prefer a break from it.

“The important issue in finding a camp is to understand the philosophy of the camp and the camp director,” says Renee Flax, Director of Camper Placement for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey. “Ask them about these issues and get their viewpoint. Once you feel that you are on the same page philo-sophically with a specific camp, you have probably found the right camp for your child.”



s ummer camp is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn life lessons like lead-ership, independence and self confidence

as well as trying new activities like sailing, ropes course and waterskiing. It’s hard to put a price tag on your child’s learning and growth experi-ences, but parents should know that with a little planning and research there are a number of ways—some perhaps obvious, some less so—to help make summer camp more affordable. Adam Weinstein, Executive Director of the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey says, “With careful planning, parents can find a camp that works within their families means. When you think about how much it costs to have a child home all summer, with child care and activities, you realize you can be paying a very small premium for a very rich experience.”

Look for camp early – It isn’t too early to look for a summer camp for the summer of 2012, or even 2013. Tour camps this summer while the camp is in action. Some camps offer early bird specials for registering now so you can register soon after the camp tour for savings. Searching for camp early also gives families a longer time to plan financially for camp.

Gifts - Camp can be given to children as part of birthday gifts and holiday gifts and parents can budget for these gifts throughout the year. Likewise,

members of the extended family like grandparents may also contribute to a gift like camp.

Search camps by cost – There is a camp for every budget. Families can search the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey’s camp website searchforacamp.org and search by cost as well as day/sleepaway, location, activi-ties or single sex/coed/brother-sister camps. (TheRightCamp.com also has a good camp search engine.) Likewise, families can also call the American Camp Association, NY and NJ Camper Placement Specialist at 212.391.5208 for free, one-on-one advice on finding the right camp at the right price for your family. Keep in mind that some Y camps, in particular, view it as part of their mission to accept a certain percent-age of kids from families with modest means.

Assistance offered from the U.S government – The government offers programs that may help families save money on summer camp.

• A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Ac-count – A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account allows parents to be reimbursed on a pre-tax basis for child care or adult dependent care expenses that are necessary to allow parents to work, look for work, or attend school full-time while they are caring for qualified depen-dents. Visit the FSA Feds Website at fsafeds.com for more information. In certain circumstances, day camp expenses, including transportation by

a care provider, may be considered dependent care services. See the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) irs.gov website for more information.

• Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit The IRS allows an income tax credit of up to $6,000 of dependent care expenses if you have two or more dependents (up `to $3,000 for one depen-dent). The amount of the credit is based on your adjusted gross income and applies only to your federal taxes. This applies to qualifying day camp expenses as well. Visit the FSA Feds Website fsafeds.com for more information.

Talk to the camp director- Parents should talk to the camp director at the camp they are interested in sending their child to. Some camps offer sibling discounts, early bird specials for registering early and payment plans—and that’s just the official policy. If you have your heart set on a camp but can’t afford it, you can talk to the director to see if he or she would consider a slid-ing scale rate in your case. Your never know.

Hold a fundraiser - I know this might seem like an overly self-serving solicitation, but if you do it in a way that shows spunk and creativity—and your child helps take the lead on it—you’d be surprised how friends and neighbors might be charmed by the idea of an effort to raise mon-ey for camp. Even something as old-fashioned as a lemonade stand with good signage about where the money is going might be an attention-getter and profit-maker. But use real lemons. People appreciate authenticity.

a Camp for every Budget

If You’re Worried About How To Afford Summer Camp, Here Are Some Cost-Saving Steps To Consider



Summer Camp !

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Our eco-friendly facility offers a full and half day camp experience for children that includes these exciting activities: Animal Care, Cooking, Crazy Science, Art Projects, Music, Outdoor play, Soccer and Swimming. Weekly Themes like Farm Animals, GreenWeek, Tropical Excursion, Circus, Exotic Animal, Wild Wild West and Mini Olympics Week to keep young imaginations working. Children get hands on experience learning about and caring for live animals in our award winning petting zoo. It’s time for them to coo with the birds and hop with the bunnies.

Register by week or for the whole summer! 2, 3 & 5 days per week.



searching for a summer camp for your child is a matching game, You know your child and now you have to get to know the essence of a camp to decide whether it would be

well suited for your child’s personality and interests. Whether you speak to the camp director in person or by phone, to make an informed decision the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey (ACA, NY and NJ) recommends asking at least these ten essential questions to help you better under-stand what a particular summer camp is all about. No doubt you’ll have other questions as well. Ask them too.

1. What is your camp’s mission and philosophy? A camp director should be able to easily explain the camp’s mission statement. If he or she can’t, that’s not a good sign. Many camps may seem similar, but they all have their unique elements in programming and approach. Ask the director about the type of child that is a successful participant in their program. Renee Flax, Director of Camper Placement for the ACA, NY and NJ, says, “Knowing your child’s personality and learning style, along with considering carefully whether or not the camp’s philosophy matches your own thoughts on childhood and summer time, are invaluable in selecting the right camp.”

2. What is your camp’s program? Are you looking for a traditional experience or a specialty program? Think about what

activities are must-haves for your child. How many electives do the children get and what kind of help do they receive in choosing them? Inquire about how long each activity is, and whether campers typically travel as a bunk or group, or on their own. Does all that add up to the kind of daily regimen you’re hoping for?

3. What type of training and education does the camp director have? The American Camp Association recommends that directors have a bachelors degree, attend professional development workshops and training courses within the past three years in camp manage-ment practices, and at least sixteen weeks of camp administrative experience before assuming the responsibilities of a director.

4. What are the enrollment options? What is the length of the program of-fered? Is there flexibility? What is the

length of the day? Is transportation available?

5. What is the staff composition? Ask about the age of the staff, their experience, pre-season and on-going staff trainings, background checks, the interview process, camper-to-staff ratios and supervision in cabins and for activities. At a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regu-lations, emergency procedures and commu-nication, behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and specific proce-dures for supervision. “Parents should not only ask the camp about how many hours or types of training the staff has, but more importantly, the overarching philosophy and message being delivered to the staff,” says Paul Isserles, Director of Buckley Day Camp in Roslyn, NY.

6. What percentage of the campers re-turn each year? While every camp is clearly not right for every child, a large number of returning campers usually indicates a high level of satisfaction.

7. What are the safety procedures? Ask about the safety measures. These can include inquiring about medical personnel, emer-gency plans, staff screening procedures and instructor qualifications.

8. Is the camp accredited? Find out if the program follows a nationally known accredi-tation process and if the camp is inspected each summer by the Department of Health. The American Camp Association is the only national organization which establishes uni-

form standards for reviewing camps. Not all camps choose to participate, but many do.

9. Can the camp handle children with special needs? If your child has special challenges, such as food aller-gies, religious obligations, or behav-ioral conditions, of course you need to ask about the camp’s experience with working with other campers with those issues. You’ll want to get their vibe, whether they seem really knowledgeable about kids who have your child’s special needs. “Be honest and upfront about a child’s special needs. That’s the best way to get a full answer about the camp’s capabilities says Renee Flax of the ACA, NY and NJ.

10. Can I have some references to other families? Parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask for references. This is generally one of the best ways to check if the reality of being at a camp matches the camp’s repu-tation. Ask other parents about the experi-ences of their children at the camp and whether their child is returning to camp.

Bonus Tip: “Besides asking questions when looking for a camp, it is very impor-tant to feel a connection with the camp director since this is the person you are entrusting your child to for the summer,” says Irene Drantch, Executive Director of Camp Kinder Ring, a resident camp in the Hudson Valley. “You are forming a partnership with the camp director and you want to make sure that the camp is the right fit for both you and your child.”

researChing a summer Camp10 Key Questions To Ask The Camp Director



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Everything they want…everything you need. Day camp for ages 5-14 in a beautiful country setting just 20 minutes from the GW Bridge.

Outdoor adventures, environmen-tal explorations, challenge course, zip-line, arts, film, cooking, martial arts, swimming and so much more,

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campers (3-5 years old) attend in Manhattan at 92Y. Sleep away camp and more are also offered.

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www.92Y.org/Camps

92nd Street Y Camps

All-City Junior Tennis Camp, located at the Roosevelt Island Racquet

Club and the New York Tennis Club, is one of the city’s oldest and most established junior tennis programs.

Staffed with tennis professionals, the camp serves juniors of all ages and skill levels, from QuickStart 10

& under children to tournament players. The Sea and Sports Camp is located at the Maritime College on a beautiful 55-acre campus. At the Maritime waterfront, campers can

sail, kayak and motor boat their way to fun. An aquatic center and exten-sive recreational facilities encourage

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ADVANTAGE SUMMER CAMPS

Camp Altitude creates opportunities

for campers to increase self confidence and boost self esteem through sup-port, encouragement, and positive

experiences. We provide our campers with a structured environment so that they can feel comfortable enough to

be themselves—and at the same time secure enough to take risks that propel them towards achieving their potential at camp, home, and in their communi-

ties. Our campers are children who experience social challenges but who

are excited about participating in sum-mer camp. They have some insight into their strengths and challenges, willing-

ness to grow, and they display social intent toward peers.

Camp Altitude

www.altitudefamilies.com 914-907-1674

Applause New York City presents Camp Applause—week-long theatre

camps for your children this sum-mer! Each week your child will cycle through workshops including acting, singing, costume/set design, audition technique, Broadway dance, hip-hop, acting for TV, and so much more. Dif-ferent weekly themes and curriculum, plus a visit from a Broadway star are highlights of each session. Each week

concludes with a performance for parents, family, and friends. June 4- July 27. K-9th grade, Monday-Friday,

9:30am-3pm. Don’t forget to ask about our multi-week discount.

Home of Rock-n-Roll Babies, Broadway Babies, and Superstars

St. Jean’s Community Center 184 E. 76th St.(212) 717-0703 www.applauseny.com

[email protected]

Applause New York City


Preschool du Monde Summer Program Based on its year-long, inquiry-based preschool program, Preschool du Monde will

inject a heft y dose of summerti me fun into its three summer sessions. Children ages 2 to 6 will be acti ve parti cipants in a play-based program where children will

enjoy frequent fi eld trips to parks and museums as well as engaging neighborhood explorati ons and community walks. In between their real-world adventures out-side, children will dive into indoor acti viti es, organized by theme that will include

a fusion of music and movement, theater arts, storytelling, and arts and craft s.

Pre Camp is what we like to call the “perfect fi rst camp experience” - created just for 18 month to 2.5 year olds! Carefully designed by our directors to be a nurturing introductory camp experience for younger children, Pre Camp is full of traditi onal

summer camp fun and adventure! CDM’s Pre Camp program is designed to prepare your child for preschool while they enjoy spending summer-ti me fun outside in the local parks and playgrounds or CDM’s very own back yard! The acti viti es planned,

the playfulness of our environment, and the selecti on of teaching materials are spe-cifi cally chosen to encourage the love for learning.

New York, NY 10024 • Tel: [email protected] • www.psdumonde.org

Crèche du Monde Summer Program = “Pre Camp Experience!”


Tabor Academy Summer Program

Enjoy a summer by the sea full of friends, activities,and learning!

Residential, Day, and CIT ProgramsCoed, ages 6-15Sailing, Marine Science, Sports, Activities & much moreJune 24 – August 4, 20121, 3, & 6 Weeks Residential | 2 - 6 Weeks DayTel: 508•291•8342 | Marion, MA | E: [email protected] us at www. taboracademy.org/summer

Art Farm

The Art Farm offers programs for children to interact with live animals and connect with them through hands on experience.

The original Art Farm camp located in Bridgehampton was founded in 1995. The Art Farm in the City was added on

New York’s Upper East Side in 2001. The space is eco friendly and children are taught how to care for the planet,

animals, create art, cook and have swim-ming and soccer as part of the Summer Camp in the City. The Bridgehampton location has endless opportunities for 6mos through age 13 years. Children participate in outdoor country experi-

ences like horseback riding, water sports, swiming, caring for a variety of animals,

skateboarding as well as cooking, art, and sports camp. Both city and country pro-grams revolve around monthly themes

and flexible by week registration

Theartfarms.org Bridgehampton 631.537.1634 NYC

212.410.3117

For over two decades, Asphalt Green Summer Day Camp has been synony-mous with camp excellence, fostering a love of sports and fitness that last

a lifetime. We offer a summer of fun, fitness and friendship uptown at our

Upper East Side campus and now downtown, at our new Battery Park City campus. Asphalt Green’s Sum-mer Day Camp offers kids ages 4-13 a fantastic summer of sports, swim-ming, arts, field trips and more! Our

camp activities are specially designed to meet the unique age-appropriate

physical, mental, behavioral and social milestones of every camper. Bus ser-

vice and pre-/after-camp are available.

[email protected] www.asphaltgreenbpc.org/camp

AsphaltGreen

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp in-cludes activities that will help campers develop leadership qualities, self-con-fidence, moral character, vital social

skills, healthy living habits as well as knowledge of their environment, culture, the arts, & many sports. Our

dedicated and trained staff will ensure each camper a safe and fulfilling sum-mer experience through small group ratios and individual attention. At no extra cost campers will enjoy activi-

ties with our specialty staff who have special training in gymnastics, sports,

art, dance, environmental studies, swimming, theater, & team building.

1-9 week bundles are available.

Aviator Summer Camp

3159 Flatbush Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11234718.758.7510

Aviatorsports.com

Located on 112th Street, Bank Street Sum-mer Camp is for co-ed campers between the

ages of 4 and 16. Our philosophy reflects that of the Bank Street School as a child-

centered, nurturing community that empha-sizes process over product. The Lower Camp consists of 11 groups for children 4-8 years old. Within our air-conditioned classrooms, each group is equipped with both challeng-ing and enriching materials for developing

minds. Once a week each group takes a trip and beyond swimming three times a week, twice in the Barnard College pool and once at Lake Welch. Lower Camp programs are

General Camp, Science and Spanish Immer-sion. The Upper Camp is uniquely designed

to meet the needs of middle school chil-dren, ages 8 to 16. The Upper Camp groups

are Art, Science, Sports, Spanish, Musical Theater, Shakespeare, Foodies, Film and Travel. Each group swims twice a week.

212.875.4705www.Bankstreet.edu/Summer-Camp

Bank Street Summer Camp

June 18thth-29thJuly 2nd-August 3rd

August 6th-10thMonday to Friday 8:30am-3:00pmEnrichment Classes: 3:00pm-4:30

After Care: 4:30pm-6:00pm


Calling All Chefs!Summer Cooking Camps

Weekly Culinary AdventuresJune 11 to Sept 7

Register for the whole summer or just a week.

Camps for ages 4-8, 9-13 & 13-17

REGISTER NOW FOR COOKING CAMP!109 W 27th Street / 212-242-2248 / tastebudscook.com

“Best Kids Cooking Class” by New York Magazine

for life!We have a wonderful camp community and friendly atmosphere, which kids love.

90% of our children come back every year and that’s why we’re expanding.

KidsMaKefriends

SPORTS - MUSIC - SWIMMING - BOATING - HIKING - COOKING

NEW SWIMMING POOL THIS YEAR

CALL (718)833-9039 AND REQUEST A BROCHURE TODAY

AND EXPERIENCE THE ENRICHMENT ALTERNATIVE.

WWW.UNIVERSALCAMPING.COM

Camp number: (607)[email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected]


Lose yourself for a summer...Find yourself for a lifetime.

Artistic exploration, collaboration, and fun for young people, ages 6-18. Usdan has a professional faculty of artist-teachers, and is situated on a 100-acre woodland campus in Long Island. Weekdays: 4 weeks or 7 weeks. Air-Conditioned buses from all New York area neighborhoods. Tuition: $2,925 - $3,825 plus transportation and fees.

UsdanUsdan Center for the

Creative and Performing Arts

www.usdan.com212-772-6060 | 631-643-7900

Choose from 40 classes including: Orchestra, Band, Musical Theater, Video Arts, Chess, Organic Gardening, Painting, and Sculpture.

CAMP BIRCH HILL. YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME! Camp Birch Hill is a traditional summer camp for boys and girls ages 6 to 16. Our elective program lets campers choose from

over 40 activities throughout their 2, 4, or 6 week stay. FRIENDSHIPS AND

MEMORIES OF A LIFE TIME. Birch Hill is located in the beautiful “Lakes Region” of NH. To hear about our fun evening programs, healthy food op-tions, and friendly staff- or to sched-

ule a tour please visit www.CAMPBIRCHHILL.com.

CAMP BIRCH HILL

Contact our office at (603) 859 - 4525! YAHOO! Celebrat-

ing 20 years of Friendships and Memories of a Lifetime!

Located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York from July 27 - August 10,

BLSA is a professionally run 2-week resident summer program for mo-tivated, sports-loving girls, 11 to 16 years old. BLSA is owned and oper-

ated by Brant Lake Camp - one of the finest boys camps in the USA, with

over 95 years of one family. With this same experienced leadership, our

program addresses the strong growth of athletics and competitive sports

among girls. On it’s own girls campus.For more information about the ex-

perience and dedicated leadership at BLSA contact us.

Brant Lake Sports Academy

www.brantlakesportsacademy.com [email protected]

Life is Camp...Let’s Play. Come down, meet our staff and find out what

makes Buckley the premier camp op-tion for families living in Long Island, Queens and Manhattan. Buckley Day Camp offers a unique camp experi-

ence for tots through teens. An amaz-ing combination of beautiful facility,

caring staff and professionally-led activity areas equals a summer camp

like no other. We invite the whole family to come down, tour our facility and hear why Buckley Day Camp is the right camp for your family. To use the words of one of our enthusiastic par-ents, “Nobody cares more about my child than the staff at Buckley. What

more could a mom want”.

Buckley Day Camp

2 I.U. Willets Road, Roslyn, NY 11576, www.buckleycamp.com

[email protected],

THE CAMP CONNECTION: YOUR SUMMER CAMP MATCHMAKERS

WE SPECIALIZE IN THE FIRST TIME CAMPER and TEENS!

FREE ADVISORY SERVICE for summer programs for children, with over 20 years

of experience, representing over 500 summer programs. Guidance, brochures,

and DVDs are available on the finest Sleepaway Camps, Teen tours, Pre-col-lege and Community service programs, specialty camps and more. Each camp

has been personally visited and assessed for facility, staff, program, safety, supervi-sion and cleanliness. There is never any cost to our clients for our service. Your

child is our focus! The programs we represent are the finest in the industry.

“WE ARE A RELIABLE RESOURCE FOR AC-CURATE INFORMATION”.

NO FEE/NO OBLIGATION. Call 1-800-834-CAMP(2267) and speak to one of

our consultants.

THE CAMP CONNECTION

We can also be reached from our website at www.thecampconnection.com

or by email at [email protected].


Designed for

SUCCESS

Engineer

ed for

FUN!

Designed

SUCCESS

Engineered forforf

A Summer is aTerrible Thing to Waste➔ The years between 3 and 12 are among a child’s most formative.

➔ What your child does during the two months of summer can make a tremendousdifference.

➔ Developingstrongsocialskills,enhancedselfconfidenceandselfesteem along with an appreciation for positive character traits and values are the building blocks for success later in life.

➔ Not every day camp is designed the same — not every day camp runs the same.

516.676.0904 • NorthShoreDayCamp.com

UPCOMINGOPEN HOUSESCall about our

Camp Fair Dates!

March25 April22

85 Crescent Beach Road • Glen Cove, NY 11542

Transportation included from Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights & Manhattan


A FUN, QUALITY, AFFORDABLE BASEBALL AND BASKETBALL PROGRAMROUND-TRIP TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER CAMP

FOR AGES 6-14 TAKE YOUR GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL!

• A Fun, Quality, Affordable Baseball Program

• Players learn in small groups with energetic and experienced coaches.• Beautiful fi elds in Riverside Park • Round-trip transportation is available• For Ages 6-13 • One Week Sessions Available• Offering year-round programs including After School, Weekend Clinics and School Vacation Camps!

Space very limited Check out www.KidsofSummer.com for more info or contact Camp Director Mike Handell 917-572-2423 [email protected]

21 S. George Street, Millersville, PA 17551Josh Scholtes, Camp Director, 717-871-5831

[email protected]; www.campfleig.com

Camp F.L.E.I.G.

Camp F.L.E.I.G, which stands for Fitness, Leadership, Eating Well, Integrity & Good times is a 6 week long (3, 2 week ses-sions) summer resident camp

for children ages 9-15. Our Camp focuses on several core

values to help children develop the skills to be strong, fit,

sel confident leaders. Camp F.L.E.I.G. is Located in

the middle of scenic Lancaster County Pennsylvania in close proximity to Millersville Uni-versity, Camp F.L.E.I.G utilizes many campus features such as the Fitness Center, Ropes Course, Track and Field, etc.

Camp Gorham provides every camper from with a life changing experience.

Set on 1,500 picturesque acres, includ-ing a spectacular 400 acre lake, there is no better place to spend a summer! The

experience is based around 5 key ele-ments ensuring your camper is part of

a safe environment, makes new friends, experiences the Adirondacks, develops character and has fun. With activities

including horseback riding, waterskiing, sailing, canoeing, high ropes, archery, arts and crafts, dance and mountain biking, your camper is sure to create memories that last a lifetime. Camp

Gorham Summer Camp it’s like regular life, except way better!

Jackie RudolphDirector of Administration

YMCA Camp Gorham(315) 357-6401 Phone

(315) 357-3103 Faxwww.campgorham.org

Camp Gorham

Camp Kingsmont is a residential weight loss and fitness camp for

children 8-18 years of age. We focus on building self-esteem, sports skills, nutrition, fitness, and self-confidence

through a fun and active program. Our goal is to provide the tools to

kids and teens to make fundamental changes in the way they live. Camp

Kingsmont works with your child from the inside out -- preparing them to return home with a new attitude, new confidence, new knowledge and

a new and improved body. Please visit us today!! We Look forward to

seeing you this summer!!

Camp Kingsmont

www.campkingsmont.com

YMCA Camp Letts, Washington DC’s premiere resident camp, has been of-fering sailing, horseback riding, water skiing, fine arts programs, and wilder-

ness adventures to our campers for over 100 summers. Located on a one mile peninsula just off the Chesapeake Bay, youngsters from across the county and around the world flock to this se-cure and exciting environment to have

fun, kindle friendships, and master new skills. Every summer, campers

spend one and two-week sessions with our highly trained staff building skills that will last a lifetime. Come join the adventure and you’ll see why we say,

“Welcome to the fun. Welcome to the family. Welcome to camp!”

YMCA Camp Letts

www.campletts.org 410-919-1410 ● [email protected]

PO Box 208, 4003 Camp Letts Road, Edgewater MD 21037


Kaplen JCC on the Palisades411 East Clinton Ave. I Tenafly, NJ 07670 I www.jccotp.org

Text NKDC to 57394 link to our camp video

Only a dozen milesfor so many smiles!FROM CENTRAL PARK TO TENAFLY, NEW JERSEY

Enrolling your childis as easy as 1, 2, 3...1. Join the JCC now 2. Pay ONLY $250*3. Pay 2010 camp ratesfor summer 2012!www.jccotp.org/nkdc201.567.8963

* Open to all families who have never been a member of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades

Membership good for June, July & August 2012 only. Restrictions apply.

Neil Klatskin Day Camp

PLUStake advantage

of sibling discounts• $350 off 2nd child

• $500 off 3rd& 4th child

• 5th child FREE

Kosher Lunch & Snacks! Transportation available from New York City

week-long musical theater summer camps

for kids age 4 to 14

week-longweek-longweek-long

be in a brand new show every week...all summer long.book multiple camps and save!www.tadatheater.com 212-252-1619 x4

week-longweek-longweek-longweek-long

Create and perform a brand new mini musical ...in just 5 days! for ages 6-8 and 9-14Each camp features new Teaching Artists and a different theme from which the group writes and performs a brand new show. So book one or book ‘em all! every week - june 11-august 31

new!

2-week mini camps!for Ages 4-5 A new half-day Musical Theater Mini Camp for kids entering Pre-K and K that runs for two weeks, Monday to Friday from 9:30AM-12PM and culminates in a final sharing on the last day.

July 9 - 20 & August 6 - 17* All children participating must be potty-trained.

find out more about campfree open house saturday may 5!

be in a brand


This is the best camp I’ve ever been too! I can’t wait to go back! I LOVE FALCON! SUMMER SEE ALL MY FRIENDS. Excellent effo rt caring staff.

Great Food and good healthy selections. Willrecipes for back home! Horses Riflery, Tennis fun

T d. C T t! Na est CIT snd!! Everyo w onderful Care of ea he time. At nigh biggest campfires. IS MY FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD. W The staff really listened to me. I love it is my second home!

800 - 837 - CAMP www.falconcamp.com

www.horselovercamp.com 800/837-CAMP 800/837 CAMP

Camp Move IT ROCKS! You got it! We are a totally awesome experience

for girls ages 7-16 that’s innovative, ridiculously creative, filled with heart

and life lessons to grow your daughter into her most fabulous and authentic

self! We have merged cutting edge arts programming with a stunning

Catskill landscape to create an awe-some summer home for your daugh-ter. We have 2 ponds, a brand new

pool, 2 streams, a tennis court, open air painting studio, outdoor dance

studio, recording studio, and endless acreage for exploration. Camp Move IT™ campers are an eclectic group of girls, ready for an amazing summer adventure that will be remembered

for a lifetime! Register your daughter today to be a Camp Move IT™ Girl and

empower her to change the world!

Girls age 7-16NY Catskill Mountains

www.campmoveit.com 877 262 6512

Camp Move IT™

Since 1976, Camp Northwood has been providing a fun-filled, instructional co-ed summer sleep away camp experience to socially immature, learning challenged and high functioning autistic spectrum

campers in need of greater supervision and social support than is available in a more traditional camp setting. Located in the

Adirondacks of New York State, our 40-acre campus is situated on the edge of a beauti-ful 9-mile lake. Co-ed campers (ages 8-18) enjoy over 30 structured, non-competitive activities promoting independence, self-esteem and mastery. Our 2:1 camper to counselor ratio ensures individualized in-

struction and reinforcement of age-appro-priate social skills. Campers have a wealth

of opportunities to succeed and shine while having the time of their lives! Accredited by The American Camp Association. The Northwood Center, a division of Camp

Northwood, Inc. established in 2001, offers summer programming for young adults,

(ages 16-21) as they learn and practice in-dependent living, practical and social skills

in our simulated apartment setting.

CAMP NORTHWOOD

Special Needs Camp

Contact: Gordon & Donna Felt, Directors 315-831-3621 • www.nwood.com

Camp Ramaquois, “A day camp as complete as sleep-away camp”, situ-ated on 44 acres in nearby Rockland County. Only 30 minutes from the George Washington Bridge, via the Palisades Parkway. From adventur-ous activities to creative arts to ath-

letic activities, boys & girls, ages 4-15 experience a traditional day camp

program filled with a variety of stimu-lating activities. Facilities include

group bunks, a 5-acre crystalline lake, 8 heated swimming pools, a splash

park, tennis, basketball & volley-ball courts, hockey rinks, ball fields, soccer fields, a petting zoo, special events & much more. Optional Ad-

venture Trip Program for grades 4-10. 10th Grade Leadership Program. Many air-conditioned buildings.

Visit us at www.ramaquois.com or call 845-354-1600 for a personal tour.

Camp Ramaquois

Camp Riverdale is designed to in-crease the existing skills of boys and girls, to develop an interest in new

fields, to expand campers’ inter-personal relations, and to provide healthy recreation. Swimming is

the heart of our program with time each day for instructional and free swim, arts & crafts, science, music,

dance, dramatics, rocketry, computer. Sports, including baseball, volleyball,

softball, soccer, basketball, floor hockey, tennis, fencing, gymnastics. Hot meal. Transportation. Special

activity days: Lego Engineering, Talent Show, Olympics, Aquatic Day, Carni-val, Birthday Party. Former camper and counselor, Camp Director John Mueser nurtures this fifty-two year

legacy with respect and care.

[email protected]

(718) 432-4807

Camp Riverdale

CAMP RIVERDALE

FOUNDED IN 1961


We Believe that Girls Rock. We Believe they’re POWERFUL.

We Believe that Every Single Girl is Smart, Creative, Athletic & Beautiful. We believe girls can make a difference in each other’s lives. We believe they can do anything they put their minds to. We believe that GIRLS can change the World.

All they have to do is Move IT!

WHAT CAN YOU SAY TO THE WORLD WHEN YOU PUT YOUR HEART, BODY AND MIND TOGETHER WITH OTHERS TO CREATE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL?

WWW.CAMPMOVEIT.COMPhone: 877-262-6512 2121 PINK STREET BOVINA CENTER NY 13740 [email protected]

A JOURNEY OF CREATIVE THINKING & SELF DISCOVERY THROUGH THE POWER OF THE ARTS

“At camp you don’t hang out with the same group of girls everyday and that’s done on purpose because at Camp Move IT there are no cliques!!! “ DebbieAnn age 13

“At camp we don’t just have counselors, we have INSPIRERS and that’s what they do, inspire us to be ourselves in creative ways like dance, art, music, photography and acting!.....” Jackie age 9

“I NEVER felt left out or friendless. I was free to be creative and happy 24/7! Everyone feels comfortable sharing their personal story with everyone at the camp, no one judges or critiques anyone.” Leah age 12

“Camp Move IT changed me, it changes everyone! I can’t wait to go back because I know I’m going to learn so much more about myself AND I can’t wait to see all my new friends!” Alanie age 11

SESSION I (2 weeks) SESSION II (3 weeks) SESSION III (2 weeks)

June 30 - July 14 July 15 - August 4 August 5 - August 18


EXPERIENCE AN OVERNIGHT CAMP ADVENTURE

YMCA CAMP LETTSWHERE NEW DISCOVERIES AWAIT EVERY CHILD

YMCA CAMP LETTS is located on a 219 acre peninsula just outside of Annapolis

Maryland, a short 30 minute drive to Baltimore and Washington DC!

Summer Camp 2011 Activities include:NEW this year... one week camps all summer and more free add-on programs!● Horseback Riding & Trail Rides ● Jewelry & Fashion Design

● Waterski and Wakeboarding ● SCUBA

● High Ropes Adventure Course ● Paintball

● Appalachian Adventure Trip ● Archery

● Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball ● Ceramics

● SwImming Safety Program ● Kayaking & Canoeing

● Making New Friends and Memories

... and so much more!

www.campletts.org ● 410-919-1410 ● [email protected] PO Box 208, 4003 Camp Letts Road, Edgewater MD 21037

Camp Wekeela a coed residential camp, offers a safe, fun, nurturing environ-

ment in a bucolic mountain lake setting on Little Bear Pond in the beautiful

state of Maine. Water Skiing, Tennis, Outdoor Adventure, Land Sports, Water

Sports, Creative, Performing and Culi-nary Arts are core components of our program. Wekeela also offers an Out-

door Adventure tripping program. Our campers may cycle in Acadia National

Park, explore Bar Harbor, climb the summits of Mt. Khatadin, navigate the rapids of the Kennebec River or camp

out under the infinite Maine starlit sky. To discover what makes our Maine

summer camp so special and for more information contact us.

Camp Wekeela

www.campwekeela.com 201.612.5125

[email protected]

Get out of the city and into nature! Camp for school aged children with swimming twice daily, an adventure course, sports, nature, art, boating,

drama, trips, overnights and late nights. Round trip transportation

from West 97th Street in Manhattan through 230th Street near Riverdale

to our Pearl River campgrounds included. Camp dates are June 28-

August 17. Fees start as low as $700 for two week sessions and $3200 for

the full summer. Visit our website for a full list of prices, discounts,

open houses and registration.

Camp Yomawha

54 Nagle Ave. New York, NY 10040www.ywashhts.org

For more information contact: 212-569-6200 ext. 248

[email protected]

City kids can make their athletic dreams come true this summer at Chelsea Piers

Summer Sports Camps, Manhattan’s most comprehensive camp program for children 3-17 years old. Campers choose

from 14 different sports camps this year, including Sports Academy (soccer,

basketball, volleyball, batting and more), Gymnastics, Junior Gymnastics, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Golf, Elite Soccer,

Performance Golf, Acceleration Hockey, Elite Basketball, Bowling, Preschool Gym-nastics, Preschool Ice Skating, and Urban

Adventure for Teens (kayaking, rock climbing and sailing). Camp runs June

18 - August 31, 2012, and campers may sign up for one week up to 11 weeks, for maximum schedule flexibility. Transporta-

tion and After Care are available for an additional fee.

Chelsea Piers

212.336.6846www.chelseapiers.com/camps

Children’s Academy at LIU Brooklyn is designed to create both educational

and fun experiences for children ages 3-12. Youngsters from across Brook-

lyn learn robotics, movie making, music, puppetry, foreign language,

ballet and swimming. Summer Camp for 3- 6 year olds is a half-day, lan-

guage immersion program in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese or American Sign Language. Camp for 7-12 year olds is a full-day program of academic,

creative and physical activities. LIU Brooklyn faculty teach classes while current students are employed as camp counselors. The Children’s Academy is fully licensed by the

New York City Department of Health.

For more information www.liu.edu/childrensacademy

Children’s Academy at LIU Brooklyn


World-Class Facilities • Expert Instruction • Dynamic Curriculum

World-Class Facilities • Expert Instruction • Dynamic CurriculumWorld-Class Facilities • Expert Instruction • Dynamic Curriculum

World-Class Facilities • Expert Instruction • Dynamic Curriculum

Camps run June 18 – August 31 • Ages 3 to 17 YearsSince 1996, campers have enjoyed world-class athletic facilities,

expert and caring instructors, and the most exciting sports

curriculum, without ever leaving the city!

14 Camps to Choose from:Golf • Performance Golf • Ice Hockey • Ice Skating • Bowling

Preschool Gymnastics • Preschool Ice Skating • Gymnastics

Junior Gymnastics • Elite Soccer • Urban Adventure for Teens

Sports Academy • Elite Basketball • Acceleration Hockey

Summer Sports Camps at

23rd Street & Hudson River Park212.336.6846

www.chelseapiers.com/camps

The City’s Best Summer Day Campsfor Tots to Teens.

Enroll for 1, 2 or more weeks.

Instant Online Enrollment • Lunch Provided

Transportation & After Care Available

NYF Full Camp 1-12 NEW.indd 1 1/20/12 5:14 PM


Feed monkeys, pet kangaroo, take classes in Veterinary Medicine,

Animal Care, Survival Skills, Crime Science, Zipline, Pottery, Archery,

Culinary Science, Swimming, Crafts. - 240 beautifully forested acres are home to one of the most unique

summer camps in the country. Cub Creek Science Camp is the only camp

with its own zoo, and offers a 4:1 student / teacher ratio to ensure that campers not only have the

time of their life, but are always well supervised and safe. In addition to so many fun activities, our spacious, air-conditioned cabins and delicious meals are also favorites of our campers.

Free Brochure:MyAnimalCamp.com

SCIENCE CAMP/ CUB CREEK

Deer Mountain Day Camp is one of the first established and most respected day camps in the Tri-State area. Located just minutes from the G.W. and Tappan Zee bridges, Deer Mountain was founded in 1956 and sits on 25 beautiful mountain-

side acres surrounding our spring fed lake. At Deer Mountain, age-appropri-

ate programs for children 3-15 years old have been crafted by certified teachers and educational professionals to give your child the most enriching summer experience possible. With swimming, sports, arts, outdoor adventure, lake and special event activities, campers

rave that they have “the best summer ever.” Transportation, hot lunch, and

towel service are included.

Deer Mountain Day Camp

63 Call Hollow RoadPomona, NY 10970-2702

P: 845-354-2727 F: 845-354-5248www.deermountaindaycamp.cominfo@deermountaindaycamp.com

We offer a unique full-day summer school for elementary grade students

whose parents value fundamental skills instruction, and for whom

optimal preparation for September is the highest priority of the sum-

mer. Students have six classes daily - multisensory literacy, multisensory math, science, art, drama, and sports - taught by single-subject specialists.

By working efficiently, we still manage to schedule five fun recesses every day. A speech pathologist is on duty

every afternoon. Our four-week sum-mer school meets from 8:00 till 6:00 at The Epiphany School, at 141 East 28th Street (near Lex), from July 30

through August 24.

141 East 28th Streetwww.drakebennett.org

Drake Bennett Summer School

Widely recognized throughout the midwest as Ohio’s premier summer camp, Falcon Camp offers a beautiful lakefront setting,

experienced staff and wide range of activi-ties. “Fun for Now, Skills forLife” is not just

a catchy phrase but truly defines what happens at Falcon. Campers choose their own schedule within a general framework in 2,4,6 or 8 week sessions. Boys and girls,

ages 6 – 16, are separate with planned coed events. Most of all it’s a great time!

ACA accredited since 1959. Easy trans-portation arrangements from Pittsburgh,

Cleveland or Akron/Canton airports. Special Horse Lover Camps and first timer

programs also available.

Falcon Camp

Carrollton, OH 44615 (800)[email protected]


Face-to-face with whales, porpoises,

puffins and lots of marine life

$40,000 College Scholarships

Available

HANDS-ON

MARINE SCIENCE, OCEANOGRAPHY &

WHALE RESEARCH ON

GRAND MANAN ISLAND

BETWEEN MAINE AND

NOVA SCOTIA

Ask About: STEM Projects • College Accredited Courses

Family Programs

Free Brochure & Info:

www.whalecamp.com

EXPERIENCE MARINE SCIENCE

Mention Keycode WC★NYF for $50/week Discount

Fundy Marine Science Institute

WHALE CAMPThe

at the


Visit our website to learn more

www.pequotsherwood.org

860.767.0848Ivoryton, CT

If you’re lookIng for the ultimate camping experience, then look no further than America’s oldest co-ed camp. We’ve been creating outdoor camping memories for kids of all ages for over 120 years. engaging “tech-free” activities build character and friendship — campers choose from water and field sports, hiking, arts, canoe trips and more — for less than you might imagine.

www.pequotsherwood.orgwww.pequotsherwood.org

• 700-Acre Campground• Mile-Long Private Lake• Close to New York• Reasonable Rates• Close to New York

INC_Ad_10x5.541_M.indd 1 1/9/12 3:03 PM

FashionCampNYC is an intensive five-day hands-on camp experience, taught by the experts, designers and retailers you read about in your favorite glossy, and aspire to work with one day. Fash-ionCampNYC explores the “business” of fashion, teaching teens — ages 12

to 18 — how to turn their passion into a lucrative profession. Our educators include fashion executives, designers, product developers, stylists, bloggers, and editors, touching on every aspect of this creative and colorful industry.

All that’s missing is you!

FashionCamp NYC

LIM College, 12 E. 53rd Street NY, NY866-909-6911

[email protected]

Our two-week resident camps are designed to provide excit-ing days that ensure fun for every camper and provide

activities that foster healthy, outdoor fun. From swimming to tenting in the woods and stories by the campfire, chil-dren enjoy discovering new friends, new challenges and

new skills. New Horse camps for girls in 2012! Camps

offered: Sleepaway, Horse, Farm, Adventure, and more!

Visit our website for more information: frostvalley.org or

call (845) 985-2291.

Frost Valley

In the summer of 2012 at Pur-chase College, we will once again be operating 17 Weekly day camp programs starting June 11 in Ten-nis, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball,

Lacrosse, Football, Running, Multi-Sports, Field Hockey, Cheerlead-

ing, Volleyball, Circus Arts, Magic, Softball, Diving, Academic and Lit-tle Stars (ages 3½–5). Supervised swim; Instructional swim for Little Stars. Lunch option, local central point transportation available,

with door-to-door transportation from Riverdale and Manhattan.

735 Anderson Hill Road Purchase, NY914-273-8500fscamps.com

Future Stars

Having recently celebrated over 60 years in camping, we are proud to serve NYC families. With a mag-nificent, mountainside facility and

a talented, nurturing staff, Gate Hill provides a complete day camp expe-rience for camper’s age 3 to entering 10th grade, plus outstanding special

programs in Early Childhood, Teen Travel, & Explorer’s: Arts & Sciences. Enrollment includes hot lunch, air

conditioned door to door transpor-tation, towel service, regular parent communication, weekly photos on-

line, and an amazing summer experi-ence for every child. Private tours

with a Camp Director are scheduled 7 days per week, plus fun family

events throughout the year!

www.gatehilldaycamp.com

Gate Hill


FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (518) 494-2406 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.BRANTLAKESPORTSACADEMY.COM [email protected]


With transportation available in Manhattan, SPORTIME Randall’s Island SummerCamps feature tennis pros from the John McEnroe Tennis Academy and caring counselors who deliver an unforgettable experience to every camper!

■ The 2012 EXCEL Summer Camp, for tennis players ages 7-16, features fourhours of intensive coaching from McEnroe Academy professionals and twohours of fitness and cross-training.

The SPORTIME 2012 Tennis & Sports Camp, for kids 5-15, provides two hours of tennis and four hours of other sports, including basketball, softball, andsoccer; plus an activity tent, slip ‘n slide and more!

For more information email Camp Director and Master Tennis Professional Greg Evans at [email protected], call 212-427-6150, or log ontowww.SPORTIMENY.com/Manhattan

If you’re traveling east, check out the summer camp offerings at SPORTIME clubs in the Hamptons:SPORTIME Amagansett, 320 Abrahams Path, 631.267.3460, SportimeNY.com/AmagansettSPORTIME Quogue, Route 104, 631.653.6767, SportimeNY.com/Quogue

2012 SUMMER CAMPSOffered Weekly: June 11th - August 31st

212/427-6150SportimeNY.com/Manhattan

SPORTIME RANDALL’S ISLAND

Have you made plans for your child’s summer yet? The YMCA has Day

AND Sleepaway Camps just 87 miles northwest of New York City. Either way, YMCA Summer Camp is the

perfect place to meet new friends,

explore science and technology, swim,

build core values, appreciate culture and diversity, and—of course—have

fun. All YMCA Summer Camps are

and accredited by the American Camp

10 % Early Bird and Sibling Discounts

REGISTER TODAY!(212) 630-YMCA www.ymcanyc.org

YMCA SUMMER CAMP

YMCA Summer Camp

Summer Clubhouse offers two camp programs. The Coed K-4 Camp runs in June and August, offering outdoor

play, yoga, creative arts, chess, sports, swim instruction and exciting field trips to special exhibits and classic New York locales. The Girl Power! Camp is a program fostering confi-

dence, collaboration and community and is open to all girls entering grades

5 through 7. This immersive one-week program, June 11-15, focuses on leadership and empowerment

skills while encouraging ways for the girls to be their best selves. Both

camps are staffed with professional instructors and experienced camp

counselors. Visit our website to register.

Girl Power! Camp: 45 E. 75th St., NYC 10021Summer Clubhouse: 3 E. 76th St., NYC 10021

(212)288-1919http://summer.hewittschool.org

Hewitt Summer Program

Ages 7-17Immerse in hands-on learning to create iPhone apps, programs, video games,

websites, movies, 3D models, robots, and more. Beginner to advanced students

ages 7-17 enroll in these weeklong, day and overnight camps held at 60+ presti-gious universities in 27 states including

Columbia, NYU, NYIT, Adelphi, Princeton, Stanford, and others. Students engage in

personalized curriculum with a small group of peers (guaranteed 8:1 ratio) to optimize

learning and social experiences. Teens, Ages 13-18

Also for 2-weeks, pre-college immersion programs for Teens held at NYU, Vassar,

Princeton, Yale, and other universities: iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Acad-

emy, and iD Visual Arts Academy (filmmak-ing and photography).

Contact our Program Advisors for help developing a plan to nurture your student’s

existing interests.

1-888-709-TECH [email protected] www.internalDrive.com

ID TECH CAMPS

The JCC Day Camp @ Pearl River offers campers 5-12 years an

exceptional summer experience on our beautiful, lush campground

just 35 minutes from the upper west side. It’s everything you’d expect from the JCC – great pro-

gramming, dedicated staff, and se-rious fun – in a beautiful outdoor

environment. Camp highlights include Swimming 2 times a day, Low and High Ropes Courses and Rockwall, Beautiful fields;

basketball, tennis and gaga courts; dedicated, Yoga Zone, Cooking, Nature, Music and Arts, with ex-

perts Planting Garden, and Petting Zoo. Bussing available from the

Upper West and East Sides.

Visit us online at jccmanhattan.org/pearlriver or call

646.505.4430 to learn more

JCC Pearl River


Call Us Today!applauseny.com(212) 717-0703184 East 76th St.

New York, NY 10021

Week-Long Musical Theater Intensives this Summer!

NEW YORK CITY

K–9th gr.


Kids of Summer is a fun, quality and affordable NYC sports program based in Riverside Park. Now in its eleventh

year, Kids of Summer offers baseball and basketball instruction to hundreds of NYC

children each year in a fun, supportive, safe and energetic atmosphere. Through targeted drills and exciting games, Kids of Summer’s experienced and responsible coaches work with campers of all ability

levels in small groups to ensure personal-ized attention, improvement, wonderful memories and fun! We offer year-round programs including after school, winter classes, school vacation camps, birthday

parties, private lessons and our travel baseball organization the NY Dodgers. Transportation and one-week sessions

available for summer camp.

www.KidsofSummer.com

Kids of Summer

Real-life rocket scientist, Scott Heifetz, founded Launch with one mission in

mind: Inspire children to love and learn math! Launch provides Pre-K through

8th grade kids with inspiring math instruction throughout the year and exciting indoor/outdoor day camps

during the summer. Launch camps are week-long sessions packed with creative hands-on projects related to math and science. Two camps are offered every week with a maximum of four camp-ers per counselor. Whether building

advanced robots, launching high-flying rockets, designing video games, tinkering

with electronics or playing in Central Park, kids will be having too much fun to

notice that they are learning!

Launch Math Achievement Center

173 W. 81st St. (81st and Amsterdam)(949) 528-6240 OR (949) LAUNCH-0

[email protected] www.launchmath.com

Enroll now 212.232.0266 ext 254lemanmanhattan.org/summercamp

Léman Manhattan is located in the heart of the Financial District • 41 Broad St. • 1 Morris St.

Léman Manhattan

Have a FUNderful summer at Léman Manhattan.

Camp Léman – Children (3s – 3rd grade) enjoy daily swim lessons by Red Cross-certified lifeguards, outdoor play, arts

and crafts, woodworking, sports, cook-ing, special events, and much more.

June 18th – July 27th Léman Summer Workshops – Children

(4th-8th grade) hone their special interests in week-long Fine Arts, Music, Culinary Arts, and Film workshops that are overseen by our outstanding faculty

and experienced professionals. Each week includes unique excursions and

concludes with an event for family and friends. June 18th – July 20th

Lester’s is ready up for camp with the larg-est selection of fun camp clothing, foot-

wear and essentials from all your favorite brands including CLOZ camp uniforms.

You’ll find everything your kids want and need for sleep-away or day camp

including Lester’s exclusive LOVE CAMP airbrushed designs on duffel bags, tank

tops, sweatshirts, bedding, pillows, towels, make-up cases and more. Boys will find

their favorite sports team logos, Flow Society Lacrosse Shorts and Volcom sweat

shirts. Through April 10th, all campers receive free name taping on your camp purchase over $200, a $25 Gift Card with a camp purchase over $500 (valid after

April 7,some exclusions may apply). Their camp counselors will guide you every step

of the way. Come in, or call to make your camp appointment (Manhattan store 212 734 9292) or shop online at LESTERS.COM for the same great personalized service. Lester’s is also located in Brooklyn, Rye,

Greenvale and Huntington LI.

www.lesters.com

Lester’s


& Teen Academies

CREATE VIDEO GAMES!DEVELOP iPHONE® APPS!

PROGRAM ROBOTS!MAKE MOVIES!

ColumbiaNYUNYITAdelphiPrinceton

60+ UNIVERSITIES. AGES 7-18.

www.internalDrive.com1-888-709-TECH (8324)


The Mandell Explorer Camp is an opportunity for children ages 3-12 to experience and explore the wonders of summer camp.

Our children will be exposed to a balanced schedule that will allow them to grow physically, mentally and creatively while having a ton of fun.

Campers will enjoy action packed days consisting of music, visual arts, athletics, swimming, cooking, technology, drama and chess in a nurturing and relaxed environment. There will be fantastic field trips throughout the summer to destinations such as the Botanical Gardens, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. The children will also enjoy all of our special days such as dress up day,

pajama day and our bar-b-cue day.

For more information contact [email protected] or call 212-222-2925

July 2nd – August 3rd

ALL COUNSELORS ARE CERTIFIED TEACHERS

STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES

LOW RATIO OF STUDENTS TO CAMP COUNSELORS

EARLY DROP OFF (8:00AM) AND LATE PICK UP (4:00PM) AVAILABLE

Entering our 51st year, LuHi Summer Programs has a great summer experi-ence waiting for your child! Located

on 33 beautiful acres on Long Island’s North Shore in Nassau County, LuHi,

is the place to be for arts, sports and recreation. Offering 40 exciting

programs in four 2-week sessions, LuHi has proudly served three generations of Long Island families. All programs

include free transportation from Manhattan. Join us at one of our Open Houses on Sunday, February 12th, Sun-day, March 25th or Sunday, April 29th

from 12pm to 3 pm. Enter to win a free 2 week session of LuHi, meet the direc-tors, visit the magician and take a turn in the bounce! Register for programs

that day and your child gets a free gift!

LuHi Summer Programs

For more information, check out www.LuHi.com or call our professional staff at

516 626-1100 to receive a free brochure. Come and see how much fun LuHi can be!

The Mandell Explorer Camp is an opportunity for children ages 3-12 to experience and explore the wonders

of summer camp. Our children will be exposed to a balanced schedule that will allow them to grow physi-cally, mentally and creatively while having a ton of fun. Campers will

enjoy action packed days consisting of music, visual arts, athletics, swim-ming, cooking, technology, drama

and chess in a nurturing and relaxed environment. There will be fantastic field trips throughout the summer

to destinations such as the Botanical Gardens, the Intrepid Sea, Air and

Space Museum. The children will also enjoy all of our special days such as dress up day, pajama day and our

bar-b-cue day.

[email protected]

Mandell Explorer Camp

Marymount’s summer camp offers a variety of programs for children in the heart of New York City.

All camps include outdoor sports, weekly swim instruction and field trips. The World Cultures Day Camp (ages 3.5-5) is designed to inspire creative

play and discovery through age-appropriate indoor and outdoor activities including music, dance,

sports, water play, and nature study. The Drama Camp (ages 5-13) is a creative acting, singing and

dance program run by professional teaching artists culminating in the performance of a full musical production. In Science and Technology Camp,

(ages 5-14) campers discover the world of natural science and technology through laboratory experi-

ments, state-of the art equipment, multimedia activies and field study. Hours are 8:30am-2:30pm

(ages 3.5-6) and 8:30am - 3:00pm (ages 7-14). After Camp Program available (ages 7-14) until

5:00pm.Rita Pietropinto Kitt

Chair, Drama Summer Camp Director

Marymount Summer Camp

1026 5th Ave. NYC 10028 (212)744-4486, [email protected]

www.marymountsummer.orgJune 25-July 27 2012 Ages 3.5-13

Give your child the world. Give a summer to remember at Morning-side Montessori School’s Summer Program. Imagine it: frolicking in

sprinklers, learning to swim, creat-ing in the air-conditioned bliss of

sun- and fun-filled classrooms. Have a climber? Adventurers are on top

of the world with rooftop equipment enough to spark imaginations. Seek-ing inner-peace? Our yoga teacher

has kids reaching for the stars. Music With Tim brings new worlds of song, and our teachers have enough expe-rience up their sleeves to keep every

day magical. This is the place you wish your parents had known about

when you were a kid.

Morningside Montessori

251 West 100th Street, 6th FloorNew York, NY 10025

(212) 316 1555www.morningsidemontessori.org


Specialty Summer Camps: Robots, Rockets,

Video Game Design & Electronics

Applied Math Clubs

& Workshops

Inspiring Math

Instruction

Offering information and advice on: Teen Travel Enrichment/College Programs Study AbroadCommunity Service, Language Immersion and more!!!

FREE Personalized Service • No Fee • No ObligationOver 20 years experience! Representing over 500 programs!

Your Sleepaway Camp Matchmaker Finding Sleepaway Camps for Children and Teens andTeen Connection (a Division of the Camp Connection)

www.thEcampconnection.com [email protected] 800-834-2267


Open House Feb 11 & Mar 24, 10-2pmSAVE th

eDATESAVE the DATE

914.236.0977 fscampswestchester.info

• 16 Specialty Programs & Weekly Sessions• ENROLL BY FEBRUARY 15 & SAVE!

• Door - Door Transportation for Manhattan Residents

SUMMER CAMPSat Purchase College

Summer 2012!

Serving Westchester and NYC families since 1955, Mount Tom provides a safe and sup-portive environment for children ages 3-14

to learn, grow and have fun. We believe a positive camp experience enhances a child’s physical, intellectual, social and

emotional development. “The Mount Tom Difference” is its proven staff model featur-ing EXPERIENCED EDUCATORS SPENDING

THE ENTIRE CAMP DAY WORKING DIRECTLY WITH CAMPERS. As a result, campers are

better able to learn life skills such as build-ing and maintaining friendships, taking

healthy risks, overcoming fears, teamwork, self-confidence and determination. Chil-

dren participate in a well-rounded schedule of activities including daily Red Cross swim instruction, team and individual sports, cul-tural and performing arts, nature, outdoor

adventure (rock climbing, ropes course, zip line), electives and wonderful special events. Short, safe commute on super-

vised, air-conditioned vehicles. Healthy and delicious hot lunch and snacks.

Mount Tom

For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (914) 636-8130.

Telephone: 845-356-6477Email: [email protected]

Website: www.thenatureplace.com

The Nature Place

The Nature Place is an ACA ac-credited, non-competitive and nature-oriented day camp for children ages 4-16, located on 200 acres in Rockland County,

NY. At The Nature Place, camp-ers discover hands-on, pressure-free programming and an excep-tionally well-trained staff. They do not find competitive sports, awards, color wars, TV or video

games. Instead, campers get outside and swim, garden, cook, sing, hike, farm, act, and much

more, playing and learning in the natural world. We provide busing

from throughout Manhattan.

Kids Weeks give kids the chance to discover new skills, hidden talents and the thrill of per-

formance – all taught by New Victory Teaching Artists at the

New 42nd Street Studios (where Broadway shows rehearse)! For kids ages 7-11, choose a Circus Week (March 26-30, April 9-13, or June 18-22) or Theater Week (July 9-20). For ages 11-14, try Playwriting (July 9-20). Kids of all skill levels are welcome and

each experience culminates in a showcase for friends and family!

Programs run Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm daily.

For more information, visit the Workshops section of

NewVictory.org or call 646.223.3010

NewVictory

Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly, New Jersey

For Children Ages 3 - 11June 25 - August 17, 9 am - 4 pm

(extended care & shorter day options available) Children enjoy eight weeks of fun in a nurturing

Jewish environment just a few miles from Central Park. Transpor-tation available from NYC. Exciting activities include arts & crafts, ath-letics, daily Red Cross instructional and recreational swim, Israeli cul-ture, Judaic programming, drama, music, martial arts, yoga, sports,

entertainers, carnivals, theme days, Oneg Shabbat celebrations,

kosher lunches, snacks, and more! Four, six, seven and eight-week

options. Call 201.567.8963.

Neil Klatskin Day Camp


LuHi Join us at an Open House Sunday February 12th Sunday March 25th Sunday April 29th 12:00pm to 3:00pm

Visit us on the web at LuHi.comOr call for a

Free Brochure516-626-1100

A Summer Tradition for 51 years.Free Transportation From Manhattan!

SUMMER PROGRAMS


NYChessKids has been in existence for more than 15 years during which

we have taught more than thou-sands of students to play chess.

We offer a wide range of scholas-tic chess activities, such as chess

camps, scholastic tournaments, after school programs, private lessons,

and online lectures. We developed a comprehensive and concise chess program that is fundamental in edu-

cating and teaching our chess stu-dents. The most important goal to

us is for the children to have a great future and attend the best schools in the country. We are dedicated to im-proving academic excellence by en-couraging and training our students to become problem solvers, critical

thinkers, and admirable leaders.

NY Chess Kids

122 W 27th Street FL 10 & 12New York, NY 100018.00AM - 04.00PM

347-523-5412 [email protected]

North Shore Day Camp’s full-day, flex-ible week sessions, for children ages 3 to 15 offer outstanding athletics, elec-

tives, golf academy, adventure program of high ropes, zip-line, rock climbing walls, go-carts and mountain biking, tennis, baseball, basketball, hockey,

soccer, fine arts, performing arts, com-puters, cooking, woodworking, ceram-ics, Red Cross swim instruction in four

heated pools and teen travel programs. North Shore is committed to small

groups having exceptional supervision. Pre-schoolers are nestled in our state-

of-the-art village on their own part of our campus. Air-conditioned buses

bring campers to our 14-acre Gold Coast estate overlooking Long Island

Sound. Nutritional lunches and snacks are included. North Shore Day Camp – Designed for success – Engineered for Fun! We are a member of the Timber

Lake family of camps.

North Shore Day Camp

85 Cesrcent Beach Road Glen Cove, NY 11542516.676.0904

NorthShoreDayCamp.com

Amazing Summers, Lifelong FriendsGive your child a summer full of fun with Oasis

Summer Camps! With seven locations in the NYC metro area and on Long Island your child can have an exceptional camp experience close to home. At Oasis, we give campers the opportunity to be ac-tive, think creatively and discover new friendships that will last a lifetime. Here at Oasis we offer two

different types of summer camps, a traditional summer day camp program for children between the ages of four and eleven and a program called Teen Travel, which is designed for young adults between the ages of twelve and fourteen. Daily

activities are centered on The Arts, Outdoor Educa-tion, Swimming, Sports and Team-building. With

our exciting and varied programming, your child will never be bored.

NYC LOCATIONSCentral Park on the Upper West Side • Downtown on the Lower East Side

Bayside Queens • Brooklyn

NASSAU COUNTY LONG ISLAND LOCATIONSMichael J. Tully Park in New Hyde Park • Point Look-

out• On The Sound at Manorhaven Beach Park

For more information visit usCity & Long Island

(800)317-1392 www.oasischildren.com

Oasis

Camps Pequot (for boys) and Sher-wood (for girls) comprise Incarna-tion, America’s oldest co-ed camp.The essence of a traditional sum-mer camp remains the same over

the years: a nurturing environment, outdoor excitement, and discovery. The chief nurturing for campers is through the friendships formed at

camp. Themed days, swims classes, tennis, sailing, campfires and more provide a setting which nurtures

the camper-to-camper bond. Along with the growth of friendships is

the nurturing of values. At Incarna-tion, our emphasis on community, respect, and friendship, brings to-

gether campers from diverse faiths, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds. We hope to see you this summer!

www.pequotsherwood.org

Pequot & Sherwood


Get out of the city and into nature!Traditional day camp for school aged children with swimming, sports, trips, overnights, challenge courses, arts and more!

Daily round trip transportation from W 97th Street in Manhattan through 230th Street near Riverdale to our Pearl River campgrounds included.

Camp Dates are June 28- August 17

Fees start as low as $700 for two week sessions and $3200 for the full summer.Visit our website for our prices, open houses and registration.

54 Nagle Avenue • New York, NY 10040www.ywashhts.org • [email protected] ext. 248

Camp Yomawha


Summer Program at Morningside Montessori School

www.morningsidemontessori.org

(212) 316-1555

Ages 2½-5 years old 6 - week program from mid-June to July

Pee wee program is available 3 days per weekYoga, Music, Swim (for 3-5’s) and Soccer!

Come and play with us!251 West 100th Street

PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY SUMMER SCHOOL

Phillips Exeter Academy Summer School welcomes to campus some 750 bright, highly motivated students for five weeks of academic study, athlet-ics, and exploration that carry them far beyond the classrooms and the playing fields. The UPPER SCHOOL

offers more than 100 courses of study for high school students who have

completed grades 9, 10, 11, or 12. AC-CESS EXETER, our program for students

who have completed grades 7 or 8, offers accelerated study in the arts and sciences. Students come to Exeter with intellectual curiosity and an adventur-ous spirit which leads them to make

new discoveries.

20 Main StreetExeter, NH 03833 603-777-3488 [email protected]

www.exeter.edu/summer

Preschool du Monde

New York, NY 10024 646-592-5527

[email protected]

Crèche du MondeCrèche du Monde off ers a quality child care pro-

gram for infants and toddlers that nurtures the in-dividual needs and abiliti es of each and every child.

Each child parti cipates daily in periods of group acti vity (exposing them to art, music and science),

individual play, outdoor play, and quiet ti mes. A variety of small motor toys are off ered and changed

weekly to coordinate with the weekly theme and gross motor development. Children received large muscle coordinati on through outside play, going for

walks, or indoor play in the classroom.Preschool du Monde

Preschool du Monde’s program nurtures and prepares young children to become “lifelong learn-ers” as well as dedicated and compassionate par-ti cipants in the world around them while acti vely

contributi ng to their cogniti ve, emoti onal, physical, and language development. Children ages 2 to 5 will be acti ve parti cipants in a hands-on inquiry

program with studies organized weekly by theme, accompanied by educati onal learning centers, small group instructi on, classroom “museum walks,” and community walks (weather permitti ng) that bring

together literacy, art, music, drama, science, math, and social studies topics. Outdoor playti me will

be incorporated into the program on a daily basis (weather permitti ng

Quinebarge - a small camp that soon feels like a big family to both campers and staff. Living, playing and learning together builds friendships fast- friendships that often last a lifetime. Our 70 acres of woods and fields

and 1500 feet of waterfront offer everything a traditional camp should as electives the

camper chooses: Archery, Field Sports, Tennis, Volleyball and Mountain Bikes let us work up a sweat, High and Low Ropes Challenge Course, the Zip Line; our Climbing Tower; Gymnastics and Aerobics all tune our balance and spatial

skills and build strength, teamwork, and confidence almost un-noticed, while teaching

safety and caution as we work up a sweat! Swimming Instruction, Free Swims, Canoeing

and Kayaking, Paddleboats and Water Bikes let us cool off. Woodshop, Arts & Crafts and Ce-ramics let us create, and our Nature Program and Horseback Riding help us learn respect for our fellow creatures and the life around

us. Our trip program has people out on hikes or overnights or river trips almost daily, and

each week the whole camp takes a special trip together. Quinebarge - a camp

where kids have fun!

Quinebarge

www.campquinebarge.com 603-253-6029 800-869-8497

Owned and operated by the Krouner family for the past 55 years, Schodack has been a home-away-from-home for boys and girls, ages 7-14. Families rave about the friendliness of our campers,

the supportive atmosphere in the bunks and activity areas, and the good sports-manship and emphasis on fun displayed

on the playing fields! Conveniently located 2.5 hours from NYC, Schodack

campers enjoy a mix of scheduled activi-ties with their bunkmates and Camper

Choice periods daily. We also offer cultural trips, adventure trips, hikes and horseback rides, inter-camp games and

overnight camping (all included)!

Camp Schodack

www.schodack.com 917-297-2947

Warmth * Tradition * Spirit


5250 Fieldston Road John Mueser, Director Bronx, New York 10471 www.riverdale.edu718-432-4807 [email protected]

Boys and Girls Kindergarten through Fifth Grade

Camp Riverdale's mature staff engages campers in all sports, including swimming. Activities also include drama, nature & science, computer, and much more. Hot lunch and morning snack included. Transportation is also available.

5250 Fieldston Road 5250 Fieldston Road 5250 Fieldston Road John Mueser, Director John Mueser, Director John Mueser, DirectorBronx, New York 10471 www.riverdale.edu718-432-4807 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Boys and Girls Kindergarten through Fifth Grade

Camp Riverdale's mature staff engages campers in all sports, including swimming. Activities also include drama, nature & science, computer, and much more. Hot lunch and morning snack included. Transportation is also available.

CAMP RIVERDALEJune 27, 2012 -‐-‐ August 7, 2012


SPORTIME Randall’s Island offers unique Summer camp experiences in Manhattan. The 2012 EXCEL Summer Camp, for tennis players ages 7-16,

features 4 hours of intensive coaching from John McEnroe Tennis Academy professionals and 2 hours of fitness and cross-training. For those looking for a more diverse camp experience, the 2012 Tennis & Sports Camp, for kids 5-15, provides 2 hours of tennis

and 4 hours of other sports, including basketball, softball, soccer, plus an activity tent, slip ‘n slide and more! SPORTIME’s Summer Camp staff in-

cludes tennis pros from the McEnroe Academy and caring counselors who

deliver an unforgettable experience to every SPORTIME camper.

One Randall’s Island New York, NY 10035Office: (212) 427-6150 ext. 1850

www.SportimeNY.com

Sport Time

Have a super soccer summer with Super Soccer Stars! With

camps and classes offered 7 days per week throughout the region, you are sure to find the perfect camp for your child. Outdoor Flexible Drop-In Classes (go to

class whenever you feel like it!), Indoor Mini Camps, Fun in the Sun Camp and Kick It Camp are

perfect for soccer stars of all ages and levels! Advanced Premier

Camp offered for Premier play-ers, Mon-Fri. Let the summer soccer fun begin at numerous locations throughout Manhat-

tan, Brooklyn, Hoboken, Queens, Westchester and The Hamptons.

See ad for Early Bird Discount!

www.supersoccerstars.com/summer212.877.7171

Super Soccer Stars

Established in 1917, the Tabor Summer Program allows young people, 6-17, the opportunity

to develop their full potential as individuals. Under the guidance

of highly qualified and ener-getic counselors, coaches, and teachers, the program encour-ages young people to have fun and take pride in their personal achievement in our enrichment

courses, on the playing fields, and on the waterfront. Tabor pro-

vides a variety of engaging and enjoyable activities in a beautiful

waterfront setting.

Tabor Academy

66 Spring St.| Marion, MA 02738W: 508.291.8315 | F: 508.291.8392

http://www.taboracademy.org/summer

Summer is coming and TADA! has the musical theater camp for you! Choose from themes

like Glee Club, Broadway Bieber!, Pirate Tales & Trea-sures, and more! Week-long

summer camps are offered for kids ages 6 to 14 and run from June through August. Learn to sing, dance, and act this sum-mer and perform your mas-

terpiece in front of family and friends at the end of the week!

New for summer 2012: your tiny thespians can enjoy a 2-week

mini-camp for 4 and 5 year olds. For more information and

to register, please visit www.tadatheater.com or call us at

212-252-1619 x4.

TADA


Camp Birch Hillyour home away from home

TWO, FOUR and SIX WEEK SESSIONS AVAILABLE

Traditi onal - Overnight - Summer Camp Located In The Lakes Region Of New Hampshire

Boys And Girls Ages 6-16

ELECTIVE ACTIVITY CHOICES:Campers at birch hill choose from over 50 acti viti es

to build their own personalized schedule!Land sports • Water sports • Adventure

Horseback riding • Fine arts • TennisCanoeing • Climbing • Paintball • Go karts

Golf • Waterski • Dance • Zip line and more!Full list of acti viti es & photos on our website:

www.Campbirchhill.Com

TWO WEEK SESSIONS FOR SUMMER 2012Session I : - June 24th - July 7th, 2012Session 2 : - July 8th - July 21st, 2012

Sesssion 3 : July 22th - August 4th, 2012

To hear more about our evening programs, healthy food opti ons and friendly staff or

to schedule a camp tour or slide show contact us:

E-mail birch hill : [email protected] Call our offi ce : (603) 859-4525


The United Nations International School Summer Camp was created to provide recreational and enrichment activities for children between the ages of 4 and 14, in a friendly and supportive environ-ment that fosters friendship, develops sportsmanship and nurtures the spirit.

The composition of both our student body and our professional and experienced faculty makes UNIS summer program unique. We welcome students from UNIS and from other schools, both in the USA and abroad.

Dr. Lidana Jalilvand Director of Special ProgramsEmail: [email protected]

For more information 212 - 584-3084 or 3083

The Food Network and Tyler Florence have nothing on Taste Buds, voted “Best Kids Cooking Class” by New York Maga-

zine. Cook up new and tasty culinary adventures each week as you develop the skills to chop, mix and swirl your

way to a food masterpiece. From deca-dent desserts to nutritious meals, our

camps will set you up to be a future Top Chef while making friends and reward-ing your Taste Buds with new ingredi-ents. Weekly themes include Around

the World, Chocolate Lovers, Iron Chef & more. Join us in the city’s only Kids

Kitchen for half-day cooking camps for ages 4-8y, 9-13y and 13-17y. Children

ages 10+ can join as Counselors-in-train-ing for a full day. Register for the whole

summer or just a week!

109 West 27th Street, 10FL 212-242-2248

www.tastebudscook.com

Taste Buds

UNIS Summer Camp provides an array of recre-ati onal and enrichment acti viti es in a friendly and supporti ve environment that fosters friendship, develops sportsmanship and nurtures the spirit.

The camp is designed for students between 4 and 14 years old. We welcome students from other schools, both in the US and abroad. The compositi on of both our student body and the

professional and experienced faculty makes UNIS Summer Camp unique. The Students in Division 1 (4 to 7 years old) enjoy a structured program

with homeroom teachers. The program includes instructi onal swimming classes. In additi on to

homeroom acti viti es, the students parti cipate in special acti viti es such as Chess, Tennis, Swim-

ming, Theatre Games, World of Music & Songs, Arts & Craft s and a variety of Sports acti viti es. The Students in Division 2 (8 to 14 years old) select their classes from an array of acti viti es

such as Mini-Musical, Digital Photography, Film Making, Multi cultural Dance, Drumming Lessons, Guitar Lessons, World of Music & Songs, Robot-

ics, Animati on & Video Game Design, Chess, Arts & Craft s, Drawing & Painti ng, Origami, Swimming,

Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Soft ball, Yoga, Cooking classes, ESL classes, English Enrichment, Math Enrichment, Educati onal Computer Acti vi-ti es, the Science of Training Dolphins & Whales .

UNIS Summer Camp

212.584.3084 or 584.3083 or Email: [email protected]

Healthy, happy, invigorating, cooperative, challenging, “green” camping experience in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York with concentrations in Sports, Art, Tae Kwon Do, Music, Drama, Archery,

Kayaking, Canoeing, Fishing, Crafts, Pot-tery, Swimming, private Tennis Complex, Newspaper, Cooking, Campfires, Journal

Writing, Fun with Astronomy, Hiking, Climbing Boulder, Gymnasium activities, Educational Trips, Academics, Garden-ing, Model Railroading, Board Games,

Landscaping, Nature Studies, Recreational Games: ping pong, pool, fooz ball, Marsh-

mallow Contest, Talent Shows, Ultimat Frisbee, Horse Shoes, Bocce, Ladder

Ball, Croquet, Kickball, Goodnight Songs, Emotional Literacy, Berry Picking, Farm Visits, Caverning, White Water Rafting,

Picnicking, Miniature Golf, Bowling, Mov-ies, Pizza Night, Granny’s Ice Cream in

the Adirondacks, Sleucing for diamonds, Maple Syrup Farm Trip and more…

Universal Camps

210 Twin Pines Dr. Gilboa, NY 12076Call (718) 833-9039

[email protected]

Usdan Center is the nation’s pre-eminent not-for-profit summer day school of the arts. Usdan has been

declared a “Best Of” camp by Time-OutNY/Kids, and has been profiled in The New York Times and Time Maga-zine. Each day, 1,600 students, ages 6 -18, travel to Usdan’s 200-acre Long Island campus. Buses depart from

neighborhoods throughout the New York area. Usdan offers 40 programs in seven departments: Music, Art, Theater, Dance, Writing, Chess, and

Nature. Usdan Center is an agency of UJA-Federation of New York.

Usdan Center

Contact USDAN at 212-772-6060 or [email protected]

www.usdan.com


Renee Flax, director of camper placement of the ACA NY & NJ, will be on hand to

answer parents’ questions and help guide them in their search for the right camp!

New York Family magazine and the American Camp Association, NY & NJ are teaming up

for their winter fairs! Meet dozens of different camp directors from local DAY CAMPS and SLEEPAWAY

CAMPS from across the region.Great for children ages 3 to 17!

pre-register at:Newyorkfamilycamps.comFor more info on summer camps:

TheRightCamp.com

WHAT ARE YOUR KIDS DOING THIS SUMMER?

SATURDAY, MAR 10, 2012Downtown

Grace Church School86 4th Ave.12PM - 3PM

SATURDAY, MAR 31, 2012Upper East Side

St. Jean Baptiste School173 E. 75th St.

12PM - 3PM

SUNDAY, MAR 11, 2012Park Slope

Union Temple 17 Eastern Pkwy

12PM - 3PM

SUNDAY, APR 1, 2012Upper West Side

Congregation Rodeph Sholom7 W. 83rd St.12PM - 3PM


Camp Kingsmont

campkingsmont .com

This six-week program, geared toward children 4.5-9, provides a structured environment for chil-

dren who need to maintain learn-ing throughout the summer. The curriculum has a combination of enriched academic programming while maintaining a ?camp-like?

experience full of social and outdoor activities. Reading , writing and math

are taught four times a week and science and social studies are im-

mersed into programming. Weather permitting children are outside every

day, swimming lessons takes place twice a week and dynamic field trips

happen weekly.

West End Day School Summer Learning Program

For more information, visit: www.westenddayschool.org/summer.html or contact Katy Meyer at 212-873-5708 ext 318,

e-mail [email protected] .

$40,000 college scholarships available; STEM Projects; College Credit available.

The ultimate in Marine Science programs. Whale Campers have far more face-to-face encounters to closely observe and study whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and puffins in their own natural habitat.

Board our 65-foot sailboat for unmatched examinations of marine life. Help collect

data to document whale distribution, feeding and behavioral patterns. Gain

hands-on experience using onboard marine biology equipment. Unveil the

powerful and endangered processes of life in the sea. Explore beaches, coastal trails and fishing villages. Investigate tidal pools and bogs. Whale Camp is where inspira-tion, exploration and discovery abound.

Grand Manan Island between Maine & Nova ScotiaWWW.WHALECAMP.COM for free brochure & info

Toll-free 1-888-54WHALE (94253)

The Whale Camp of The Fundy

Marine Science Institute

Woodmont Day Camp is a camp where each child will feel the warmth and comfort of home. Your child will experience a dynamic program in an environment fostering growth and

independence. Our breath-taking wa-terfall welcomes you to our 50 acres

of beautiful woodlands, streams, trails and open space. Woodmont offers campers, ages 3 – 15, an unforget-table camp experience in a coun-try setting unrivaled in its natural

surroundings. Woodmont is a place where everyone feels welcome and

as a part of our extended family. We look forward to meeting you and

welcoming you into the Woodmont family. Please call us to schedule your

private tour.

Woodmont Day Camp

420 Phillips Hill Road New City, NY 10956

t: 845.638.0700 f: 845.634-7198www.woodmontdaycamp.com

This summer, the wildest summer adventure is in the heart of bus-tling New York City! Central Park Zoo campers will connect with

nature as they learn about wild-life and the ins-and-outs of zoo life. In the Junior Keepers camp, 10-12 year olds work with keep-

ers making treats for animals and touring behind-the-scenes areas. Teen Interns (ages 13-17) spend 3 memorable weeks designing

and building an exhibit, building a green roof, working with keepers and much more. Don’t miss your chance to register for this thrilling

summer adventure!

333 West 39th Street, Suite 805New York, NY 10018

212 505 [email protected]

Wild Life


Being a parent Can make you a Better Camp director, Being a Camp director Can make you

a Better parent

B Y J E M S O L L i N G E R

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 17 years as a camp director – and 10 years as a parent – it’s that no man is a prophet in his own home.

I’ve had plenty of experience helping campers work through challenges, from minor issues like home missing and con-fronting their fear of getting up on water skis — to major ones like overcoming chronic enuresis or communicating the loss of a family member.

With my own three children, life is not as seamless when working through issues. Welcome to parenthood.

Yet my campers have taught me many important lessons, most of which (when

I remember to apply them) make me a better parent.

When left to their own resources – when parents are not around – children invariably rise to the occasion!

For seven weeks every summer, I am privileged to spend time with boys and girls in an environment their parents never see: a mom- and dad-less world. There, youngsters are more open to taking safe risks. They push themselves – and each other – through situations they might shy away from if their parents were around.

But that does not make parenting my own kids any easier. Take skiing, for instance. I grew up as a skier. I raced in college. I’ve even coached skiing. But my oldest daughter is far less receptive to me than to someone else – even if his skills are comparable to mine.

Part of my job involves being a sur-rogate parent to 500 children. At the same time, I interpret those children – their activities, accomplishments, strengths, challenges – back to their parents. I am, in a sense, an intermediary. And isn’t that what most parents spend much of their time doing – acting as a go-between with their children, children’s friends, teachers

and other family members?But while I am a surrogate parent, I am

not my campers’ father. There are bound-aries I must maintain. Although I some-times (against my better impulses) raise my voice with my own daughters, I try never do that at camp. There are certain things a parent does that another adult simply should not.

At the same time, it is sometimes easier as a camp director to act in an influential role that a real parent simply cannot. I can be an uncle, a cheerleader, a coach, all because I am not my campers’ father.

All parents love to hear great things about their children. The most casual pos-itive comment makes a mother or father glow. Parents don’t see their children every day during the summer. But it is a lesson that – as a parent – I now take to heart. I try to tell parents as many good things about their kids as I can. And I hope that the important adults in my daughters’ lives do the same with me.

But what about the “bad” kids? Perhaps the greatest thing I have learned over the years as a camp professional is that there are no “bad” kids. There are certainly chil-dren who make bad choices – but finding

the positive in every child is a lesson that every person in an educational setting and every parent should always remember.

In addition to sometimes thinking I will never be a prophet in my own home, I can also feel like a “cobbler whose children have no shoes.” I very consciously make sure that my own kids have plenty of space at camp to explore, be independent and try new things, without worrying that dad watches every move. At times I think my two oldest daughters get less attention from the camp director (that being me) than any one camper. That’s probably the way it should be. Shouldn’t they have the same experience as all of the other camp-ers – one that provides emotional distance from mom and dad?

As a camp director, I’m supposed to have all the answers about other parents’ kids. As a parent, I’m supposed to know everything about my own. Thanks to both of these roles, I learn more every day about both.

Jem Sollinger and his wife Debbie are the Directors of Camp Laurel in Readfield, Maine. For more info about the camp, visit CampLaurel.com.

Camp Lessons


A Director, A Counselor, And An 11-Year-Old Camper Offer Their Distinct Views Of The Camp Experience

Jem Sollinger with counselors and campers.


she Became a Counselor to give Back to her Be-loved Camp Community.

But the real surprise has Been how much she has gained in the process.

B Y A R i E L

M i L A N - P O L i S A R

In my experience, eleven-year-old girls are mainly into belting Taylor Swift songs and painting nails, and older girls who’ll do all that with them. Eight years ago I was one of those eleven-year-old girls and now,

as a counselor, I get to be the older girl. I’ve grown up spending summers at URJ Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, MA, since I was 10-years-old, looking up to my incredible counselors. There was nobody cooler than the counselors who towered over me and knew what to do in just about any situation. As I grew older, my viewpoint changed but the infinite amount of respect I feel toward all of the counselors in my years at camp has never changed.

And now here I am, a third year coun-selor at the same camp that helped to instill in me a strong Jewish identity, sense of values, and love for singing my heart out. I decided to become a counselor at Eisner because I felt and I still feel that it is my responsibility and my great desire to give back to the community that has helped to

shape so much of who I am as a person, friend, leader and Jew.

When I started my summer as a CIT, I was so excited to hang out with my camp-ers, give them advice and learn from my fellow staff members. Being a counselor turned out to be exactly that but so much more. I didn’t anticipate the life skills that I would acquire: the tough conflicts I would mediate, negotiating collaboration between co-counselors, learning to think on the spot and striking a balance between being an authority figure and friend. All these expe-riences inform my decision to come back summer after summer.

Each night at camp when it’s my turn to be with the girls and put them to bed, I do a bedtime ritual with them. This is one of my favorite parts of the day, both as a camper and a counselor. My first year as a counsel-or I sang them the same song every night, “Your Song”, by Elton John and read them a short story from one of the Chicken Soup books. A few months after the summer had ended, I got an email from one of my campers, telling me that “Your Song” had come up on her iTunes and she had started crying because she missed me. Knowing that at least one camper was impacted by this small bedtime ritual is one of those experiences that makes being a counselor worthwhile.

It’s not always easy. My second summer as a counselor I had a first year camper who was homesick (or as we call it at Eisner,

was having frequent moments of sadness). She would have fun during the day but would cry every night and declare that she needed to go home and see her family. My co-counselor and I would take turns every night talking to her about her day, about all the fun she’d had and about the friends she made, trying to show her that it was worth-while for her to stay. Eventually, she started to get better, but by the end of the summer she was crying again. This time it was not because she wanted to see her family, but because she wanted to stay. This camper has continued to come back to camp and truly values her camp experience, the friendships she’s made and the Jewish identity that she’s cultivated. Just knowing that I played even a small part in helping her to continue com-ing back to camp makes me feel proud.

Interacting with, taking care of, advising and playing with the campers who have been both in my bunk and out of my bunk has helped me to develop a better sense of how I want to be an adult and has given me important life skills. For me, there is no better or more rewarding way to spend my summer. For all its challenges, it’s more than worth it to be able to get to know the many unique kids who come to camp. I can only hope that the impact I have on them is half as great as the impact they have had on me.

For more on the camp, visit eisner.urjcamps.org.

Camp rocks!!

B Y E L E N A M E S S i N G E R

Since the first day I started camp at URJ Crane Lake in the Berkshires in the summer of 2009, it has become my home away from home. Here are just five of the ways camp has had a positive effect on my life.

The People. From the very start of camp until the last day when everyone is saying their goodbyes, the counselors, campers, senior staff, and specialists are like one, big, three hundred person family. At camp no one cares if you are a jock, a nerd, a hippie, or a tomboy. They accept you for you and by the end of the summer I know I will have made at least one new friend, and usually more.

2. The Peace And Quiet. On my very first night of camp three summer ago, I could not fall asleep. Finally, after half an hour, I realized what was keeping me up, the quiet. Growing up in New York City, I am use to noise. So after nine years of falling asleep to noise, when I actually had

some peace and quiet, I could not do it. I tiptoed down the ladder of the bunk bed, asked my friend (who was up reading) if I could borrow her iPod and climbed back up. After five minutes of listening to Lady Gaga, I was able to shut my eyes and drift off to dream land. Ever since that night, however, when I’m at camp I sleep like a dog, and peace and quiet are my music.

3. The Traditions. At camp, every day is full of silly and wacky traditions that are unique to camp and would not happen during an average day at home. Imag-ine 350 kids singing a five-minute long birthday song, or a bunk where every kid is dressed up in the wackiest clothes they own for a day! And then of course there’s color war. At my camp, the entire Crane Lake family is split into two teams (blue and white) for several days of competition. When its over, the camp is re-united and kids start counting down the days until they get to do it again next summer.

4. Being Away From Home. Often when I am asked about camp, the first question is, “What was it like being away from your

family for so long?” I admit, the idea of being away from your parents, siblings, and friends can be a scary concept. However, once you get settled into your bunk and start to become close with your fellow bunk mates, all the worries about being homesick usually go away. Also, the experience of being away from my family for a long time helps me to appreciate them more.

5. Everything. I know it may

sound corny but, everything at camp has changed my life. From the people to the traditions, from the quiet to just being away. At camp, I have become more mature, made new friends, and had the experience of a lifetime. That’s why I’m as excited as I am about summer ahead.

For more on the camp, visit cranelake.urjcamps.org.

Ariel Milan-Polisar (third from left) with campers and a fellow counselor.

Elena Messinger (right) with one of her camp buddies.


ASPHALT GREENSUMMER DAY CAMP

June 28 – August 17, 2012

FUN FITNESS AND FRIENDSHIP!

Pee Wee Camp | Ages 4-6

Junior Camp | Ages 6-8

Senior Camp | Ages 8-13

Sports • Swimming • Arts & Crafts • Music • Day Trips • Senior Camp Overnight Trips • Bus Service Available

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 2. Visit ASPHALTGREEN.ORG/CAMP for more information or to register online.

555 East 90th Street • 212.369.8890 ext. 2084

new york family's ultimate guide to summer camps 2012

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