Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
A myriad of fun camp options in and around town — for a week or all summer long —promise kids of all ages a summer to remember. Whether your child is into sports, nature, science, reading, history, arts, crafts, rowing, dance, or sewing, there is an ideal situation for her or him. There are plenty of training programs for teens, too.
Kiddy Camp (ages 3-5) is a half-day, classroom-based program held at Midland School. Children participate in story time, songs, outdoor play, art, sports, free play, and more. Special events are held weekly. To be eligible, campers must turn 3 by April 30. Five-year-olds entering kindergarten are not eligible. Registration began February 9; limited space is still available.
Lower Camp is a full-day program at Rye Rec for campers entering grades K-2 in September. Kids can enjoy sports, group games, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, field trips, and special theme days. A learn-to-swim program is held three times a week at Rye Golf Club; an extra fee is required and space is limited. Other extra fee programs such as camp trips, Mad Science, and Jewelry and Beading, are offered. Registration begins March 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Upper Camp, a full-day camp at Rye Middle School, is for boys and girls entering grades 3-6 in September. Kids can enroll for two weeks or all six. It provides campers the opportunity to participate in a variety of trips and programs including sports, games, arts and crafts, chosen electives and special events. There’s also a swim program twice a week; an extra fee is required and space is limited. Groups are separated by gender. Grades 3 and 4 are grouped together, as are grades 5 and 6. Registration begins March 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Boys and girls entering grades 7 or 8 in September will travel places through Camp 78. Everyone meets at Rye Recreation Park. Trips include Barclays Center Tour, Bronx Zoo, Yankee and Mets games, Medieval Times, Great Adventure, Brownstone Park, a trip on the “BEAST”, and more. Sign up for one or more weeks. Registration began February 9 and space is limited. Open to Rye residents only.
Teens entering grades 9 and 10 interested in gaining practical experience working with children and earning community service credit can become Counselors in Training or apply to become a Junior Counselor. Application deadline is March 1. Visit www.ryeny.gov/recreation .cfm and follow the links to apply online.
The camp runs from July 7-24, 10-2:30. Cost per child is $400 for members, $450 for non-members if registered before April 30. Weekly sessions and rates are available as well. To register, call 967-7588.
Hands-on-History Colonial Camp for girls and boys ages 7-13. Campers will experience what life was like more than two centuries ago through fun hands-on activities, including painting portraits and landscapes, learning about colonial gardens and food, field trips, and Friday fun days. Campers should bring their own lunch; drinks and snacks are provided.
This summer, ages 5-12 can take beginning and intermediate classes, including technique, stretching, strengthening, and pointe with films, lectures, and fun crafts. The summer program runs August 17-28 at Rye Arts Center.
For information, visit theballetclass.com or contact theballetclass@gmail.com or call 967-0912.
Programs are available from June 29 to August 14. Weekly themes include oceans and aquatic animals, gardens, science, the African savanna, making movies, survival skills, and twilight exploration. They start at $270 a week for the pre–K/Kindergarten program, which runs from 9-12, and $390 for the older kids’ session, which runs from 9-3. To register, call 967-5150 or visit www.ryenaturecenter.org.
>Explorers is designed for the youngest campers — pre-K or K. They will visit the center’s forests, wildlife, ponds, and gardens, and meet the friendly resident animals.
>Discoverers, for grades K-5, includes lab experiments, gardening, hiking, natural history, and art and media projects. Daily games include a Slip and Slide and the center’s famous Deer and Wolf.
>At Naturalists in Training, middle school students will enjoy the freedoms and responsibilities of being budding naturalists on the center’s 47 acres. Every Thursday, the NITS stay for a cookout dinner, campfire, and twilight exploration. There are also plenty of field trips.
>Nature at Night is held from 3:30-9:30, so children in grades 3-8 can explore the great outdoors in an evening setting. On Thursday, the kids stay overnight for a campfire cookout, hike, and breakfast on Friday morning.
Both weekly and summer long programs are available for kids ages 4 through teen and adults. Programs begin June 29 and may be combined for a half- or full-day by the week or multiple weeks. New this year is an early drop off option starting at 8:30. The summer guide with more information can be found online at www.ryeartscenter.org beginning February 23 or call 967-0700.
>Makerspace program features both high-tech and high-touch fun in designing, creating, and making. Classes include: coding, Minecraft, 3-D design and printing, film making, LittleBits, MakeyMakey, Scratch animation, circuitry, Arduino, electronics, and creative building.
>Musical Theater Workshop will feature opportunities to perform stage favorites such as “Willy Wonka” and “Frozen”.
>Fine Arts classes include painting, drawing, cartooning, ceramics, digital photography, writers’ workshops, vocal pop workshops, and music instruction. For artists age 4-10, the RAC offers a 3-hour creative arts immersion morning program.
A summer-long reading program for school age children and a host of activities start June 30. All activities are free. For more information, call 967-0480 or visit www.ryelibrary.org.
>“Every Hero Has a Story” is the New York 2015 summer reading theme. The kick-off event, “Hero Tales”, complete with a story and face painting entertainment, will be presented by d’Agostino Arts.
>Thursday Family Fun Nights and Friday Afternoon Workshops will focus on the “hero” theme. Prizes and recognition for children’s reading are in store.
Half-day and full-day camps run all summer long beginning June 29. Membership is required and camps start at $211. Financial assistance and extended care are available. Orientation events offer parents the opportunity to meet the leadership staff. For express camp registration, visit www.ryeycamp.org or call 967-6363.
>Kinder Camp introduces 3- to 6-year-olds to the camp experience. Some activities include swimming lessons, crafts, music, sports, and playground games. Weekly themes offered are: It’s a Jungle Out There; Around the World in 5 Days; Superfly Superheroes; Fantastic Fairy Tales; Olympic Week; Dynastic Dinosaurs; and more.
>Discovery Camp offers the same themes and is a full-day camp only for ages 4-11 at Osborn School. It offers a packed week of science, nature, crafts, music, performing arts, sports, field trips, and special guests. Campers who would like to participate in swim lessons are bused to the Y.
>Sports Camp is also located at Osborn and it is designed for sports enthusiasts ages 5-12 who want to develop both individual and team skills. Each week focuses on basketball, soccer, baseball, or multi-sports.
>Specialty Camps are full-day camps that offer Fine Arts for ages 8-12 or Lego for ages 6-11. Both are held at Osborn and offer outdoor play in the spirit of keeping active.
Gymnastics Camp for ages 6-12 is available for beginner and advanced gymnasts. Drills, games, and teamwork are utilized to build skills through Olympic events, tumble trak, mini trampoline, rope climbing, and more. Head coaches are USA Gymnastics Safety certified.
Teen Summer Options include Adventure and Fitness Camps. There is also a Counselor-in-Training program designed to challenge teens to grow as leaders both at camp and within their community.
The largest ceramic arts facility in the tri-state area is right next door, in Port Chester. The 24 half- and full-day camps start at $250 and run July 6-August 21. Scholarships and early enrollment discounts are available. For more information, call 937-2047 or visit www.clayartcenter.org.
>Students are introduced to the potter’s wheel in “Let’s Bowl” and “Can You Handle It?” While honing their skills, campers will create fun and functional ceramic pieces.
>“Game On”, “Puppetry”, and “ArCLAYology” are sculptural camps that give students the chance to create whimsical sculptures and nurture their artistic voice. There are many more that allow kids to explore other mediums and exciting topics.
The summer camp runs from July 6-August 6, and an extended 4-week mini session runs from June 1-26. Classes are available for ages 2½ -18. All classes are held at the North Purchase Street studio. For more information, visit www.bravadance.com, email bravadance@yahoo.com, or call 967-4500.
>Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap, and Jazz are among the offerings. Dance Intensive classes for ages 7 and up are available. Morning and afternoon sessions will suit the dancers’ summer schedules.
Call 835-5252 or visit newyorkdance.com.
The state-of-the-art facility on Milton Road offers two-week morning, afternoon, and evening sessions starting June 23 and ending August 15. They start at $350. To register, call 921-5900 or visit info@rowamericarye.com.
>Intro and Youth Rowing provide intensive introduction for new rowers and allow intermediate ones to continue learning and improving fitness. Athletes can graduate from this program into intermediate and competitive programs in the fall.
Students who are eligible to enter the 3s program in September will engage in a host of indoor and outdoor activities, from music and stories to water play and arts and crafts. The program is offered four or five days a week from 9:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Call 967-6252 or email info@ comsynrye.org.
A six-week program is available Monday through Thursday from 12:30-2:30, June 29-August 7. For further information and to register, call 921-0317.
Kindergarten Kick-Off is a literacy-focused program designed to promote emerging literacy and consolidation of letter and vowel sounds. The content is aligned with the Common Core Standards for pre-K and kindergarten. In addition to extensive vocabulary, reading and writing work, the activities include planting, arts, crafts, building, sports, and cooking (helps with meal planning as well as mathematical thinking).
There’s a session each month at various locations. For more information and rates, call 917-885-7716 or visit www.sewrye.com.
>Threads Camp is a boutique-style camp at which students learn basic design and sewing skills while making wearable garments, which are challenging and stylish. Campers from 7-17 are accommodated and split into groups by age. Program runs August 17-21 at Rye Rec Damiano Recreation Center.
>Last Minute 3-Day Sewing Camp makes the most of the summer by cramming a few more days of sewing before kids ages 8 and up head back to school. Kids will make a sausage dog skirt, pencil case, and pillow. Camp runs August 31-September 2 at Damiano Center.
Flexible day camps for ages 3-18 are available at the Stamford location. Weekly or summer long camps run from June 15-August 28. Camp offerings include programs for preschoolers, beginner athletes, sports-specific developmental camps for elementary/middle school athletes, and elite sport-specific training for high school athletes.
This summer they are offering bus transportation from Rye, Harrison, Pelham, and New Rochelle. Register by April 30 for a discount. Go to www.chelseapiersCT.com/camp or call 203-989-1100.
>Sports Camps include basketball, gymnastics, ice hockey, ice-skating, synchronized skating, lacrosse, soccer, Sports Academy (multi-sport), squash, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. Also included is a daily recreational period that includes the Splash Zone Water Park & Aquatics Center, Jump & Climb Zone, Ice Rinks, Tennis, Field House and Batting Cages. Lunch and snack are included for full-day campers. After-care options are available for those who need an extended day.
>Girls Leadership Camp, for teens 14-18, is available for dedicated soccer, volleyball, and ice hockey players.
Half-day summer camps are available at the Harrison facility July 6-August 7 for ages 3 and up. Fee: $80 per day, $350 per week. Call 732-3000 for more information and to register.
>Sports Fundamentals offers kids the opportunity to rotate through several sports-specific mini clinics with an emphasis on skills development and overall athleticism. Includes baseball, basketball, dodge ball, soccer, floor hockey, and more.
>Arts, Crafts, Outdoor Play has sports-themed projects and outdoor water activities. Bring a swimsuit and towel.
>Relay Races/Obstacle Courses makes use of Fenom’s newest railyard fitness system, which promotes overall fitness and conditioning in a fun environment. Obstacle courses consist of mini hurdles, bosu balls, and Surfset boards.
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