A guide to summer day camps By Meghan Gearino, Kat Harrison and Elizabeth Raymond If you tally all of the day camps in the city along with all of the day camps within an hour's drive, you have an extraordinary menu of summer experiences. From traditional day camps that offer a mix of sports, crafts and field trips, to camps that devote more of their day to culture, music and other specialties, chances are you can find a camp that's a good fit for your child depending on his or her age and interests. If you have a child 4 years old or younger who is not ready for a full day of camp, much less a full summer, day camps typically offer sessions that are just a few hours a day and one or two weeks long. If you have an older child, he or she might be ready (and you might be, too) to be put them on a bus in the morning to a camp outside of city, so they can have fun in a more rural setting and perhaps take the first step in the direction of a sleepaway camp experience. For info on academic day camps, read our recent educational day camp guide at [www.NYPress.com](http://www.NYPress.com). Visit [www.NewYorkFamily.com](http://www.NewYorkFamily.com) for more on day camps. Whatever you decide is right for your child, there is one standard where you should not compromise: Camp should be fun, and your child should feel like he or she is making friends. If that's not happening, it ain't the right camp-keep looking! GENERAL-INTEREST DAY CAMPS IN NEW YORK CITY It's important to keep kids active when school's out for the summer. The [Summer Breeze Day Camp ](http://www.gymtime.net/programs/browse-by-programs.php#SBDC)by Gymtime Rhythm & Glues and York Avenue Preschool is a perfect choice, letting young campers tuck & roll in a state-of-the-art gym while cooking and enjoying library time. And with a new facility in Battery Park City, Summer Day Camp at [Asphalt Green](http://www.asphaltgreen.org/c-2173-p-Summer-Day-Camp.aspx) has everything from T-ball to martial arts, with weekly trips to popular venues like the Bronx Zoo and Liberty Science Center. Speaking of animals, the Art Farm in the City is a diamond in the rough for city kids, with its on-site petting zoo and specialization in animal care. They organize the summer by themes like "Tropical Excursion," "Circus Mania" and "Wild Wild West." Special days like pajama and BBQ day dot The Mandell School's [Explorer Camp](http://www.mandellschool.org/RelId/607991/ISvars/default/Registration_Information.htm) schedule, where all of the counselors are experienced teachers. Or you can give your tot a head start on the camp experience with [Poppyseed Pre-Nursery](http://poppyseedprenursery.com/Poppyseed_Pre-Nursery/CAMP.html). This mini-camp allows you to join your toddler for picnics, singing and painting. For an all-around summer camp experience, look no further than [Bank Street Summer Camp](http://www.bnkst.edu/summer-camp/). Depending on their age, kids can partake in swimming, fishing, Spanish immersion and cabaret. A summer at [Camp Léman](http://www.lemanmanhattan.org/summercamp/) features woodworking, silly science experiments and a rooftop playground. With multi-borough locations, [Oasis Day Camp](http://www.oasischildren.com/) spotlights field trips and special guests. Plus, kids can get pumped up every morning with cheers and a song-classic camp-style. Thespians and dance aficionados ages 5-10 will love the [Babes on Broadway ](http://discoveryprograms.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99&Itemid=226)camp by Discovery Programs whereas the [LIU Children's Academy Summer Camp](http://www.liu.edu/Brooklyn/Academics/Schools/SCS/CA.aspx) leads children in a different direction, offering robotics, fashion design, cinema and comic book creation. GENERAL-INTEREST DAY CAMPS OUTSIDE THE CITY Quintessentially summer, [Woodmont Day Camp](http://www.woodmontdaycamp.com/index.php?page=home) [offers](http://www.newyorkfamily.com/newyork/print-article-985-print.html) performing arts, athletics, and arts and crafts for each of its age-appropriate "villages." Looking for a nurturing Jewish environment? The [Neil Klatskin Day Camp](http://klatskindaycamp.com/) will take your kiddo boating, hiking and even host a few carnivals. If your child is ready to unleash his or her creative side, don't miss [Gate Hill Day Camp](http://gatehilldaycamp.com/) for jewelry-making, tie-dye and ceramics. [North Shore Day Camp](http://www.northshoredaycamp.com/) also provides woodworking and leather arts. For something off the wall, [Buckley Country Day Camp](http://buckleycamp.com/) offers [special](http://www.newyorkfamily.com/newyork/print-article-985-print.html) events such as a camp-wide talent show, Olympics Week and pony rides. Can't get your fish out of the water? [Pierce Country Day Camp](http://www.piercecamps.com/) has their very own sprayground and water park with below-ground geysers and fountains, and also offers water ballet and volleyball lessons. Only 35 minutes from Manhattan, The JCC's [Day Camp @ Pearl River ](http://www.jccmanhattan.org/day-camp-pearl-river)offers twice-a-day swimming with a slide just for the big kids. Future farmers should check out [The Nature Place Day Camp](http://thenatureplace.com/), which houses a chicken coop, beehives and composting piles. Located in White Plains, [Mohawk Day Camp](http://www.campmohawk.com/) (pictured) has an onsite farm with chickens, cows and peacocks alongside gardens and an [apple](http://www.newyorkfamily.com/newyork/print-article-985-print.html) orchard. If petting zoos, gardening and fishing is more your child's forte, check out [Spring Lake Day Camp](http://www.springlakedaycamp.com/). For the athletic-minded, [Deer Mountain Day Camp](http://www.deermountaindaycamp.com/) provides all things fencing, archery, rugby, cricket and GaGa. In New Rochelle, [Mount Tom Day Camp](http://mounttomdaycamp.com/) features a menu of more traditional sports such as kickball, football, golf and tennis. The [New York YMCA Camp](http://newyorkymcacamp.org/) offers adventurous outdoor adrenaline rushes on their ropes [courses](http://www.newyorkfamily.com/newyork/print-article-985-print.html), with some fast-flung archery in between. And the [92YCamps](http://www.92y.org/Uptown/Camps/92YCamps-in-Rockland-County.aspx) not only offer soccer, a mini-zipline and skateboarding activities, the fun is a mere 20-minute bus ride away. SPECIALTY DAY CAMPS Thematic A haven for children ages 3 to 4, [Camp Apple Seeds](http://www.appleseedsnyc.com/classes/camp) engages kids in activities like cooking and dramatic play according to weekly themes such as "American Road Trip" and "Make Believe." Running for 11 weeks, the [Summer Days Camp](http://www.74magic.com/summer-camp-welcome.html) at 74th St. MAGIC provides a plush, private rooftop for outdoor play-a boon for "Growing in the Garden" week. At [Kidville](http://www.kidville.com/), we're especially tickled by the Fairy Princess and Superhero Training camps which let storybook heroes and heroines come to life for little ones. And then it's all about the sea and stars at [Camp Intrepid](http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/campIntrepid.aspx), where campers ages 5 to 13 can curate their own exhibits, speak like a swashbuckler and explore the next frontier. Life skills It's never too soon to get your child prepared for the "real world." She could be the next Donna Karan thanks to [SewHo](https://sewinginsoho.com/)'s summer camp, which teaches a variety of hand and machine sewing skills through projects like pillows, handbags and American Girl doll apparel. The [Textile Arts Center](http://www.textileartscenter.com/summer_camp) of Manhattan is offering two camps this sun-filled season-one concentrated on weaving and another on the surface design of textiles, which includes printing and dyeing. Worth every penny, the nonprofit organization World of Money offers a three-week [Youth Financial Literacy Training Institute](http://www.worldofmoney.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=72&Itemid=163) program for campers ages 7-18 and teaches necessary financial skills such as budgeting, investing and money management. Multi-sport With low coach-to-camper ratios, your budding athlete (of any sport) is sure to succeed in the age-divided [Kids in Sports](http://kisnyc.com/camps) summer sessions, which also feature storytime and arts & crafts. Or join the [Sports Academy](http://www.chelseapiers.com/sumcmp.htm) at Chelsea Piers for a roster that includes volleyball and European team handball, among the usual sporty suspects. At [Corbin's Crusaders Day Camp](http://www.corbinscrusaders.com/summer.html)-located a mere 25 minutes from the city-ultimate Frisbee, archery, GaGa, and Go-Kart fun will fill the hours. Tennis Dust off those racquets! [The Advantage Sea & Sports Camp](http://advantagetennisclubs.com/Advantage-Sea-Sports-Camp) gives your athlete a chance to play on the beautiful Maritime College waterfront and provides your child with 4 to 6 hours of instruction and practice, with an optional swim time. Another great option is the [2012 Excel Summer Camp](http://www.johnmcenroetennisacademy.com/) by the John McEnroe Tennis Academy and SPORTIME Randall's Island. Along with intensive instruction and technique development, campers can also participate in tennis-specific cross-training like soccer and ultimate Frisbee. Soccer Just in time for Euro 2012, [Super Soccer Stars](http://www.supersoccerstars.com/index.php) offers various camps, depending on your little kicker's age and skill set. Summer camp at the [Carlos Oliveira Soccer Academy](http://www.cosacademy.com/) focuses on both individual skills and fundamentals of team play. This Brazilian-style soccer camp on the Upper West Side is available for half or full days. Baseball Boost your slugger's sense of sportsmanship and teamwork with [the Baseball Center NYC](http://www.thebaseballcenternyc.com/camp.html)'s summer program-which includes both indoor and outdoor segments of pitching, hitting, fielding and base running. And develop a real love for the game through [On Deck NY](http://ondeckny.com/) with skill-building drills and daily competitions in Central Park. [caption id="attachment_45525" align="alignleft" width="181" caption="Jodi's Gym"](http://nypress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/OTCamps-01.jpg)[/caption] Gymnastics Tiny tumblers should somersault their way to [Jodi's Gym](http://jodisgym.com/nyc/camps.html) (pictured) for parachute play and hands-on art fun for a summer camp where music usually reigns at the beginning of each day. And with two locations, [NYC Elite](http://nycelite.com/) offers families a full or half day option to experience a world of swimming, balance beams and storytime. Dance Culminating in a Friday family performance, the [Joffrey Ballet School](http://joffreyballetschool.com/summer-programs.html)'s Summer Dance Camp lets its youngest dancers recreate the greatest stage stories of all time with basic movement concepts and DIY costumes. The [Explore Dance](http://stepsnyc.com/the-school-at-steps/summer-programs/explore-dance-summer-ages-9-15/) program at The School at Steps caters to those who love the entire spectrum of movement-from hip-hop to tap-and lets them mix and match the styles they like into an ideal schedule. For dancers ages 6-12, [Peridance Capezio Center](http://www.peridance.com/index.cfm) is offering an August Dance Camp combining jazz, ballet and salsa, as well as elements of dance history and choreography. And for those who already have at least a year of classical ballet training under their belt, the [New York Theatre Ballet](http://www.nytb.org/school/school-news/) offers its Summer Dance Camp complete with field trips to break up the intensive training. Prospective campers must be between the ages of 7 and 10 and must audition in order to attend. Performance Applause NYC's weeklong [Musical Theater Intensives](http://applauseny.com/camp/upper-east-side) give your kids the chance to learn stage techniques, song placement and costume design in the presence of a Broadway star. If your little one's interest lies more in the arena of choreography, Vital Theatre's [Junior Performance Camp](http://vitaltheatre.org/jpc.php) gives your child a chance to work one-on-one with a professional choreographer and learn all the right moves. A guaranteed good time, the Kids Weeks at [the New Victory Theater](http://newvictory.org/) range from circus tricks to puppetry to playwriting. Performers ages 6-15 get the bonus swank of a major concert hall by attending the Summer Musical Theater Workshop by the [Lucy Moses School](http://kaufman-center.org/lms/class/c-487). And at [TADA! Youth Theater](http://www.tadatheater.com/summercamps.asp), the themed weeks (we're especially intrigued by ("Broadway Bieber") culminate in an original camper composition. Art Unique in its location, we think Children's Museum of the Arts' [Summer Art Colony](http://www.cmany.org/classes/art-colony/) on Governors Island is an escape all in its own. Kids can explore an NYC treasure while creating a few artistic keepsakes to take home. At HiArt's [Culture Bugs Surreal Summer Camp](http://www.hiartkids.com/), creative types are introduced to the world of surrealism and bookmaking. Escape the heat and head to [Kids at Art](http://kidsatartnyc.com/) for half-day workshops offering the best in mask-making, clay molding and papier-mâché technique. And [Make Meaning](http://www.makemeaning.com/)'s Creative Escapes program lets campers go on an artistic staycation, drawing inspiration from global cultures and test tubes. Cooking Addicted to the Food Network? With 13 delectable themes, Taste Buds is offering a new [Iron Chef Camp](http://tastebudskitchen.com/cooking-classes/cooking-camps/) this summer where young gourmands will learn how to whip up treats and compete with their fellow campers. If you're looking to instill a sense of food responsibility in your child, consider [Butter Beans Food and Garden Camp](http://butterbeanskitchen.com/summer-2012/) so they can explore farmers markets, create their own sweet jam and write a cookbook utilizing a farm-to-table philosophy. [Home Cooking New York](http://homecookingny.com/)'s summer camp in Chelsea is a stellar introduction to kitchen basics as well as to cuisines from all around the globe. Music Stationed in Chelsea, the [Kids at Work](http://kidsatworknyc.com/CampsChelsea.html) summer camp offers up an awesome blend of age- appropriate music and artistic activities for your groovy kiddos to engage in. Perfect for preschoolers, the Diller-Quaile School of Music is offering an [Early Childhood Preschool Music and Art Program](http://www.diller-quaile.org/june-programs.html) this June. Take in summertime music, engage in creative play and catch special concerts all before heading home. If you have more of a rocker on your hands, [Day Jams](http://www.dayjams.com/) lets rhythmic children learn and perfect their skills on guitar, bass, drums vocals and keyboard under the tutelage of a music pro.
