Back in January, I posted about NYC Summer camps that are available to NYC families, especially the downtown set. If January is the time when you start thinking about where to send your kids, April is the time when you start sending in the checks!

Some of you may be asking, “Well, where are you sending your kids?” As most of you know, I have recently become unemployed, so we are super-excited that we had made the decision prior to my unemployment to send O to Downtown Day Camp which is run by the Manhattan Youth organization. It’s local, some of O’s friends will be joining her, and it’s completely affordable. Our 3 1/2 year old will be staying at her nursery school which thankfully has a summer program. If your nursery school has a summer program, I highly suggest keeping your toddler or pre-k kid in the same school to help facilitate continuity.

Below is a recap of what I had  talked about in January, plus a couple of options that I found the past few months.

• Downtown Day Camp | Manhattan Youth.  Tribeca. 212.766.1104 x250. Downtown Day Camp, in its 20th year (!!), takes place at PS234 and at the Manhattan Youth Center at Greenwich and Warren Streets.  They have air-conditioning facilities, an indoor swimming pool, art rooms, multi-media lab, dance studio, small gym, theater, classrooms and more! Their sessions are Working Parent Friendly (huge plus!): their full-season goes from June 30th – August 12th, with the ability to add on week so your child can go through August 19th.  Also, an added plus, their normal hours are 9-5pm, but offer extended hours from 8-9 am for drop-off and 5-6pm for pick-up. For more information, give them a call. UPDATE: Some sessions may be wait-listed, so definitely give them a call. Payments after April 1st must be made in full.

Picture courtesy of www.downtowndaycamp.com

• Claremont Prep Summer Program. Financial District. 212.232.0266 x254.  Claremont’s summer program is open to kids who do not attend Claremont for the school year. The camp is open children that are 3 year olds through entering 3rd grade. Campers have daily swim lessons, outdoor time on their rooftop playground, visual arts, performing arts, sports, yoga, karate, cooking.  Camp is also enhanced by outside entertainers and the occasional field trip.  Your child will be able to tak advantage of Claremont’s amazing facilities: a 25 meter pool, gymnasium, art studios and science lab.  A Peanut-free lunch and snack will be provided which is included in the fee.  Claremont’s summer camp runs from the 3rd week in June through the end of July; hours are from 8:30-1:00 for the 3 year olds and 8:30-3:30 for the older children. UPDATE: Claremont prep is still accepting applications. Depost is due upon application submission. Balance is due by June 15th.

Claremont's amazing facilities include a 25 meter pool. Picture courtesy of Claremont Prep.

Picture courtesy of www.claremontprep.org

Little Red School House. West Village. 212.477.5316 x207. I know a handful of parents who send their kids here and have been really happy.  They have art, music, cooking programs and outdoor play time as well. Their summer session runs from June 27th through August 5th and their hours are 9-4pm for the older kids’ full-day programs and 9-1pm for the four-year olds. General registration starts March 2011. UPDATE: No update as of blog post.

• 14th Street Y | New Country Day Camp. Henry Kaufman Campgrounds | Staten Island. 646.395.4355 or 646.395.4357.  Air-conditioned buses can pick up your kids from Greenwich & Chambers and take them 45 minutes to the open meadows of the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds.  Campers can swim, paddle boat, play sports, do arts and crafts, gymnastics, theater and dance.  The full summer session also is Working Parent Friendly and runs from June 29th – August 20th. Go to one of their open houses to learn more (first one is on January 23rd). Registration for Summer 2011 is now open.  UPDATE:  Applications are still being accepted . Bus spaces are filling up (especially for Session 2). There is an upcoming Open House on May 15th so make sure to go and check them out! Full payments are due on May 1st.



• Pierce Country Day Camp. Roslyn, Long Island. 516.621.2211.  I know that this isn’t technically in NYC, but a lot of NYC kids do go out to Long Island.  They, too, have air-conditioned buses that pick up your kids in front of your apartment (HUGE plus!). Campers swim twice a day, play sports, do art, dance, play in water-world.  They have air-conditioned buildings for those too-hot or too-rainy days and they provide hot-lunches and snacks, which are included in the tuition. Pierce’s summer session is Working Parent Friendly and runs from June 29th – August 23rd. Pick up is generally between 8-8:30 and drop-off is anywhere between 5:30-6:00 depending on where you live. Pierce’s facilities are super top-notch and if you visit them, I can guarantee that you’ll wish that you are going to Pierce, too.  They do have Open Houses every other weekend from 12-4. UPDATE:  Pierce is still accepting applications. The 6 year-old boys group is closed and there are a few spots left for the 4 year-old boys group. At this point in time, payments must be made in full.

• Curous Jane: Various Locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. 718.369.6320. Curious Jane is an all girls camp that is run in various locations around Manhattan. They have programs for girls in kindergarten through sixth grade. Campers can sign up for their location, the weeks they want to join and the themes that they want to explore.  Themes that are offered are:  design, writing, science and engineering. It sounds like an amazing opportuntiy for girl power!

• Poly Prep Summer Experience: Brooklyn. 718.836.9800 x3220. My kids haven’t gone here, but I know a few parents who are thinking about signing up their child for the summer. Poly Prep’s Summer Experience is held on their 25-acre campus and has programs for children ranging from 3.5 years to 13 years old. Their summer program is a 9-3:30 day wit various activities like arts + crafts, music, movement, dance, sports, and instructional and recreational swimming. They seem to have a wide array of sports to offer their campers. According to the website, space is limited so they urge you to apply early. Those applications received before April 15th is guaranteed a spot. Registration deadline is June 1st.

Happy camp hunting!

xo

TTM

{I was not compensated for this post. All opinions and recommendations expressed herein are my own.}