It’s Winter Time! Time to Start Thinking About NYC Summer Camps!

I know, we are only 6 days into 2011 – there’s still piles of snow outside from last week’s blizzard, and we are expecting more snow this weekend, but, as a NYC working parent, January is the time to start thinking of SUMMER CAMP.  What options are out there for the downtown NYC kid set?  There’s a wide variety of NYC camps that can fit into your budget and the amount of time that you need.

• 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 check out one of their open houses.  Registration opens on Monday, January 10th, and Early Bird Registration ends February 28th, 2011.

• 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 website does not have their 2011 information up yet but based on their 2010 calendar, 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.  If you register by mid-March, you can get the early-bird discount.

• 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, and the Early Bird application deadline is March 2nd!

• 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 an Open House this weekend, January 8th and 9th; then every other weekend from 12-4.

Sending warm, summer thoughts…