Summer will be here before we know it, and you may have put off camp registration until nearly the last minute, or perhaps a traditional day or overnight camp just isn’t the right fit for your family. We see you! We all want our children to have an enriching, active summer experience where they can make new friends and memories, but sometimes a child has a beloved hobby, interest, or skill they want to explore. An option that can provide your child with the supervision, activity, or education they need during the summer months is a specialty camp that focuses on sports, STEM, or the arts. We’ve found some local summer programs and specialty camps that are definitely worth considering.
The Ailey School
405 W. 55th St., Manhattan
212-405-9000
ailey.org/training/junior-division
The Junior Division offers dance training for students ages 3 to 17, ranging from introductory classes for preschoolers to curriculum-based programs preparing students for professional careers in dance. In the First Steps and Bounding Boys program (ages 3 to 6), children are taught through creative movement classes that emphasize spatial and musical awareness as students are introduced to basic dance vocabulary while also exploring their own creativity. Classes are led by an instructional team dedicated to fostering a sense of fun and joy. The Pre-Professional Program (ages 7 to 17) is a diverse, curriculum-based program for students from beginner to pre-professional level. Designed to develop well-rounded young dancers, it offers a graded ballet curriculum enriched by several other dance techniques.
Artuta Art School Summer Art Camp
126 13th Street, Brooklyn
info@artuta.net
artuta.net/classes/in-person/summer-art-camp
Artuta’s Summer Art Camp is perfect for young artists ages 9 to 18. It offers a supportive space to explore creative techniques and encourages independence and artistic growth. Camp runs weekly for nine weeks from June 29 through August 30, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 12 pm, with a maximum of six students per class to ensure personalized instruction. Each session centers on a unique theme, such as observational drawing, comic drawing, art and science, and art and bookmaking. All projects are guided by professional artists and designed to strengthen core artistic skills and support portfolio development. Artuta also offers year-round classes, giving families a great way to sample Summer Art Camp.
Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club
68 Jay Street #508, Brooklyn
646-823-2529
info@brooklynbridgefencing.com
brooklynbridgefencing.com/summer-fencing-camps-brooklyn-nyc
Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club offers the only full-day fencing camps in NYC, taught by expert coaches with international experience. Founded in 2010 by Olympian and U.S. Fencing Hall of Fame Member Dan Kellner, BBFC is a community committed to excellence. The nurturing, competitive atmosphere helps kids grow athletically and personally, preparing them for college and beyond. This summer will offer nine weeks of foil and saber camps—perfect for beginners and experienced fencers alike. Kids ages 6 and up will enjoy age- and skill-appropriate group instruction, games, conditioning, footwork, blade work, tactics, and bouting. All equipment is provided, but personal equipment can be stored at the club. Camps run Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, with early drop-off and late pickup available at checkout.
DNA Learning Center
1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island
516-367-5170
dnalc-camps@cshl.edu
summercamps.dnalc.org
The DNA Learning Center of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory offers fun and challenging week-long camps for science enthusiasts entering grades 6 to 12. Guided by experienced instructors, students use sophisticated laboratory techniques and online DNA analysis tools to perform experiments several grade levels ahead of their peers. Scholarships and other camp discounts offered.
FasTracKids NY
Sheepshead Bay
1605 Voorhies Ave., Brooklyn
718-891-543
SheepsheadBay@ftkny.com
ftkny.com
At FTKNY’s STE(A)M and academics-based summer programs, children will explore the weeks’ enrichment adventure, interact with a SmartBoard Learning Station, engage in role-play, do arts and crafts, conduct experiments, improve their math and literacy skills and have lots of free play time plus outdoor playtime with their friends! FTKNY programs ensure that your child has lots of fun while combating the summer brain drain that occurs each year when children are out of school. At FTKNY, kids have so much fun they don’t realize how much they are learning!
Little Thinkers Montessori
242 6th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
347-996-2688
littlethinkersmontessori.com
Little Thinkers Montessori (LTM), located in the heart of Park Slope and close to Prospect Park, is currently registering for Summer Day Camp. LTM’s Summer Program for children ages 2 to 5 years old offers full or half-day sessions running for 7 weeks, from July 7 – August 22. Activities include gardening, science, art, yoga, music, dance, outside play and trips to the park. Children are immersed in an authentic Montessori environment. Early drop-off and extended care are available. Morning and afternoon snacks and lunch are provided. Register for weekly enrollment or the full 7-week program at a discounted rate.
LIU Children’s Academy Summer Camp
1 University Plaza, Brooklyn
childrensacademy@liu.edu
liu.edu/childrensacademy/summer
childrensacademy.liu.edu/
July 7-August 22, 2025
LIU Brooklyn Campus, one of America’s largest and safest private universities, is home to LIU Children’s Academy Summer Camp. Celebrating 15 years, LIU Children’s Academy is one of Brooklyn’s most engaging day camps with week-long half-day sessions for ages 3 to 5, and full-day sessions for ages 6 to 12, including extended hours, sibling and multi-camp discounts. Campers can use the beautiful 11-acre campus’ athletic field, swimming pool, state-of-the-art classrooms, dance studio and green spaces for fun all summer long. The program focuses on creativity, academics and athletics for 7 weeks, with offerings in art, Capoeira, chess, Mandarin, moviemaking, Spanish, video game design and swimming. LIU Children’s Academy is fully licensed by the New York City Department of Health.
Park Slope United Soccer Camps
Prospect Park & Downtown Brooklyn
347-301-9613
parkslopeunited.com/club/summer-soccer-camp
Park Slope United (PSU) has a camp perfectly suited to children regardless of their level of playing experience. All of PSU’s camps focus on soccer while emphasizing fun and are staffed with professional coaches who provide the highest-quality instruction. Camp runs weekly, mid-June through August, for children ages 2 to 12. PSU Summer Camp is built on a foundation of having maximum fun while developing soccer and other athletic skills. Sibling discounts and multiple camp registrations are available.
Steve & Kate’s Camp
Brooklyn Heights Montessori School, 185 Court Street
German School Brooklyn, 760 Sterling Place
Greene Hill School, 39 Adelphi Street
steveandkatescamp.com
Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s Camp has trusted kids to choose their own activities and plan their own days in real-time. Campers ages 4 to 12 design, build, code, create, bake, dance, play, eat, sew, skip—all on their own schedule. When children feel empowered to make their own choices and be their own bosses, they discover new reserves of confidence, resiliency, and creativity. No weekly reservations or commitments are required. Lunch, snacks, and all hours (8 am – 6 pm) included.
Viva Art Studio
1416 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn
vivaartstudio.com
Hola@vivaartstudios.com
Get ready for a summer of creativity and fun at Viva Art Studio’s Summer Camp! Each week features a unique theme that inspires imagination through painting, sculpture, mixed media, board game design, dollhouse camp, and more. Designed for kids ages 5 to 10, the bilingual (English/Spanish) program blends art techniques, storytelling, and hands-on projects inspired by nature, world cultures, animation, and famous artists. Campers enjoy small group settings, personalized attention, and a welcoming environment where self-expression thrives. From superhero comics to self-portraits, every child builds skills and a deeper love for art. With music, movement, and outdoor time, it’s the perfect mix of structure and creativity.
