Did you know many New York City parks host free Family Camping events in the spring and summer? Get the details on those campouts here, including 2012 dates and how to register.
A family camping trip in the summer is a great way to bond with your kids and bring them closer to nature. While most New York City families can't just pack up the car and head to the nearest mountain, they can attend Family Camping events in parks across NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.
These events are hosted by the Urban Park Rangers, whose mission is to help New Yorkers discover the great outdoors and uncover the natural wonders right in our own backyard. The Family Camping events help families do just that, and it's all FREE!
The catch: The campouts are popular, but the parks have limited camping space. To give everyone an equal chance of attending, this program works on a lottery system.
Family Camping Lottery System
– Families can sign up for a camping event online, on the designated day, at nyc.gov/parks/rangers/register (for those without computer access during the lottery, a phone number is listed for each event and families are asked to call between 10am-4pm on the registration date).
– Once closed, the lottery randomly generates a list of attendees. Those chosen receive a phone call with a confirmation number.
– Those not chosen are placed on a waiting list and are notified if space becomes available.
– Note: Play nice! Only one entry per household is allowed for each program, and if you're chosen and don't show up (without advance notice), you'll be disqualified from entering your family in the lottery for the rest of the summer.
Upcoming Family Camping Dates
Manhattan
July 20
Where: Central Park
Registration date: July 10
Phone: 212-628-2345
Aug. 4
Where: Inwood Hill Park
Registration date: July 24
Phone: 212-304-2365
Aug. 17
Where: Central Park
Registration date: Aug. 7
Phone: 212-628-2345
Sept. 1
Where: Central Park
Registration date: Aug. 21
Phone: 212-628-2345
Brooklyn
July 27
Where: Fort Greene Park
Registration date: July 18
Phone: 718-722-3218
Aug. 10
Where: Marine Park
Registration date: Aug. 1
Phone: 718-421-2021
Aug. 25
Where: Prospect Park
Registration date: Aug. 15
Phone: 718-421-2021
Aug. 31
Where: Marine Park
Registration date: Aug. 22
Phone: 18-421-2021
July 27
Where: Fort Totten Park
Registration date: July 19
Phone: 718-352-1769
Aug. 11
Where: Cunningham Park
Registration date: Aug. 2
Phone: 718-846-2731
Aug. 24
Where: Alley Pond Park
Registration date: Aug. 16
Phone: 718-846-2731
Sept. 8
Where: Fort Totten Park
Registration date: Aug. 30
Phone: 718-352-1769
Staten Island
July 28
Where: Blue Heron Park
Registration date: July 16
Phone: 718-967-3542
Aug. 10
Where: Wolfe's Pond Park
Registration date: July 30
Phone: 718-967-3542
Aug. 25
Where: Wolfe's Pond Park
Registration date: Aug. 13
Phone: 718-967-3542
Sept. 22
Where: Wolfe's Pond Park
Registration date: Sept. 10
Phone: 718-967-3542
For more information or to register for these programs, visit nyc.gov/parks/rangers/registration.
