PLEASE NOTE: The city’s biggest Camp Fairs are coming up on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, in Manhattan. For families with children ages 3 to teen, the Camp Fairs are free, child-friendly, and feature both Day Camps (in and around the city) and Sleepaway Camps (all over the Northeast). CLICK HERE for details and to register.
[Editor’s note: Click HERE for a roundup of our top 5 favorite camp trends this year!]
As alternatives to traditional day and sleepaway camps for kids, specialty and family camps offer plenty of fun for both kids with specialized interests and for the whole family. There are many different types of specialty camps available for children for just about every interest. Specialty camps focus on a specific camp activity, or related camp activities for a given period of time, and there are both day and sleepaway specialty camps for children.
And on a different note, family camp is a
great option for a family vacation that kids, parents, and grandparents can all enjoy together—and can be an inexpensive way to vacation. A family camp experience brings together not only immediate family members, but also provides the opportunity for multiple generations and extended family members to bond.
Here is a list of just a few of the many different specialty and family camp options.
SPECIALTY CAMPS
Berkshire Soccer Academy for Girls: The Berkshire Soccer Academy for Girls is a soccer sleepaway camp open to girls of all abilities who have a love of soccer. Girls receive individualized instruction that focuses on training the whole player, and are grouped by skill level into small teams of 6-15 girls. These teams train daily and also play numerous league games as well. They participate in soccer for three periods each day, and get to enjoy two elective periods such as swimming, yoga, hiking, or dance and also participate in an evening activity. The head and master soccer coaches are licensed professionals who have dedicated their careers to youth soccer instruction. The assistant coaches are former and current NCAA soccer players who are pursuing careers in coaching, teaching, sports psychology or sports administration. berkshiresocceracademy.com
The Handwork Studio: At the Handwork Studio camps, children learn the art of knitting, crocheting, hand and machine sewing, embroidery, quilting, fashion, and crafts in a creative and fun environment. Kids ages 5-12 use their hands to create 3-4 projects a week which can include creations such as a mermaid with a crocheted bikini top, knitted hens, and one-of-a-kind panda unicorns. thehandworkstudio.com/summercamp
Frost Valley YMCA Farm Camp: The Frost Valley YMCA Farm Camp blends traditional sleepaway camp with food, farming, and agriculture. During a two-week session, campers live on a working farm and get real hands-on experience. Children tend to animals, harvest and use vegetables grown in the organic garden, and are taught about stewardship and bigger food concepts. Chores on the farm include milking goats, shearing and processing sheep’s wool, collecting eggs, and bottle-feeding calves. Campers also use the food from the farm in their own dining hall. They might harvest green beans for the next day’s lunch, or follow a recipe for making ice cream with goat milk. Along with farming, children also participate in traditional summer camp activities including swimming, arts and crafts, and overnights. frostvalley.org
Bryn Mawr Horseback Riding Camp: For girls ages 10-15 who have a love of horseback riding, Bryn Mawr Horseback Riding Camp is an overnight camp where beginner to advanced riders receive quality instruction in horseback riding. Campers receive lessons in horseback riding, horsemanship, and barn management. Children also participate in one period a day of a traditional camp activity such as swimming, tennis, or arts and crafts, as well as an evening activity. brynmawrridingcamp.com
International Gymnastics Camp: Beginner or advanced gymnasts ages 7-17 can spend their summer further developing their gymnastics skills at this 100-acre facility created just for gymnasts. The camp has five state-of-the-art gyms where Olympic gymnasts, collegiate competitors, collegiate coaches, and national team members help gymnasts accomplish their goals. Outside of top gymnastics instruction, campers also enjoy camp activities such as swimming, field sports, volleyball, kayaking, and campfires. internationalgymnastics.com
ConstructionKids: Does your child love to build things? At ConstructionKids, children ages 4-10 build projects using different tools and materials. Each week has a different theme. During Vehicles Week, children build small versions of things that roll, float, and fly, and even make go-carts to drive around their workshop. Skateboard Week has children designing and building their own skateboards while also learning how to use tools to fix and adjust the board. Children work on individual and group projects using real tools and materials scaled for small hands. The program works well for children who have special needs or are different learners. constructionkids.com
FAMILY CAMPS
YMCA Camp Hi-Rock: Located in Mount Washington, MA (a 2.5-hour drive from NYC), YMCA Camp Hi-Rock runs family camp at the end of August, and families can choose to stay for 1-6 nights. Activities include old-fashioned square-dancing, a BBQ at the beach, and a scavenger hunt, as well as other traditional summer camp activities. camphirock.org
Frost Valley YMCA: Frost Valley YMCA is in Claryville, NY, a 2.5-hour drive from NYC. Family camp takes place at the end of August with activities such as a camp dance, opening and closing campfires, a scavenger hunt, hay rides, fly fishing, a talent show, and all the traditional summer camp activities. They also have a separate equestrian family camp at the same time. frostvalley.org
Camp Kippewa: Located in picturesque Maine, Camp Kippewa runs family camp at the end of August. They offer a family camp which includes a Maine lobster bake, hiking, horseback riding, waterskiing, a zip line, and swimming. kippewa.com
New York YMCA Camp: The New York YMCA is a 1.5-hour drive from NYC, and hosts their family camp over Labor Day weekend. Activities include campfires, a family dance, a family barbecue, waterskiing, a climbing tower, swimming, horseback riding, volleyball, and more. ymcanyc.org/camps
Camp Nejeda: This is a special family camp for families with children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It’s located in Stillwater, NJ, just 1.5 hours from NYC, and offers family camp in June, July, and August. The family camp includes activities such as archery, sports, bonfires, and arts and crafts, and also sets aside time for parents, children, and siblings to meet and talk with others who share similar challenges. campnejeda.org
