Best Summer Camps in New York

8. Summer Camp – Brooklyn Waldorf School (June 16th – August 1st)

Brooklyn Waldorf School is pleased to welcome back our summer camp! Led by teachers in our school community, summer camp days will be imbued with the familiar rhythm of the school day—with special times for seasonal handwork, storytelling, outdoor adventure, acknowledging seasonal festivals and holidays such as Juneteenth and the summer solstice, and plenty of time for play as campers explore the season of summer together.

9. Brant Lake Camp (June 28 – August 19)

Brant Lake Camp, founded in 1916, is one of the oldest single-family owned camps in the country. At Brant Lake Camp, we have a thoughtful approach to caring for kids. We acknowledge that a boy’s needs change as he grows. This allows us to know each child’s personality, and recognize their strengths and needs. Brant Lake is home to boys who enjoy a summer stepped in sports, tradition and fun.

Ages: 7-16 Years

10. Camp Walden Summer (June 26th – August 14th)

Creating magical summers for amazing campers is what Walden is all about. At Walden, we make sure every camper feels included in our warm, nurturing community. Walden is a family. And being part of our family means having a summer home where you can live, laugh, learn, and have more fun than you ever imagined possible!

Walden is a co-ed overnight camp offering everything under the sun for summertime fun! From athletics, to arts, to aquatics, to adventure, Walden has it all. Fun is at the heart of a Walden summer and we incorporate it into all we do. Our exceptional programs and facilities, including our stunning spring-fed lake, give campers endless opportunities to grow their confidence and skills. Walden’s highly experienced specialists work with campers to promote skill-building, teamwork, friendship, and fun. At Walden we constantly encourage campers to take on challenges, explore new interests, and develop talents. A summer of fun, a lifetime of memories, at Walden you can do it!

Ages: 8-16 Years

11. Brains & Motion camps New York (June 23rd – August 15th)

Ready to make this your child’s best summer yet? Look no further than Brains & Motion camps held at New York University! Far from just a place to pass the time, BAM! is your child’s hub for discovery. Their imagination will soar as they experiment with coding, dabble with game design, nurture their artistic side, or sharpen their soccer skills. Here, they’ll lay a foundation to thrive in school, college, and life. We can’t wait for your family to join the fun!

Ages: Grade 2 – 8

12. Play:groundNYC camp (June 16 – August 29)

People often ask what happens at camp. The answer is “play!”. Our camp programs are self-directed by the campers. Much of your child’s day will be (wonderfully) up to them! They will have opportunities to play with others, spend time alone, build things, take apart things, paint, splash, imagine, dig, sing, joke, read a book, relax, write, daydream; anything they can come up with!
Campers are given reminders about self-care like bathroom breaks, lunch/snack breaks, sunscreen, etc., but each camper will have the autonomy to choose when and if they will do so. We only mandate regulatory fire drills and water breaks (particularly on hot days). We may also mandate breaks from the space to mitigate hazards.

Ages: 6-12+ years

13. Summer Camps at the YMCA (June 30 – August 22)

Summer isn’t just a season. It’s a launchpad for the wildest adventures and the best memories. At the Y, every splash is a thrill, every moment a story, and every friendship a bond to last a lifetime. It’s a place where imaginations soar, curiosity reigns, and every child discovers a summer made just for them.

14. Summer Experiences at UAlbany (July 7th – August 8th)

Get an early start on the college experience this summer at the University at Albany’s pre-collegiate summer camps. Make new friends, join a community of learners and have fun while expanding your knowledge and skills. Taught by UAlbany instructors, these programs are a fantastic way for students to prepare for future academic success while engaging in hands-on learning experiences in small class settings.

Students will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register for each camp at least two weeks before the start date. Camps that do not meet enrollment requirements will be cancelled two weeks before the start date.

Unless otherwise noted, camps will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., drop-off and pickup will take place at UAlbany’s Uptown Campus (1400 Washington Avenue, Albany NY). Students are expected to bring their own lunch and snack, and parents must submit a completed medical form when they register.

15. New York Aquarium Camp (June 30 – August 22)

Get an early start on the college experience this summer at the University at Albany’s pre-collegiate summer camps. Make new friends, join a community of learners and have fun while expanding your knowledge and skills. Taught by UAlbany instructors, these programs are a fantastic way for students to prepare for future academic success while engaging in hands-on learning experiences in small class settings.

Students will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register for each camp at least two weeks before the start date. Camps that do not meet enrollment requirements will be cancelled two weeks before the start date.

Unless otherwise noted, camps will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., drop-off and pickup will take place at UAlbany’s Uptown Campus (1400 Washington Avenue, Albany NY). Students are expected to bring their own lunch and snack, and parents must submit a completed medical form when they register.

16. New York Aquarium Camp (June 30 – August 22)

The mission of Hofstra Summer Camps is to provide a nurturing and inclusive environment where young people can thrive. Programs are designed to foster fun, build lasting friendships, and cultivate a sense of community. Every child deserves the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in a supportive and safe space that celebrates diversity, encourages personal growth, and builds meaningful connections.

Our Values:

• Purpose
• Respect
• Integrity
• Diversity
• Empathy

17. The Nature Place Day Camp

With an inspired and inspiring staff, small numbers, and programming that builds each week, we explore, play in, and learn from 200 beautiful acres in Rockland County, New York. Our ‘creative’ activities emphasize self-expression, problem-solving, imagination, and mindfulness as a means of engaging with each other, our planet, and ourselves.

Activities:

• Hiking
• Outdoor Skills
• Swimming
• Climbing
• Archery
• Canoeing
• High Ropes Challenge
• Nature Exploration
• On Site Overnight
• Almost Overnight

Ages: 4 to 15 years

18. Summer Day Camp in Brooklyn – AVIATOR
Aviator Sports summer camps in Brooklyn are located within the largest sports complex in New York, inside the repurposed aircraft hangers of Floyd Bennett Field. Our indoor facility features 2 NHL-sized ice rinks, a full gymnastics center, a rock wall, indoor turfs, and courts, as well as party rooms for dance, arts and crafts, and much more. Outside of the facility we also have 2 above-ground pools, 2 full-size turf fields, a golf center with mini-golf, a grass field, and an area for Pedal-karting.

Ages: 4 to 15 Years Old