Camps

It seems like it's never to early to start your summer planning. And if you are thinking about summer sleep away or day camps for next summer, then the NY family Summer Camp Fairs this weekend and next are a great place to start.

I attended these fairs last summer with my daughter and found them really helpful. Trying to pick a camp based on a pamphlet is really hard. I was pleased to find that at this camp fair the camp directors or another other important representative attends so you can really get a good idea about the camp, ask questions and leave with lots of information about several prospective camps. I discovered a bunch of really cool camps I had ever heard of. Read more »

Today is the first day of the Prospect Park fishing contest, but that's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to free sports activities in New York parks for kids.

The NYC Parks Department offers some really amazing sports programs that are (even more amazingly) FREE. NYC kids can do all sorts of sports from learning to swing a golf club or to play tennis to going fishing, paddling a canoe or even sleeping out under the stars—all for the sweet price of FREE. Your next thought is that these programs filled up in February, right? Not so, many of these programs require little if any advance registration and have gotten great reviews from our reader parents. We'll tell you all about the City Parks Foundation's and Urban Ranger's activities and how your city kids can be part of these free sports programs in the city parks this summer. Read more »

photo: Wet Paint! ArtVentures! Art + Architecture Day Camp

There's really no place like New York City for kids to learn about art. The many professional local moonlighting artists make a very talented pool of incredible teachers and the high emphasis and demand for art programs has created an amazing wealth of exceptional art classes and camps. We looked at dozens of creative arts camps and have selected the ones we found to be really exceptional and we still came out with a dozen camps because there were so many that were great for different reasons.

We found visual arts camps, dance and theater camps, music camps, and even creative writing camps. There are also camps that have programs in cool stuff like video and circus arts and art camps that allow kids to sample a little of everything. We found programs that run all summer or one week intensives. From preschoolers to high schoolers, if your child is ready to dive in to a summer of artistic expression, there's a camp for him.

We called each and every one of the below camps and verified that they have spaces available so reserve your spot today! Be sure to check out our camp guide for dozens of more great camps. Read more »

You've all heard the hype: in NYC you have to sign your kid up for summer camp st the beginning of the year or you'll never get a spot. Well, honestly, for some camps that really is true. Popular, small programs like the Museum of Natural History Summer Camps or Fieldston Day Camp almost completely fill up from returning campers and members who get first priority, so to get a spot at these types of camps you have to really be on the ball. But, if you haven't given a thought to your summer plans there's no need to panic.

There are many, many camps that still have spots. Larger camps like 92nd St Y, Chelsea Piers and Oasis can most likely make a spot for a kid up until the last minute. And, many of the specialized weekly camps will have a week here or there that won't fill up. A little leg work can find a child a spot at a great camp even this late in the year.

But, we figured if you've been too busy to sign your child up for camp by now, the last thing you needed was to spend your time calling around to camps looking for a summer program that had room for your child now. So, we've done the leg-work for you. We've called around and found over 20 great camps that have spots and listed the ages and sessions available at each of them.

The Mommy Poppins Slacker Mom Camp Guide

The below list names the camp and which sessions/age groups are still available. Just click the links for more details and contact Read more »

Reader Amber gave us the heads up that registration for the American Museum of Natural History's summer camps have started, but they are not posted on the web site yet. What this means is that there's still time to get a spot before the masses find out.Last year the camps sold out even before they were made available online. Read more »

I know what you did last summer? Big whoop, so does the whole world??”I'm a blogger. The real horror movie is about planning for next summer. I'm already in a cold sweat over trying to figure out what to do with my kids, my childcare...and if I have to have one more circular, non-committal conversation about what we could, should or might possibly-maybe do for our family vacation, I think I will scream.

So before the blood starts flying, I'm going to attend The Busy Mom??™s One-Stop Summer Planning Luncheon and Expo hosted by Executive Moms next Wednesday, March 5th. There's a lot of cool things going on with this event (including a chance to win some big prizes), so bear with me here. Read more »

A science summer camp is a great way for kids to learn about science from real life experiences, rather than text books. We've found three fantastic science camps that teach kids science through real-life experiences that are so cool I want to go! Read more »

NY Kids Club

What to do with preschoolers during the summer can be even harder to figure out than for older kids. Especially if you have older kids who are in day camp, entertaining toddlers and children that are too young for most day camps can be challenging.

You might want to start by looking at the summer programs offered by preschools in your neighborhood, but we've found a few interesting summer camps for preschoolers that offer something a little different than the average preschool summer program. Read more »

It's just one of those mundane chores that needs to be done, labeling every article of clothing, towel, backpack and object that will travel with your child to camp or to school in the hopes that when it inevitably gets lost it will find its way home to you. Nothing's going to make this job fun, but we've rounded up the whole range of different ways you can label your kid's clothing from the beautiful embroidered labels to fun, colorful ones, to ones you can make at home.

Here's the best ways to label your child's clothing for camp or school: Read more »

Don't dismay if you are overwhelmed by the cost of camps and summer classes, there are a lot of amazing summer programs out there that are either free, subsidized or provide amazing financial assistance. But, take note - if you do want to get into one of these programs you must act fast, financial aid and spots in all these camps go quickly. We have compiled a list here of different camps and activities that you can get involved in that your kids will love and won't break the bank! Read more »