Commuter camps

Mohawk Day Camp

CAMP HAVERIM
Featuring swimming, team sports, photography, filmmaking and nature programs, a summer at Camp Haverim is intended to inspire independence and well-roundedness in preteens. Campers attend weekly excursions to amusement parks, major-league baseball games and deep-sea fishing destinations. There’s also a four-night sleepaway experience in Milford, PA. Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, Rockland County, NY (212-415-5573, 92y.org). Camp runs Jun 29–Aug 21, Mon–Fri 8am–5:45 pm. Four-week session $3,700; eight-week session $5,500. Free bus transportation provided round-trip to and from the 92nd Street Y. Bus transportation from other Manhattan locations $125 for the summer. Ages 10 to 12.

CAMP Riverdale
Each day, campers participate in a rotation of indoor and outdoor activities. Extra time is set aside for swimming: Water-safety instructors teach the Red Cross swimming curriculum in the mornings, and free swim is offered in the afternoons. The summer brims with “special days,” during which guest performers lead workshops in juggling, Rollerblading, improvisational theater or double Dutch jump rope. For many campers, the season’s highlight is an event the camp calls “Great Adventure Comes to Riverdale,” when the campus becomes a full-blown carnival, complete with rides. 5250 Fieldston Rd between W 250th and W 253rd Sts, Bronx (718-432-4787, riverdale.edu). Single six-week session runs Jun 29–Aug 7; Mon–Thu 9am–4pm, Fri 9am–3:30pm. $3,400. Air-conditioned bus service available from parts of Manhattan (fee depends on address). Ages 5 to 11.

CAMP TEVAH FOR SCIENCE AND NATURE
Immersed in science, children go on field trips to nature-themed destinations like the Lost River Caverns, the Liberty Science Center and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Onsite, campers take part in dissecting, solar cooking, birding, fishing, and are visited by local astronomers. Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, Rockland County, NY (212-415-5573, 92y.org). Single session runs Jun 29–Aug 7, Mon–Fri 8am–5:30pm $4,700. Free bus transportation provided round-trip to and from the 92nd Street Y. Bus transportation from other Manhattan locations $125 for the summer. Ages 8 to 11.

CAMP YOMI
If you want your kids to be exposed to everything under the sun this summer, send them down to Camp Yomi. Campers are encouraged to participate in every activity offered, which include a mix of sports, music, jewelry making, cartooning, cooking, filmmaking, nature and much more. Kids also get their feet wet twice daily through both instructional and free swim programs. Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, Rockland County, NY (212-415-5573, 92y.org). Camp runs Jun 29–Aug 21, Mon–Fri 8am–5:45pm. Four-week session $3,700; eight-week session $5,500. Free bus transportation provided round-trip to and from the 92nd Street Y. Bus transportation from other Manhattan locations $125 for the summer. Ages 5 to 10.

DEER MOUNTAIN DAY CAMP
If your child wants a break from city life, check out this camp located just outside the boroughs. Little ones can get dirty with nature activities and an onsite petting zoo. The camp also offers visual and performing arts as well as many opportunities to play sports. 63 Call Hollow Road, Pomona, NY (845-354-2727, deermountaindaycamp.com). Camp runs Jun 29–Aug 21; call for hours. Four-week session $4, 475; eight-week session $6,885. Tuition includes door-to-door, air-conditioned transportation. Catered lunch option available for additional $145 (four weeks) or $285 (eight weeks). Ages 3 to 15.

Elmwood Day camp
Campers are divided into three age groups: nursery school and kindergartners; first- and second-graders; and third-, fourth- and fifth-graders. Each division is exposed to a spectrum of activities: creative arts, performing arts and athletics (including twice-daily swimming). The fun happens on a six-acre campground that includes three swimming pools, a beach volleyball court, softball and baseball fields, a drama deck, an arts-and-crafts clubhouse and two “gaga pits,” where campers play an Israeli version of dodgeball. The camp prides itself on its sleepaway-esque traditions, like a carnival, cheer-off, Olympics and camper/counselor show. 900 Dobbs Ferry Rd, White Plains, NY (914-592-6121, elmwooddaycamp.com). Camp runs Jun 29–Aug 20, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Four-week session $4,500; eight-week session $7,000. Bus transportation available to addresses in Manhattan north of 70th St. Ages 4 to 10.

Gate Hill Day Camp
Since 1989, this 33-acre outpost has been mixing the tried-and-true joys of traditional outdoor athletics—soccer, baseball, hockey, basketball, swimming in heated pools (there are four), archery and canoeing—with more offbeat fare such as bumper boats, waterslides, zip lines and go-karts. Specialized programs are also available, including Explorers: Arts & Sciences and Early Childhood. 750 Gate Hill Rd, Stony Point, NY(845-947-3223, gatehilldaycamp.com). Ages 3 to 14. 

Mill basin Day Camp
The day goes by quickly here, thanks to a rotating list of activities, including the usual arts and crafts, dance and team sports, plus karate, gymnastics, magic, video games and baking. Mill Basin campers also swim daily, in either an outdoor or an indoor pool. The campus features a number of amenities that are sure to leave kids’ (and parents’) mouths agape: two computer rooms, two karaoke studios, two giant-screen theaters, a racetrack for miniature remote-control cars, and a TV game-show studio. 5945 Strickland Ave between 56th Dr and E 57th Pl, Mill Basin, Brooklyn (718-251-6200, millbasindaycamp.com). Camp runs Jun 29–Aug 21, Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm, in four- to eight-week sessions. $1,600–$2,000. Bus transportation ($300 flat fee) provided to addresses in Brooklyn and Queens. Ages 3 to 14.

Mohawk Day camp
The camp is situated on a 40-acre farm where goats, sheep, piglets and peacocks actually hang out with the kids. But the animals are just a perk: The meat and potatoes of the program is its traditional—as well as not so traditional—instructional activities. Campers swim in eight heated pools, put on productions, make arts and crafts, and play a variety of team sports. More impressive, they putt on two mini-golf courses, speed down custom-made water luges, ride on three-wheeled turbo-bikes, play computer games in an air-conditioned lab, and navigate zip-lines, climbing walls and cargo nets on a challenge course. 200 Old Tarrytown Rd, White Plains, NY (914-949-2635, campmohawk.com). Single seven-week session runs Jun 29–Aug 14; length of day and number of days per week vary. $3,900–$7,350. Bus service (additional $220) available to neighborhoods throughout Manhattan. Ages 3 to 13.

Mount tom Day Camp
This idyllic suburban campground has a multitude of indoor and outdoor play spaces. Campers can take advantage of a playground; playhouse; theater; three pools; tennis, basketball and volleyball courts; and six ball fields. The 19-room, early-20th-century mansion is reserved for lunch and for cozy, team-building activities in rainy weather. A typical day’s schedule includes two swimming sessions, three physical challenges (like maneuvering an obstacle course or playing a team sport), and two cultural classes such as music, drama, dance, and arts and crafts. Each group is accompanied by counselors and a teacher. 48 Mount Tom Rd, New Rochelle, NY (914-636-8130, mounttomdaycamp.com). Camp runs Jun 29–Aug 21, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Four-week session $4,200; eight-week session $6,050. Bus service ($25 per week) available to addresses in Manhattan, the Bronx, Roosevelt Island, and Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside and Sunnyside, Queens. Ages 3 to 13.

New Country Day Camp
Located on 75 acres of play space, this camp honors Jewish culture with a kosher snack each day plus Friday Shabbat, Israeli dancing, and Challah-baking classes.  Other activities include swimming, rowing, arts and crafts, and theater. Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds, Staten Island, NY (212-780-0800 ext. 24, 14streety.org). Camp runs Jun 29-Aug 21. $3700. Bus transportation available to campers who live below 23rd Street in Manhattan, and throughout Brooklyn. Ages 5 to 11.

92ND STREET Y FILM CAMP
Budding Steven Spielbergs and Martin Scorseses of the preteen world take part in this two-week movie-making extravaganza. Guided by film professionals, each camper creates his or her own short film and then screens it for family and friends at the program’s conclusion. Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, Rockland County, NY (212-415-5573, 92y.org). Call for program dates. Two-week session $1,300. Free bus transportation provided round-trip from and to the 92nd Street Y. Bus transportation from other Manhattan locations $125 for the summer. Ages 9 to 12.

Usdan center for the performing arts
On 200 acres (no joke), 1,700 students with a passion for the arts participate in one of some 40 programs. Among the choices are music, dance, theater, film and video, chess, writing, media arts and, new this year, fashion design. On a typical day, campers spend two periods focused on their primary interest, one period learning about another art form and—as at any good commuter camp—50 minutes swimming in an Olympic-size pool. Each day also features a camp-wide assembly. 185 Colonial Springs Rd, Wheatley Heights, NY (631-643-7900, usdan.com). Camp runs Jun 29–Aug 14, Mon–Fri 10am–3pm. Four-week session $2,575; seven-week session $3,475. Call for transportation options and additional fees. Air-conditioned bus service available from Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens. Ages 6 to 18.

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