Teen camps

Calhoun Performing Arts Summer Institute Jazz Workshop
This intense crash course in jazz includes opportunities for campers to listen to significant recordings, attend performances and learn basic music theory. Teens will also get to try out improvising and make music with their peers. The workshop is open to students with the ability to play any instrument. The Calhoun School, 433 West End Ave at 81st St (212-497-6500, calhoun.org). Camp runs Jun 14–18, Mon– Fri 10:30am–4pm. $650. Ages 14 to 18.

Camp Kids ’n Comedy
Wanda Sykes- and Jerry Seinfelds-in-training come together to practice monologue and sketch writing, improv, stand-up and on-camera acting. Professional stand-up comics teach the classes; along the way, casting directors who specialize in recognizing juvenile talent come in to offer young humorists constructive feedback. Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W 23rd St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-877-6115, kidsncomedy.com). Camp runs Jul 6–Aug 13, Mon–Fri noon–4pm. Two-week session $950. Ages 10 to 17.

Chelsea Piers Urban Adventures Camp
Teens receive intensive instruction in kayaking, rock climbing and sailing. If they somehow get bored with those activities, they can opt to play traditional sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball, or try out ice-skating. Teens also embark on weekly off-site excursions throughout the eight-week camp. The Sports Center, Pier 60, 23rd St at the Hudson River (212-336-6846, chelseapiers.com). Camp runs Jul 5–Aug 2, Mon¬–Fri 8:30am–4pm. One-week session $655, two-week session $1,190, three-week session $1,725, eight-week session $4,400. Bus transportation available in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn for an additional $115 per week. Ages 12 to 17.

Chicago City Limits
The Teen Improv Intensive transforms adolescent thespians into quick-witted performers who know how to keep a show afloat. At the end of each session students display their comedic skills in a production for family and friends. Chicago City Limits Theater, 318 W 53rd St, between Eighth and Ninth Aves, Suite 207 (212-888-5233, chicagocitylimits.com). Camp runs Jul 12–16, Jul 26–30, Aug 9–13, Mon–Fri 10am–4pm. One-week session $450. Ages 12 to 17.

FashionCampNYC
Intended for those eyeing careers in the fashion industry, this camp’s focus is on teaching kids how to design and market clothing. Enrolled participants work on individual projects, attend lectures, and make off-site visits to stores and clothing-related exhibitions. In the past, the campers have consulted with experts from Coach, Victoria’s Secret and American Eagle. LIM: The College for the Business of Fashion, 12 E 53rd St between Fifth and Madison Aves (866-909-6911, fashioncampnyc.com). Camp runs Jul 12–23, Aug 2–6; Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm. One-week session $1,295. Ages 14 to 18.

Harvestworks
Campers learn how to create works of art use cutting-edge software, such as Pro Tools and GarageBand, in two concurrent programs. In Podcasting camp, teens write their own scripts, record their voices, play with sound editing, and make their own websites. In Interactive Art, teens work alone and in groups to create and contribute to a unique interactive art display. Harvestworks Digital Media Arts Center, 596 Broadway between Houston and Prince Sts, Suite 602 (212-431-1130, harvestworks.org). Camps run Jul 12–23, Mon–Fri 2–5pm. Two-week session $725. Making Interactive Art ages 13 to 16. Podcasting Camp ages 14 to 18.

A Midsummer Day's Camp at the Public Theater
Teens study with some of New York’s leading instructors in classical acting. They’ll also explore and study Shakespeare’s texts to gain a fuller and deeper understanding of them. The camp culminates in a public performance on the Public Theater’s stage. The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St between Astor Pl and E 4th St (212-539-8500, publictheater.org). Camp runs Aug 2–14, Mon–Fri 10am–5pm. $2,250. Ages 13 to 18.

Music Improv Camp
In both large and small groups, students receive instruction in all improvisational styles, from jazz and blues to classical, world music and hip-hop. Teens also have the opportunity to study with professional musicians (some quite well known) and to learn about music technology, songwriting and recording. Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 W 120th St between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway (516-946-8296, tc.edu/improvcamp). Camp runs Jul 26–30, Mon–Fri 10am–4pm. One-week session $475. Ages 12 to 18.

Power Chord Academy
Acclaimed musicians from Atlantic Records and Sub Pop help tweens and teens hone their music skills. Days feature multiple jam sessions, songwriting seminars, talks by guest speakers and even mystery concert guests. Children come away with a studio-recorded CD of their music, record-label submissions and a diploma. St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Pkwy at Union Tpke, Utopia, Queens (800-897-6677, ext 80; powerchordacademy.com). Camp runs July 4–31, Sun–Sat (hours vary). One-week session $1,445. Ages 12 to 18.

Teen Arts Summer Program
This program takes full advantage of NYC’s vast cultural offerings. When they’re not busy taking classes in hip-hop dance, African-Latin percussion, theater, photography, graphic and Web design, and slam poetry, teens go on trips and participate in workshops that reinforce what they’ve been learning. Excursions include college tours and visits to artists’ studios, museums and theater productions; workshops include résumé writing, photo documentation, filmmaking and art portfolio creation. 645 St. Nicholas Ave at 142nd St (212-926-4100, harlemschoolofthearts.org). Camp runs in a single six-week session Jul 6–Aug 13, Mon–Fri 9:30am–5:30pm. $1,860 (full day), $995 (half day). Campers may arrive at 8:30am for an additional $300 fee. Ages 12 to 17.

Theatre Arts Center Musical Theater and Dance Camp
Campers join one of three performance companies (assignments are based on age and ability), then work to perform a fully staged show choreographed by Broadway guest artists. To prepare, teen scene stealers tackle an array of performance classes, including acting, dance (tap, jazz and hip-hop), singing, on-camera auditioning and improvisation. Professional Performing Arts Center at the Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Ave between Springfield and Cloverdale Blvds, Bayside, Queens (718-595-2905, theatreartscenter.com). Camp runs in a single four-week session Jul 5–Aug 1, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. $1,750. Admission is by audition beginning in March. Ages 8 to 19.

Theatre Arts Center Teen Acting
Professional actors lead classes in technique, movement, improvisation, stage combat, character analysis and more. The program culminates in the performance of a play at the college’s Shadowbox Theater. Professional Performing Arts Center at the Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Ave between Springfield and Cloverdale Blvds, Bayside, Queens (718-595-2905, theatreartscenter.com). Camp runs Jun 28–Jul 23, with performances Jul 24, 25; Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Single session $1,700. Admission is by audition beginning in March. Ages 13 to 19.

Theatre Arts Center Teen Cabaret
Honing students’ vocal skills is the focus at this weeklong intensive for advanced singers. Pros coach each participant through solos and small-group numbers, all of which are performed at a public showcase on the last day of the session. Professional Performing Arts Center at the Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Ave between Springfield and Cloverdale Blvds, Bayside, Queens (718-595-2905, theatreartscenter.com). Camp runs Aug 2–8, 9am–4pm daily. $500. Admission is by audition beginning in March. Ages 13 to 19.

Teen Naturalists
In Staten Island’s 90-acre Greenbelt Conservancy, campers go on daily hikes and conduct nature-based research projects. Each week features a different theme to explore. Last year, teens learned about waste management, endangered species, the local ecosystem, ecology and global warming. High Rock Park, 200 Nevada Ave at Rockland Ave, Staten Island (718-667-7475, sigreenbelt.org). Camp runs Jul 6–Aug 12, Mon–Thu 9:30am–12:30pm. Call for pricing. Ages 13 to 14.

Teen Summer Improv Intensive
Future stars of SNL and the Upright Citizens Brigade can get their start here. Campers learn the art of comedic, long-form improv by taking part in listening games and team- and scene-building exercises. The Peoples Improv Theater, 154 W 29th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-563-7488, thepit-nyc.com/intensives_teen.html). Camp runs in August; call for dates. One-week session approximately $500. Ages 14 to 17.

Teen Wheel Intensive
Surrounded by professional potters, campers acquire the fundamentals of throwing on the wheel and then work their way up to mastering the glazing process. Teens can take advantage of complimentary open-studio time from camp dismissal until 2pm each day. Greenwich House, 16 Jones St between Bleecker and W 4th Sts (212-242-4106, greenwichhouse.org). Camp runs Jul 5–Aug 12, Mon–Thu 10am–noon. Two-week session $375. Ages 13 to 18.

Trailblazers: Day & Overnight Camp
When they’re not hanging out at the 92nd Street Y’s suburban campgrounds, teens embark on day trips to amusement and water parks, beaches, museums and professional sporting events. Each month, campers also attend a four-day, three-night overnight. Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, Rockland County, NY (212-415-5573, 92y.org). Camp runs Jun 29–Aug 20, Mon–Fri 8am–6pm. Four-week session $3,600; eight-week session $5,400. Free bus transportation provided round-trip to and from the 92nd Street Y. Bus transportation from other Manhattan locations $125 for the summer. Ages 13 to 15.

General interest camps

Commuter camps

Arts camps

Sports camps

Academic camps

Special needs camps

Preschool camps

Teen camps

Sleepaway camps

Open houses

What to ask camp directors