Kings Park Guide to Summer Camps for Kids

With a little less than four months left in the school year, local parents have already started planning for their kids’ summer vacation.

And that means one thing: summer camp.

To help you decide, Kings Park Patch has compiled this summer camp guide featuring a host of programs in town – and many others from nearby towns – to make the job of picking the one that’s right for your kids a much easier experience.

See the list below, and if you think we missed some, please add the camp details in the comment section.

Kings Park

Name: New Beginnings
Type of camp: variety/sports/arts/educational
Cost: $250 for full-time each week, $150 part-time each week.
Where: New Beginnings, 180 Lawrence Road, Kings Park, NY
When: June 24 to Aug. 30
Deadline for registration: Registration is on a rolling basis.
Details: This is a day camp for pre-schoolers. Camp activities include arts and crafts, sports, a large playground and various fun water play.
For more information call: 631-663-5437

Name:  Sportime. Pre-School Camp, Junior Multi-Sport and Tennis Plus
Type of camp: Sports/outdoors/tennis
Cost: $395 per week to $545 per week, depending on number of weeks enrolled. $1,680 - $2,020 for 20-day periods.
Where: Sportime, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park
When: June 24 to Aug. 30, sessions broken into weeks with multi-week enrollment options.
Deadline for registration: A week before camp starts
Details:  This sports camp allows children to try their hand at a variety of both indoor and outdoor sports: Pre-School Camp (ages 3-5) and Junior Multi-Sport (ages 6 - 14). Tennis Plus focuses on building tennis skills through drills and friendly matches for ages 6 - 16.
For more information call: 631-269-6300

Name: Camp Sound View
Type of camp: variety/sports/crafts/outdoors
Cost:  *Call for specifics
Where: Crab Meadow Beach, Waterside Ave., Northport
When:  Three Sessions: July 1 - 12, July 15 - 26, July 29 - Aug. 9
Deadline for registration:  June 30
Details: Town of Huntington offer a full-day camp at Crab Meadow Beach for children entering grades 1-7 in September 2013. Activities will include swimming instruction, sports, arts and crafts, and special events.
For more information call: 631-351-3089.

Commack

Name: Camp Wonderland, Junior Day Camp, Sports Camp, Tween Camp, Teen Travel, Theatre Camp, Camp Kehilla
Type of camp: Variety/sports/outdoor/travel/theater
Cost: Varies from $164 per week to $6,862 for full program, based on age, camp, frequency of camp (three-days a week, week-long, or full program).  There is a Suffolk Y member cost vs. a non-member cost.
Where: Suffolk Y JCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack
When: Camp Wonderland: June 24 - Aug. 6;  Most camps June 24 - Aug. Theatre Camp, Teen Travel and Camp Kehilla have custom schedules.
Deadline for registration: First-Come, first-serve. Y members are given preference on wait lists.
Details:  Most camps focus on a traditional combination of sports, outdoor activities and arts and crafts. Suffolk Y JCC offers a unique Theater Camp in which children put on a full-stage production, Teen Travel takes students on local outings and Camp Kehilla offers special needs children a chance to have the summer camp experience. Kosher lunches can be provided for campers. Some programs allow parents the option to extend their child’s day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information call: 631-462-9800

Name: Camp Bright Star
Type of camp: Special needs
Cost: $185 with Recreation ID card/$545 without Recreation ID Card
Where: *School in Commack School District, to be determined
When:  June 25- Aug. 2, closed July 4.
Deadline for registration:  June 1. New Campers must be screening process with camp director.
Details: The Town of Huntington offers a day camp for boys and girls, age 6 and older, with developmental disabilities to have fun and develop friendships in a safe and structured environment. Activities will include swimming, sports, music, creative arts and special events. Children must be able to function in a group without one-on-one assistance, preference given to Huntington residents.
For more information call: 631-351-3000

Name: Destination Science
Type of camp: science/educational
Cost: $364 - $1,456, with March early bird discount and sibling discount available
Where:  Commack Jewish Center, 83 Shirley Court, Commack
When: The Ultimate Survival Zone: Aug. 5 - 9; Wacky Mega-Bot Tech: Aug. 19 - 23; Astronaut Adventure Camp: Aug. 12 - 16.
Deadline for registration: as space permits.
Details:  This educational science camp make science fun by exploring different themes each week: Astronaut Adventure (grades K - 6) calls all future astronauts to learn about outdoor space, The Ultimate Survival Zone (grades K - 6) teaches about outdoor survival by studying chameleons and surviving a volcano, Wacky Mega-Bot Tech (grades K - 6) is all about robots and exploring alternative energy.
For more information call: 1-888-909-2822

Smithtown

Name: Gold Medal Gymnastics
Type of camp: gymnastics/sports
Cost: Pricing starts at $165 for three-days a week, $259 for five-days a week.
Where: Gold Medal, 253 West Main Street, Smithtown, NY
When: PreGym Camp: June 19 to Aug. 24, Gym Camp: June 25 to Aug. 24.
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment as space permits.
Details: Gold Medal gymnastics offers two programs at its Smithtown location. PreGym Camp (ages  3 to 6) is three days a week, Tuesday to Thursday, offers 90 minutes of gymnastics time, indoor activities, arts and crafts. Gym Camp (ages 6 to 12) is offered 3 or 5 days a week schedules featuring 90 minutes of gymnastics time and a dance class.
For more information call: 631-366-4653 (GOLD)

Name: Sweetbriar Nature Center
Type of camp: outdoors/nature/educational
Cost: Natural Wonders Pre-School costs $130 for members, $160 for non members. Discovery Weeks cost $245 per week for members, $285 per week for members, except “Adventure on the Wildside” at $250 for members, $290 for non-members. Explorers Club/Explorers Club Alumni: $360 and $400.
Where: Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown
When: Natural Wonders Pre-School:  July 8 - 12, July 22 - 26, Aug. 12 - 16, Aug 26 - Sept. 3;  Discovery weeks are July 1 - Aug. 30, weekly sign up; Explorers Club: July 15 - 19, Aug.  5 - 9; Explorers’ Alumni: July 8 - 12, Aug.  19 - 23.
Deadline for registration: Open Enrollment, space is limited.
Details: Sweetbriar offers a Natural Wonders Pre-School (ages 3-5) where children an educator will help kids explore nature through hands-on crafts, activities and games. Discovery Weeks for children ages 5 to 11. Each week, the camp takes on a different themes from “Earth Investigators” to  “Adventures on the Wildside.” Children learn about nature through hands-on activities, stories, games and encounters with resident animals. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Teens can join the Explorers Club (ages 11 to 14),  Explorer’s Alumni (ages  13 - 16) to learn about wildlife outside the boundaries of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
For more information call: 631-979-6344

Name: Destination Science
Type of camp: science/educational
Cost: $364 - $1,456, with March early bird discount and sibling discount available
Where:  First Presbyterian Church, 175 E. Main St., Smithtown
When:  Astronaut Adventure Camp: July 15 - 19; Crazy Coaster Science and Sea-fari Park: July 29 - Aug. 2; The Ultimate Survival Zone: July 8 - 12; Wacky Mega-Bot Tech: July 22 - 26.
Deadline for registration: as space permits.
Details:  This educational science camp make science fun by exploring different themes each week: Astronaut Adventure (Grades K - 6) calls all future astronauts to learn about outdoor space, Crazy Coaster Science and Sea-Fari Park build your own crazy roller coaster and explore under the sea; The Ultimate Survival Zone (Grades K - 6) teaches about outdoor survival by studying chameleons and surviving a volcano, Wacky Mega-Bot Tech (Grades K - 6) is all about robots and exploring alternative energy.
For more information call: 1-888-909-2822

Name: Best Learning Center
Type of camp: variety/preschool
Cost: $85 per day for infants and toddlers under 20 months. Half-Day programs start at $240, Mini Days at $330 and Full Day programs at $430. Discount for multiple children.
Where: Best Learning Center, 525 Veterans Highway, Smithtown
When: Three sessions July 8  -July 19, July 22 - Aug. 2, Aug. 5 - Aug. 16
Deadline for registration: Tuition due in full by May 15, with late registrations paid in full.
Details:  Best Learning Center offers a summer day-camp program with the theme “Under the Sea” in 2013 for children divided into two groups:  6 months - 20 months, ages 2- 12. Day camp activities include outdoor and indoor sports, arts and crafts, dance, computers, learning activities, games and field trips.
For more information call: 631-864-4064

Name:  Flip Gymnastics
Type of camp:  gymnastics/sports
Cost: $150 per one week - $1,850 for eight weeks
Where: Flips Gymnastics, 975 West Jericho Turnpike Unit 15, Smithtown
When: July 1 - Aug. 13
Deadline for registration: Open Enrollment, as space permits.
Details:  Flips Gymnastics offers an eight-week summer camp program for children ages 3 and older.  Camp activities include gymnastics, games, crafts and a once a week visit from a baking coach.
For more information call: 631-863-3547

Name: Ivy League School and Day Camp
Type of camp: variety/sports/arts
Cost: Mini Day starts at $960, Full Day and Voyagers starts at $4,090 for four weeks, Super Seniors starts at $4,440 for four weeks and Teen Travel starts at $5,400 for four weeks.
Where:  Ivy League School and Summer Camp, 211 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown.
When: June 24 - Aug. 16
Deadline for registration: Must be registered by April 1.
Details: Ivy League offers mini-day and full-day  summer day camp programs for children entering kindergarten to 10th grade. Young children’s programs will focus on outdoor sports, swimming instruction, arts and crafts, learning and games. Teen travel offers a combination of day and overnight trips.
For more information call: 631-265-4177
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