Commuter camps
Kids who ride buses get a real day camp experience. For a pretty penny, of course.
Is your child ready for a commuter camp?
Buckley Day Camp
Campers rotate through various activities daily, among them swimming, art and music; older kids integrate personalized workshops—such as filmmaking or newspaper writing—into their schedule of more traditional, outdoorsy activities. Buckley Day Camp, 2 IU Willets Rd, Roslyn, NY (516-365-7760, buckleycamp.com). Camp runs July 2–Aug 24, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm or 9am–1pm. Eight-week session $7,245 (full day), $6,695 (half day); four-week session (July 2– 27) $5,195 (full day), $4,150 (half day); four-week session (July 30–Aug 24) $4,350 (full day), $3,950 (half day). Tuition includes bus transportation to Manhattan's East Side or western Queens. Ages 3 to 15.
Deerkill
Kids head to one of three pools to participate in a 40-minute swim session twice daily (one is instructional, the other recreational). On dry land, campers have access to a plethora of sports, ranging from the typical (baseball, tennis) to the more unusual (bocce, karate and a zip-line course), as well as classes in ceramics, drama, woodworking and photography. Deerkill Camp, 54 Wilder Rd, Suffern, NY (845-354-1466, deerkilldaycamp.com). Camp runs July 2–Aug 24, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Eight-week session $6,750 (ages 7 and up) or $5,450 (children under 6); shorter sessions are available. Tuition includes door-to-door bus transportation from Manhattan, hot lunch, trips, shows and Deerkill's Family weekend pool club. Ages 3 to 15.
Deer Mountain
Intrepid tykes satisfy their thirst for adventure with kayaking, wall-climbing and mountain-biking courses. They also participate in typical and offbeat arts classes (like fashion design, magic and puppetry). 63 Call Hollow Rd, Pomona, NY (845-354-2727, deermountaindaycamp.com). Camp runs June 25–Aug 17, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Eight-week session $7,500, six-week session $6,750, four-week session $4,875. Tuition includes door-to-door, air-conditioned transportation from addresses in Manhattan. Ages 3 to 15.
Elmwood
The six-acre campground boasts three swimming pools, a beach volleyball court, softball fields, playgrounds, a drama deck and an arts-and-crafts clubhouse. Annual events like a carnival and a camp Olympics punctuate the program. 900 Dobbs Ferry Rd, White Plains, NY (914-592-6121, elmwooddaycamp.com). Camp runs June 25–Aug 16 (closed July 4), Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Eight-week session $7,600, four-week session $4,800. Transportation available to addresses in Manhattan north of 70th St. Ages 3 to 11.
Gate Hill
Campers choose from myriad activities, among them field hockey, tennis, soccer, fencing, go-karting and bumper boating. On Thursdays youngsters enjoy special programming, which in the past has included outside entertainers, a carnival and "Halloween in July." 750 Gate Hill Rd, Stony Point, NY (845-947-3223, gatehilldaycamp.com). Camp runs June 25–Aug 17, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Eight-week session $7,450, six-week session $6,475, four-week session (June 25–July 20 and July 23–Aug 17) $4,700, four-week session (July 25–Aug 19) $4,425. Tuition includes door-to-door, air-conditioned transportation from addresses in Manhattan. Ages 3 to 14.
JCC at Pearl River
Located just 35 minutes from Manhattan, the camp teaches everything from canoeing and swimming to nature appreciation and music. JCC at Pearl River, Pearl River, NY (646-505-4430, jccmanhattan.org). Camp runs June 27–Aug 17, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Eight-week session $5,300 (ages 6 to 8) or $5,600 (ages 9 to 12), four-week session $3,200 (ages 6 to 8) or $3,350 (ages 9 to 12). Tuition includes transportation from the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side. Ages 5 to 12.
Mohawk
With its spacious facilities (including a whopping eight heated pools), Camp Mohawk also offers drama and performing arts centers, ice-skating, wood shop, archery, a ropes course and climbing walls, ceramics, circus performing, songwriting and even a year-round farm. 200 Old Tarrytown Rd, White Plains, NY (914-949-2635, campmohawk.com). Camp runs June 27–Aug 17, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Seven-week session $7,950 (full day) or $6,120 (half day); partial sessions available. Tuition includes hot lunch, round-trip door-to-door transportation for full-time campers with Manhattan and Brooklyn residences. Call for information about transportation from other boroughs. Special “Pre-Camp” runs June 11–22, Mon–Fri 9am-3pm or 9am-1pm. Two-week session $950 (full day) or $850 (half day). Ages 3 to 13.
Mount Tom
A typical day involves two swimming sessions, three physical challenges (which may have kids maneuvering an obstacle course or playing a team sport), and two cultural classes in music, drama, dance or art. In addition to taking advantage of the playground, theater, pools and multiple sports facilities, little ones dine in an early-20th-century mansion daily. 48 Mount Tom Rd, New Rochelle, NY (914-636-8130, mounttomdaycamp.com). Camp runs June 25–Aug 17, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Eight-week session $6,200, four-week session $3,800. Bus service available from Manhattan (additional $25 charge per week), the Bronx, Roosevelt Island, in Queens, Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside and Sunnyside, and in Brooklyn, Park Slope, Clinton Hill and Brooklyn Heights. Ages 3 to 14.
The Nature Place Day Camp
Along with more-traditional camp activities (think swimming lessons, skits and sports), this earthy program gives kids a chance to take full advantage of their natural surroundings. Campers explore the camp’s garden, then cook with fresh, locally grown ingredients. They can also interact with cows and sheep on the farm and create art from materials they find, such as clay from the stream. Hiking and instruction in camping skills are on the roster as well. Transportation is available from Manhattan. 285 Hungry Hollow Rd, Chestnut Ridge, NY (845-356-6477, thenatureplace.com). Camp runs June 25–Aug 3, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Six-week session $4,975, five-week session $4,775, four-week session $3,960. Ages 4 to 16.
The Nature Place Farm and Garden Days
Campers spend the session exploring the campground’s farms and gardens. Little hands tackle gardening in the morning—composting, weeding, harvesting and tending the honeybees. They’ll even have a chance to bake pizza in the camp’s outdoor clay oven, taste herbs and learn about plant cycles. After lunch and a swim, youngsters head to the farm, where they’ll help take care of cows and sheep, collect eggs, work with sheep wool and more. Transportation is available from Manhattan. 285 Hungry Hollow Rd, Chestnut Ridge, NY (845-356-6477, thenatureplace.com). Camp runs Aug 6–17, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Two-week session $1,980, one-week session $990. Ages 4 to 16.
92Y's Camp Yomi
The lineup at this 100-acre camp features cartooning, digital photography, swimming, ceramics, jewelry making and more. The sports program enlists the talents of instructors from city groups such as Super Soccer Stars, the Baseball Center NYC and BumbleBee Tennis. Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds, Pearl River, NY (212-415-5573, 92y.org). Camp runs June 29–Aug 17, Mon–Fri 8am–5:45pm. Eight-week session $5,800, six-week session $5,300, four-week session $3,800. Free round-trip bus transportation from the 92nd Street Y. Bus transportation from other Manhattan locations $125 for the summer. Ages 5 to 11.
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," when guest performers lead workshops in juggling, Rollerblading, Lego engineering, animal meet-and-greets, or double-Dutch jump rope. For many campers, the season's highlight is an event the camp calls Carnival, in which the campus becomes a full-blown theme park, complete with rides. 5250 Fieldston Rd between 250th and 253rd Sts, Bronx (718-432-4807, riverdale.edu). Single six-week session runs June 27–Aug 7; Mon–Thu 9am–4pm, Fri 9am–3:30pm. $3,700. Air-conditioned bus service available from parts of Manhattan (fee depends on address). Ages 5 to 11.
Spring Lake Day Camp
The 26-acre campground offers children five swimming pools, water slides, a lake for boating and fishing, a ropes course, climbing tours and a 500-foot zip line. Campers will also make use of facilities for soccer, tennis, volleyball and hockey as well as spaces for learning ceramics, woodworking and cooking. Kids entering grades 4 through 10 can opt into the travel program, which features trips to nearby amusement parks, Broadway shows and baseball games. 234 Conklintown Rd, Ringwood, NJ (973-831-9000, springlakedaycamp.com). Camp runs June 25–Aug 16, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. Eight-week session $6,395, seven-week session $6,195, six-week session $5,895, five-week session $5,095, four-week session $4,095. Door-to-door transportation is provided from NYC. Ages 4 to 15.
Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts
The venerable program has turned out a number of famous alums, including Mariah Carey and Natalie Portman, and offers more than 40 different courses of study spanning the performing and visual arts. Typically, campers spend part of the day focused on their primary interests and the rest of their time swimming and learning about another art form. 185 Colonial Springs Rd, Wheatley Heights, NY (212-772-6060, usdan.com). Camp runs June 25–Aug 10, Mon–Fri 9:30am–3:30pm. Seven-week session $3,325–$3,825 (depending on the program), four-week session $2,925. Air-conditioned bus service available from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx for an additional fee. Ages 6 to 18.
Woodmont Day Camp
Kids are divided into seven “villages” based on their age. Within each mini-community, campers sample an array of activities, ranging from mini golf and boating to ceramics and woodworking. Once a week children are treated to special events, such as magic shows, concerts, carnivals and the camp’s “Woodlympics.” Door-to-door, round-trip transportation is provided. 420 Phillips Hill Rd, New City, NY (845-638-0700, woodmontdaycamp.com). Camp runs June 25–Aug 16, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. $800–$1,100 per week, depending on the number of weeks, with a three-week minimum. Ages 3 to 15.
Yomi Seniors
NYC tweens can experience many of the same activities as younger Yomi campers, but in Yomi Seniors, they'll have greater choice over their day-to-day activities. Selecting from a list from Yomi's "major" and "minor" programs, campers can expect fun-filled day trips to water and amusement parks (including Hershey Park!), plus rafting and camping trips. Campers even spend their final week at camp on a five-day sleepaway trip to the Poconos. Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds, near Exit 6 of the Palisades Pkwy, Pearl River, NY (212-415-5573, 92y.org/camps). Camp runs June 28–Aug 17, Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Eight-week session $5,800, six-week session $5,300, four-week session $4,300. Free round-trip bus transportation from the 92nd Street Y. Bus transportation from other Manhattan locations $125 for the summer. For rising 5th- and 6th-graders.
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