Camp Series: Local Sport, Recreational and Educational in Dix Hills

Parents do not have to search far from the Dix Hills area to find some unique and quality camps for their children. Whether your child is seeking to enhance their artistic or musical abilities or try a new sport, these camps offer a range of experiences.

Colts Softball Camp, HHH High School West, 375 Wolf Hill Road, Dix Hills

Description: Camp runs July 11-15 and July 18-22 from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. at .

For Ages: Girls in first through eighth grade as of 9/1/11

Cost: One week is $125; two weeks is $225

Registration Information: Ongoing; contact Rob Rizzo, Hills West varsity softball coach, (631) 592-3253, Email: hswsoftball@yahoo.com

What Makes Camp Unique: The camp is operated by Rob Rizzo, Hills West varsity softball coach, who won the Yastrzemski Award in 1997 as the best HS baseball player in Suffolk County. Rizzo has also played professionally in Italy. The goal of the camp is to develop proper pitching techniques to increase speed and accuracy. Campers will also develop the main components of a short, compact swing and learn to perform a quick, smooth catch and accurate throw. 

Murphy’s Music Summer Camp, 447 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747, (631) 549-4510 ‎

Description: Campers with experience in any musical instrument are invited to attend for small-group instruction. Four-week camp runs from July 11 to August 5 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

For Ages: Nine and older and must have at least one year experience with their instrument

Cost: Four week camp is $1,200

Registration Information: Ongoing

What Makes Camp Unique: This is the first year for this summer music camp at this established music store. Instructors will be taking classic Beatles music and showing campers how to turn the songs into jazz, blues, or other genre.

Friar Sports Camp at St. Anthony’s

Description: A variety of different sports for boys and girls from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. depending on the sport; sports include girl’s volleyball, cheerleading, softball; boys football, wrestling, and baseball; boys/girls lacrosse, basketball, soccer; V.A.S.T. athletic training, and co-ed track and field

For Ages: Grade four through 12

Cost: Weekly rate is $275 per camper; two camps $500 per camper; three camps $700 per camper; four camps $800 per camper

Registration Information: Ongoing; Paul Washington, director, St. Anthony’s High School, 275 Wolf Hill Road, South Huntington, NY 11747 (631) 271-2020

What Makes Camp Unique: Facilities include two indoor basketball courts; indoor and outdoor soccer; football, lacrosse, and baseball fields; two Mondo tracks; air conditioned student center; full time registered nurse and certified trainers from East Northport Physical Therapy; coach/player ratio is approximately one to eight.

Prospect Storm Boys Baseball Camp, Farmingdale State College campus

Description: Camp runs each week from July 5 to August 26

For Ages:  Five to 15

Cost: $375 per week with discounts for extra weeks; $275 for the four-day Fourth of July week

Registration Information: Ongoing; Prospect Sports, 171D Milbar Blvd, Farmingdale, NY 11735 (631) 777-2077

What Makes Camp Unique: Camp is held at the new SUNY Farmingdale baseball complex, featuring a brand new turf stadium and multiple practice fields. Facilities also include two indoor locations (in case of rain), an indoor swimming pool, on-site restrooms, and a cafeteria featuring a gourmet lunch option. The camp’s low instructor/child ratio allows each camper to gain valuable knowledge from our professional staff. Each camper will receive a free t-shirt and the end of each week. A Friday Night Lights game is held at the closing ceremony of camp.

Suffolk Y JCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack, NY 11725, (631) 462-9800

Description: Camp starts June 27 and runs through August 19; Camp Create is designed to stretch creative muscles by providing campers with a four week adventure in visual arts. Each week, whatever the skill level, novice through advanced, campers will experience innovative workshops that focus on drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Campers in grades one through four can participate in exciting programs including outdoor tennis and basketball activities on the newly-constructed Harvey H. and Roslyn Gordon Family and Sports Center. Junior campers in kindergarten through fifth grade participate in programs on the 450-acre Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds; activities include pioneering, archery, music, Jewish Culture, dance and two swims daily in the aquatics complex. Junior camp features trips, cookouts, entertainers, special events and newly-constructed basketball, tennis and playing fields.

For Ages: Three up to teens entering grade 10

Cost: Camp ranges from $462 to $6,141. A nonmember surcharge of $260 per family is required.

A sibling discount is available of $100 off for second, third sibling for eight weeks; $50 for four or six weeks. A Kosher lunch option is available for $20 per week (five days) or $12 per week (three days).

Registration Information: Ongoing, www.suffolkycamps.org

What Makes Camp Unique: The unique "Pick-your-weeks" program allows you to custom-design your summer. Parents only need to sign up for the weeks they need. Camp Kehilla provides a summer of fun, friends, learning and new experiences for the camper with special needs. Located on the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds, Camp Kehilla features a daily swim, sports, day trips, music, drama, arts and crafts and more. Small groups and small camper-to-counselor ratios provide personalized attention so campers can maintain the skills gained during the previous school year, while improving skills in recreation/socialization, sports and most importantly, self-esteem.

Art League Summer Art Adventure, Art League Center, 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills, NY (631) 462-5400 Ext. 222

Description: Programs are designed for early childhood, young artist, teen, teen portfolio; weekly sessions start July 5 through August 12; programs include Art Around the World, Surfs Up, Amazing Animals, and Carnival Creations; teen themes include jewelry making, drawing, painting, and ceramics.

For Ages: Five to 17

Cost: Weekly rates start at $150 up to $1,245 depending on program

Registration Information: Ongoing

What Makes Camp Unique: Now in its 16th year, the Summer Art Adventure is led by a dedicated faculty of professionals and practicing artists that provide outstanding instruction within a material rich studio environment. Weekly themes are carefully designed. Projects are geared to expand students’ artistic horizons by improving knowledge and skills. The atmosphere is inspiring and fun. A salon-style art exhibit for family and friends is held at the end of each week. This summer, there will be programs for Early Childhood and Young Artists held off-site at Elwood Middle School, 100 Kenneth Avenue, Elwood, NY (most rooms have A/C). Two Teen sessions and two Teen Portfolio sessions will be held at the Art League Center in a fully air conditioned facility.

Park Shore Country Day Camp, 450 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills, Long Island New York 11746, (631) 499-8580, info@parkshoredaycamp.com

Description: The eight-week camp runs from June 27 to August 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be attended for four, six, or eight week sessions. This year a new cabaret performing arts track will be introduced where campers will spend two to three hours a day learning the skills they need to become a well- rounded, confident performer and collaborating on a cabaret that includes acting, singing and dance. This program is for campers who have completed 2nd through 4th grade as of June. In addition, a new 100-foot long Boot Camp Obstacle Course and two multi-purpose blow-up Pavilions in the Round have been added.

For Ages: Two to 14

Cost: Call for pricing

Registration Information: Ongoing

What Makes Camp Unique: Family owned and operated since 1959, three generations of the Budah family have dedicated themselves to providing an amazing camp experience for all Park Shore campers and staff. The camp’s reputation is built on its dedication to having a specialized staff of professionals who will give campers a program filled with enhanced skill development, innovative programs, modern facilities and individual attention.

Colts Soccer Club/Be Positive Summer Soccer Training Week, Half Hollow Hills High School West, 375 Wolf Hill Road, Dix Hills

Description: This camp, in its sixth year, is designed to teach each player how to fully reach their potential as a soccer player. The instructors have designed learning exercises and functional training games to each individual techniques, skills and tactics through creative and motivating sessions. Instructors will be introducing a revamped daily schedule to include certain soccer specific days working on concepts such as team and individual defending and finishing.  All of this will be achieved in an environment of positive reinforcement and communication designed to enrich each individual's soccer experience.  Each player will develop a better appreciation of how to run, play and think as a total soccer player. Instructors have developed an outstanding curriculum and hired and trained the best staff possible to clearly present it.

For Ages:  High school girls (grades 8-12)  August 15-19th  8:30am-noon; high school boys (grades 8-12) August 15-19th 4:30-8 p.m.; boys and girls entering grades three through seventh August 22nd-26th  4 -7:30 p.m.; boys and girls entering grades kindergarten through second grade August 22-26, 8:30-11 a.m.

Cost: $140 per camper per week; K-2 camp is $125 per child per week; $20 onsite registration

Registration information: Ongoing, can be made at www.bepositivesoccer.com.

What makes camp unique: This soccer training camp is geared to all players of all abilities.  The camp is designed solely for working on ball skills and getting players and teams ready for their respective seasons.  The camp is open to anyone and is encouraged for everyone. There will be specialized positional training for all positions, soccer specific strength, speed and conditioning training.  This training week is to expand physical and mental soccer abilities while delivering success.  Each camper will have a clear picture of their skills, their purpose, and their commitment to soccer and what it takes to succeed at the high school level and beyond.