Half Hollow Hills 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, Half Hollow Hills Patch has compiled this summer camp guide featuring a host of programs in town – and 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.  

Name: Art League of Long Island
Type of camp: art
Cost: Early Childhood Themes: $150 - $190 members, $170 - $210 non-members;  Young Artists: $315 - $390 members, $335 - $410 non-members; Teens: $815 members, $835 non-members; Teen Portfolio: $1,140 - $1,225 members, $1,160 -$1,245 non-members.
Where: Two locations: Elwood Middle School, 100 Kenneth Ave., Elwood; Second Location: Art League Center, 107 E. Deer Park Rd., Dix Hills.
When: Three Sessions:  July 8 - Aug. 8 (ages 5 - 12),  July 8 - Aug. 2 (ages 12 - 14), July 8 - Aug. 15 (ages 14 - 17).
Deadline for registration:  As space permits.
Details:  Art League of Long Island offers summer art instruction for children ages 5 - 17 through four programs:  Early Childhood Themes (ages 5 - 6) with projects to inspire at Elwood Middle School; Young Artists (ages 7 - 12) themed weeks to develop skills at Elwood Middle School; Teens (ages 12 - 14) taught by professional artists at Dix Hills and Teen Portfolio (ages 15 - 17) a serious and in-depth study of art at the Dix Hills center.
For more information call:  631-462-5400 ext. 222.

Name: Park Shore Country Day Camp
Type of camp: Variety/sports/arts/outdoors
Cost:  *Call for specifics, varies by program
Where: Park Shore Country Day Camp, 450 Deer Park Rd., Dix Hills.
When: June 28 - Aug. 23
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment, space is limited.
Details: Park Shore offers four-, six-, eight- or nine-week sessions for boys and girls ages 2 - 14. Park Shore offers a multitude of programs and activities on a 15-acre campus including sports, rock climbing, pedal carts,  performing arts, dance, nature trails, and special events. Travel camp programs are available for both senior campers, grades 5 and 6, as well as superteens, grades 7 and 8.
For more information call: 631-499-8580

Name: Crestwood Country Camp
Type of camp: sports/arts/outdoors/travel
Cost: Mini Day: $2795 - $4995; Nursery, Pre-School and K: $2,995 - $6,095; Grades 1- 6: $4,095 - $6,935; Teen Travel: $4,595 - $8,695
Where: Crestwood Country Day Camp, 313 Round Swamp Road, Melville.
When: June 27 - Aug. 22.
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment as space permits.
Details: Crestwood offers a large variety of indoor and outdoor activities on their 15-acre campus for kids ages 2 1/2 - 16. Sessions are flexible with three-, four-, six- and eight-week programs or a "any 30 days" option. There are mini-day/week options available for preschoolers as well as a one day a week parent/child program for 18 - 30 months. Teen travel programs are available for those entering grades 7 - 10. Apprenticeships offer teens in grades 10 - 12 a chance to have work experience at the camp.
For more information call:  631-692-6361.

Name: Driftwood Day Camp
Type of camp: sports/arts/travel
Cost: Grades Nursery - 5: $3,895 - $5,795; Pre-Teen Travel: $4,295 - $6,395; Teen Travel: $5,395 - $7,395; Junior Counselors: $2,100; Mini-Week: $3,695 - $4,895. Discounted rates expire March 31.  
Where: Driftwood Day Camp, 331 Mt. Misery Rd., Melville.
When: June 25 - Aug. 20.
Deadline for registration: open enrollment, as space permits.  
Details:Driftwood Day Camp encompass 11 wooded acres in Melville offering kids ages 3 - 15 a wide range of traditional and innovative activities. Driftwood offers mini- weeks for ages 3 - 8, four-, six- and eight-week programs for children entering nursery school - 5th grade, travel programs for grades 6 - 9 and a junior counselor program for ages 15 and up to gain working experience.
For more information call: 631-692-6990.

Name: Dix Hills Adventure Camp
Type of camp: outdoors/sports/crafts
Cost: $412 per session with Recreation ID/$541 without Recreation ID
Where: Dix Hills Park, 575 Vanderbuilt Pkwy, Dix Hills.
When:  Four sessions: June 24 - July 5, July 8 - 19, July 22 - Aug. 2, Aug. 5 - 16.
Deadline for registration: May 31
Details: The Town of Huntington offers a full-day camp program at Dix Hills Park for grades 1 - 8. The camp includes red cross swim instruction, recreational swim, ice-skating, arts and crafts, sports, group games and more. Ice skating instructional program and golf for grades 6 - 8 is available for an additional fee, as well as aftercare for working parents.
For more information call:  631-462-5883.

Name: Thomas School of Horsemanship
Type of camp: horseback riding/outdoors
Cost: $2,950 - $5,995; For ages 3 and 4: $2,025 - $5,135
Where: Thomas School of Horsemanship, 250 Round Swamp Rd., Melville.
When: July 1 - Aug. 16
Deadline for registration: as space permits.
Details: Thomas School of Horsemanship offers a day camp where children ages 3 - 15 can learn to ride and and care for a horse. In addition to horseback riding, the program offers swimming instruction and sports activities.
For more information call: 631-692-6840.

Name: USDAN Center for Creative and Performing Arts
Type of camp: performing arts/arts/music
Cost: $2,310 for three weeks - $3,925 for seven weeks, plus transportation and fees.
Where: USDAN, 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights.
When: June 24 - Aug. 9, depending on session.  
Deadline for registration:  April 30
Details: USDAN is a not-for-profit summer school of the arts for children entering kindergarten - 12th grade. Programs include art, chess, dance, music, theater, and writing. USDAN's 1,700 young musicians, dancers, artists, writers and actors establish lifelong friendships with those who share their passion for creative exploration.
For more information call: 631-643-7900.

Name: St. Luke Summer Program
Type of camp: educational/variety
Cost:  * Call for specific programs
Where:  St. Luke’s Preschool & Early Childhood Center, 20 Candlewood Path, Dix Hills.
When: July 8 - Aug. 2
Deadline for registration: First-come, first-serve with limited space.
Details: St. Luke’s offers a summer day camp program for children age 2 ½ through second grade. The two- or four-week program runs daily from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or an extended day ending at 2:30 p.m. The program includes songs, games, sports, water play, arts and crafts and more.

Name:  Little Scholars Day Care
Type of camp: sports/arts/educational
Cost: *2013 prices to be determined
Where: Little Scholars Day Care, 220 Washington Ave., Deer Park
When:  July 8 - Aug. 30
Deadline for registration:  Open enrollment, as space permits.
Details: Little Scholars offers a summer day camp program for children entering kindergarten (age 5) to sixth grade (roughly age 12). Each day consists of age-appropriate reading and math before children head outdoors to local park, pool, playground, bowling alley and more. There are also planned field trips to local amusement, but 2013 trips are still being finalized.
For more information call: 631-254-8011