Looking for a fun, summer camp experience that your child can grow with? We love these traditional summer day camps which offer a huge range of activities (zip lining anyone?), swim instruction, door-to-door transportation, plus tons of other options that will make your child one very happy camper.
Deerkill Day Camp: Get a sleep-away style camp experience without the overnight part. Perfect for kids ages 3 – 15, this all-inclusive camp staffed with nurturing and professional counselors, offers door-to-door transportation on mini air-conditioned buses, professional swim instruction in heated pools, towel service, adventure course challenges on their new climbing tower and zipline, creative and performing arts, and specialties such as karate and nature. Plus there is a no tips policy and camper families can use their weekend pool club at no additional cost! (54 Wilder Rd, Suffern, NY; (845) 354-1466; ages 3 – 15; camp runs June 27th – August 19th; 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7- week sessions offered; rates start at $6,025 for a full day/8-week session)
Neil Klatskin Day Camp at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades: Sitting on a 21+ acre campus, this all-inclusive camp offers children, ages 3 – 7, a summer of adventure and non-stop fun. Featuring 3 pools for Red Cross instructional and recreational swim, a big sprinkler park, sports facilities, a low ropes course with zip line, plus dynamic age-appropriate programming including Tae Kwon Do, yoga, art, drama, music and much more, to give your camper an incredible summer to remember. Plus NKDC provides lunch, towel service, camp swag – making it easy on parents too! Children ages 3 and 4 are based in air-conditioned classrooms with head counselors who are certified teachers. The JCC also have several special needs offerings available to the community. (411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly; (201) 567-8963; ages 3 – 7 (specialty camp programs available for kids ages 8 – 17); camp runs June 27th – August 19th; 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7- week sessions offered; air conditioned busing available, Red Cross instructional & recreational swim, extended hours and special needs options available, rates start at $4,950 for a full day/8-week session)
YWCA Bergen County: With two locations to choose from, these camps offer exciting and rewarding summer camp experiences for girls and boys ages 5 – 16. Run by professionally trained and dedicated staff, campers will enjoy making great friends and having fun while participating in daily activities including American Red Cross swim lessons, music, drama, arts and crafts, sports, and nature plus you can take advantage of their TGA Premier Junior Golf and Tennis specialty programs. With exciting theme weeks and special events such as a camp carnival, talent show and Olympics – your child will never want the summer to end. A variety of day camp options are available and affordable 1-week sessions make scheduling easy for parents. Come for a week or the whole summer! (Camp Ma-Kee-Ya, 600 Darlington Ave., Mahwah and Camp Orinda, 31 Depew St., Dumont; (201) 444-5600 ext. 352; ages 5 – 12, CIT programs available for boys and girls ages 13 – 16; camps run June 27th – August 26th, 8:30am – 5:00pm, pre and post-camp care are available; Camp Ma-Kee-Ya starts at $360 per week, Camp Orinda starts at $300 per week; take a tour of the camp at their open house held at Camp Ma-Kee-Ya on March 12th from 12:00pm – 3:00pm)
Nature Place Day Camp: Have a nature lover on your hands? This non-competitive, nature-oriented day camp staffed by well-trained and caring counselors supports children, ages 4 – 16, in being themselves with their friends in the great outdoors. In addition to fun camp activities such as swim (Nature Place’s “pond” has an actual sandy beach), music, drama, archery and games, campers get to take advantage of the 200-acre property by exploring the camp’s garden, nurturing the resident chickens, hanging out in teepees, nature exploration, cooking with fresh, locally grown ingredients plus hiking, canoeing, and learning how to camp as well. (285 Hungry Hollow Rd., Chestnut Ridge, NY; (845) 356-6477; ages 4 – 16; camp runs June 27th – August 5th, an additional 2-week farm and garden program runs August 8th – August 19th for kids ages 6 – 12, 9:00am – 4:00pm, before and after care is available, 4-, 5- and 6-week sessions offered, 4-week session starts at $3,400; busing is available from specific Bergen locations at an additional cost)
Ridgewood YMCA: The community center’s popular summer camp program caters to your child’s stage by offering three different camps for local families. No two weeks at this summer camp are the same. Offering different themes filled with new activities and new experiences, Y’s Kidz, ages 3 – 6, is specially designed to provide a nurturing environment filled with fun activities including swim, sports and games, art, music and more. While kids at Camp Pamacka, ages 6 – 13, will enjoy swim lessons, sports, weekly special trips and theme parties plus specialty options giving campers the opportunity to spend more time doing the activity they love such as dance, legos, soccer, basketball, art and more. Have a pre-teen or teen, ages 11-15? They can enjoy day trips to hot spots such as water parks, ball games, NYC attractions and the Jersey shore. (112 Oak St., Ridgewood; (201) 444-5600; ages 3 -15, camp runs June 20th – August 19th; 9:00am – 2:00pm for younger ages, 9:00am – 5:00pm for older ages, before and after care also available; air-conditioned mini buses are available, Red Cross instructional & recreational swim, YKidz Day Camp starts at $290 per week and Camp Pamacka starts at $620 per 2-week session; take a tour of the camp at any of their open house events held on February 20th at 4:00pm or March 26th at 4:30pm)
Deer Mountain Day Camp: Sitting on 25 beautiful mountainside acres surrounding a spring-fed lake, kids ages 3 – 15 will enjoy boating, fishing and a new aqua track for sliding and safe water play. The camp offers the typical popular sports along with specialty activities like yoga, golf, fencing and martial arts. The camp also boasts an extensive outdoor adventure program which leverages their natural setting. (63 Call Rd., Pomona, NY; (845) 354-2727; ages 3 -15; camp runs June 27th to August 19th; 9:00am – 4:00pm; 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-week sessions offered, air conditioned buses available, Red Cross instructional & recreational swim, prices available upon request)
Palisades Country Day Camp: This wonderland of camp exists exclusively for young children, ages 18 months – 9, with the aim to nurture and develop each child’s potential creating a relaxed environment for all campers to feel comfortable while having a blast. Offering tons of bells-and-whistles fun, kids will enjoy swimming in the pools and splashing in the water parks, plus petting zoos, Candyland Day, Snow day and the Palisades carnival. Older kids also have the opportunity to pick exciting electives such as photography, theater, cheerleading, legos, dance, and much more. (212 Herbert Ave., Closter, (201) 784-7600 ext 3; Ages 18 months – 9 years, camp runs June 27th – August 19th, 9:00am – 3:00pm, mini-day and partial weeks and before and after care also available, 4-, 6-, and 8-week sessions offered, busing available for an additional fee, full day/4-week session starts at $3,700)
Ramapo Country Day Camp: Daily summer adventure awaits at this camp which runs like a well-oiled machine. Kids ages 3 – 15 will be surrounded by the gorgeous grounds (think turf fields, manicured lawns, horse stables) while enjoying the endless activities offered such as Red Cross instructional and recreational swim, tons of sports that are played on authentic playing fields customized for each age group, creative and performing arts, outdoor adventure, horseback riding and so much more. Kids will love the nurturing and engaging professional counselors while parents will love the weekly check-in calls by the group leaders to hear how your child is enjoying camp. Throw in the crazy fun theme weeks and carnival day and you’ve got a recipe for an incredible summer. (600 Saddle River Rd., Airmont, NY; (845) 356-6440; Ages 3 – 15; camp runs June 27th – August 19th, 9:00am – 4:00pm, 4-, 6-, 7-, and 8-week sessions offered, busing is available, tours by appointment and pricing available upon request)
Camp Wydaca at the Wyckoff Y: Offering great camp options which cater to your child’s age and stage of development, 3 and 4 year olds can enjoy mini day or full day options led by certified teachers at the Wee Camp Wydaca who then move on to the more traditional camp for K – 5th grades. Campers will enjoy all activities including instruction and recreational swim, sports and games, art, special event days, fun Fridays and more! Teen campers will enjoy more choice time and trips. (691 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff; 201-891-2081; Ages 3 to 15, Camp runs June 20th – August 26th, 9:00am – 4:00pm, before and after care is available, busing is available, full day Wee Program $365 per week, early bird offer and sibling discounts available)
Woodmont Day Camp: From the moment the campers step on the bus, the fun starts with special bus activities to keep kids, ages 3 – 15, entertained and happy on their ride to and from camp. Kids are divided into “villages” based on age and schedules consist of a combination of regular activities such as swimming in 5 heated pools, splash park, boating and fishing in the lake, sports galore, go karts, outdoor adventure, creative and performing arts, mini golf and more plus campers’ choose their own electives based on their interests. Plus special theme days and events keep it exciting all summer long. (420 Phillips Hill Rd., New City, NY; (845) 638-0700; ages 3 – 15, younger kids can do partial weeks or mini days, Camp runs June 27th – August 18th; 9:00am – 4:00pm, busing is available, pricing available upon request, Tours are currently being scheduled for February 13th and 20th)
Camp Ramaquois: This all-inclusive day camp runs like a sleep-away camp with a spring-fed 5 acre lake for bumper boats, boating, water trampolines, water bikes and tubing and a wide selection of activities including swim in 9 heated pools, sports, gymnastics, creative and performing arts, zip line, nature science center, spray park and so much more, all offered to kids ages 3 – 15. Campers wear uniforms and towel service is provided. Kids are divided into a Girls Camp, Boys Camp and Junior Camp for the pre-K to 1st grade children. Summer highlights include the “Rama Games” and special trips for campers in grades 3 and up. (30 Mountain Rd., Pomona, NY; (845) 354-1600; ages 3 – 15, camp runs June 27th – August 18th, 9:00am – 4:00pm; 4-, 6-, 7-, and 8-week sessions offered; busing is available, limited availability for first session, pricing available upon request)
Blue Rill Day Camp: Set on more than 20 acres, campers ages 3 – 15 will enjoy the perfect mix of swimming in 4 heated pools, a wide range of sports, creative and performing arts, and outdoor adventure including a rock wall, boating, fishing, archery and more. In addition to the typical traditional camp activities, campers will love participating in the fun special events such as color war and the summer carnival. Plus, campers entering 5th grade or older can opt for the overnight option. (444 Saddle River Rd., Airmont, NY; (845) 352-3521, ages 3 – 15, camp runs June 27th – August 19th, 9:00am – 4:00pm or mini-day 9:00am – 2:00pm; 2 through 8-week sessions offered; door-to-door transportation and lunch included; rates start at $2,775 for a full day/2-week session)
Spring Lake Day Camp: Boasting a beautiful 30 acres campus surrounded by the majestic Ramapo Mountains, campers age 4 – 15 will enjoy boating and fishing on the 5-acre spring-fed lake, instructional and recreational swim in their 40,000 sq. ft. heated pool complex (with water slides!), sports on age-appropriate athletic fields, horseback riding, go-karts, zip-line and ropes course adventures, visual and performing arts, nature center, petting zoo, fishing and lots more. (234 Conklintown Rd., Ringwood; (973) 831-9000; ages 3 -15, 9:00am – 4:00pm with mini day options available for younger kids; camp runs June 27th – August 18th; 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-week sessions offered; air conditioned mini buses available, sibling discounts available, rates start at $3,995 for a full day/4-week session)
Lindgren Summer Camp: The three-and-a-half-acre school grounds are transformed into a nurturing and inviting multi-activity program where kids can choose their preferred activities daily. Tents, cabins and pavilions house the art, ceramics, woodworking, stitchery, organic gardening, a water spray park and nature centers and a pool hosts swim lessons and open swim for campers. Many supervisors are veteran teachers and the camper to counselor ratio is low. (211 Irving Ave., Closter; (201) 768-3550; ages 3 – 11; camp runs June 27th – August 19th; 9:30am – 3:00pm, before and after care is available, busing is available for additional fee, 2-week session minimum, starts at $250 per week, early bird and multiple session discounts available)
