Looking for a summer camp your child can grow with? We love these traditional summer day camps- most with busing, swim instruction, extended care great for busy mamas and tons of options that will make your child a very happy camper this summer.
Deerkill Day Camp offers all the fun of an overnight camp experience, during the day. Campers age 3 - 14 get door-to-door transportation, 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. We love the parent perks too- families can use their weekend pool club at no additional cost! (54 Wilder Rd, Suffern, NY, (845) 354-1466, rates start at $2,050 for two weeks of their full day program)
Neil Klatskin Day Camp JCC Palisades: The much-loved, community program is no longer just for the smallest campers who frolic at the “water park” and play indoor and outdoor sports at the newly restored Tenafly Campus. This all-inclusive day camp offers age-appropriate programming including sports, swim, art, drama, music, fun theme days and much more.(411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly; 201-567-8963; Ages 3 -11, 9am to 4pm with partial days available for little ones. Camp Runs June 29th–Aug 21st, Air Conditioned Busing Available, Red Cross Instructional & Recreational Swim, Extended Hours and Special Needs options available, rates start at $4,625 for their 5 full day/8 week program with partial days available for younger campers)
YWCA Bergen County: With three locations to choose from, these camps are all about making great friends, making great memories and having lots of fun! Daily activities include American Red Cross swim lessons, music, drama, outdoor team sports and more. Plus you can take advantage of their TGA Premier Junior Golf and Tennis specialty programs that are offered at all three camps. With special events such as a Camp Carnival, Talent Show and Camp Olympics – your kid will never want summer to end. (Camp Ma-Kee-Ya, 600 Darlington Ave., Mahwah; Camp Orinda, 31 Depew St., Dumont; Camp Y-Oak-A, 96 E. Allendale Rd., Saddle River; 201-444-5600 x352; Ages 5-12, CIT programs available for boys and girls ages 13-16; camps run from June 22nd to August 21st, 8:30am – 5:00pm, pre and post-camp care are available; Camp Ma-Kee-Ya starts at $352 per week, Camp Orinda starts at $294 per week, and Camp Y-Oak-A starts at $305 per week)
Ridgewood YMCA: The community center’s popular summer camp program caters to your child’s stage by offering three different camps for local families. Younger campers get activities, swim instruction, and special theme days like “YKidz Olympics”. While at “Camp Pamacka”, kids ages 6-13 enjoy activities galore, weekly trips and specialty camps within for those with a particular interest, while teens enjoy day trips to area tri-state hot spots like baseball games and the NY Hall of Science. (112 Oak St., Ridgewood; 201-444-5600; Ages 3 -15, 9am to 2pm for younger ages, 9am to 5pm for older, after care available. Camp runs June 22nd to August 21st, Air Conditioned Mini Buses Avail, Red Cross Instructional & Recreational Swim, YKidz Day Camp starts at $280 per week and Camp Pamacka starts at $620 for the first session)
Deer Mountain Day Camp: Deer Mountain sits on 25 beautiful mountainside acres surrounding a spring-fed lake in Pomona, NY, where they offer 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 and rugby. 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, 9am to 4pm, Camp runs June 29th to August 21st and they offer 4-8 week options, Air Conditioned Buses Avail, Red Cross Instructional & Recreational Swim, Prices Available Upon Request)
Nature Place Day Camp: Gotta nature lover on your hands? Besides camp activities like swim (Nature Place’s “pond” has an actual sandy beach) 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, 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 to 16, Camp runs June 29th–Aug 7th, 2 week additional farm program from August 12th –Aug 23rd, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, after and before care is available, 4 weeks start at $3,400, Busing is available from specific Bergen locations at an additional cost,. Open Houses Run various Saturday and Sundays through June 1st)
Palisades Country Day Camp: This wonderland of camp will take even the tiniest of tots (campers as young as 18 months can attend) and goes beyond the bug juice and offers tons of bells-and-whistles fun; with pools and water parks for kids through 8, super-hero days, petting zoos, Candyland Day, and the Palisades carnival. Plan to be slightly envious when the thermometer touches 90 degrees and you’re sending your camper off with a hat, scarf and gloves for the camp’s famous Annual Snow Week, where five tons of snow is imported to the camp grounds for the sheer pleasure of frolicking. (212 Herbert Ave., Closter, 201 784-7600 ext 3; Ages 18mos to 8, Camp runs June 22nd to August 14th, Mon-Thurs 9:15 to 3:15pm, mini-day and partial weeks available, busing available for an additional fee, starts at $3,700 for a full day 4 week session)
Ramapo Country Day Camp runs like a well oiled machine- counselors and group leaders are engaged and check in with parents on a weekly basis or to let moms and dads know “your child just passed their deep water test”. Add in the gorgeous grounds (a turf field, manicured lawns, horse stables) and facilities and you’ve got a recipe for an incredible summer. (600 Saddle River Rd., Airmont, NY; 845-356-6440; Ages 3 to 15, Camp runs June 29th–Aug 21st, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Busing is available, Tours by appointment and Pricing Available Upon Request)
Camp Wydaca at the Wyckoff Y offers 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. Teen campers enjoy more choice time and trips, but all campers receive swimming, games and fun themes throughout the summer. (691 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff; 201-891-2081; Ages 3 to 15, Camp runs June 15–Aug 28th, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, 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. Special bus days keep kids engaged and happy on their ride. During the camp day at Woodmont, kids are divided into “villages” based on age and schedules consist of a combination of regular activities such as swimming and sports and campers’ chosen electives which they select based on their interests. New activity additions such as an animal farm and a water park plus special theme days and events keep it exciting all summer long. (420 Phillips Hill Rd., New City, NY; 845-638-0700; Ages 3 through 16, younger kids can do partial weeks or mini days, Camp runs June 29th–Aug 20th, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Busing is available, Pricing Available Upon Request, Tours are currently being scheduled for February 8th, 14th and 22nd)
Ramaquois is run like a sleep away camp (it’s even got a lake for boating and tubing!) with a wide breadth of activities offered to a wide span of age ranges. Campers wear uniforms and are divided into a Girls Camp, Boys Camp and Junior Camp for the preK to 1st grade children -towels are provided daily. Summer highlights include the “Rama Games” and special trips for campers grades 3 and up. (30 Mountain Rd., Pomona, NY; 845-354-1600; Ages 3 to 15, Camp runs June 29th–Aug 20th, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Busing is available, Limited Availability for first session, please go online to request info.)
Blue Rill Day Camp: Campers enjoy more than 20 acres and four heated pools, a pond used for fishing and boating, an adventure course, athletic fields, an archery range and a ceramics studio. In addition to the typical traditional camp activities, campers love Color War and the Summer Carnival. Campers entering 5th grade or above can opt for the overnight option. (444 Saddle River Rd., Airmont, NY; 845-352-3521, Ages 3 to 15, Camp runs June 29th–Aug 21st, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm or miniday 9am-2pm, Tuition includes door-to-door transportation and lunch. Pricing available upon request for half day and full day sessions. Open Houses Run various Saturdays in February)
Spring Lake Day Camp: Family-owned Spring Lake Day Camp boasts 30 acres of sporting, arts, fishing, swimming, and zip-line adventures, in nearby Ringwood NJ. Highlights include boating and fishing on the 5-acre spring-fed lake, daily swim instruction in their 40,000 sq ft. heated pool complex (with water slides!), age appropriate athletic fields, adventure ropes course, and a 500-foot zip line. (234 Conklintown Rd., Ringwood; 973-831-9000; Ages 3 -15, 9am to 4pm with mini day options available for younger kids, Camp runs June 29h to August 20th, Air Conditioned Mini Buses Avail, Red Cross Instructional & Recreational Swim, Open Houses February 16th-20th, Sibling discounts available, starting at $3,995 for a 4 week session)
Lindgren Summer Camp: Three and a half acre school grounds are transformed into an inviting multi-activity program where kids can choose their preferred activities daily. Tents, cabins and pavilions house the art, ceramics, woodworking, stitchery, games, 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 to 11, Camp runs June 22nd to August 14th, Monday through Thurs. 9:30 to 3pm with Fridays now available, 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)
