For a traditional summer camp experience with all the bells and whistles check out these local camps that keep your kids busy with sports, swim and the arts all day long.
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 30th to August 21st, Air Conditioned Mini Buses Avail, Red Cross Instructional & Recreational Swim, Open Houses 3/2 and 3/22, Sibling discounts available, $4,295 for a 4 week session)
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. The program now also offers programming in a more traditional outdoor setting at the Alpine Scout Camp in Alpine New Jersey for campers in 3rd through 6th grade. (411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly; 201-567-8963; Ages 3 -11, 9am to 4pm with partial days available for little ones. Camp Runs June 23–Aug 15, Air Conditioned Busing Available, Red Cross Instructional & Recreational Swim, Starts at $620 per week for a 4-week program, $360 off Tuition Limited Time Offer)
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 Jersey Shore. (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 23rd to August 22nd and after camp through August 31st, Air Conditioned Mini Buses Avail, Red Cross Instructional & Recreational Swim, Open Houses 3/22 and 4/26, YKidz Day Camp starts at $275 per week and Camp Pamacka starts at $540 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 30th to August 22nd, Air Conditioned Buses Avail, Red Cross Instructional & Recreational Swim, Prices Available Upon Request)
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 30–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 16–Aug 27th, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, before and after care is available, Busing is available, full day Wee Program $355 per week, Open house: Saturday, March 22nd 10am to 1pm, 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 30–Aug 21, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Busing is available, Pricing Available Upon Request, Tours are currently being scheduled for March 1st and 15th)
Ramaquois is run like a sleep away camp 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 30–Aug 21st, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Busing is available, Tours by appointment on March 1st and March 9th, 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 30–Aug 22, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Tuition includes door-to-door transportation and lunch. Pricing available upon request for half day and full day sessions. Open Houses Run various Saturday and Sundays through Mid May)
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, 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 30–Aug 8th, 2 week additional farm program from August 11th –Aug 22nd, Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, after and before care is available, 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 goes beyond the bug juice and offers tons of bells-and-whistles fun; with pools and water parks for kids ages toddler through 8, special 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 the tot’s who attend. (212 Herbert Ave., Closter, 201 784-7600 ext 3; Ages 18mos to 8, Camp runs June 23rd to August 15th, Mon-Thurs 9:15 to 3:15pm, mini-day and partial weeks available, busing available for an additional fee, starts at $2880 for a full day 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 23rd to August 14th, Monday through Thurs. 9:30 to 3pm, 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)
