Three Village 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, Three Village Patch has compiled this summer camp guide featuring a host of programs in town – and many 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.

Three Village

Location: East Setauket
Name: Benner’s Farm
Type of camp:  outdoors/nature/farming
Cost: Kinder Kampers: $120 - $340, varies by hours and weeks; Explorers, Sr. Campers and Counselor in Training: $110 - 320 per week, varies on hours and weeks; Tot Camp: $40 - $200.
Where: Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket.
When: June 24 - Aug. 16, weekly sessions. Closed July 4 and 5.
Deadline for registration: First-come, first-serve.
Details:  Benner’s Farms offers children, entering toddlers to age 16, a change to experience life on a farm for a week by participating in farm, nature and arts and crafts activities. Children are divided into groups based on age: Kinder Kampers age kindergarten - 6, Explorers ages 7 - 11, Seniors 12 - 14, and Counselors in Training 14 - 16. Also call for more information on their special Tot Camp.
For more information call:  631-689-8172.

Location: Stony Brook
Name: Stony Brook Day Camp, The Academies and Video Game Academy
Type of camp: Sports/Outdoor/Academic
Cost:  $291 for three days at camp to $3,500 for the full 8-week program; The Academies $495 - $3,960; Video Game Academies $1,200 - $4,800.
Where: Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook
When:  weekly sessions from June 24 - Aug. 16
Deadline for registration:  June 3
Details:  Stony Brook University encourages children to explore their interests through 18 academies covering the topics of Chess & Sciences, Performing Arts Academies, Video Game Academy  and Game Builders that offer specific topics by age each week. New academies are being announced on March 8. Enrollment is limited to 20 children per class.
For more information call: 631-632-4550

Location: East Setauket
Name: Silver Stars Gymnastics Camp
Type of camp: Gymnastics & other activities
Cost: $135-$285 per week
Where: Silver Stars Gymnastics
When: Week-by-week sessions between July 8 and August 30
Deadline for registration: Ongoing registration. Sign up before May 1 to get a 50 percent discount on two weeks of camp plus a free t-shirt.
Details: Two sessions are available: mini-camp from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., or all-day camp from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (which includes lunch). Each day features 90 mins of gymnastics plus crafts, games, bounce house, water slide, outdoor games, and snacks. See more details on the Silver Stars website.
For more information call: 631-444-0800

Location: East Setauket
Name: Play Groups School Summer Camp
Type of camp:  outdoors/nature/sports/arts/swim
Cost: $470 for two mini-days/four week program, up to $2,065 for five days/eight week program; second child discount.  
Where: Play Groups School, 52 Old Post Road, East Setauket
When: Weekly sessions from June 24 to August 16
Deadline for registration: First-come, first-serve
Details:  Play Groups School invites campers from age 2-1/2 to 7 to explore nature in the only Outdoor Classroom in a private Long Island school, featuring nature art and building areas, working gardens, bike/trike riding track, 35-foot water sluice and performance area; swim in a comfy, kid-size pool with Red Cross certified swim program;  get creative with the camp's Artist-in-Residence and Music Educator; and play sports to develop fundamental skills and sportsmanship.  CIT program also available.
For more information call:  631-751-9843

Location:  East Setauket
Name: Laurel Hill School
Type of camp:  variety, sports/theater/dance/science
Cost:  $595 for 2 days per four weeks, up to $3640 for five-days/eight-week programs. Transportation and hot lunches are extra. Second child discount.
Where: Laurel Hill School, 201 Old Town Rd., East Setauket.
When:  July 1 - Aug. 23
Deadline for registration: Early bird rates expire April 1; June 7.
Details:  Laurel Hill School offers seven summer camp options varying subjects and by age: Sports Fever builds skills and introduces sports for grades 2 - 6;  Studio & Stage puts a spotlight on creative and artistic skills with art instructors for grades 2-6; learn something new every day at Discover Camp for grade kindergarten - 6; Club 456 trains athletes in UltraSports and Science Quest explores robots and DNA; Teenshop allows teens to take classes in their own interests for grades 6 - 9; plus a Counselor in Training and pre-school programs.
For more information call: 631-751-1154

Location: East Setauket
Name: Camp Gan Israel at Stony Brook
Type of camp: Twice weekly trips, sports, swimming, nature, arts, on-site shows and amusements etc. Divisions: MINI GAN, 2 y/o - Pre-K. JUNIOR, Grades K - 3. PIONEER (exclusive trips, overnights and more), Grades 4 - 6.
Cost: (Deduct 10% for pre 4/15 registrations) MINI GAN; Full Summer - $1800, One Session - $1000. JUNIOR; Full Summer - $2000, One Session - $1100. PIONEER; Full summer - $2350, One Session - $1275.
Where: Minnesauke Elementary School
When:  July 1 - August 8. Session (3 weeks) one: July 1 - July 19. Session (3 weeks) two: July 22 - August 8.
Deadline for registration: 10% off early bird discount discount expires 4/15.
Details:  Camp Gan Israel is part of the largest and fastest growing network of Jewish camps in the world. GGI enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a trendsetter for innovative ideas and creative programming. At Camp Gan Israel, campers participate in a wide range of exciting activities and field trips in a warm, upbeat environment. New this summer: Centrally located at Minnesauke Elementary School in East Setauket. The lovely campus boasts spacious bunk-rooms. See the CGI 2013 Brochure here: Side one, Side two, Registration form, Facebook Page.
For more information call: Office - 585-0521 x 101, Cell/Text - 463-2912. Request brochure to be mailed to home.

Location: Stony Brook
Name: The Stony Brook School
Type of camp: sports/science/outdoor education/academics
Cost:  Starting at $250 - $3,150 for residential programs. Costs varies greatly based on each individual course, topic and length.
Where:  The Stony Brook School, 1 Chapman Pkwy, Stony Brook.
When:  Three sessions: July 1 - 12, July 15 - 26, July 29 - Aug. 9. Residential program: July 30 - July 13, July 14 - July 27.  Dates vary for academic courses.
Deadline for registration:  First-come, first-serve with limited enrollment.
Details:  The Stony Brook School offers 26 programs focusing on sports, sciences and education for children in grades 1 -12.  Athletes can learn to play golf, soccer or how to sail. Explore the outdoors with Nature Quest or learn to solve problems  with the Future Engineers of America. Academic programs focus on Elementary Tutorial through SAT Prep.
For more information call: 631-751-1800 ext. 595

Location:  East Setauket
Name: Camp Setauket
Type of camp: variety/sports/theater/tennis
Cost:  General and Sports Camp: $410 - $2,700, or $82 per day. Theatre Arts Camp: $780 for each two-week session. Counselor in Training: $295 - $640.  Sibling Discount  of 5 percent.
Where:  World Gym Setauket, 384 Mark Tree Rd., East Setauket.
When:  June 24 - Aug. 23.
Deadline for registration:  Early Registration Prices through March 31, no deadline for registration.
Details:  World Gym Setauket has four summer camp programs for children: General Camp (ages 3 - 12) involves a variety of activities including sports, arts and crafts, hands-on science, swimming and games; Sports Camp (ages 7-12) teaches the fundamentals of popular sports and fosters a competitive atmosphere; Theatre Arts Camp (ages 7-12) encourages children to develop their talents on stage; and Split Camp (ages 4-12) focuses on tennis in the morning before joining with the Sports or General Camp.
For more information call: 631-751-6100

Location: Setauket
Name: Imagination Pre-School
Type of camp:  variety/sports/crafts
Cost: $30 per day, totally $150 - $900 depending on number of weeks. $25 registration fee.
Where: Imagination Pre-School, 380 Nicolls Road, Setauket.  
When: July 8 - Aug 16
Deadline for registration: June 1
Details: Let your child’s imagination play at a Pre-School Summer Program (ages 3 - 5) focusing on arts and crafts, computers, outdoor activities and more or Girl Summer Program (ages 5 - 8) that features beading, arts and crafts, board games, dancing, outdoor activities and cooking.
For more information call: 631-246-5269

Location: Stony Brook
Name: Destination Science
Type of camp: science/educational
Cost: $364 - $1,456, with March early bird discount and sibling discount available
Where:  Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Rd, Stony Brook
When:  Astronaut Adventure Camp: July 8 - 12, Aug 5 - 9;  Crazy Coaster Science and Sea-fari Park: July 29 - Aug. 2; The Ultimate Survival Zone:  July 22 - 26, Aug. 19 - 23; Wacky Mega-Bot Tech: July 15 - 19, Aug. 12-16.
Deadline for registration: as space permits.
Details:  This educational science camp for children entering kindergarten - sixth grade to have fun by exploring different science themes each week: Astronaut Adventure (Grades K - 6) calls all future astronauts to learn about outdoor space, Crazy Coaster Science and Sea-Fari Park build your own crazy roller coaster and explore under the sea; The Ultimate Survival Zone (Grades K - 6) teaches about outdoor survival by studying chameleons and surviving a volcano, Wacky Mega-Bot Tech (Grades K - 6) is all about robots and exploring alternative energy.
For more information call: 1-888-909-2822.

Location: Setauket
Name: Birds of a Feather Nature Camp
Type of Camp: outdoor exploration
Cost: $255 plus $40 registration fee
Where: Setauket Neighborhood House
When: June 24-27; July 15-18; July 22-25; July 29-Aug. 1; Aug. 5-8; Aug. 12-15; Aug. 19-22
Deadline for Registration: May 1
Details: Camp is appropriate for kids in Kindergarten through sixth grade. Weeks run from Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Campers meet at the Setauket Neighborhood House and from there travel to different outdoor nature attractions, such as parks and preserves. Campers learn how to spot native species and keep journals; camp also includes snack time and activities such as crafts, music and storytelling.
For more information call: 631-751-6633

Port Jefferson

Location: Port Jefferson
Name: Maritime Explorium
Type of camp: science/engineering
Cost: $225 per week, $200 per week for each additional children or members
Where: Maritime Explorium, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson.
When: Four sessions: July 15 - 19, July 29 - Aug. 2, Aug. 12 - 16, Aug. 26 - 30.
Deadline for registration:  Open enrollment
Details:  Maritime Explorium will hold four week-long programs for children to explore science around them in the world: “Science in a Shopping Cart”  for ages 3 - 6, “A Big Week of Small Science for ages 9 - 12, “Discover the Long Island Sound” for ages 6 - 9 and “The Science of Matter and Engineerings” for ages 3 - 9.
For more information call: 631-331-3277

Smithtown

Location: Smithtown
Name: Gold Medal Gymnastics
Type of camp: gymnastics/sports
Cost: Pricing starts at $165 for three-days a week, $259 for five-days a week.
Where: Gold Medal, 253 West Main Street, Smithtown, NY
When: PreGym Camp: June 19 to Aug. 24, Gym Camp: June 25 to Aug. 24.
Deadline for registration: Open enrollment as space permits.
Details: Gold Medal gymnastics offers two programs at its Smithtown location. PreGym Camp (ages  3 to 6) is three days a week, Tuesday to Thursday, offers 90 minutes of gymnastics time, indoor activities, arts and crafts. Gym Camp (ages 6 to 12) is offered 3 or 5 days a week schedules featuring 90 minutes of gymnastics time and a dance class.
For more information call: 631-366-4653 (GOLD)

Location: Smithtown
Name: Sweetbriar Nature Center
Type of camp: outdoors/nature/educational
Cost: Natural Wonders Pre-School costs $130 for members, $160 for non members. Discovery Weeks cost $245 per week for members, $285 per week for members, except “Adventure on the Wildside” at $250 for members, $290 for non-members. Explorers Club/Explorers Club Alumni: $360 and $400.
Where: Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown
When: Natural Wonders Pre-School:  July 8 - 12, July 22 - 26, Aug. 12 - 16, Aug 26 - Sept. 3;  Discovery weeks are July 1 - Aug. 30, weekly sign up; Explorers Club: July 15 - 19, Aug.  5 - 9; Explorers’ Alumni: July 8 - 12, Aug.  19 - 23.
Deadline for registration: Open Enrollment, space is limited.
Details: Sweetbriar offers a Natural Wonders Pre-School (ages 3-5) where children an educator will help kids explore nature through hands-on crafts, activities and games. Discovery Weeks for children ages 5 to 11. Each week, the camp takes on a different themes from “Earth Investigators” to  “Adventures on the Wildside.” Children learn about nature through hands-on activities, stories, games and encounters with resident animals. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Teens can join the Explorers Club (ages 11 to 14),  Explorer’s Alumni (ages  13 - 16) to learn about wildlife outside the boundaries of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
For more information call: 631-979-6344

Location: Smithtown
Name: Best Learning Center
Type of camp: variety/preschool
Cost: $85 per day for infants and toddlers under 20 months. Half-Day programs start at $240, Mini Days at $330 and Full Day programs at $430. Discount for multiple children.
Where: Best Learning Center, 525 Veterans Highway, Smithtown
When: Three sessions July 8  -July 19, July 22 - Aug. 2, Aug. 5 - Aug. 16
Deadline for registration: Tuition due in full by May 15, with late registrations paid in full.
Details:  Best Learning Center offers a summer day-camp program with the theme “Under the Sea” in 2013 for children divided into two groups:  6 months - 20 months, ages 2- 12. Day camp activities include outdoor and indoor sports, arts and crafts, dance, computers, learning activities, games and field trips.
For more information call: 631-864-4064

Location: Smithtown
Name: Ivy League School and Day Camp
Type of camp: variety/sports/arts
Cost: Mini Day starts at $960, Full Day and Voyagers starts at $4,090 for four weeks, Super Seniors starts at $4,440 for four weeks and Teen Travel starts at $5,400 for four weeks.
Where:  Ivy League School and Summer Camp, 211 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown.
When: June 24 - Aug. 16
Deadline for registration: Must be registered by April 1.
Details: Ivy League offers mini-day and full-day  summer day camp programs for children entering kindergarten to 10th grade.  Young children’s programs will focus on outdoor sports, swimming instruction, arts and crafts, learning and games. Teen travel offers a combination of day and overnight trips.
For more information call: 631-265-4177

Suffolk County Boy/Girl Scout Camps (alphabetical by town)

Location: Bayport
Name: Camp Edey
Type of camp: outdoors/nature/variety
Cost: $210 - $260 per week; transportation: $30 per week.
Where: Camp Edey, 1500 Lakeview Ave., Bayport
When: June 24 - Aug. 23
Deadline for registration: Open Enrollment
Details: Girl Scouts of Suffolk County runs Camp Edey for girls entering grades 1- 9 on a 95-acre preserve. Camp activities include swimming, sports, crafts, talent shows and weekly themed activities.
For more information call: 631-453-6622

Location: Calverton
Name: Baiting Hollow Scout Camp
Type of camp: outdoor/sports/crafts
Cost: Cub Scout Day Camp: $260, $285 after June 1; Cub Scout Resident Camp: $305,  $330 after May 1; Boy Scout Day Camp: $260, $285 after May 1
Where: Baiting Hollow Scout Camp, 1774 Sound Ave, Calverton
When: June 24 - Aug. 23
Deadline for registration:  Open Enrollment, as space permits.
Details:  The Boy Scouts of Suffolk County host day and resident camp programs for boys, featuring a freshwater lake and beachfront on Long Island Sound. Activities include swimming, earning merit badges, rowing, crafts and more. Specialty programs are also include Counselors in Training, Sailing Camp, Bridge Camp and Trail to Eagle for those preparing to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
For more information call: 631-727-1614

Location: Yaphank
Name: Camp Sobaco
Type of camp: outdoors/sports/crafts
Cost: $210 - $260 per week; transportation: $30 per week
Where: Camp Sobaco, German Blvd., Yaphank
When: June 24 - Aug. 23
Deadline for registration:  Open Enrollment
Details: Girl Scouts of Suffolk County runs Camp Edey for girls entering grades 1-5 on 42-acres of Pine Barrens along the Carmans River. Camp activities include swimming, sports and fitness, challenge courses, arts and crafts, nature hikes and more.
For more information call:  631-924-6433