Port Jefferson 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, Miller Place-Rocky Point 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.

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

Location: Port Jefferson
Name: Destination Science
Type of camp: science/educational
Cost: $364 - $1,456, with March early bird discount and sibling discount available
Where:  Our Lady of Wisdom School, 114-116 Myrtle Ave., Port Jefferson.
When:  Astronaut Adventure Camp: July 29 - Aug. 2; The Ultimate Survival Zone: Aug. 5 - 9; Wacky Mega-Bot Tech: Aug. 12 - 16
Deadline for registration: As space permits.
Details:  This educational science camp make science fun by exploring different themes each week: Astronaut Adventure (Grades K - 6) calls all future astronauts to learn about outdoor space; 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.

Miller Place-Rocky Point

Location: Miller Place
Name:  Kids of Miller Place
Type of camp:  Variety/outdoor activities
Cost: Price starts at $230 - $1,670 for a full-time, fives days a week for full eight-week session.
Where: Kids of Miller Place, 43 Echo Ave., Miller Place.
When:  June 24 - Aug. 16, Closed July 4.
Deadline for registration: Open Enrollment until classes fill
Details:  Children ages 3-5 can enjoy a Mini-Day (9 a.m. - noon) or Full Day (9 a.m. - 3 p.m. of activities featuring outdoor water fun, sprinkler park with water slides, an outdoor playground and sports. There are 2-day, 3-day and 5-day programs available.
For more information call: 631-403-4790

Location: North Shore
Name: North Shore Youth Council
Type of camp:  outdoor/sports/recreation
Cost:  *To be Determined
Where: Three locations: Andrew Muller Primary School, 65 Lower Rocky Point Road, Sound Beach. Second Location: Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School, 525 New York Route 25A, Rocky Point. Third location: Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mount Sinai.
When: July 1 - Aug. 2.
Deadline for registration: * To be Determined.
Details:  For more than 25 years, North Shore Youth Council offers a five-week recreational program for children entering kindergarten - seventh grade. Activities include arts and crafts, board games, outdoor sports and games, and a variety of special workshops.
For more information call: 631-744-0207

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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

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: Destination Science
Type of camp: science/educational
Cost: $364 - $1,456, with March early bird discount and sibling discount available
Where:  First Presbyterian Church, 175 E. Main St., Smithtown
When:  Astronaut Adventure Camp: July 15 - 19; Crazy Coaster Science and Sea-fari Park: July 29 - Aug. 2; The Ultimate Survival Zone: July 8 - 12; Wacky Mega-Bot Tech: July 22 - 26.
Deadline for registration: as space permits.
Details:  This educational science camp make science fun by exploring different 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: 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:  Flip Gymnastics
Type of camp:  gymnastics/sports
Cost: $150 per one week - $1,850 for eight weeks
Where: Flips Gymnastics, 975 West Jericho Turnpike Unit 15, Smithtown
When: July 1 - Aug. 13
Deadline for registration: Open Enrollment, as space permits.
Details:  Flips Gymnastics offers an eight-week summer camp program for children ages 3 and older.  Camp activities include gymnastics, games, crafts and a once a week visit from a baking coach.
For more information call: 631-863-3547

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 Regional Camps (alphabetical by town):

Location: Yaphank

Name: Cornell Cooperative Extension

Type of camp: outdoors/nature/educational

Cost: Explorer: $150 - $225 per week; Pioneers, Trailblazers, Navigators: $225 per week; STEM, Dog Days: $250 per week; Farm Animal Care: $300

Where: Suffolk County Farm and Education Center, 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank.

When: July 8 - Aug. 16

Deadline for registration: two weeks before camp starts.

Details:  Cornell Cooperative Extension runs a variety of summer day camps at the Suffolk County Farm for children entering kindergarten to 12th grade. Children are grouped by age:  Explorer (kindergarten), Pioneers (grades 1 - 2), Trailblazers (grades 3 - 4), Navigators (grades 5 - 6), STEM (grades 7 - 9), Dog Days (grades 5 - 8) and Farm Animal Care (grades 10 - 12). Programs feature hands-on activities and educational learning in animal science, agriculture and environmental science with nature crafts, wagon rides and more.

For more information call: 631-727-7850

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 Carmens River. Camp activities include swimming, sports and fitness, challenge courses, arts and crafts, nature hikes and more.

For more information call:  631-924-6433

Related Topics: summer camp 2013