Summer Day Camps on Long Island can provide children with structure and keep them from getting bored during the long days, warm weather and vacation from school that they all love so much.
Long Island summer day camp programs can provide supervision, fun, structure and so much more. From half day to full day, with programs running for a few weeks to the entire summer, Long Island summer camps offer a wide range of activities for kids.
A good blend of activities, creativity and adventure can turn an ordinary summer into an extraordinary one where your child thrives and realizes their full potential. A summer camp gives a child the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and experience new things with new people.
Long Island offers many summer camps with instructive and creative programs designed to offer young campers a well-rounded experience. From swimming and instruction, to learning on many levels, to bonding with new friends, your child can grow by leaps and bounds, all in a single summer.
Many Long Island Summer Day Camps offer a variety of programs that focus on different age levels and types of activities – for example, some are focused on STEM, music, horseback riding or aquatics, while others offer a blend of all. Specialty instructors and counselors can develop and nurture personal relationships with each child and ensure that campers are well supervised and make measurable progress throughout their camp experience. Programs like aquatics, athletics – baseball, softball, basketball – creative arts, performing arts, science and many others can build confidence, leadership, sportsmanship, respect and long-lasting friendships.
Whether you child is a toddler or a teen or any age in between, a good Long Island Day Camp will provide exciting activities and unique experiences where skills and fun go hand-in-hand. A good camp should also ensure that children are well-supervised and make measurable progress in their activities.
Eight Things to Look for in a Summer Camp:
- All-inclusive programs that include transportation and meals
- Age-appropriate facilities and activities
- Activities that are relevant to your child
- Accreditations and New York State licensing requirements
- Low staff-to-camper ratios
- Regular communication with parents
- Allergy and special-dietary offerings
- Health Office for sudden illnesses, minor cuts or bruises and administering prescription medication as needed
- General Safety protocols to ensure that safety is of the highest priority
What to Bring To Summer Camp?
Any Summer Day Camp on Long Island will be that much of a better experience when your child has everything they need each day. Since the days will be long and activities varied, and with the Long Island weather ranging from sometimes cool in the mornings, hot, humid to rainy – sometimes all in one day – a good sturdy nylon backpack on wheels with lots of compartments will be a good way to transport the long list of items that will be needed. It’s especially important that the backpack has a sturdy mesh bag to hold the all-important water bottle to keep your camper hydrated every day! It’s a good idea to label everything with your child’s name using permanent markers or iron on labels. Be sure to check with the camp for a list of items they suggest your child should bring.
- Swim suit
- Swim Goggles
- Flip Flops
- Towel
- Bandana
- Hat
- Sun Screen
- Eye Glasses / Contacts / Solution
- Sunglasses
- Change of Clothes: T-Shirt, Socks, Underwear, Shorts
- Hooded sweat shirt
- Light Jacket
- Bug Repellent
- Lip Balm
- Notebooks
- Craft Supplies
- Prescribed Medication
- Allergy Medication if needed
- Water Bottle
- Hand Sanitizer
- Tissues
- Wet Wipes
- Plastic Bag for Wet Swim Suit
Camp Food Tips & Suggestions
If the Summer Camp you chose does not provide meals and snacks, here are some tips and suggestions that will transport well and keep well in the hot summer months. Be sure to pack in a thermal tote with 2-3 ice packs
- Cereal Bars
- Granola Bars – avoid chocolate in the warm weather
- Dry cereal
- Crackers
- Cheese Sticks
- Carrot Sticks
- Orange Slices
- Apple slices
- Grapes
- Applesauce
- Turkey & Cheese Rollups
- Avoid Candy and Sweets as they can make a child feel sick in warm weather
- Avoid nuts and nut butters since many camps a nut-free