A Sampling of Summer Camps and Programs on the Upper West Side

By Mia Antonini

It’s summertime and as school wraps up for the year, you may be on the hunt for summer camps and programs to keep your kids busy and engaged. The Upper West Side is home to many options across a wide range of interests, from sports to science to performing arts. To help you get started, here are just a few places we discovered. Send others to carol@westsiderag.com and we’ll add to the list.

Arts & More

The Art Farm NYC (June 26th-August 18th)

Offers programming centered on connecting campers with animals and nature, arts and crafts, outdoor play, cooking and more, intended to give children “a fun and educational break from city life”
Open to ages 3-8 (program for ages 2-8 at UES location)
Located at West 88th Street between Columbus and Central Park West
Full-week cost: $805 (half day), $985 (full day)
Phone: (212) 410-3117

PLAYDAY (Every weekday)

Offers a range of creative activities to help embrace self-expression, gain confidence and practice key life skills, all the while off-screen
Options open for ages 1-12
Located at Amsterdam between West 82nd and 83rd Streets
Cost: $900 (All day 5 day pack) **variety of pricing packages available**
Phone: (844) 752-9329

Spark (June 12-September 1, except weeks of July 4th and August 14th)

Offers a variety of small-group art, yoga, and meditation-based activities to support curiosity and community, away from the screen
Open to ages 5 and up (week of July 10, advanced programming for 10 and up) **with flexibility**
Located at West 72nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam
Weekly Cost: $725
Phone: (917) 817-7142

All-Around

Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (June 28-August 18)

Offers two unique camps (Day Camp @ The JCC & Camp Settoga) allowing campers to participate in fun outdoor and indoor activities and grow in community and identity
Open to ages 3-5 @ the JCC and ages 4-12 @ Camp Settoga
Located at the JCC and Camp Settoga (Pomona, NY)
Cost: About $5,800/4 weeks
Phone: (646) 505-4430
Still spaces open in various ages groups

Steve & Kate’s Camp (June 26-August 18)

Offers a variety of activities from baking to robotics building, based on the mission of giving campers independence to choose their own activities
Open to ages 4 through 13
Located at West 88th Street between Columbus and Central Park West (and beyond!)
Cost: $128 (day pass), $3,840 (summer pass with refund opportunities for unused days)
Phone: (646) 902-6575

Creative Writing & Performing Arts

Broadway Bound Kids (July 10-28; July 31-August 11)

Offers a variety of unique programs throughout July and August including masterclasses with theater professionals and the creation of original productions
Open to students grades 3rd-12th
Located at Amsterdam between West 99th and 100th Streets @ St. Michael’s Church
Cost: Kids on Broadway: One-Week Programs: $599 (1 week), $1,099 (2 weeks), $1,599 (3 weeks); Your Broadway Moment!: $999
Contact: samantha@broadwayboundkids.org

Play On! Studios (June 19-September 1 (Creative Drama Camps); July 5-August 4 (Musical Theater Performance); August 7-18 (Musical Theater Revue) with some weeks still available)

Offers opportunity for students to bring a production to life, participate in drama games, and meet students similarly passionate about performing arts
Open to children in grades K-4 (Creative Drama Camps); grades 4-9 (Musical Theater Performance & Musical Theater Revue)
Located at West 86th Street between Broadway and West End
Cost: $625/week (Creative Drama Camps); $2950/Musical Theater Performance; $1500/Musical Theater Revue
Phone: (347) 709-4149

Writopia Lab (June 12-September 1)

Offers workshops in creative writing, essay writing, debate, and role playing games, such as Dungeons and Dragons, where students are invited to embrace writing, collaborate with each other, and learn from passionate professional mentors
Open to kids ages 7 through 18
Located at West 81st Street between Columbus and Amsterdam (and beyond, including sleepaway programming in Peru, MA & NYC)
Weekly cost: $645 (half day), $895 (full day) **sliding scale for half day; financial aid available for both options**
Phone: (212) 222-4088

Science & Technology

 iD Tech (July 3-August 18)

Offers a variety of intensive tech-based camps covering topics including coding, game development, robotics, and creative opportunities
Open to ages 7-17 (with flexibility for 18 year olds)
Located at Columbia University campus (and beyond!)
Weekly cost: $1,099 to $1,649 (course dependent)
Phone: 1-(888)-709-8324

Launch Math + Science Centers (June 19-September 1)

Offers hands-on math and science programming based on combining students’ academic learning with real-world applications to foster a passion for the subjects
Open to rising Kindergarteners through 7th graders
Located at West 81st Street between Columbus and Amsterdam (Kids and Tweens) and West 65th Street between Columbus and Central Park West (all age groups)
Weekly cost: $575 (rising K-1st graders), $695 (rising 2nd-7th graders)
Phone: (212) 600-1010

MakerState (June 28-September 1)

Offers a range of STEM-based activities encouraging hands-on learning and critical thinking, alongside friendship building and outdoor activities
Open to ages 6-14
Located at West 77th between West End and Broadway
Cost: $650/week; $390/3 days; $150/day
Contact: Best by website chat or (917) 780-2345

Robofun (June 20-September 1)

Offers STEAM-based activities through a nurturing program that encourages campers to create personal projects through hands-on learning
Open to Pre-K through 8th grade students
Located at 102nd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam (until June 30); West End between 65th and 64th Streets (after July 17)
Weekly Cost: $497
Phone: (212) 245-0444, ext. 107

Summer STEAM Camp at The Cathedral School (July 3-14; July 17-28)

Offers two unique programs (Living Green With STEAM: Sustainable Design and Engineering & Maker Park Adventures: Circuits, Coding & Robotics) utilizing the school’s Innovation Lab for design and prototype development and AquaZone for refreshing fun
Open to rising Kindergartners to 6th graders
Located at Morningside Drive between West 110th and 113th Streets
Cost: $1,395 (Living Green with STEAM), $1,550 (Maker Park Adventures) **$60 registration fee; discounted if registering for both sessions**
Phone: (646) 425-1648

Dazzling Discoveries & Skill Mill NYC (June 6 – Sept 8)

Offers STEAM camp with 3D printing, laser cutting and lots of hands on engineering, science,  robotics and cardboard creative projects at our two locations, Dazzling Discoveries and Skill Mill NYC.
Open Single or multiple days (You choose any days you need)  for ages 5-9 yrs Youth Camp at Dazzling Discoveries and 10-15 yrs Teen camp at Skill Mill NYC  (locations are one block apart)
Located at Dazzling Discoveries at 971 Columbus Ave (between 107th and 108th) and Skill Mill NYC 949 Amsterdam Ave (between 106th and 107th st)
Cost: $155-$175/day ($155/day for 5 days or more that can be used anytime in the summer) Camp day is 9am-3pm with extended hours available for an additional fee.
Phone: (917)288-9975
Email: info@Dazzlingdiscoveries.com (use this for both camps)
Website: https://www.dazzlingdiscoveries.com (use this for both camps)
Camp runs through September 6, register by the day or week 

A few cool STEM options to check out beyond the UWS: The WaterFront Center, Center for Architecture, and Curious Jane

Sports & Fitness

Kids in the Game (June 26-August 11)

Offers activities in sports, STEM and art learning, and city field trips while promoting a confidence-building and community-centered atmosphere
Open to rising Pre-K to 7th graders
Located at West 70th Street between Columbus and Broadway @ the School of the Blessed Sacrament
Cost: $725/2 weeks (discounts with added weeks and added siblings)
Phone: (212) 634-7262

Riverside Park Conservancy’s Summer Sports Camp (June 5-August 25)

Offers a variety of sports programming including soccer, basketball and tennis using Riverside Park’s facilities
Open to ages 4-16
Location dependent on sport (West 96th-110th Streets)
Cost: $400 (half day), $550 (full day)
Phone: (212) 870-3070

Tim Morehouse Fencing Club (June 12-30; July 10-September 1)

Offers the opportunity for campers to learn the sport of fencing from the basics in a community atmosphere fostered through team-building games and exercises
Open to ages 7-12
Located at West 91st Street between Amsterdam and Broadway (and beyond, including Westchester, NY where campers will be bused to and from 7/10-8/18 & sleep away programming in Southborough, MA)
Weekly cost: $499 (new fencers); $899 (members); $999 (non-members)
Contact: Best by info@timmorehousefencing.com or (317) 886-8243

Please note that several of these camps have locations beyond the Upper West Side. More information regarding pricing options for extended day and financial aid is available on their websites. Again, this is only a partial list. Send other options to carol@westsiderag.com and we’ll add.

Wishing a happy summer to all!