Thriving at Camp in the Arts, Sports, and STEM/STEAM Programs
Camp season is quickly approaching. As your child is getting excited about a summer of fun and new adventures, as a parent, it is also exciting to have them have the opportunity to foster new skills. Camp is a time for kids to continually develop their social/emotional learning, boost their self-esteem, and tap into their creativity. And while many of us think of camps as roasting smores and water games, which is on point -summer camps also off programs such as art, dance, music, STEM/STEAM programs, and sports. These subjects help kids tap into new topics and freely explore!
Below, we are sharing examples of the many benefits of specialty programs at camp and how they will help your child soar this summer – and beyond!
Art Programs at Camp
Art programs at camp offer an incredible way for your child to express themselves and unleash their creativity. Alicia Skovera, Executive Director of the American Camp Association, NY and NJ noted, “Art is often one of children’s favorite school subjects, but it usually only happens once a week.”
At camp, kids can explore art through a variety of modalities. Alicia stated, “Art is offered daily with beading, jewelry making, painting, tie dying, ceramics, and more.” These multiple disciplines allow children to explore forms of art that they might not have access to at school or from supplemental programs. They will have the opportunity to test out new forms of expression and discover new ways to showcase their creative side.
Other artistic forms of expression your camper might enjoy at traditional or specialty camps are dance, theater, and music. Dance allows kids to express themselves through movement; theater helps kids engage and communicate with others; music can help with memory, focus, and group communication.
Alicia stated, “Campers can explore their creativity, express themselves through the arts, and discover a new favorite interest.”
STEM/STEAM at Camp
There has been an enormous concentration on STEM/STEAM programming over the past few years. STEM focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math, while STEAM focuses on science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts.
These programs help foster a child’s creativity, encourage experimentation, develop their problem-solving skills, and help to develop their critical thinking skills as they engage in fun, educational, and interactive activities.
Alicia shared, “From science experiments to building challenges to rocketry, children can engage in experiential learning at camp without grades or homework!”
Some camps include STEAM/STEM activities such as coding, game making, animation, YouTube production, digital arts, video game design, 3D printing, and more. These modalities can help make learning fun and exciting and lay the foundation for the school year ahead and help enhance their passion/interest in these subjects.
“These hands-on activities foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking engagingly and interactively, allowing children to learn something new daily,” Alicia added.
Sports at Camp
Sports are a huge part of summer camp where kids can try out new activities, move their bodies, and work as a team. Kids will also be able to exert independence, develop confidence, learn new skills, utilize strategic thinking, help with mental clarity, and further develop their communication skills.
Alicia stated, “Camp is the perfect environment for children to try new sports. Not only do sports at camp give children a chance to try out a new sport in a non-competitive environment, but sports also foster teamwork and keep kids moving. Many times, children go home from camp wanting to play a new sport at home after discovering it at camp!”
This includes the opportunity to enjoy a range of modalities such as swimming, basketball, soccer, climbing, tennis, running, baseball, gymnastics, horseback riding, and much more.
Summer camp will create a lifetime of memories and bring joy to your child’s life. A huge component is the many specialty programs that can help boost your child’s confidence, promotes their growth, and encourage them to try new things as they have fun.
Staten Island Specialty Camps
Art Lab
1000 Richmond Terrace
718-447-8667
artlabsi.com
info@artlabsi.org
Art Lab’s Camp Picasso & Camp Kandinsky provide a great creative environment for children all summer long. Taught by professional teaching artists, campers will learn various techniques of fine and applied arts through hands-on art activities including drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage. Campers will also enjoy outdoor art activities as they explore the beautiful grounds of Snug Harbor. Art Lab’s summer semester starts July 5, with a variety of weekly classes, for children and adults in fine art, applied art, and photography. Find yourself at Art Lab this summer!
British Swim School
britishswimschool.com/statenisland
718-576-1870
British Swim School is the premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults. They use gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School’s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come join Staten Island’s #1 Swim Program!
DEA Music & Art Summer Program
1481 Hylan Blvd.
718-370-7733
magi@deamusicandart.com
deamusicandart.com
Get ready to explore the incredible world of music, art and theater through exciting programs at DEA Music, Art & Theatre School! From instrument lessons to musical theater and dance classes – this is your chance to craft experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. Sign up today for both year-round andsummer camp opportunities. Free trial classes are available to newcomers. Sign up for summer camp early and save.
Ed Perpetua Tennis Academy
eptatennis.com
917-295-8122
EPTAtennis@aol.com
Experienced instructors offer personalized coaching to help players of all ages and abilities take their game to the next level. With separate lesson types for kids and adults, they provide a fun and supportive environment for everyone to learn and improve their skills. From basic techniques to advanced strategies, they’ve got you covered. Sign up today and start serving up some aces!
Fastrack Kids Summer STE(A)M Adventure 2023
141 Evergreen Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305
347- 983-2229
ftkny.com/summer-camp
At FTKNY’s STE(A)M and academics based summer programs, children will explore the weeks’ enrichment adventure, interact with a SmartBoard Learning Station, engage in role play, do arts and crafts, conduct experiments, improve their math and literacy skills and have lots of free play time pus trips to the park with their friends! Two Convenient Staten Island locations. At FTKNY kids have so much fun they don’t realize how much they are learning!
High Hopes Summer Camp
1298 Woodrow Rd., 10309
718-317-8143
jackie@highhopeschildcare.com
highhopeschildcare.com
High Hopes is now accepting Summer Camp Registration for children ages 2-6 years old. In this State of the art facility, children will experience an array of activities including a Disney Party, Pajama Parties, Space Exploration and more. They also have an outdoor play area for outdoor activities. High Hopes is now celebrating 28 years of caring for the children of Staten Island; Become a part of the High Hopes family this summer.
JCC Specialty Sports Camps
Bernikow JCC at 1466 Manor Road, Staten Island, NY 10314
Aquatics: aquatics@SIJCC.com
Basketball & Soccer: NDelissio@SIJCC.com
sijcc.org/camps
Swim, shoot, and score with the JCC’s specialty sports camps! The JCC offers basketball, soccer, and aquatics camps so aspiring athletes at all skill levels can be their best. Campers make new friends in a fun and supportive environment while developing sports and swimming skills, endurance, and sportsmanship. Campers also enjoy free play and swim opportunities, and special theme days.
Beginner, intermediate, and competitive campers welcome. Sibling discounts, extended hours, and lunch available. Visit https://www.sijcc.org/camps to register.
Marvin’s Camp for Children with Special Needs
Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds, 1131 Manor Rd., 10314
Lirizarry@sijcc.com
Camp.SIJCC.org
718-475-5231
Marvin’s Camp for Children with Special Needs, a program of JCC Day Camp, provides an educational, creative, social, and safe environment for kids and teens with disabilities. All Marvin’s programs are led by highly experienced staff with degrees in special education, social work, and school psychology. The program features low staff-to-camper ratios. JCC Day Camp also offers an inclusion program in their traditional camp program. Interview is required for all new campers.
New Dorp Christian Academy Summer Camp
259 Rose Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306
summercamp@newdorpchristianacademy.com
718-987-1188
Newdorpchristianacademy.com
New Dorp Christian Summer Camp welcomes families from all denominations to participate in a comprehensive camp for children ages 3-12. Camp is a unique opportunity for children to thrive academically, socially, and creatively in an environment supporting exploration, discovery, and personal growth. The camp channels natural curiosity through innovative STEM activities and weekly trips. Campers creativity is engaged through music, arts and crafts; and a commitment to team sports builds athleticism and promotes good sportsmanship.
The Resource Room
534 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310
718-838-0085
resourceroomsi.com
info@resourceroomsi.com
The Resource Room Learning Center provides high-quality academic instruction to all students from grades K-12. Resource Room uses an individualized approach to target the specific needs of each learner to help them maximize their success in the classroom. The Resource Room’s highly qualified staff provides unmatched attention to detail. Resource Room focuses on the content students are covering in the classroom to impact their report card grades directly.
Staten Island Community Tennis Center
statenislandtennis.com
718-982-3355
The Staten Island Community Tennis Center is offering a Summer Junior Tennis Training program beginning June 26th on days Monday thru Friday. Students ages 5-17 can choose a half day, 9am to 12 noon or full days 9am to 4pm(includes a One hour lunch break). All levels of play are welcome. The Tennis facility features 6 indoor air conditioned courts and 6 outdoor courts all available for recreational play.
St Joseph by The Sea
5150 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10312
718- 984-6500
josephsea.org
2023 Camps include Football, Tennis, Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Bloomberg Business, Boys Basketball, Girls Flag Football, Dance, Wrestling, Science, Baseball, Boys Flag Football, Girl’s Volleyball, Softball and Boys & Girls Soccer. Visit josephsea.org to register.
St. Joseph Hill Academy Summer Camp
850 Hylan Boulevard, 10305
Eileen Gregor
718-981-1187 ext 9503
sjhasummercamp@stjhill.org
egregor@stjhill.org
St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School Summer Camps will take place over four weeks in July 2023. The camps will run Monday through Friday and welcome students who will be entering Grades PreK-4 – 8th grade in September of 2023. Six sports camps to choose from including Flag Football, Basketball, Soccer, Track, Volleyball and Cheerleading and two weeks of Camp Koala. All Camps are co-educational and students from all schools are welcome.
Tender Care Preschool
6581 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, Y 10309
718-317-2849
cc-si.org/tender-care-preschool
Experience one of the island’s most sought after summer camp programs at Tender Care Preschool located at Mount Loretto. Offering 4 and 8 week sessions both half and full days, Tender Care Camp has something for everyone including an on-site sprinkler park, and weekly themes including space exploration, dinosaurs, and Disney. Visit www.TenderCarePreschool.com or dial (718) 317-2849 to learn more. Limited space still available. Call or visit today!
United Sports League
St. John’s University, 300 Howard Avenue, 10301
212-256-1145
uslsummercamp.org
USL Summer Camp Academy encompasses a multitude of activities every day. Campers will be participating in rotations of playing sports (basketball, soccer, football, etc.), eSports, drama, robotics, camp play, and more! USL’s mission, through sports and creative arts education, is to bring together young people from different racial, economic, and social classes and instill the values of respect, tolerance and inclusion.
Victory Gymnastics Center
victorygymnasticscenter.com
718-983-9090
Victory Gymnastics Center is proud to be Staten Island’s longest-running gymnastics facility. After opening their doors in 1980, they have had the pleasure of providing families of all ages with gymnastics, tumbling, parent and child programs, birthday parties, and competitive team programs. The increased strength, flexibility, and coordination athletes gain from gymnastics will carry over to their performance in various other sports. One of their primary goals has always been to help increase the self-esteem of the children who participate in their programs.
Wagner College Lifelong Learning
One Campus Road, Staten Island, NY 10301
wagner.edu
Experience a magic carpet ride at the Actor Children’s Theatre production of Aladdin, Jr. June 3rd at 7pm and June 4th at 2pm in the Wagner College Main Stage Theatre. The show is sure to be a family pleaser for all ages. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at wagner.edu/lifelong-learning/Aladdin or by calling (718) 390-3221. Don’t miss our summer performing arts programs and lots of other camps. Visit wagner.edu/youth-programs.
