Being that the Hudson Valley and Beacon in particular are so rich in the arts, agriculture and a great outdoors scene, options for summer day camps are plentiful. Most camps offer weekly themes with daily projects and activities that reinforce that theme. You can definitely give your child a well-rounded summer that not only keeps them entertained, but very busy. Ages and times will vary throughout the summer, and several camps are offering early drop off and late pick up for working parents, or for families with more than one child going to different camps. The tough part will be making a decision between themes and pulling the trigger! With roughly 10 weeks of summer, you can use this Summer Day Camps Guide to mix and match for your family's schedule. If you know of a camp that you think would fit within this list, email editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com. If you want to enhance your listing with an advertising package,
click here for details.
Let's start with what you'll need for most every camp:
- Medical forms
- Packed lunch (fun with lunch boxes! Play has a bunch of cute metal ones)
- Water shoes
- Bathing suit and towel
- Sunscreen
- Big Bag to pack all of this stuff in
We've started the Guide with summer day camps that offer the longest option of hours per day, followed by more niche camps with shorter days.
Rose Hill Manor Summer Day Camp
One of the most active summer camps and known for its daily adventures off-campus into the Hudson Valley. Every day is a designated type of day which includes a trip to the Bronx Zoo, Bear Mountain State Park, Bowdoin State Park, Memorial Park, Jump'n Jake's, Splashdown, and more. Friday's are down-time back at the school for crafts and projects. This year, the camp is also going to Beacon's new summer pool! Children are bussed to all off-campus activities. Field trip fees are required for attending certain destinations like Splashdown, etc.
Great For: Parents love field trips and activities with friends.
Swimming? Yes. Kids will play in the water at Beacon's summer pool at the Settlement Camp, at Splash Down and at various state park. All children are supervised and swimming lessons are not required.
Ages: 5-12 years old
Dates: Weeks Starting June 29th - August 24th
Times: Full Day: 9am - 5pm
Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? Yes
Price: $190/week
Extra Fees? Yes, for field trips
Flexibility: Sign up for the weeks you want
Click for Registration & Camp Details >
All Sport Summer Day Camp (Camp FIT & Tennis Camp)
This fitness club has an Outdoor Park that is loaded with activities. There are three pools, a basketball court for little and big kids, soccer, tennis courts, and a scenic area for exploring and picnics. Kids stay on the premises during the day, but there is plenty to do, including jumping in a bouncy house slide, and entertainment from magicians, etc. Kids are divided into age groups. All Sport's day camp also includes the option of Tennis Camp and a special Teen Camp. Teen Camp includes 2 field trips per week to Bear Mountain Zoo, Splashdown, and more locations. Add Ons are available for extra hours of care ($40/week), swim lessons ($35/week) and lunch from their grill if you don't want to pack your own ($35/week).
Great For: Kids who love moving to the next activity and learning new skills. Plus, you could tack on swim lessons during the day.
Swimming? Yes. For small kids, the kiddie pool is used, and for older kids, the regular pools. There is an option of additional swim lessons for $35.
Ages: 4-14 years old
Dates Camp FIT: Weeks Starting June 29th - August 31st (the final camp day is September 4th)
Dates Teen Camp: Weeks Starting July 13th - August 3rd
Dates Tennis Camp: Weeks Starting June 29th - July 13th
Times: Full Day: 9am - 4pm
Half Day: 9am - 12pm
Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? Yes
Price Camp FIT: Full Day: Member $215, Non-Member $245
Half Day: Member $115, Non-Member: $145
Price Tennis Camp: Members $245, Non-Member $275
Price Teen Camp: Members $265, Non-Member $295
Extra Fees? Not really. Field trips are not extensive here. Fees come into play for swim lessons and early/late care.
Flexibility: Sign up for the weeks you want. If you are commitment-phobic and don't want to sign up for a week, you can call ahead to select and schedule days. But you need to commit to those :)
Click for Registration & Camp Details >
Kids Place Summer Day Camp
Kids Place is known for their ability to accommodate different schedules, and for their activities. The children enjoy a wide array of traditional camp offerings including group games, arts and crafts, sports, drama presentations, cooking, and Theme Days. Each week of camp follows a theme that carries through in the activities offered during the week. The children attend weekly field trips as well as swimming and water fun. Kids Place Summer Day Camp Tuition is all inclusive. There are no additional fees for trips or swimming. Previous summer camp trips include Fun Central, Jump’n Jake’s, Stony Kill Farm, and a sail on the sloop Woody Guthrie. When the children are not on trips or out swimming, they enjoy activities in the center’s air conditioned rooms or full-sized gymnasium!
Great For: Parents who love field trips and activities with friends.
Water Play? Yes
Ages: 5-12 years old
Dates: Not posted on website yet
Times: Full Day: 9am - 5pm
Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? Yes
Price 5-12 year olds Liberty Street: $185/week with options for 4 day and 3 day weeks.
Price Grades 1st-5th West Center Street: $100/week (no field trips)
Price Grades 1st-5th West Center Street: $175/week
Extra Fees? No, field trips are included with camp tuition
Flexibility: Yes. Sign up for the weeks you want at the number of days you want (shorter weeks available for the 5-12 year old age group only)
Click for Registration & Camp Details >
Mill Street Loft Dutchess Arts Day Camp Beacon at Scenic Hudson
If you want your child to think big, paint big, act big, all while enjoying the outdoors at Riverfront Park on the bank of the Hudson River, than this is the camp for you. Mill Street's camp should help in deciding your schedule because it's only offered for 2 weeks. With Full Day and Half Day options, you have schedule and price differences to consider. The age range is wide, and the children are divided into age groups and are engaged in different projects for their level.
Great For: Artistic children who love the visual and theatrical arts as well as being near the Hudson River
Water Play? No
Ages: 4-12 years old
Dates: Weeks of July 13th and July 20 (2 sessions total)
Times: Full Day: 9am - 4:30pm
Half Day: 9am - 1pm
Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? Yes
Price: Full Day: $350
Half Day: $190 (but call first, as the website may not have correct price listed when purchasing)
Extra Fees? No
Flexibility: Sign up for either week you want.
Click for Registration & Camp Details >
Tinkergarden - Long Dock Park
Tinkergarten® provides the best early childhood education in the great outdoors. They match families with leaders in their local community who offer activity-based kids classes that help them develop the skills that matter most—all while having fun!
Great For: Kids who like the outdoors and parents who like an established progressive program in a small setting
Swimming? No
Ages: 18mos - 5yrs years old
Dates: Wednesdays from July 8th - August 26th (one time per week)
Times: 10-11:30am
Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? No
Price: Full Day: $160
Extra Fees? No
Flexibility: Commit to the session
Click for Registration & Camp Details >
Randolf School Summer Day Camp Program
The Randolph Summer Program is designed to offer a diverse group of creative, fun and educational activities for children ages 3-11. The camps focus on exciting new themes each week and are an extension of the progressive education that occurs all year. A playful, cooperative work environment is created in which each child experiences a sense of accomplishment and a love of learning. Most of the week-long workshops culminate in an end-of-the-week exhibition or presentation.
Great For: Parents who like a progressive program for their children
Swimming? No, but kids do play in water
Ages: 3-11 years old
Dates: Weeks Starting June 22nd - August 3rd
Times: Full Day: 8:30am - 4pm
Half Day: 8:30am - 12:30pm (ages 3-5 only)
Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? Call for info
Price: Full Day: $300
Half Day: $200
Extra Fees? Yes, for older kids, $20 for rocket materials
Flexibility: Sign up for the weeks you want.
Click for Registration & Camp Details >
Common Ground Farm Day Camp
(at Stony Kill Farm in Wappingers Falls)
Give your child the experience of being down on the farm. If they love books and TV programs about barnyard animals, they may love this camp. There is a strong focus on the soil, trees, sun and water and how they work together to grow food. Kids' lunches are bring-your-own, but will be supplemented with harvested vegetables. Sessions for older kids include making a cookbook. Each week has a different theme that teaches different skill-sets. Your child just may come home and teach you about composting!
Great For: Kids who love dirt, animals, rivers, and planting and tending to gardens
Swimming? No, but kids do play in water
Ages: 3-12 years old
Dates: Weeks Starting July 6th - August 10th
Times: Full Day: 9am - 3pm
Half Day: 9am - 1pm (ages 3-6 only)
Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? No
Price: Full Day: $250
Half Day: $200
Extra Fees? No
Flexibility: Sign up for the weeks you want.
Click for Registration & Camp Details >
BCAP (Be As Creative As Possible) Day Camp
This popular PreK program does what it says - provides creative activities for young children. Their program room looks and feels like a children's museum with different activity stations to immediately occupy young minds. Has your child ever painted while lying down, like Michael Angelo did? Well they just might get under a table to simulate the experience while at BCAP.
Great For: Kids who love dirt, animals, rivers, and planting and tending to gardens
Swimming? No, but kids do play in water
Ages: 3-6 years old
Dates: Weeks Starting June 29th - July 13th (3 sessions total)
Times: 9am - 3pm
Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? No
Price: $250
Extra Fees? No
Flexibility: Sign up for the weeks you want.
Click for Registration & Camp Details >
Hudson Hills Montessori Day Camp Program
Summer Camp at Hudson Hills Beacon campus will be a challenging and fun experience for campers. Their morning will be spent in the Montessori classroom. Current Primary students will continue to receive new lessons on Montessori materials and have the opportunity to practice lessons they have already been taught. This will allow the children to progress in all the areas of the Montessori classroom throughout the five week summer camp. New students will be introduced to the first introductory lessons that will lay the foundation for their time in the Montessori classroom.
Great For: Parents who love the Montessori approach, and naps for 3 year olds
Swimming? No, but kids do play in water
Ages: 3-6 years old (call to confirm)
Dates: Weeks Starting June 29th - July 27th
Times: Full Day: 9am - 3pm
Half Day: 9am - 12pm
Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? NA
Price: Full Day: $275
Half Day: $225
with options for 4 day, 3 day, and 2 day weeks.
Extra Fees? No
Flexibility: Yes. Sign up for the weeks you want at the number of days you want.
Click for Registration & Camp Details >
Tri-Arts Summer Workshop from Compass Arts
Throughout the week, children will explore a folk tale through music, creative movement, art and yoga, then share their creation with their families at the end of the week.
Great For: Children who love music, movement and naps after class
Swimming? No
Ages: 3-6 years old
Dates: Weeks of June 29th and August 24th (2 sessions total)
Times: 9am - 12pm
Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? No
Price: Half Day: $155
Extra Fees? No
Flexibility: Sign up for the weeks you want.
Registration & Camp Details >
Playground Program at Memorial Park
The City of Beacon Recreation Department offers counselors and activities for kids 6-12 at Memorial Park in Beacon most days of the week with an extra field trip activity and pool on Wednesdays.
Playground Days: Activities include arts &
crafts, games, organized sports and much more for children ages 6-12. Get the kids out of the house for a few hours of fresh air and friendship. Counselors will be at the park Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday weather permitting. Note: On rainy days the park program will be closed Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Registration deadline is June 19th, 2015.
Great For: Beacon residents! Beacon residents pay a discounted fee.
Swimming? Not during Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday park days.
Ages: 6-12 years old
Dates: Weeks Starting July 8 - August 12th (Except Wednesdays)
Times: 8:30am - 2:30pm
Early Drop Off and Late Pickup Available? No
Price: Beacon resident: $80 per week
Non Resident: $100 per week (For park days only)
Flexibility: Sign up for the weeks you want.
Click for Registration & Camp Details >
Kids on the Go: A fun filled break in the week, scheduled field trips leave
Memorial Park Wednesdays and return to the Park at USC for an afternoon dip in the newly reopened
Beacon Pool. Every child will receive a t-shirt that must be worn on Wednesday field trips and are required to pack swim wear and a towel. Field trips include bowling, Splashdown and Regal Cinemas and more. Includes admission and either snack or lunch, depending on the activity.
Beacon Art Studios, located in the old Beacon High School, offers two camps this year for older kids: Project Funway and A Puppet Show.
No. All materials included in tuition
No. All materials included in tuition
Beacon's public library offers so many great events throughout the year, and summer is no exception! Join in on fun activities for babies, toddlers and middle school kids. Sessions include Come & Play Wednesday, Battle of the Books, Summer Reading Performers, Brain Games, and more. Some activities do require pre-registration with a simple form, so be sure to visit the library's website first.
You've seen the Ree-Play flyers around town. You've marked the date for the Ree-Play sale on your calendar - this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for 2015! But have you seen the items for sale that you can buy? And do you know how this Ree-Play Children's Tag Sale, a fundraising effort from Wee Play Community Project impacts your life in Beacon? Not only will you score a major deal on some kids gear that can change your children's lives forever (ok, maybe for 5 minutes), but your purchase contributes to the three kid and toddler parks in Beacon, in addition to the "Come and Play" programming at the Howland Library, as well as other initiatives around the city. 
