Hauppauge 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, Hauppauge 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.

Hauppauge

Location: Montessori Minds Pre-School
Name: Under the Sea
Type of camp: Educational
Cost: $400
Where: Montessori Minds Pre-School, 908 Route 111, Hauppauge, NY
When: Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays from July 16 - Aug. 8.
Deadline for registration: First-come, first-served up to 15 students.
Details:  This educational summer pre-school will have children learning about what’s “Under the Sea” using Montessori early educational methods and games.  
For more information call: 631-780-5650

Name: SoLuna Studios Summer Camp
Type of camp:  Theater/Dance
Cost: $775 for six-week program
Where: SoLuna Studios, 659 Old Willets Path, Hauppauge, NY
When: July 15 - Aug. 23
Deadline for registration: A week before camp starts
Details: This is a musical theater camp for children to learn acting and dancing skills, then audition for and perform in “Into the Woods Junior.” Children will be divided into two groups: kindergarten to fourth grade, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; and fourth grade - ninth grade, 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
For more information call: 631-708-9681

Name: Hidden Pond Day Camp at The Rinx
Type of camp: variety/sports/crafts
Cost:  Price starts at $1,720 for four-days a week with a three-week minimum signup. Rates increase based on number of weeks and whether your child is a returning or regular camper. Town of Islip residents with valid ID get 5 percent discount. Discount for multiple children.
Where: Hidden Pond Day Camp at The Rinx, 660 Terry Road, Hauppauge
When: June 24 - Aug. 16, closed on July 4.
Deadline for registration: Final Payment due by April 25
Details: Hidden Pond and The Rinx offer Hidden Park Day Camp program for children: Mini Day Program for ages 4 and kindergarteners; Full Day Program for age 4 to students entering 10th grade; and a Counselor in Training program for 9th and 10th grade students. Campers have full use of the pools, with instructional swimming lessons,  and The Rinx’s ice skating rink. Lunch, drinks and snacks are included in the cost. Extended A.M. Hours as early as 7 a.m. with no charge, extended afternoon care is $10 per day until 6 p.m.
For more information call: 631-232-3222 ext. 201

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)

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

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

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

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

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