Summer less than 100 days away and scheduled camps are plentiful this year; something to celebrate in itself after the year that passed.
As a parent to a camp-aged child, I was at first overjoyed at all the options here on the North Fork, then a bit overwhelmed.
So I decided to do the legwork and share it with you here in hopes that you, too, will find your perfect fit.
Nature & Exploring Camps
Camp Wonder at Peconic Community School is an early childhood summer camp located at the school’s eastern campus in Aquebogue that will run from June 28 through August 6. Children ages 3 through 6 will enjoy week-long sessions encouraging them to wander and explore in a natural setting. Each camp group will be led by an educator committed to PCS’s philosophy of place-based, play-focused, child-centered education.
Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp through Cornell Cooperative Extension is glad to be back offering both sleepaway and day camp this summer. Campers will spend their days exploring environmental sciences, outdoor living and recreation along the Long Island Sound and freshwater Great Pond. Swimming, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, fishing, and more will make for a happy and fulfilled camper.
Summer Nature Camp is on at North Fork Audubon Society in Greenport this summer. Held exclusively outdoors, campers will explore different wildlife habitats, discover the natural wonders of the North Fork and learn outdoor skills. Stretching 10 weeks, from June 28 through September 3, each week will have a different theme. Although the camp is geared for ages 7-12, it accommodates children ages 5-13.
Sports Camps
Peconic Ballet Theatre in Riverhead is offering summer camps throughout the season, including summer ballet and musical theatre summer camps. Summer Ballet Camp runs from July 6-17 culminating in a live performance. Both summer ballet and musical theatre camps are for children ages 5 and up, all levels are welcome.
North Fork CSG Soccer Camp is for boys and girls of all ability levels aged 4-15. The camp, located at the soccer fields on Aldrich Lane in Mattituck, will offer three weeks of soccer development: July 19-23, August 16-20 and August 23-27. Campers will learn to improve ball mastery, technical ability and fundamental soccer skills through fun and challenging soccer activities in a professional and safe learning environment.
Southold Yacht Club’s Youth Sailing Program will get your kids (aged 5-17) out of the house and onto the water starting June 28. The program provides safe and fun instructional lessons in sailing, boat handling and yachting skills. Choose from 4- and 8-week programs.
Farm Camps
Farm Hands Summers, located on Hallockville Museum Farm’s grounds, is a summer program for children ages 3 and 4 that offers weekly sessions beginning on June 28 and running until August 13. Daily themes include animal care, garden care, harvesting, cooking, and “now versus before on the farm” learnings. Campers will have fun learning and exploring in a safe and caring environment.
Hallockville’s Farm Summer Camp will offer campers the opportunity to connect to the land, the community, and their creative spirits on a 28-acre site. The camp is split into two programs: Junior Campers, ages 5-7, and Senior Campers, ages 8-12 and runs weekly from July 5 through August 13 with each week focusing on a different theme such as Life on the Farmstead, Bees, Butterflies, and Gardens, and Journeying through History.
Horse Camps
Pony & Farm Animal Summer Camp at The Little Red Barn in Jamesport is perfect for your animal-loving child, aged 4 and up. Camp, which runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from June 22 through August 24 will consist of days of outdoor fun on a private 40-acre farm learning about and caring for ponies, miniature horses, baby lambs, kid goats, a miniature donkey, baby bunnies and a baby pig. Campers will also enjoy petting the farm animals, brushing and decorating ponies, going on pony rides, and more.
Summer Clinics at Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue will begin on June 28 and will run through September 3. During the week-long clinics, children will learn the ins and outs of a working horse rescue and will groom, feed and care for the horses and other animals on the farm. While the clinics are geared towards children in grades 1-6 there will also be a “Leader in Training” program available for students in grades 7 and 8.
