Well before the daffodils bloom in our gardens each spring, there’s already one item on parents’ minds: A summer camp or program that will help their little buds flourish, too. Luckily, the Hudson Valley is ripe with opportunities for exploration, imagination, and cultural enrichment for teens, tweens, and kids as young as age three. From nature-based programs to creative workshops for burgeoning artists, here are a few wonderful programs to spark your search.
Summer Art Programs at Garrison Art Center
Garrison Art Center offers three different Summer Art Programs for kids and teens that center on art, creativity, exploration, and most importantly, having fun in our professional artist studios located on the Hudson River. The Summer Art Institute is a pre-college program for high school students, rising 9th graders through current 12th graders, that provides total immersion in making art and a way for students to gain valuable skills that can prepare them for a college of the arts or whatever path they choose. This program runs July 24 to August 4. Summer Arts on the Hudson is Garrison Art Center’s highly acclaimed arts immersion program for children entering grades K-8th and is a full-day 2-week session, June 26 to July 7 and July 10 to July 21st. Art a la Carte offers children the opportunity to experience multiple types of art-making at our studios. This program is for rising 2nd through 8th grade students and runs from August 7 to 18 for a full- or half-day, one week or two.
Garrison, NY • www.garrisonartcenter.org/summer-programs • education@garrisonartcenter.org
Mountain Laurel Waldorf School
Conveniently located in the heart of New Paltz, Mountain Laurel’s summer program offers an enriching and nurturing Waldorf-inspired environment for children ages 7–11. We welcome both residents and summer visitors to the Hudson Valley. Our beloved and experienced lead instructors bring wonder and adventure through outdoor play, crafts, building projects using natural materials, song, games, storytelling, and water play. Rhythm and reverence will follow your child throughout the day. Four two-week sessions from June 26–August 18, Monday–Friday, 9am–3pm. $800 for each two-week session. Sibling discounts available. Space is limited, so we encourage you to register early.
New Paltz, NY · 845-255-0033
Wild Earth
At Wild Earth, all of the senses are engaged as campers meet local plants and animals, learn wilderness skills, create natural crafts, and build deep connections with friends and inspiring adult and teen mentors. Guided by patterns we’ve observed in nature, we begin each day by gathering in the woods through songs, expressing gratitude, and finding new ways to play. We form smaller groups and set up camp in the forest by building fire pits and shelters. Our instructors tailor activities to the interests of the campers, fostering curiosity and guiding learning through skillful questions, opportunities for appropriate risk-taking and empowering challenges. Camps are available for ages 4–16.
New Paltz, NY • 845-256-9830
Hawthorne Valley
Located in Columbia County, New York, on a sprawling 900 acre Biodynamic farm, we offer both day and overnight camps for children ages 8-16. Campers gain a reverence for the natural world, learn about caring for animals, the earth, and make lifelong memories. Our camp provides a uniquely immersive understanding of where our food comes from, how it gets to our tables, and how to love and respect every being that made that journey possible. Spending time at farm camp can shift the awareness of a person of any age, and bring forth the discovery of independence, self-confidence and compassion.
Ghent, NY • (518) 672-4465 x 201 • farmcamp@hawthornevalley.org hawthornevalleysummercamp.org
Curious Jane
Curious Jane — a summer day camp for girls ages 5 to 11 who like to make things! This August – for two weeks only – we are coming to Woodstock. Join us! August 14-18 and August 21-25 (those tricky final weeks of summer) at Sudbury Valley on the Kingston-Woodstock border. Sign up for one week or both, and choose your favorite theme for the week – Spy Science, Room Makeover, Roller Coasters & Rides, or Mini World. Full-day, full-week, and packed with project-making and plenty of colorful, creative DIY.
Woodstock, NY • 347-770-0420 • camp@curiousjane.fun
Curiosity Camp at Simon’s Rock
Open to motivated students interested in exploring academic and creative interests in a college environment while currently completing grade 9 through 11. Students participate in Simon’s Rock’s signature Writing and Thinking Workshop, Seminar, and arts and science courses to experience diverse and exciting academic offerings. Students live on campus in the college’s residence halls. Students have the opportunity to explore the 275-acre wooded campus of natural beauty and trails, nearby downtown Great Barrington, and planned excursions to Berkshire cultural attractions. The two-week program is $3,000 for tuition, room and meals, and off-campus excursions. July 16-29, 2023.
Great Barrington, MA • simons-rock.edu • curiositycamp@simons-rock.edu
The Art Effect
Imagine, create, and have fun this summer! Offering immersive arts programming for ages 5-19. Led by professional artists and teachers, young artists will explore fine art, digital media, and performing arts. In the Summer Art Institute, young artists will advance their knowledge of techniques, elements and principles of fine or digital art.
Poughkeepsie, NY | 845-471-7477 • thearteffect.org
Berkshire Art Center
Get messy and make art this summer! Berkshire Art Center, formerly IS183 Art School, offers fun and creative art camps for young artists ages 6-14 years old. Our camps engage children in visual art exploration alongside local artists, introducing them to a variety of art-making experiences.
Stockbridge & Pittsfield, MA • 413-298-5252 • berkshireartcenter.org
The Forman Summer Program
A fun coed boarding and day camp, takes place on the Forman School campus in Litchfield, CT, during the month of July. The program is a dynamic balance of academics and recreation for students entering grades 7-11 who learn differently. Under the guidance of expert faculty and staff, students discover their unique learning styles while being inspired, challenged, and empowered. They develop effective and tactical classroom and study strategies, learn self-advocacy, and gain lasting confidence in their abilities.
Litchfield, CT • 860.567.1802 • formanschool.org/summer
Primrose Hill School
Nature camps for ages 3-6 reflect the rhythm of a Waldorf Kindergarten day—outdoor play, farm visits, and nature walks. Camps for ages 7-13 are designed for the curious learner—farm and garden, circus, fairy camp (more to come) and include outdoor adventure and games. 5% discount for two or more children, use code SIBLING2023.
Rhinebeck, NY • 845-876-1226 • administration@primrosehillschool.com
High Meadow School
High Meadow School offers recreational day camp for ages 3–rising 2nd graders and specialized day camps for rising 3rd–8th graders, featuring Wayfinder Experience and Westchester Circus Arts! Sessions run Monday–Friday, July 10th–August 11th. Open to residents and visitors to the area, our seven-acre wooded campus is the perfect place for your children to spend their Hudson Valley summer! For more information or to schedule a tour, visit highmeadowschool.org/summer-camp • Stone Ridge, NY
Berkshire Museum
Berkshire Museum camps offer children going into grades Pre-K through 8 the chance to make connections between art, science, and history in the Museum’s new classrooms and throughout our galleries. Campers develop skills, create art, conduct experiments, and make new friends, all while having a ton of fun!
Pittsfield, MA • berkshiremuseum.org/programs/camp
Arts Camp @ RoCA in West Nyack
Rockland Center for the Arts (RoCA) is a place for young artists to explore art on our spacious grounds and in professionally equipped studios. RoCA’s large sparkling pool and open field provide plenty of healthy outdoor recreation. Each season, campers learn to express themselves through both the visual and performing arts. Four, two-week sessions: June 26–August 18, with a 3 or 5 day a week option. Saturday open houses: April 15 or May 13 from 2pm–5pm.
West Nyack, NY • (845) 358-0877 • rocklandartcenter.org
Newburgh Rowing Club
Join us for some summer fun at the Newburgh Rowing Club’s Summer Rowing and Kayaking Camp! Our waterfront boathouse at Ward Brother’s Memorial Park allows campers to participate in games on water, land, and even indoors during inclement weather.
Newburgh, NY • newburghrowclub.org • coachedkennedy@yahoo.com
Hudson Valley Writing Project
HVWP Young Writers Programs bring children and teens together to find their voices, share their ideas, and discover the joy of writing. Experienced teachers create inspiring and supportive settings where students write and explore their interests – art, nature, fantasy, activism, podcasting, and more! Tuition assistance is available.
New Paltz, NY • 845-257-2836 • newpaltz.edu/hvwp
Horses for a Change
Celebrating the magic that happens when humans and horses connect in a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere. This nonprofit offers summer riding weeks for kids, with riding for all ages and levels and lots of barn fun and horse care. “We emphasize empathy and understanding of our non-verbal but very communicative companions,” says Director Nancy Rosen.
Esopus, NY • 845-384-6424 • horsesforachange.org
Vanaver Caravan
The Vanaver Caravan’s summer dance and music programs, for ages 4-18, welcome students of every level and ability—meeting each dancer as they are, and nurturing personal growth, confidence, community connection, and joy. Workshops are held at MaMA in Stone Ridge from July 10-August 11.
New Paltz, NY • 845-256-9300 • vanavercaravan.org
Seed Song Farm Camp
Embracing children’s innate curiosity toward nature! Weekly themes are guided by daily farm rhythms and individual learning styles. Campers explore the farm fields and forests, care for the animals and plants, practice traditional skills, and make music, arts and crafts. Serving ages 4-15, financial assistance available.
Kingston, NY • 845-383-1528 • seedsongfarm.org
Wallkill River Center for the Arts
(formerly The Wallkill River School)
Unleash creativity! Immerse your child in a week of art classes on their favorite subject. Grow skills with painting, drawing, digital, and clay for grades K-12. Programs run Monday-Friday, 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm with an option to stay for lunch.
232 Ward Street, Montgomery • 845-457-2787 • Wallkill.Art
This article appears in March 2023.
