Campers design and paint kites at Art Effect.
Horseback riding at the Frost Valley YMCA camp.
Livingston Street Early Childhood Community in Kingston offers full and half day programs for ages 3 to 5 with an emphasis on social competence, emotional well-being, early literacy and communication skills. Lovingly guided campers explore the community as thoroughly as, in other places, they explore the woods. “You’ll find us outdoors most of the day, walking around the neighborhood several times a week, and participating in a community project, like the Kingston Artist Soapbox Derby,” says Executive Director Cheryl Demuth. Livingstonstreet.org Camp Hillcroft, located in LaGrangeville, is a classic day camp experience for pre-K through 9th grade, packed with arts, athletics, water and outdoor fun, run by a family that’s been enhancing children’s summers since 1950. “It’s good old fashioned fun and getting dirty, with yoga and cooking and high ropes added,” says co-owner Sally Buttinger. “We have 35 program areas, and we typically have 150 out of 180 kids come back the next year for more.” Camphillcroft.com High Meadow School in Stone Ridge partners with organizations offering circus arts, Wayfinder, Ninja Camp (parkour and 50 SUMMER CAMPS CHRONOGRAM 2/19
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum nature hike. Photo by Brian Kussard.
archery), Jam Camp, STEM camp, and more. Wee ones 5-7 get a taste of the theme; older kids dive deep with teens helping them; there’s an Inchworm Program for ages 3-5.“We offer enriching stuff that can be hard to find,” says camp director Rochelle Victor, “where kids push themselves without getting overly competitive.” Onthemeadow.org Horses For A Change at Frog Hollow Farm in Esopus celebrates all of the magic that happens when humans and horses connect in a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere. Week-long programs for kids of all ages offer therapeutic riding, basics, dressage and lots of barn fun and horse care. “We emphasize empathy and understanding of our non-verbal but very communicative companions,” says co-owner Nancy Rosen. Horsesforachange.org At Black Rock Forest Consortium’s Summer Science Camp in the Hudson Highlands of Cornwall, kids 11-15 spend a week investigating a 3,838 acre “living laboratory” in the company of career scientists and PhD candidates. “Students get to explore the outdoors in greater depth, and spend much if not all of their days outside
exploring the forest through the eyes of a true scientist,” says Camp Manager Kate Terlizzi. Blackrockforest.org Hudson Hills Montessori in Beacon offers an eight-week day camp experience for ages 2.5-6; campers explore weekly themes through arts and crafts, nature investigations and hands on activities in the company of Montessori-trained instructors, with a lot of outdoor time. “Camp’s a time to build friendships, laugh and grow.; Hudson Hills incorporates the Montessori principles of respect, independence and joyful exploration,” says Primary Director Carolyn Sheeran. Hudsonhillsmontessori.org The whole family can camp together at the Ashokan Center beside the reservoir of the same name, where Family Camp in August incorporates storytelling, puppetry, nature, crafts and pure play “No one can come to Family Camp without a kid, and people bring interested older kids to our adult learning vacation programs,” says Jay Ungar. Ashokan Center director and the founder of the Music and Dance programs. “And this year we’re adding a kids’ track with a music and dance focus, but more outdoor games and nature hikes.” Ashokan.org/camps