8 min read

37 Summer Camps For Kids That Still Have Spots Available

Summer Camp, via Shorefront Y

Though in some cases it’s getting down to the wire, there is still time to register for summer camps in Brooklyn.

Some camps are partially sold out, like the Brooklyn Robot Foundry camps that are specialized and have limited seats. Other camps like, Park Slope Day Camp, are set up to welcome even last-minute registrants.

Many parents wonder what to do with tweens that are too young to work but too old–the tweens feel–for camp. Some camps take on tween and teen volunteer counselors to assist adult counselors with the younger children. Camps that hire junior counselors will have that information on their website. Additionally, the Prospect Park Zoo offers a unique opportunity for tweens and teens to work alongside zoo keepers.

Arts
Accomplished artists teach at most of the Brooklyn art camps. Additionally, the camps use quality materials and teach real crafts. In some, campers will visit our city’s world class museums to see the work of the masters.

BAX Brooklyn Arts Exchange
421 5th Ave, Park Slope, 718-832-0018
For children entering grades K-6
BAX Theater offers children interested in performing arts an opportunity to find their voice. Space is still available. Discounts for registering for 5+ weeks.

Brooklyn Design Lab
413A 7th Ave, Park Slope, 917-657-7441
For children entering grades K-6
These studios run morning and afternoon sessions and are ideal for focusing on a specific fine arts talent. At this point, artists will have to be wait listed for their studio but it may be worth getting on the list.

Creative Arts Studio
310 Atlantic Ave, Boerum Hill, 718-797-5600
For children between the ages of 5-13
Space is limited for the summer program. Yet, they’ve just added the Summer Teen Intensive, a Monday/Wednesday/Friday evening program.

Summer Arts Program at Brooklyn Friends School
375 Pearl St, Downtown Brooklyn, 718-852-1029
For children in grades 3-9
Space is still available at Brooklyn Friends, which is amazing given the long list of interesting activities kids will take advantage of.

Textile Arts Center
505 Carroll St, Gowanus, 718-369-0222
For children between the ages of 5-11
Click here to see how many seats are left in each crafty subject area. Some are sold out. Others will say how many seats are still available.

Educational
Dive into science, architecture, and language immersion at these camps that show the fascinating aspects of their subject.

Brooklyn Cultural Adventures Program
789 Washington Ave, Prospect Heights, 718-638-7700
For children between the ages of 7-12
The Heart of Brooklyn camp, which explores six of Brooklyn’s top cultural institutions, is full for this year’s program. Though the consortium ended earlier this year, the camp was spared–hopefully that will continue in the coming years, as well, so mark your calendars to sign up early in 2014.

Carmelo the Science Fellow
300 Atlantic Ave, Boerum Hill, 718-722-0000
For children between the ages of 5-11
From Grossology to Astronomy, scientists explore different kinds of science each week. Registration was in person in January, and though it’s full, people are switching things up or dropping weeks as they figure out vacation plans, so Carmelo recommends getting them a registration form, and indicate how many weeks you’d like and which weeks you’re interested in. “This way we can do our best to accommodate their weeks of preference once something opens up,” he says.

Brooklyn Robot Foundry
303 3rd Ave, Gowanus, 347-762-6840
For children between the ages of 5-11
Space is limited at the camp where kids can design, build, and play with robots. June seats are available as is only one week in August.

Chess Academy
In a private home near PS 139, Ditmas Park, west.chessacademy@gmail.com
For children in grades K-5
Curriculum will focus on chess (alternating lessons, puzzles, and play time) for all skill levels, with some physical activity and outdoor time as well. The first week is July 8-12, the second July 15-19, and will run daily from 8:30am-5pm, and ends with a pizza party on each Friday. The cost is $350 per week, with a discount if a child is signed up for both weeks, and there’s a sibling discount as well.

Juguemos Summer Day Camp
357 6th St, Park Slope, 917-453-118
For children between the ages of 2-10
Kids can start at this Spanish-language camp at age 2. Space is still available for all age levels.

Jewish Day Camps
You don’t have to observe to attend these camps, but if you send your child, expect kosher meals and in some cases some religious observations.

Marks Jewish Community House
7802 Bay Parkway, Bensonhurst, 718-331-6800
For children between the ages of 3-5 and grades 1-9
Space is still available for most age groups at this camp that is popular for its swimming program, as are the add-on activities like the bbq or the autism walk.

Shorefront Y Day Camp
3300 Coney Island Avenue, Brighton Beach, 718-646-1444
For children between the ages of 2.5-14
Enjoy a kosher lunch, and spend the day swimming at the beach or playing on a rooftop playground. You can register online for a select age group. Get $20 off by completing their camp survey.

Congregation Beth Elohim’s Summer Day Camps
274 Garfield Pl, Park Slope, 718-768-3814
For children between the ages of 2-13
Beth Elohim offers a comprehensive camp schedule, and though some divisions have already passed tuition deadlines, some are still open.

On School Campus
Many private schools and colleges host summer camps associated with their school, but which are open to community members.

Berkeley Carroll
701 Carroll St or 181 Lincoln Pl, Park Slope, 718-789-6060
For children between the ages of 8-14
Download the Berkeley Carroll registration form to sign up for one of their creative art camps. Deadline for final payment is May 1.

Curious Jane
701 Carroll St, Park Slope, 718-369-6320
For girls in grades 2-6
Online registration is still open for girls in grades 1 to 12 interested in this girls-only camp designed to empower young women in the areas of science and design.

International School of Brooklyn
477 Court St, Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens, 718-369-3023
For children between the ages of 3.5-12
In addition to learning Spanish and French, campers will learn music, science, and robotics. A downloadable camp registration form is available.

Long Island University
1 University Plaza, Fort Greene, 718-488-1011
For children between the ages of 3-12
This camp, where kids can spend the summer at LIU learning how to make a comic book and more, has seats available for both age groups (3-6 and 7-12).

Packer Summer Camp
170 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn Heights, 718-250-0200
For children between the ages of 4-12
Campers have access to St. Francis College facilities including a swimming pool, a half-acre of private outdoor space, and an air conditioned indoor space. Space is still available. Register online or download a form.

Outdoor Camps
For kids who want to spend their summer exploring the outdoors (and the animals that live there).

NYC Parks
Locations vary
For children between the ages of 6-13
The city’s resources are available to campers: swimming pools, museums, parks, and more. Summer camp registration has reopened for the waitlist, for those who missed the registration for the lottery.

Prospect Park Zoo
450 Flatbush Avenue, Prospect Park, ppzeducation@wcs.org, 718-399-7327
For children between the ages of 2-17
Many of the camp options are sold out. The zoo has an internship for pre-teens and teens, a rare opportunity for teens to work with animals.

Sports
Whether they like baseball, soccer, gymnastics, karate, or all of the above, there is a sports camp in the borough that’s the right fit.

Amerikick
529 5th Ave, South Slope, 718-768-8200
For children between the ages of 3-12
There are a few spots still available in this karate camp, and if you sign up by May 1, an opportunity for a discount.

Avantis Swimming Academy
Locations vary, 347-380-8777
For children between the ages of 5-17
The price has gone up a little, but seats are still available at this top level swimming academy with 19 locations throughout Brooklyn.

Aviator Sports
3159 Flatbush Ave, Marine Park, 718-758-7500
For children between the ages of 3-15
Opportunities to run, jump, and climb in a wide range of activities, all summer long at Aviator are still available.

AYSO Soccer Camp
Parade Ground, Ditmas Park, 917-847-8719
For children entering grades K-12
Early bird registration continues through June 15.

Brooklyn Cyclones Camp
MCU Park, Coney Island, 718-382-2603
For children between the ages of 7-14
Registration for this half-day camp is open and seats sell out fast. Mom and Dad can sign up for baseball camp (not at the same time as Junior) if they’re interested in reliving a youthful summer.

Brooklyn Fencing
62 4th St, 2nd Floor, Carroll Gardens, 718-522-5822
For children ages 7 and up
Online registration is open and space is available for beginners and advanced fencers.

Camp Olympia
John Jay HS, 237 7th Ave, Park Slope, 718 748-7084
For children between the ages of 4-17
Camp Olympia has a 2-week minimum registration requirement. Spots are available.

Home Run Baseball Camp
Parade Ground, Ditmas Park, 202-256-8883
For children between the ages of 4-12
Last year, ball players could register for baseball camp the week before. Home Run can accept a lot of kids because they use the Parade Ground.

Prospect Park Youth Tennis Program
Prospect Park Tennis Center, Ditmas Park, 718-436-2500
For children between the ages of 6-16
Sign up before June 1 for the early bird discount.

Urban Martial Arts
965 Coney Island Ave, Ditmas Park, 718-287-5500
For children ages 4 and up
Seats are still available at Urban Martial Arts, though the campers won’t be sitting. They’ll be running, jumping, and kicking while learning life skills.

Xaverian High School
7100 Shore Rd, Bay Ridge, 718-836-7100
For children between the ages of 7-13
Space is still available for your young one to be inspired by a high school coach in one of many traditional sports.

Traditional Day Camps
With games, friendships, and whole lot of memories, these camps will keep kids busy with a variety of activities.

Kings Bay Y at Windsor Terrace
1224 Prospect Ave, Windsor Terrace, 718-407-6377
For children entering grades PreK-12
Among traditional camp activities, campers will take field trips to nearby water parks. There is also a Hebrew-language option. Registration can be done online, and space is available.

Park Explorers
611 8th Avenue, Park Slope, 718-788-3620
For children between the ages of 3-14
There are still spots available for campers who want to enjoy lots of summer sunshine and fun, various activities, trips, and more.

The Park Slope Day Camp
694 5th Avenue, Park Slope, 718-788-PSDC (7732)
For children entering grades PreK-10
You can sign up online now. Also, they are still hosting a couple more open houses if you want more information.

Mill Basin Day Camp
5945 Strickland Avenue, Mill Basin, 718-251-6200
For children entering grades PreK-9
The season is 95% sold out at this camp, which has a pool, two basketball courts, and a game room in addition to all the theater and crafty activities.

Kamp 4 Kidz
180 7th Avenue, Park Slope, 718-232-6794
For children between the ages of 5-15
Space is still available for this camp held at PS 321, where kidz explore drama, dance, and arts & crafts.

Kim’s Kids Summer Camp
378 3rd St, Park Slope, 718-768-6419
For children between the ages of 4.5-11
Space is available for the day camp and add-on activities.

Photo via Shorefront Y