Summer Camps 2012

Campers at BCAP.

It may feel like the last day of school is a long way off, but it’ll be here before you know it. Summer camp registration is open—in many cases, already full! We have compiled a list of local day camps, weekly classes, and sleepaway camps that cater to our neighborhood.

Day Camps in the Nabe
BCAP Summer Camp
789 Washington Ave
718-638-7700
Brooklyn Cultural Adventures Program Summer Camp works with the Botanic Garden, Prospect Park, the museums (Children’s and Art), and the library to allow little explorers, ages 7 to 12, to investigate Brooklyn’s cultural learning centers. Camp is available in two week sessions. Registration is open. Tuition assistance is available.

Campus Day Camp
At Brooklyn College
2901 Campus Road
718-421-7575
Camp at Brooklyn College is available for kindergarteners through 9th graders. This is a good balance between staying in the neighborhood and exploring the city. Explorers take 2 to 3 trips a week, depending on their age. Overnight trips are available for older campers.

Flatbush YMCA
1401 Flatbush Ave
718-469-8100
flatbushymca@ymcanyc.org
Open Houses: Saturday, April 28 from 10am to 4pm and Saturday May 19 from 10am to 4pm.
Campers from ages 4 through 14 have specific age related camps with age-appropriate activities specially designed to build self esteem. New York YMCA also has a sleep away camp for ages 6 through 16.

Urban Martial Arts Karate Sports Summer Camp
965 Coney Island Avenue
718-287-5500
info@urbandojo.com
Kids get karate lessons and much more, like exercise disguised as games to keep the kids active, character development, activities and art projects on themes like friendship, and fun field trips. The 2012 camp will run for 7 weeks, from July 9 to August 24, and you can sign up for 3 weeks, 5 weeks, or 7 weeks.

Summer Youth Tennis Program
Prospect Park Tennis Center
Morning, afternoon, and full day tennis camps are available for 6 to 16 year olds on a first come, first serve basis.

Home Run Baseball Camp
Full and half day camping options are available for your budding athlete. Safety is Home Run’s top concern, given the open layout of the Parade Grounds. Campers will even be escorted to the bathroom. The baseball benefit: 100 swings, 100 ground balls, 50 fly balls every day!

Bishop Ford Basketball Camp
Dennis Nolan: 718-490-9827
Mike Torros: 347-742-1180
5th through 8th graders can dribble and shoot at Bishop Ford’s coed basketball camp. Registration is available online now for this one-week camp, July 11 to 14.

2-Day Baseball Academy
Coach Mike Maldonado:

917-519-4522


Coach John Torres:

646-773-174


This Monday-Tuesday camp at Bay 8th Street is a match for athletes who want camp, but also want a summer break. The high coach/athlete ratio means campers get a lot of individual attention to improve fundamentals, mechanics, and teamwork. Of course, there will be lots of fun, too.

Brooklyn Cyclones Kids Camp
Brooklyn Cyclones Stadium
Registration is open for this week-long camp.  Campers receive free tickets to a Cyclones game and are instructed by actual Cyclones.  (Do you think, while sitting in the stadium watching your ball player, you’ll think, “I wish I could go to summer camp for a week.” Cyclones also offer a camp for adult women, and another for men.)

Marks JCH Summer Day Camp
7802 Bay Parkway
718-943-6343
camp@jchb.org
In addition to Jewish culture, each camper will participate in a variety of activities throughout the week to promote and build self-esteem. And as a commenter mentions, there’s an outdoor pool, and buses pick up around our neighborhood. The first session runs June 28 to July 24, the second session runs July 25 to August 17.

Mommy/Daddy Camp Options
You’ve decided summer camp doesn’t match your lifestyle—summer should be a time to relax, not wake up in time for camp!—but still crave structure and stimulation from organized instruction. Below is a list of opportunities for you.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
If you are looking for weekly classes to supplement mommy/daddy camp, the Botanic Garden has a number of horticulture classes for kids from 2-17. Younger kids attend with a caregiver. Many classes are full, so sign up now.

Brooklyn Museum of Art
Again, if you aren’t inclined to sign your child up for a full camp, but are looking for cultural enrichment, the Brooklyn Museum of Art has weekly classes for ages 6-17. Registration for members opens on May 2, for non-members, May 16

.

Midwood Martial Arts
Midwood Martial Arts maintains an active summer schedule. Classes are available for all ages and, for the summer only, you can sign up with a 5-week commitment instead of the usual 10-week. Perhaps while your wee one is perfecting her side-kick, you can practice your down dog.

Need Out of the City?
Do you need your kids to get outside the “Ocean to Ocean” boundaries of our corner of the world? A couple of local entities will provide an adventure for your explorer.

Fresh Air Fund
CAMBA, 885 Flatbush Avenue
Elizabeth: 718-282-5575, Ext. 40355
The Fresh Air Fund has for the past 136 years brought inner city kids to experience Friendly Town upstate. Interested? Download the application online, and learn more and register at CAMBA Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Flatbush YMCA
1401 Flatbush Ave
718-469-8100
flatbushymca@ymcanyc.org
Open Houses: Saturday, April 28 from 10am to 4pm and Saturday May 19 from 10am to 4pm.
New York YMCA has a sleep away camp for ages 6 through 16 where campers will get to ride horses, water ski, and develop outdoor life skills. You can learn more about it at the same open house you attend for information on the day camp.