Traditonal summer camp or specialty camp?

Every summer, more than 250,000 New York children go to day or resident camps and enjoy learning life skills, making new friends and trying new activities. Now more than ever, there are so many different camps to choose from, including traditional summer camps and specialty camps. What is the difference between the two, and how do you know which one is best for your child?

A traditional summer camp gives your child a well-rounded experience. Children participate in a variety of activities, such as baseball, swimming, arts and crafts, waterskiing, canoeing and much more. They’ll learn leadership skills, resilience and independence as they become part of a community. Bunk activity days, a carnival, Olympics and color wars are a few traditional summer camp activities.

When a child attends a specialty camp, she’ll focus on a specific activity. There are specialty camps for just about every interest, including tennis, drama, gymnastics, basketball, etc. If your child has an interest in a specialized activity, there is bound to be a camp geared toward that interest.

So how do you know which is best for your child?

Consider her age. Young children often don’t show a specific interest in just one activity, because they are still figuring out what interests them. A traditional camp gives children the opportunity to try many different activities and develop many different skills. Often, older children and teenagers have narrowed down their interests to a particular sport or activity. Either a specialty camp or a traditional camp that offers focused programs in an activity that interests her might be the right fit. Traditional camps often hire top athletic coaches to teach as specialists so campers receive top instruction.

Also, keep in mind your child’s interests. Does she play basketball, but also perform in school plays? If so, she might enjoy a more varied day and may prefer a traditional camp, so she can participate in many activities. Or, does she focus on one activity or skill? In that case, she may prefer a specialty camp, so she can concentrate on her passion.

At the end of the day, keep in mind what your child would like, and what you would like for your child.

“Parents should consider the whole child when choosing a summer camp,” says Adam Weinstein, executive director of the American Camp Association’s New York and New Jersey branches. “They should think about all they would like their child to gain at camp. Consider a camp’s leadership, mission, and activities. These all support a positive camp experience.”

Whether you’re considering a traditional summer camp or a specialty camp, there is a summer camp for every child.

The American Camp Association has been serving the camp community and families for 100 years. To find the right camp for your child, visit www.campwizard.org, or call (800) 777-CAMP for free, one-on-one advice in finding a summer camp. American Camp Association-accreditation is a parent’s best evidence of a camp’s commitment to health and safety, and ensures that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally-challenging learning opportunities.

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Trinity School

<p dir="ltr">Come join us for another summer of fun, exploration and discovery. Our campers get to engage with each other in the following activities: Swimming, Golf, Chess, Lego Robotics, Art, Dance, Multisports and Storytelling (subject to change)…and of course, ice cream or ices every day! We will supply our campers with a daily snack but you will need to provide your own lunch. Come join us for a fantastic summer!!!</p> <p dir="ltr">Camp runs from 8:30am - 3pm.</p> <p dir="ltr">Session #1: Tuesday, June 20th - Friday, June 23rd (closed Monday 6/19th)</p> <p dir="ltr">Session #2: Monday, June 26th - Friday, June 30th </p> <p dir="ltr">Session #3: Tuesday, July 3rd - Friday, July 7th (closed Tuesday, July 4th)</p> <p dir="ltr">Session #4: Monday, July 10th - Friday, July 14th </p> <p dir="ltr"> Session #5: Monday, July 17th – Friday, July 21st </p> <p dir="ltr">       For more information, please contact:</p> <p dir="ltr">        Seth Goldberg,</p> <p dir="ltr">        Director of Afterschool Programs & Summer Coordinator </p> <p dir="ltr">        Ph: (212) 932-6849</p> <p dir="ltr">        E: [email protected]</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-left: 36pt; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-849a3a81-7fff-34df-9c6e-6714b519a740"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-left: 36pt; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"> </p>

Camp Woodward

<p>For those who live action sports, a week at Woodward West is beyond anything they’ve ever imagined. With an over 50-year legacy of teaching athletes balance and agility, Woodward knows what it takes to learn and be the best in the sports kids love. That is why we’ve built the most innovative parks, with features and training tools that help reduce injury and give kids a safe space to progress in the sports they love.  </p> <p>11 weeks of summer camp offered in 2024 will feature the following programs:</p> <p>- Skateboarding</p> <p>- Scooter riding</p> <p>- BMX freestyle biking</p> <p>- BMX racing</p> <p>- Parkour</p> <p>- Roller skating</p> <p>- Multisport</p> <p> </p> <p>The multisport program is a great place where kids can get a taste of all the action sports and discover their true passion!</p> <p>Woodward instruction and parks are built for progression, while recreational activities guarantee campers never have a dull moment. There are also pro athletes and Olympians in attendance each week who teach and hang with campers all week long.</p> <p>There’s no place like it. Join us this summer!</p>

Riverside Park Multi Summer Sport Camp

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">A 12-week multi-sport program that provides healthy fun inside beautiful Riverside Park. Choices of Baseball, Basketball, Flag football, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball and multi-sport options for ages 4–16 with instruction provided by qualified staff in a safe and fun atmosphere. </span></p>