We know spring has just sprung, but honestly, it’s never too early to start thinking about summer. And with the summertime season almost upon us, that means it’s time to start thinking about registering your youngsters for some well-curated art camps to keep them sharp, stimulated and, maybe most importantly, to keep them busy.
Most camps are designed by age group, with something to offer any child at any and all skill level. Spots tend to fill up fast, so that’s why we’re giving you this handy, dandy little round-up now so you can quickly make moves for your kiddo’s fast-approaching summer break.
The Shine Studio, 977 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, 212-414-5427
From June 2 to June 20, this Bridgehampton-based local offers innovative and creative activities sure to get your child ready for summer. Designed for kids ages 3 to 10, there’s music and movement, craft projects, outdoor play and visits from performing and visual arts specialists. Half days (from 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 to 3 p.m.) or full days (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) are available. Starting June 23 and continuing through August 30, it’s Family Camp, designed for littles ages 20 to 36 months on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. This caregiver and child program allows for kids to socialize, play and craft while meeting other families and children. Mini camp is June 23 to August 30 and is designed for kids ages 2 to 3.5 years, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Activities will include art and sensory projects, nature exploration and weekly specialists. Full Day Camp is June 23 to August 30 and is for kids ages 4 to 11. Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., activities include summer art and nature projects, sports and yoga, gardening, music, movement and dancing plus weekly visits from the nearby South Fork Natural History Museum. There will also be performing and visual arts workshops with local performers, artists and artisans.
Future Stars Art Camp, 1370A Majors Path, Southampton, 631-287-6707
Well-known for its multi-sport camps as well as STEAM education initiatives, Future Stars Art Camp focuses on creativity, exploration and progress for kids 6 to 14. This art camp, which runs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., allows participants to engage in project-based learning with a curriculum focused on pottery, paper mâche, portraiture, jewelry making and more. There’ll also be plenty of pool and waterslide time each day and an art exhibit to showcase finished work at the end of each week. $1,095 a week (discounts are available until June 1). There’s also a lunch option, from Citarella, for $90 a week. Camp runs from June 23 to August 22.
Ross School, 739 Butter Lane, Bridgehampton, 631-907-5376
Grouped by age, campers at Ross will experience a dynamic mix of hands-on, skill-building workshops while utilizing diverse mediums to create works of art. There will also be opportunities for campers to immerse themselves in filmmaking, editing, choreography, acting and storytelling. Performing art sessions as well as hands-on art-making sessions will be done both individually and in groups, culminating in an end-of session art exhibit and performances. Full day camp ($1,400 to $1,600 a week) runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additionally, there’s Creative Explorations for kids age 2 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ($1,100 to $1,300 a week) as well as Music and Movement ($150 a week) for ages 2 and under on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. Contact [email protected] with questions. Camp runs from June 23 to August 15.
Renaissance Kids Arts Camp and Fine Arts Camp, 133 East Main St., Riverhead, 631-727- 0900
Reviving a beloved East End Arts Council tradition, Renaissance Kids Arts Camp is an immersive summer experience for young creators aged 5 to 11, which runs from July 7 to August 15. Campers can enjoy painting, crafts, music, clay, collage and literary arts while getting plenty of outdoor fun. Each week wraps up with a special showcase in the student gallery. Camp is offered Monday through Friday for either a half day (9 a.m. to noon, $1,900) or full day (9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $2,900 for six weeks). Older kids ages 10 to 15 can dig into fine art camp, offered six times over the summer season, where potential creators can build their individual strengths as an artist. Each week will hold a specific theme, set to inspire young artists and creators from all levels. $550 per week or get a camp pass for all six weeks for $2,900.
Hamptons Art Camp, 631-488-8715; Drop-off at The Church on 48 Madison St., Sag Harbor. Pick-up at the Old Whaler’s Church on 44 Union St., Sag Harbor
Celebrate community and creativity as local nonprofit Hamptons Community Outreach, a Sag Harbor-based organization with the mission of lifting people out of poverty, hosts a six-week long summer camp for youngsters. Featuring activities ranging from all-things-art to sewing, beading, cooking, planting, water play and outdoor games, the end results for the myriad projects offered at the camp are service-oriented, such as making dog beds for animal shelters, preparing food for pantries and making greeting cards for nursing home residents. Camp runs Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 30 to August 8. There will be no camp on July 4. Register for any combo of individual weeks or do all six for kids ages 6 to 12. $1,100 per week (except week of June 30, it’s $880 because camp is not held on July 4). For a 10% sibling discount, please use the promo code SIBLINGS at checkout. All payments are refundable through May 1, less a 5% administrative fee.
Summer Children’s Theater Program, 16 South Ferry Road, 631-749-0025
Directed and facilitated by the Brooklyn Acting Lab, and made possible by the Elizabeth Pedersen Fund, this year’s program for little aspiring thespians aged 6 to 12 has expanded from two to three weeks, July 28 to August 15. Participants will be led by professional theater artists, bringing stories to life using text, music, singing, dancing and visual art. Culminating in a live performance on August 15 at 2 p.m., this year’s theme is a Land of Oz-inspired tale, beginning with a massive hurricane of 1938 that battered Shelter Island and including zany, fantastical characters along the way. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon; fees are $1,300 for a single participant, $2,470 for two participants from the same household.
For $60 a week, you can have lunch delivered to your child at camp. There is a selection of different dishes, such as chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, egg salad sandwich, cheese quesadilla, hamburger, turkey sandwich, hot dog, mac and cheese. All dishes come with a fruit or a veggie.
Visual Arts Camp at the Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, 631-283-2118
Visual Arts Camp at the Parrish offers kids ages 6 to 11 the chance to express themselves through creation, playing and learning. Occurring both inside the iconic museum’s walls as well as throughout the grounds, activities include everything from painting to active art-centric discussions. Camp is Monday through Friday form 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m, July 21 to August 8. Each week is $1,200 per child. Discounts are available for Parrish Art Museum members. All materials will be included, but please make sure your child comes with a packed lunch. Email Casey Meyer at [email protected] with questions.
Art Studio Hamptons, 108 Main St. #2, Westhampton Beach, 631-275-8148
Summer art camps run all season led by New York State certified art teachers with years of experience and who also practice their own art professionally. From July 8 to July 11, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, kids in grades 1 to 8 are welcome to Masterpiece Makers Art Camp, where they’ll discover the techniques of the great masters from the impressionist, abstract and cubist art movements, learning specific brush techniques, color mixing and composition. $385 per student. From July 15 to 18, first through eighth graders can partake in Watercolor Wonders (9 a.m. to noon) to master techniques like blending, washing and layering while Crafty Kids Art Camp (12:30 to 3:30 p.m.) is for youngsters eager to experiment hands-on with art projects. Both workshops are $385 each. July 29 through August 1, Portrait Studio Summer Art Camp is for young artists entering grades 2 through 8, and will occur Tuesday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This immersive camp will focus on portraiture with all skill levels welcome. $385 per child. Camp runs July 8 to August 1
