Allison T's blog

Wherever you sit on the controversial issue of testing, standardized tests and the pressures that come them are part of the American educational system. New York City kids are faced with high-stakes tests from an early age, from the G&T to the ERB to Regents to the granddaddy of them all, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the exam for college-bound high school students.

In order to improve their chances for a high score, many teens enroll in SAT prep programs during their junior year. These classes usually meet twice a week for a few months, cutting into after-school activities and precious study time during an already stressful school year. So when it came time for my 11th grade daughter to face the SAT challenge, we opted for a different solution: an intensive six-day summer SAT course in rural Southern Maine. While SAT prep is the camp's main objective, the kids also have plenty of time for traditional summer camp recreational activities. The serene Maine setting on Panther Pond was just the respite that my stressed-out city kid needed.

Traditionally there are two types of day camps: Specialty camps that allow kids to focus on one thing (soccer, theater, robotics, art, etc.) and general interest camps, where participants spend their days rotating through a schedule of sports, swimming and arts. Lately, some general programs have started to offer more specialization, allowing kids to pick a "major" of sorts and then spend the rest of the day participating in traditional camp activities.

These kinds of customizable camps are great for kids who are really into a particular activity but don't want to give up traditional day camp fun like swimming, sports and lots of time outdoors. It also gives children more control over their schedules. Here are eight NYC-area day camps that offer this type of personal flexibility.

Going to sleepaway camp is a rite of passage for many New York City kids. Young city slickers pack their trunks and spend four to eight weeks in the great outdoors, communing with nature and experiencing life without Mom and Dad.

If you've got an elementary schooler who's interested in trying sleepaway camp but is anxious about going away for a month (or more likely you're the one freaking out), you don't have to make such a big time commitment. These days, many sleepaway camps in the Northeast offer starter camps, one or two-week sessions specifically designed for first-timers. These mini-camps are a great way for families to test the waters to make sure you and your kid are ready to spend the summer apart. We've found a dozen diverse camps that offer these kinds of junior sleepaway programs.

This time of year, those languid summer afternoons spent in the park, watching your children engage in endless free play while their imaginations ran wild, seem a distant memory. Never fear, the Upper West Side has become the unofficial craft capitol of New York City, a place where neither rain nor snow will slow your kid’s creative process down. It is teeming with all-weather spots that will keep the kids engaged for a few hours, without creating chaos in your home. These hands-on activities are just the sticky mess that your child craves, with the added bonus of taking home a handmade keepsake. Here are six places to make your own crafts, perfect for the dog days of winter. Since crafting makes my family’s stomach growl, snack suggestions are listed.

While there are plenty of things to do in New York City over holiday break, school recess is a great time for families to explore the world beyond the five boroughs.

Over the years, our readers have shared their favorite family-friendly day trips. Now we've got 10 more mini-itineraries to add to the list. These getaways are all within two hours of NYC, and many are even accessible without a car. Best of all, some of them have special activities and attractions in honor of the holiday season.