Camps

Apr 17 2013

DJ Classes for NYC Kids: Learn Scratching, Mixing and Digital Music Making

Things to do with kids: DJ Classes for NYC Kids: Learn Scratching, Mixing and Digital Music Making

In the age of digital everything you might think old-school DJing with those shiny black things we called records would be dead and gone. But not so. There are a number of DJ schools in NYC that teach retro turntable action as well as digital music mixing via state-of-the-art technology.

While most of these programs are primarily aimed at adults, three Manhattan schools also offer classes for junior DJs. Mixing, blending, scratching and beats are just some of what participants learn, and by the end they have their own professionally recorded demos. (Too bad they'll need to wait until they're 21 to actually spin at a club.) Here are the top DJ classes for tweens and teens in New York City.

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Mar 25 2013

Makerspaces for NYC Kids: 3D Printing, Arduino and Other Hot Technology Workshops

Makerspaces for NYC Kids: 3D Printing, Arduino and Other Hot Technology Workshops

Recently, all the news about high-stakes testing and changes to the Common Core Standards has made me feel like NYC public schools are moving even further away from arts and creative learning and turning into what my father called "conformity factories." Luckily in New York City, innovative, cutting-edge learning is just a subway ride away.

Right now, one of the coolest things to do with NYC kids is to visit a makerspace where they can get hands-on experience with 3D printing, video game design, animation, Arduino electronics, digital music and more. Makerspaces are popping up all over NYC. Some allow you to drop in and try out avant-garde technology, others offer workshops, classes or summer camp programs designed specifically for kids.

Our kids are living in an age when they have the tools to bring their ideas to life like never before. My daughter created the necklace shown in our gallery at a local makerspace in under an hour, no major investment or factory needed. She has since started a blog for her jewelry designs and even has her own Etsy store.

Who knows what kinds of creativity and innovation this new technology will lead to? Today's young inventors will certainly lead the way. In the meantime, 3D printing is like having a factory at your fingertips, conformity be gone.

I'm sure this list will change as the makerspace movement continues to grow, but here are some of the coolest maker programs for kids in NYC right now.

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Mar 13 2013

Foreign Language Camps for NYC Kids: Learn to Speak Spanish, French, Chinese and More

Things to do with kids: Foreign Language Camps for NYC Kids: Learn to Speak Spanish, French, Chinese and More

In our melting pot of a city, kids are exposed to lots of different languages, and the summer is a great time for children to try to pick up a new one. Whether your child yearns to master Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish, New York City is home to lots of language immersion summer camps. No textbooks at these programs. Instead, kids experience the usual seasonal fun—swimming, sports, arts—in their non-native tongue. The instructors and counselors are all fluent and not only teach kids the language, they expose them to the culture, too. Here are 10 language immersion summer day camps that will have your kids saying hola, bonjour or ciao in no time.

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Mar 11 2013

Spring Break Camps for New York City Kids: Cool Programs for Easter and Passover Break

Things to do with kids: Spring Break Camps for New York City Kids: Cool Programs for Easter and Passover Break

How can it be spring break already? It feels like midwinter break just ended! New York City public schools are closed from Monday, March 25 through Tuesday, April 2, and while there are plenty of cool things to do on the weekends, like Easter egg hunts and fun family day trips, you still have seven weekdays to fill.

If this vacation seemed to sneak up on you (like it did on me), don't worry: We've got the lowdown on the best spring break camps in town—and yes, they still have space available. These programs run the gamut from science to sports to the arts, so there's something to please every child. Plus many of these camps are offered the week of March 18 to 22 to accommodate private school recess. Be sure to click through to the camps' official sites for all the details, including hours and pricing.

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Mar 4 2013

Free and Cheap Summer Camps for NYC Kids

Things to do with kids: Free and Cheap Summer Camps for NYC Kids

Even if your family's swimming in money like Uncle Scrooge (and if you are, congrats), we all appreciate a good bargain. Summer camp is an especially stressful financial issue because while we want our children to have a fun, rewarding and safe experience, we don't want to dig into our 401Ks to pay for it. One thing we've learned is that cost and quality don't always correlate. Some wonderful programs are subsidized by arts and education funding so that all children can experience the rich and amazing resources of this city.

Although there seem to be fewer completely free New York City summer camps than in years past, our list of excellent inexpensive camps keeps growing. One of those programs—the NYC Parks Experience Summer Day Camp, which costs $500 for the entire summer—holds its online lottery for spots this week! Read on to find out how to vie for a space and for info on many other free and bargain summer camps for NYC kids.

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