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Best Free and Affordable Summer Camps on Long Island

At Long Island's Y camps, campers build friendships. Photo courtesy of the YMCA
At Long Island's Y camps, campers build friendships. Photo courtesy of the YMCA
2/11/24 - By Jaime Sumersille

Looking for the best free and affordable summer camps on Long Island? Read on for our roundup of some great picks that won't break the bank. 

For kids on Long Island, summer is a fun-filled 10 weeks, but for moms and dads, those two months need to be filled with activity before the home becomes a whining zone of boredom.

Summer camps can be a significant investment, but some Long Island summer camps are actually quite affordable, and others offer scholarships and financial aid.

Here is our list of the most affordable summer camp programs on Long Island. Find more summer camp resources in our Guide to Summer Camps. 

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Camps 'R' Us offers a safe, fun, and affordable summer camp experience. Photo courtesy of Camps 'R' Us
Camps 'R' Us offers a safe, fun, and affordable summer camp experience. Photo courtesy of Camps 'R' Us

Affordable Summer Camps on Long Island

Camps 'R' Us

Multiple Locations
Camps 'R' Us is a long-running, family-owned day camp offering children ages 3 to 13 a summer spent enjoying the outdoors with organized activities and free play, plus tons of electives. Register for 2-5 days per week; half-day sessions and sibling discounts are available. A counselor-in-training program is also offered.  READ MORE

YMCA of Long Island Camps

Multiple Locations
The YMCA of Long Island offers a range of programming, no matter your child's age or interest. Its camps teach sportsmanship and teamwork while building self-expression. YMCA camps build self-confidence and provide plenty of active fun.  READ MORE

Boys And Girls Clubs Of America

Multiple Locations
Boys and Girls Club camps are available for kids ages 6-15. The six-week program's themes include sports, outdoor activities, tech projects, arts and crafts, dance, and field trips. Kids can register for one week or the whole summer but must be members of the club.  READ MORE

Nassau County Police Activity League Camp

Multiple Locations
NCPAL offers day camps at affordable pricing. Day camps are full-day, 5 days a week. Activities include judo, art, music, STEM, dance and more. Campers can sign up for 3, 4 or 5 week sessions. READ MORE

SCOPE Summer Enrichment and Camps

Multiple Locations
SCOPE operates out of multiple districts across Long Island. Each summer, SCOPE offers camps and enrichment classes in STEM, dance, art, theater, cooking, and more in 3-hour sessions. Themes change each summer. Current and past themes include space, animal art, and the Olympics. SCOPE is very affordable and allows parents to sign up for sessions by the week. Some districts allow out-of-district residents to attend, while others only allow children attending their district to sign up.  READ MORE

The Coder School Long Island - Camps

Multiple Locations
At The Coder School, aspiring coders use their newfound passion as a stepping stone to think outside the box and channel their ideas in a creative way while having fun. In-person campers work with Raspberry Pi, while virtual campers can choose from a Scratch or Python-focus.  READ MORE

Affordable Summer Camps in Nassau County

The Center for Science

Rockville Centre
The Center for Science is a nonprofit dedicated to science and STEM education. In addition to hands-on exhibits, The Center for Science offers engaging programming from school break and summer camps to birthday parties, field trips, and discovery programs for all ages. READ MORE

Nassau County Summer Recreation Camp

Wantagh
Hicksville
This full-day camp runs Monday through Friday for approximately 6 weeks. In addition to 45 minutes of swim time in the park's pool complex, each day children will participate in arts and crafts, board games, and multiple sports. This affordable camp fills up quickly, so register early. Camp is located at Wantagh Park or Cantiague Park. READ MORE
Make lifelong friends at the Cornell 4H Camp at Peconic Dunes. Photo courtesy of the camp
Make lifelong friends at the Cornell 4H Camp at Peconic Dunes. Photo courtesy of the camp

Affordable Summer Day Camps in Suffolk County

Cornell 4H Camp - Peconic Dunes

Southold
This sleepaway/day camp in Southold is located on the Long Island Sound. Accommodations are screened cabins. Activities include archery, arts and crafts, farm-to-table cooking, and more.  READ MORE

Hidden Pond Day Camp at The Rinx

Hauppauge
Hidden Pond Day Camp has been providing unforgettable summers since 1992. Each day, campers swim twice and go ice skating. HPDC's other programming builds the four C's: creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. READ MORE
Sessions at upstate Frost Valley are 2 weeks long. Photo courtesy of the camp
Sessions at upstate Frost Valley are 2 weeks long. Photo courtesy of the camp

Affordable Sleepaway Camps near Long Island

Frost Valley YMCA Camp

Claryville, New York
Frost Valley YMCA offers day camps as well as sleepaway camps with specialty camps including horse and farm camps, teen adventure camps, and camps for kids with special needs. Activities at the standard day camp include arts and crafts, sports and games, hiking, climbing, swimming, and soaring on the flying squirrel zip line. Bus transportation is available from several locations in Sullivan and Ulster Counties.   READ MORE

North Shore Holiday House

Huntington, New York
North Shore Holiday House is a non-profit organization offering FREE sleepaway camps to girls ages 7-15. Younger campers, ages 7-11, can attend for 2 weeks; older campers, ages 12-15, are invited to enjoy a 1-week session. All campers enjoy traditional summer camp activities, including swimming, performing arts, sports, and yoga. Life skills like financial literacy are also offered. To qualify, families must meet the USDA requirements for free or reduced lunch.  READ MORE

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