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Country Day Camps Right Outside of New York City

<i>New York City's YMCA offers a day camp and sleepaway camp just 90 miles from the city, plus 70 camp sites across the boroughs.</i>
New York City's YMCA offers a day camp and sleepaway camp just 90 miles from the city, plus 70 camp sites across the boroughs.
2/25/19 - By Jessica Laird

There's certainly no shortage of much-loved day camps right here in NYC, but did you know your kid could be boarding an air-conditioned bus to a right-outside-the-city summer oasis?

From sprawling campgrounds and top-notch athletic facilities to outdoor adventures and classic activities like canoeing and archery, these day camps from our partners offer amenities and activities that are tough to come by in our wonderful but admittedly crowded city. And as if that isn't reason enough to trade a humid crosstown hike or a stifling subway ride for door-to-door bus service, many of the camps also provide on-site lunch, healthy snacks, and even towel service. Did we mention these tried-and-true traditional summer programs have been adored by families across the tri-state area for decades?

Read on for some of the best country day camp options right near New York City, or check out our New York City Camp Guide for even more ideas.

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<i>Deer Mountain Day campers have a blast with swimming, sports, arts and outdoor adventure activities.</i>
Deer Mountain Day campers have a blast with swimming, sports, arts and outdoor adventure activities.

Day Camps Near NYC

Deer Mountain Day Camp

Pomona
The 25-acre mountainside campus, with its spring-fed lake, feels far removed from city life. Programs are taught by experts in state-of-the-art facilities. Campers ages 3-15 enjoy swimming, sports, fine and performing arts, outdoor adventure, nature, STEM, and special events.  READ MORE

YMCA of Greater New York Summer Camps

Port Jervis and Various NYC Locations
With 70 sites throughout the five boroughs and summer programs for kids of all ages, there's a YMCA camp to fit your family. Choose from options like swim and specialty camps, traditional day camps, and sleepaway camps. School break camps are also offered. READ MORE

Deerkill Day Camp

Suffern
Deerkill has long been a summer destination for kids ages 3 to 15. The nurturing staff provides professional instruction in swimming, athletics, and specialty programs like movie making and garden-to-table cooking. A complimentary weekend club is included for every camper family.  READ MORE

Camp Mount Tom

New Rochelle
Traditional camp activities await campers ages 3 to 15, including daily swim instruction, sports, cultural and performing arts, STEM, nature, outdoor adventure, and special events. The preschool section is led by early childhood educators and offers flexible scheduling options for the length of the camp day. Transportation is available. READ MORE

The Nature Place Day Camp

Chestnut Ridge
This unplugged camp is all about connecting with the natural world. Campers ages 5-15 take part in non-competitive activities like hiking, earth art, mucking in the stream, camping, canoeing, climbing, farming and gardening, meeting animals, storytelling, archery, and more. READ MORE

92Y Camps

Rockland County
With convenient bus pickups in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Riverdale, and Northern New Jersey, campers can enjoy the 92Y Camp's 50-acre campground. Camps Tova and Bari Tov provide a range of diverse activities for campers ages 5-13 with learning and developmental disabilities. READ MORE

Pierce Country Day Camp

Roslyn
Four generations of the Pierce family have committed to creating magical summers for third-to-ninth graders. Pierce offers a range of sports, arts, aquatics, and adventure activities on a 27-acre campus with an interactive water park, seven pools, an aerial treehouse, and zip lines. READ MORE

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