Holiday break camps for kids on Long Island
If Santa Claus knew Long Island's holiday-break day camps offer the chance to feed stingrays, explore virtual meteorites and catch a quail walking on a leash, he'd postpone this year's trip back to the North Pole.
School break drop-in classes combine fun with first-time experiences for kids. "Kids are looking to do something different or something they're passionate about," during time off from school, says Marcela Pinzon, CEO and founder of The Fashionable Stylista. At her Syosset design studio, a camp will give second through eighth graders the chance to design their own gowns.
Break week programs are offered on half or full days. Register online in advance.
BE A FACE-PAINTED DINOSAUR
Camp at: The Center for Science Teaching & Learning
Ages: 5 to 12
"It’s fun first, but our camp’s focus is hands-on science activities," says director Ray Ann
Havasy. Five scheduled camp days include science experiments like making slime and goo (chemistry), building roller coasters and boats and testing buoyancy (physics), and creating nature crafts (biology). Specialists with parrots, rabbits and other animals will drop-in for a visit.
Weather permitting, kids will hike around the pond to see what the ducks, geese, muskrats and turtles do when it’s cold outside. A second trail goes into the woods. "We have a groundhog who has taken up residency there. He comes right out and the kids can see him," Havasy says.
Kids can learn about dinosaurs at the Center for Science Teaching & Learning in Rockville Centre. Credit: David Vessey; Brittainy Newman
During camp dates, a science carnival will be in full swing for all museum visitors. Campers spend about an hour at the carnival inside the museum alongside animatronic dinosaurs and live animals. Prehistoric creatures join games such as pin the tail on the T. rex or toss a ring on a triceratops’ horns. Dinosaur face painting will let kids choose a creature they’d like to have painted on their faces.
Little quails that are leash trained are the stars of the camp and carnival, Havasy says. "The kids love them, they’re so cute."
- DATES AND RATES: Camp dates: Dec. 26, 29, 30, 31 and Jan. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; pricing: $75 per day, drop-in offered
- MORE INFO: 1450 Tanglewood Rd., Rockville Centre; 516-764-0045; cstl.org
BE A DRESS DESIGNER
Camp at: The Fashionable Stylista
Ages: 7 to 13
Spend half a day designing and creating a mini wedding gown, or spend a full day upcycling old clothes. A tattered shirt can become a skirt, handbag, pillow, vest, or something else they've imagined.
Xavier Brogan, 10, looks to some beaded lace for inspiration at Fashionable Stylista in Syosset. Credit: Kathy M Helgeson
A Wedding Dress Design camp will be led by designer Kerianne Meehan, whose eponymous business is in Huntington. Kids will sketch their design ideas on art paper before using leftover wedding dress fabric from Meehan's shop to add gems, pearls and lace onto a 9-inch mannequin using fabric glue. Each child goes home with a mannequin wearing the wedding dress they’ve designed.
Amber Lai, 11, left, and Shanzay Kahn, 11, look through magazines for inspiration to add to the mood boards they are creating; Charlotte Mintz, 12, uses pieces of lace for her design. Credit: Kathy M. Helgeson
During the full-day Upcycle and Create camp, kids bring in a few worn clothing items or pieces they’ve outgrown to turn them into something new. Campers will sketch a drawing of a different concept for their used clothing. With guidance, they pin, cut, glue and sew their new designs using trim, fabric markers, patches, ribbon and more. Kids can use a sewing machine along with instructors. When they’re through, even a pair of jeans can become a tote bag.
- DATES AND RATES: Dream Wedding Dress Camp: Dec. 29, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; $99; Upcycling Camp: Dec. 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; $125
- MORE INFO: 70 Gordon Rd., Syosset, 516-465-5763; thefashionablestylista.com
SERVE A STINGRAY ITS LUNCH
Camp at: Long Island Aquarium
Ages: 5 to 11
Spend the day with the sea creatures in the aquarium. Darlene Puntillo, marketing/advertising director, explains, "The kids visit all areas in the aquarium including the indoor butterflies and bug and bee gardens. They see all the exhibits with the penguins, the fishing cat, the seals, plus they’ll feed the stingrays."
Noah Parsons, 2, and his brother Adam, 4, of Dix Hills, explore the stingray touch tank at the aquarium. Credit: Rick Kopstein
In between visiting the habitats, kids will create crafts sprinkled with information on sea life. They’ll play camp games and vote on a movie to watch. "It’s a very flexible camp with lots of conversations about what the kids would like to do," Puntillo says.
- DATES AND RATES: Dec. 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $65; Dec. 29-Jan. 2 (with early dismissal Dec. 31) $65 per day or $275 for full week (five days) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- MORE INFO: 431 E. Main St., Riverhead; 631-208-9200; longislandaquarium.com
BE AN ALTERNATE REALITY ROCK CLIMBER
Camp at: Gravity Vault
Ages: 5 and older
Climbing to the top of a 40-foot-tall wall in this rock climbing camp is just the beginning. A screen that projects virtual games on climbing walls brings the sport to challenging levels. During camp, kids might feel as if they’re climbing around meteors in space, or surrounded by moles popping out of holes.
The Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gym at Samanea New York in Westbury. Credit: Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gym
Angel Almestica, general manager of Gravity Vault in Westbury and Melville, describes the details. "When you’re playing the alternate reality game Whack-a-Mole, you’re climbing up the rock wall, and one of your hands is hitting the moles while you’re climbing. The moles are popping up in various places, so you’re climbing around the wall while you’re trying to whack the mole in different spots."
T.J. Barley, of Lindenhurst, climbs a rock wall at The Gravity Vault. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
A meteorite game works in a similar way, as meteorites appear to be moving in space. If kids need a climbing break, they can play floor games such as Giant Jenga, corn hole, or try a balancing activity.
Full or half-day camps are offered. Group will be formed based on their prior rock-climbing experience. If they’ve rock climbed before, they’ll focus on activities that build their technique. Beginners will focus on safety as they begin to learn to climb to the top of 40-foot walls and others. Private camps with three or more kids can also be arranged through the website.
- DATES AND RATES: Half or full-day camps: Dec. 26, 29, 30, 31, Jan. 1, 2; Westbury: half-day $80, full- $160; Melville: half-day $75, full $150
- MORE INFO: 1500 Old Country Rd., Westbury; 516-508-9663; and Gravity Vault Melville: 40 Melville Park Rd., Melville; 516-777-9255; gravityvault.com
BE A GAMER
Camp at: Valhallan Esports Training
Ages: 6 to 16
The solo gamer is encouraged to break out of isolation for these camp dates at Valhallan Gaming in Huntington. The camp arena holds 24 gaming PCs with controllers. "We’re always encouraging team based and multiplayer games," says owner David Glick. "We’re a great place for kids who love gaming to connect with other kids who share their interests."
During each three-hour session, kids age 6 through 16 are placed with those in their age range. Whether campers are building Minecraft projects together, playing Fortnite with squad teams or eight kids are playing Mario Kart, the kids have a blast along with experienced coaches.
- DATES AND RATES: Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 28 and Jan. 3, 2 to 5 p.m., Dec. 29, 30, 31, 12 to 3 p.m.: $60 per day
- MORE INFO: 400 W. Jericho Tpke., Huntington; 516-696-7766; arenas.valhallan.com/huntington-ny-us
