Camp Kadia - Free 2 Week Camp

Camp Kadia is a scholarship-based, overnight summer program for New York City teenagers. The camp is located in Liberty, New York.

Campers explore their creativity through visual and performing arts; learn basic skills for survival in the wilderness; develop strong, trusting relationships with their peers and adults; discuss social issues that affect their communities at home; and work together to create a self-sufficient community in a natural setting. When the summer ends, the young people are left with a network of adults and peers who support them throughout the year informally and at organized monthly activities.

You can find the application here. Please submit ASAP in order to provide your child with the best chances of getting in.

Girls Quest - SEED Summer Camp

Our Summer Experiential Education and Development (SEED) Program is our signature program, the fulcrum of all of our programming and the point of entry for all girls who join Girls Quest. Each year, over 300 girls attend this two-week program at our bucolic summer site, Camp Oh-Neh-Tah, in East Windham, NY. This goal-oriented summer camp program helps to lessen the Summer Learning Gap by providing activities that stimulate girls' learning and emotional development in an environment that is safe and nurturing while challenging girls to strive to their best potentials.

Program activities include swimming, boating, hiking, ceramics, archery, low and high ropes course, and outdoor education. Please visit Girls Quest for more information.

You can find the application here.

There is a $40 non-refundable application fee. We accept only money orders or cash. No personal checks, please.

SEED tuition is on a sliding scale dependent upon family income and number of people in the household. SEED tuition ranges from $110 to $500.

New York Botanical Garden - Explainer Program (13+)

Are you are a middle or high school student between the ages of 13 and 17 who's looking for an exciting and rewarding activity? Do you want to learn about plants, nature, and science? Do you enjoy the outdoors? Would you enjoy mentoring and working with young children? If you answered yes to any of these questions, check out The New York Botanical Garden's Explainer Program.

The Garden's Intern Explainer Program offers a great opportunity to make new friends, learn about plants, develop new skills, and receive personal mentoring and hands-on training. In return, you volunteer your time in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden to help facilitate programs and offer assistance to visitors of this world-class institution.

Expectations of an Explainer:
Volunteer 125 hours over a six-month period (at least one 4 1/2 hour shift once a week.
Attend four training sessions (hours are counted toward the required 125)

Visit their open house on May 22 at from 2-4 pm for more information.
Download an application here.

Lehman College - Pre College Summer Program

Lehman College Continuing Education has a well-established program of educational, creative and athletic courses specifically developed for young people. They offer classes for all ages - from kindergarten readiness to college prep. Class sections are available by age and skill level, so students will always feel comfortable and confident. Academic courses supplement school subjects by providing intensive, focused learning with small class sizes and attentive teachers. The early childhood and teen test preparation courses give students the tools and the skills they need to achieve academic success. Through creative arts and computer classes, young people are able to explore their own imaginations and build valuable skills that they might not have the opportunity to develop elsewhere. Lehman also offers a wide range of physical fitness classes that help students gain agility, strength, and coordination.

Call (718) 960-8512 for more information.

Summer Youth Police Academy

The New York City Police Department seeks to provide innovative and effective programs for the City’s young people. The Community Affairs Bureau, Youth Police Academy, is such a program. It is designed to establish a positive relationship between the Police Department and the City’s youth.

The Youth Police Academy will provide those participating in the program with lunch and uniform shirts. The 2009 Youth Police Academy is a six (6) week program that will hold sessions four (4) days a week. The Academy will open at 8:30 am in the morning and dismissal will be 2:00 pm in the afternoon. Students will attend classroom sessions with lectures, role-plays and topical demonstrations by police officers in the areas of law, behavioral science, drug prevention and gang resistance. Field trips to a Police Department facility or a City park are also part of the curriculum.

Apply between April 24 - June 16. Mail completed applications to:
N.Y.P.D. Youth Services Section
YPA 2009
189 Montague Street
Brooklyn NY 11201

Academy begins Monday, July 7 and ends on Thursday, August 14.

New York City residents, attending school, between the ages of 10 and 17 are eligible to attend.

Applications can be found here.

Bronx Location
Harry S. Truman H.S.
750 Baychester Ave
Bronx, NY 10475

This is a free program.

Next Generation Center

The Next Generation Center (NGC) is a one-stop center designed to meet the needs of young people transitioning to adulthood and self-sufficiency.

The mission of NGC is to provide support, guidance, training and opportunities to young people, ages 14 to 24, in the Bronx.

We offer youth leadership and life skills training, technology instruction, job readiness & job development services, educational guidance & tutoring, legal advocacy, housing assistance, creative and visual arts, and recreation.

Bronx Zoo - Animal Kingdom Camp

This summer your 8 to 12 year old child can explore the wonders of wildlife during an unforgettable week at Animal Kingdom Camp. Whether setting out on an African safari to see lions, wild dogs, and giraffes; exploring tropical forests in search of endangered lowland gorillas; or trekking through mountains in search of a rare, spotted Himalayan cat, children will discover the amazing diversity of the animal kingdom.

This year’s Animal Kingdom Camp is chock-full of new activities, so last year’s campers are welcome to return.

During five days of exploration and excitement, your child will:

discover rare animals in our new Madagascar! exhibit

visit the zoo's boisterous pack of African wild dogs

explore the beautiful Butterfly Garden

travel through Tiger Mountain

journey to the spectacular Congo Gorilla Forest

ride the Wild Asia Monorail

design their own day of zoo adventure

observe mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians up close each day

learn ways they can protect animals and habitats

Children will not be admitted to camp unless parents have submitted a health form signed by a physican four weeks prior to the selected session.

Sessions are available throughout the summer. Visit the zoo's website for more information.

Cost: Members - $335, Non-members - $350