Summer 2020 is not cancelled. It’s upon us, but it certainly looks different than summers past here in Brooklyn and in much of the country. While there are camps that are able to open, many will not and instead of opted to create online versions for kids. Virtual Summer Camps for Kids certainly seems like an oxymoron, however we all recognize that we will need programs and classes to keep our kids occupied, engaged, and active this summer.

Now more than ever it is important for all of us to support our local businesses and organizations. This list of Virtual Summer Camps for Kids are from companies that are based in NYC, primarily in Brooklyn, and will be evolving as more camps and classes become available for our kids this summer.

List of 2020 Virtual Summer Camps for Kids :

The Arts :

BLUE BALLOON SONG WRITING FOR SMALL PEOPLE

Blue Balloon is a local, women owned business that has been offering private and small group instrument lessons through songwriting since 2010. They launched their “Long Distance Lessons” in 2018 and went fully remote before NYC went on pause. Reaching over 400 families weekly in NYC alone, Blue Balloon will be bringing their creative and unique lessons to families this summer through their virtual camp.

Blue Balloon’s coveted summer camp program is back this year – virtually! Students 5 and up will collaboratively explore architecture, nature and the outdoors through fine arts, songwriting and music. Students without any prior musical experience are welcome! No instruments necessary. www.blueballoonschool.com/summer-camp

TREASURE TRUNK THEATER

Treasure Trunk Theater is bringing their creative, imaginative camps online for June and July! Camps will be for ages 3-6 and 6-9. Registration is flexible and you can choose to join by the day or the week. Groups will be a maximum if 7 kids to ensure personal attention and interaction with each child. With camp theme options like Space Explorers, Toy Story, and Strong Women in History camps there is something for everyone!

Treasure Trunk will also be adding collaborations with other camps including robotics and cooking! Learn more and register at http://www.treasuretrunktheatre.com/camps/

ZOOM SUMMER CHEER CAMP

Brooklyn Based Mom Sarah Schledt is helping kids ages stay active and positive this summer with a virtual Cheer and Dance Camp! Camps will run from June 29th through July 3rd and July 6th through July 10th. If your child loves to cheer, jump, and dance this is for them! Learn more about Sarah and the program, and a discount code, at https://www.sarahscheldt.com/events

TAM TAM

The teachers at Tam Tam are offering online music and movement classes (Music Together) for children aged 0-6 and their grownups. This summer enrolled families get to enjoy a live, interactive music class with their children every day, led by their beloved teachers, learning a best-of selection of our award-winning songs. Summer classes begin on July 6th and run through August 30th. A subscription is $110 for a 4-week session, renewable for another 4-week session. More about the program and trial classes here: https://www.tamtambrooklyn.com/

CREATIVE ARTS

Come one, come all, but not very far, to Creative Arts Virtual Summer Camp! CAS is offering online classes to. campers between the ages of 5-13! They have developed a fun summer curriculum that celebrates everything you love about Creative Arts. Experience NEW innovative ways of self-expression through Dance, Drama, Music, and Art. The outstanding teaching artists of Creative Arts will be leading this state of the art experience in a fun and creative virtual environment. I love that you can sign your kids up per week, session, or for the full summer. Learn more and register at https://www.creativeartsstudio.com/summer-camp-20

Leadership and Social Innovation:

GIRLS LEADERSHIP ONLINE SUMMER CAMP

Girls Leadership is an organization that equips girls with the skills to exercise the power of their voice. The Girls Leadership’s internationally-recognized Online Summer Program, founded in 2001 is a camp experience for girls like no other. Combining the best of traditional summer camp – amazing friendships, fun games and community activities, a powerhouse team of experienced staff – with something no other camp offers. Engaging workshops for Grades 4 through 12 focus on social and emotional learning and teach the inter-personal and intra-personal skills at the foundation of leadership, wellness, and influence.

Camp starts June 15th. Register now HERE

HELLO FUTURE SUMMER CAMP

International Education Opportunity + Summer Enrichment
Delivered Virtually for Summer 2020

Hello Future is a US-registered nonprofit working with adolescent refugee teens living in refugee camps. They teach students essential skills so they can become entrepreneurs and community leaders. This is a unique opportunity for US teens, ages 14-17, to gain a deeper understanding of the global refugee crisis through the unique lens of their Syrian peers and sharpen their leadership and storytelling skills. More details and registration at https://www.hellofuture.io/summer-camp

Educational and STEM:

BROOKLYN LETTERS

There aren’t always a lot of options for the older kids! Brooklyn Letter is offering a virtual creative writing course for ages 10-13 for this summer.

WordPlay for Language Development

Language is a living, breathing, constantly changing force of nature! What is often forgotten is that writing is a form of art and, as such, a way to play! Think about Legos!! Though sets often come with instructions, once you know how all the pieces work you are free to explore, building past previous limits. Metalinguistic awareness has proven to be an invaluable skill in improving students’ abilities to understand and interpret, to express and share, and to build words, thoughts, and ideas into existence, not to mention help them to become better readers, writers, and academic achievers. Since learning is most potent when having fun, let’s WordPlay! Students ages 10-13 will join Vera R. on Zoom, two times per week for four weeks starting in July, to engage in a playful examination of the building blocks of language while developing their literacy skills. Register at https://brooklynletters.com/product/wordplay-for-language-development/

CAMP MAVE

Another one for the older set!Camp MAVE provides a fun and educational summer experience to children ages 10-14. The full-day schedule is designed to allow time each morning for campers to socialize, compete in fun games and challenges, and learn how basic concepts from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are used in everyday life and business by creating their daily project. Camp starts July 6th. Register HERE for weekly, monthly, or full summer options

PREMIER CHESS

Premier Chess will run a virtual chess camp from June 15th through August 28th, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM Daily. Camp will be open to all students from Kindergarten to 6th grade, from Beginner to Expert levels. Players will be placed in groups of 8 based on their experience level and age. Choose from half day and full day options. Led by CEO and National Master Evan Rabin, who has 15 years of teaching experience and manages programs in 80+ schools all around the United States.

The Greer Meister Group

The Greer Meister Group, a private tutoring and educational consulting practice, is hosting a series of week-long summer mini camps! Founder Caitlin Meister believes that every child deserves to be an explorer, innovator, and flexible thinker. The interactive mini-camp classes feature fun, hands-on math, science, and humanities activities. Classes will have no more than four students with one teacher and will feature a different theme each week. Sign ip for 3 or more weeks and receive a 10% discount. Visit the website http://www.greermeistergroup.com/

CAMP ILY

Ily,inc is a Care Coalition based in NYC specializing in Tutoring, Childcare, Seniorcare, Petcare and Homecare. Since the start of Covid 19, they are primarily focusing on childcare. Ily is currently developing a Virtual Camp which will include activities like Music, Coding, Chess, Languages, Fitness, Science Lab, Creative Writing, Bookclub, and cooking.

To register go to https://ilyinc.typeform.com/to/lt5Vrp

I will continue to update and add to this list of Virtual Summer Camps for Kids as a resource as we navigate through this very different summer. Please reach out if you are a local New York City business offering a summer program and would like to be featured.

Much love and stay well everyone as we look forward to better days