Summer Day Camps in Manhattan, NYC for Kids & Teens

ACT of The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Manhattan:
Adults and Children in Trust (A.C.T.), located on the 11-acre oasis of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine campus on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, is an education center that provides year-round educational and recreational programs for infants, children and teens from 6 months to 17 years old. At A.C.T., we work with children from the very beginning. Once children are in school, we provide families with afterschool care, holiday camps, summer camps and even party services for those special milestones in a child’s life.

Summer Camps
MiniACT (Camp for Preschoolers)
July Camps
August Camps

Extended Day Available

Mini-ACT (Camp for Preschoolers)
3.10 to 5.6 years old as of June 1 of camp year
Available in two sessions: July (5 weeks) and August (2 weeks). Choose one or both!

Mini-ACTors join one of three age groups, with qualified teachers and assistants eager to share their exciting plans around weekly themes. Campers have the opportunity to explore and embark on adventures on the Cathedral campus and get up close and personal with nature. Activities are centered on the great outdoors, including lunch time, water fun, dance and music performances, and exciting games and challenges.  Join us for five weeks in July, two weeks in August or all seven weeks!

Under the direction of the Division Coordinator, MiniACTors are separated into three unique age groups, creating three teams of eighteen campers. Campers are carefully supervised at all times as safety is our first priority. The Division Coordinator and teachers ensure that children receive the attention they richly deserve.

MiniACTivities Include:
• Story-telling
• Sports
• Arts
• Music
• Dance
• Gardening
• Water Games
• Special Events

July Camp
5.9 to 13.9 years old as of September 1 of camp year

In July the daily ACTivity schedule includes theme-based activities, clubs, lake trips, water games, carnivals, special guests, camping trips, gardening, nature crafts and more.  Assemblies and camp-wide events bring all A.C.T. camp divisions together.

July Camp Divisions (all 5 weeks):
• Preps: 5.9 to 7.8 years old as of September 1 of camp year
• Voyagers: 7.9 to 10.8 years old as of September 1 of camp year
• Pioneers: 10.9 to 13.9 years old as of September 1 of camp year
 
Preps Division
5.9 to 7.8 years old as of September 1 of camp year
Campers are prepared (hence the word PREPS) to participate in a variety of fun activities. Each day begins and ends with a group meeting. Unique group hand-shakes, group made chants and division chants are often heard around the lawn meeting area where the day begins and ends.

Campers are greeted by friendly counselors trained to make everyone feel like valuable members of their special group. Team-building ACTivities and group discussions ignite each day with fun, challenges and games. After a few days at A.C.T., campers and parents learn why A.C.T. feels magical from the moment they enter our gates and hear the theme music coming from our lawn meeting area.

Two trained and caring adult counselors along with a counselor-in-training (CIT) guide each group of up to eighteen campers through weeks of age-appropriate ACTivities, taking full advantage of our beautiful campus and unique classrooms.

Counselors escort campers throughout the day and assist specialists who are eager to share their talents and spark interests. A carefully designed weekly schedule as shown in the group schedule insert includes periods taught by specialists.

The division boards buses for out-of-town destinations such as lakes, water and amusements parks typically on Wednesdays (day of week subject to change).

Preps Activities Include:
• Performing Arts, Dance and Drama
• Water Games
• Arena Games: mini golf, table tennis, badminton and more
• Arts & Crafts
• Camper Choice from weekly offerings
• Natural Science and gardening
• Sports and Group Games
• Themed Projects and Events

Voyagers Division
7.9 to 10.8 years old as of September 1 of camp year

The more veteran campers in the Voyager division are ready for independence. They are challenged to think and do. ACTivities combine an attractive balance of pre-selection and choice. The group of up to eighteen campers and two counselors follows a weekly schedule, which ensures that everyone samples favorite activities, explore new ones, and contribute to group events.

Voyagers are introduced to autonomy by deciding on options: twice a week they can join a one-week club.  They also can join another five-week club known as X-Pand-A-Club. Campers from other groups get to meet new friends during club times. They can work on a variety of craft projects using fabrics and ceramics, join a chess team, learn to juggle, be part of a theater ensemble, join a sports team, play 9 Square, play GaGa ball or harvest our garden.

Special event days have included roller-skating sessions, laser tag, water rides and a visit by a video game truck.

The division boards buses for out-of-town destinations such as lakes, water and amusements parks typically on Thursdays (day of week subject to change).

The oldest Voyagers (over 9.9 years old as of September 1) may choose to go on the Pioneers camping trip held once from Wednesday to Friday for an additional fee.

Voyagers Activities Include:
• Arena Games: mini golf, table tennis, badminton and more
• GaGa Ball
• Arts & Crafts
• Clubs and Clinics
• Sports and Group Games
• Themed Projects
• Unit Event: Division gets together to participate in group challenges, play minute games or play in a tournament
• Water Games

Pioneers Division
10.9 to 13.9 years old as of September 1 of camp year

Pioneers must work cooperatively, share in the decision making process, embrace new experiences, work with co-ed and mixed-grade campers and accept responsibility for their day.

Pioneers are offered options to participate in camp-wide events or to develop their own ACTivities. They are free to use the many facilities and resources New York City offers as well as those available on the camp grounds.

Three age groups of Pioneers work with counselors to create a schedule of activities and events for the five-week session and follow preset activities. Campers practice the art of compromise and take turns in leading initiatives. Many Pioneers move onto becoming part of the camp staff, first as CIT’s or Counselors in Training, once they age out.

Counselors guide discussions, the group’s decision-making process and mediate as needed. Campers have great latitude to develop activities that appeal to them. They plan their own schedule of trips and activities in addition to swimming, art and sport periods included on the camp schedule. The camp director works with staff to ensure that weekly plans are appropriate and camp resources are made available.

The Pioneers camping trip is held once in July, Wednesday through Friday. The three-day trip enables campers and staff to have an opportunity to bond and develop camping skills.

Pioneers Activities Include:
• Huddle Time
• Swim at Columbia
• Camp-sponsored Trips
• Pioneer-scheduled Trips
• Art Projects
• Sports & Games
• Group Projects

August Camps
Customized Camp Sessions According To Your Child's Age and Interests

• Specialist Track & Courses: 7.9 to 13.9 years old as of September 1 of camp year (two 1-week sessions)
• Art and Sport groups: 5.9 to 7.8 years old as of September 1 of camp year (two 1-week sessions)
• August Adventure: 4.9 to 11.9 years old as of September 1 of camp year (one 1-week session)

August Specialty Camp
7.9 to 13.9 years old as of September 1 of camp year (two 1-week sessions)

Campers select three courses for each week from six categories:

• Sports Clinics
• Do It Yourself Art
• Studio Art
• Games
• Show Biz
• Crafts

With 70-90 minute long periods, this is a great opportunity for children to immerse themselves in the specialty or specialties of their choice.  Course sign-up occurs at registration; however, campers can switch to another course after the first day, once course details are presented.  A 45-minute community lunch period allows everyone to relax and socialize, as well as visit a favorite spot for desserts – the canteen.  After lunch, everyone has the option to hangout on the lawn for quieter activities, join group games or visit the Games Arena for an assortment of individual and team activities.

Arts Camp
5.9 to 7.8 years old as of September 1 of camp year (two 1-week sessions)

Anchored to two counselors and a CIT (counselor in training) throughout the day, campers join new friends for a weekly schedule of creative adventures. Stops include visits to the nature crafts center and art room to meet artists who introduce the use of various mediums and found objects to create art. Along the way, they'll have lunch and recess on our beautiful campus that includes our own playgrounds and water area to cool off. To round out their experience, campers take an out-of-town lake trip, have gym periods, play lawn games and try an ACTing class.

Sports Camp
5.9 to 7.8 years old as of September 1 of camp year (two 1-week sessions)

Fitness and exercise is the common thread of activities. From morning stretches, jogs, general exercise to afternoon drills, sports and games, campers are trained to develop healthy habits. To round out their experience, campers take an out-of-town lake trip, swim, play lawn games and bake goodies.

August Adventure Camp
4.9 to 11.9 years old as of September 1 of camp year
• Homesteaders: 4.9 to 5.8 years old as of September 1 of camp year
• Settlers:  5.9 to 6.8 years old as of September 1 of camp year
• Scouts: 6.9 to 7.8 years old as of September 1 of camp year
• Rovers: 7.9 to 8.8 years old as of September 1 of camp year
• Mountaineers & Rangers: 8.9 to 11.9 years old as of September 1 of camp year

Campers embark on exciting adventures throughout various New York City locations and Cathedral campus. It’s a big city made for big campers to explore! Outside Cathedral grounds, older campers often travel to embark on a borough scavenger hunt or challenge on public transportation and school busses to take advantage of many city sites and New York City landmarks.

The youngest campers focus on activities on and around the Cathedral grounds – playing in our fields, playgrounds and gardens; participating in games, special hunts and art activities. Also, while at ACT, campers choose and participate in Adventure Clubs.

Extended Day Available
Families have the option to drop off campers as early as 7:55 am or pick them up as late as 6 pm, for an additional fee.  This service is not available after 4 pm on the last day of July and August Sessions.  Note that MiniACT session ends at noon on the last day of the August Session.