Summer with Friends

Our programs offer engaging and hands-on activities that give campers the opportunity to learn, socialize and have lots of fun!

Dive into our Summer Programs

We offer two unique experiences that are perfect for ages 3-Grade 8

From #MondayFundays to Multi-Sports and Broadway classes;
from included lunch and snack to daily pool time, there is something for everyone.

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Explorers

(Age 3 - Grade 2)

Children will participate in age-appropriate, theme-based activities in addition to daily sports, outdoor play, and American Red Cross swim instruction.

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Each week Explorers will participate in theme-based activities in addition to daily sports, swim sessions, and two specialty classes. Our specialty classes include learning science, practicing gymnastics, fireless cooking, and more. Click here to learn more about this program.

Themes and Schedule

Weekly Themes

WEEK 1
6/24-6/28
WEEK 2
7/1-7/5
WEEK 3
7/8-7/12
WEEK 4
7/15-7/19
WEEK 5
7/22-7/26
WEEK 6
7/29-8/2
WEEK 7
8/5-8/9
Summer Spirit Stars & Stripes Down on the Farm Outdoor Adventures Under the Sea Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead Olympic Games

 

Daily Schedule:

9:30am - 10:15am –  Fun & Creative

10:15am - 11:00am –  Specialty Class

11:00am - 11:45am – Lunch

11:45 am - 12:30 pm – Instructional Swim

12:30 pm - 1:15 pm – Outdoor Play

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm – Specialty Class

2:00 pm - 2:45 pm – Free Swim

2:45 pm - 3:30 pm – Super Sports

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm – See You Later Alligator!

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Pathfinders

(Grade 3-4)

Building on the success of our Explorers and Trailblazer programs, Pathfinders is a hybrid program that combines the best of both worlds to create an enriching and developmentally appropriate experience for your children!

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Each week Pathfinders will participate in division-wide activities in addition swim sessions, and one specialty class. Our specialty classes include robotics, cooking, theatre and much more! Click here to learn more about this program.

 

Pathfinders Specialty Class Options & Schedule

Weekly Themes

WEEK 1
6/24-6/28
WEEK 2
7/1-7/5
WEEK 3
7/8-7/12
WEEK 4
7/15-7/19
WEEK 5
7/22-7/26
WEEK 6
7/29-8/2
WEEK 7
8/5-8/9
Multi-sports Flag Football Eats & Treats Art by Monet 3D Art Intro to Anime Mini Med School
Eats 7 Treats

STEM Wonderland

 

Flag Football STEM Wonderland ESports Harry Potter Landscape Art
 

 

Mini Med School   Broadway Bound    

 

Sample Daily Schedule:

9:30am - 9:40am –  Opening Ceremonies

9:45am - 10:40am –  The Great Adventure

10:40am - 11:20am -  Sports Time

11:30 am - 12:00 pm – Lunch

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm – Swim

1:20pm pm - 2:00 pm – Games Galore

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm – Specialty Class

3:30pm -4:00 pm – Closing Ceremonies

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Trailblazers

(Grade 5-8)

Children have the opportunity to develop new interests by selecting different specialty programs of choice each week.

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Each week Trailblazers select two programs (morning and afternoon). Please click here for the descriptions of the over 20 programs available. Courses will have a capacity of 16 participants with the exception of some sports programs.

Themes and Schedule

Morning & Afternoon Programs

  WEEK 1
6/24-6/28
WEEK 2
7/1-7/5
WEEK 3
7/8-7/12
WEEK 4
7/15-7/19
WEEK 5
7/22-7/26
WEEK 6
7/29-8/2
WEEK 7
8/5-8/9
Morning Multi-Sports CO-ED Flag Football Broadway Bound Art by Monet Broadway Bound 3D Art STEM Wonder Lab
Eats & Treats STEM Wonder Lab LEGO Robotics

Multi-Sports

E-Sports LEGO Robotics Multi-Sports
3D Art   CO-ED Flag Football STEM Wonder Lab Landscape Art Multi-Sports Art by Monet
    Mini Med School   Multi-Sports    
Afternoon Chess & Board Games Landscape Art LEGO Robotics You-Tuber 101 Multi-Sports Eats & Treats Multi-Sports

Multi-Sports

Multi-Sports CO-ED Flag Football Multi- Sports Edible Science Chess & Board Games Craft Box
  Chess

 

Craft Box

 

LEGO Robotics Harry Potter Multi-Sports  
             
             


Daily Schedule:

9:30 am- 9:40 am – Opening Ceremonies

9:45 am- 11:25 am – Specialty Class A

11:30 am - 12 pm – Lunch

12:05 pm- 1:00pm – Swim

1:15pm - 3:00 pm – Specialty Class B

3:00pm - 3:30 pm – Games Galore

3:30pm -4:00pm - Ice cream & Closing Ceremonies

4:00pm - Dismissal

Want to learn more?

Connect with our Summer Programs team by filling out the form below:

 

Summer 2024 Daily Themes!

The fun doesn't stop with all of our regular programs. Each day, our daily summer themes add even more excitement to the day. From Sunglasses Day to Lip Sync Contests to the fan-favorite Messy Olympics there is always something for all kids to enjoy!

 

*Calendar is subject to change1-Dec-27-2023-08-45-11-2696-PM

 

2024 Summer Lunch & Snacks Menu

A variety of tasty and nutritious lunch and snacks are provided daily from June 24th - August 9th. Mini bagels, assorted sandwiches, fruit, fresh baked cookies, Lays Chips, Tiny Twist Pretzels, ice pops, and ice cream sandwiches are served throughout the day. All menu items are subject to change.

2024 Calendar Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Menu 1
Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7

Cheese Quesadilla, Rice & Beans

Baked Chicken Fingers, Baked Veggie Nuggets, Baked French Fries

Grilled Cheese, Tater Tots, Glazed Carrots Hamburger/Cheeseburger, Corn on the Cob

Mac & Cheese

Green Beans

Menu 2
Weeks 2, 4, 6
All Beef Hot Dogs on a Bun, Baked Beans Turkey Meat Tacos with Toppings French Bread Pizza, Sautéed Spinach

Chicken Patty  on a Bun,

Steamed vegetables

Chicken Fingers, Veggie Fingers, French Fries

2024 Summer Rates

Our current rates for our 2024 summer program (Monday, June 24th - Friday, August 9th) are listed below. Tuition includes materials and supplies, lunch, and snacks. Enrollments for three weeks or less are priced at $1,395 per week for Explorers or Trailblazers. Transportation carries an additional charge of $100 per week/per child.

Need support before camp begins? Drop your child off at our Sunrise Program between 7:30am to 9:15 am; $75 per week/per child. 

PROGRAM
9:30 AM - 4 PM

4 WEEKS 5 WEEKS 6 WEEKS 7 WEEKS

Mini Day Explorers
Ages 3-5
(1:30 pm dismissal)

$4,700

$5,400 $6,100 $6,600

 Explorers
Age 3 - Grade 2

$4,900 $5,600 $6,300 $6,800
Pathfinders
Grade 3 - Grade 5
$5,100 $5,800 $6,500 $6,800

Trailblazers
Grade 6 - Grade 8

$5,250 $5,950 $6,600 $6,800

          Jr. Counselor Program                (4 Week Minimum)

$2,000 $2,500 $3,000 $3,500

 

Registering for Summer Programs

 

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First-Time Campers
Register for your first Summer with Friends!

 

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Returning Campers
Welcome back! Register for Summer 2024.

 

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Medical Forms
Stay up-to-date and keep our campers healthy!

 

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NYS Resources for Camps
Read all the rules and regulations for camps in New York State.

 

What our families had to say about us!

Mateo T-2

"We loved our first year at Friends Academy Summer Camp. We signed up for 4 weeks and ended up extending it because our 6-year-old son loved it so much. The campus is beautiful. Each week was themed to keep the children engaged, with lots of outdoor activities and a nice balance of indoor as well. A very loving and safe environment. We are already signed up for 2023!"

Susie Vessio-Taboada
Summer Programs Parent

Havana M-1

"Sending our daughter to summer camp at Friends Academy meant knowing that she was in a space where she was known, welcome, and loved. As parents, we were delighted to see her eager to attend camp, quickly make friends, and participate in a variety of extracurricular activities throughout the day. Her counselors were communicative, even before camp started, and there was never a boring or sad day for our little one."

Lenia Matias
Summer Programs Parent

Wagner-3

"Thank you for a wonderful camp experience. Both of my children loved it and felt known by all the staff. I could not have asked for a better experience as a parent."

Heather Wagner
Summer Programs Parent

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my child be outside all day?

While we love for our children to enjoy the great outdoors, we understand that sometimes the heat can become unbearable. All of our classrooms have central air conditioning. All children will have daily indoor and outdoor time.

What are the hours of a typical day and is transportation included?

Our day runs from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm. Transportation can be added on to your summer tuition at the rate of $95 per child/per week. If you opt for transportation, your child will be picked up between 7:30am and 9:00 am. Parents can drop off children after 9:15am and pick up by 4:00pm.

We provide air-conditioned transportation by professional drivers. All of our drivers are CDL certified and have background checks completed. In addition, each vehicle has a bus counselor. Bus counselors ensure safety, know all of the children by name and make sure our bus rides are an extension of our fun-filled day.

Do you offer extended hours?

Our Sunrise Program runs 7:30am - 9:15am. Families may opt to register their child for extended hours. Families who register for extended hours will be responsible for dropping their children at our program each morning.

Do you offer swim instruction?

Our swim program is an important part of our children's day. We provide two (2) swim sessions daily for our Explorers. One session is with swimming instruction in accordance with  the American Red Cross Swim Levels.  Each child has small group instruction every day with the same swim instructor to ensure that the child feels safe and secure. Children also are scheduled for recreational swim.  For our Pathfinders and Trailblazers, swimming instruction is optional and by request only. 

 

 

Is there a medical professional on campus?

We have a Registered Nurse on campus. Coaches and head staff are trained in first aid and CPR. We also have AED machines located throughout our campus.

Who instructs each activity?

Our Explorer Program will be led by Group Leaders. Our Group Leaders are professionals in the field of education who have extensive experience in Early Childhood Education and/or Youth Development Programming and will be responsible for teaching each activity. Group Counselors are active participants and remain with their children the entire day.


Our Trailblazer Program will be led by Specialty Instructors. These are individuals are often teachers, coaches or professionals in their particular field.

What happens if it rains?

Rainy days at Friends Academy rarely effects our daily schedule because of our facilities. All of our indoor activities can still run and we have plenty of additional indoor space to program great activities! Please make sure to dress your child with a waterproof jacket in case of inclement weather!

We are very fortunate to have indoor facilities for many of our sports, while our camp field house provides additional space for sports activities to continue due to inclement weather. We have a set schedule for field house time during bad weather and set aside large classrooms for video and classroom instruction. We ask that each camper be prepared for the weather as we will play during light rain as we examine daily the safety of the field for playing.

What do I need to send my child with every day?

We recommend that every child brings a bathing suit (towel service is provided). We supply water and Gatorade stations throughout the campus with cups but children are welcome to bring a refillable thermos.

Can my child change programs if he/she doesn't like the activity or originally chosen?

Although we intend to explore the reasons for wanting to change a program, our main goal is to make sure each child is happy with their summer experience. We provide the opportunity to switch before the session begins if your child is not satisfied with his/her choice. Switching is always based on availability while providing minimal disruption to the existing program.

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Our phenomenal staff is what has made Friends Academy Summer Programs amazing since 1969.

If you are interested in joining our staff this season, please complete and submit our Staff Application Form.

APPLY NOW

If you have any questions, email summer@fa.org or call 516-393-4207 with your inquiry.

Get ready to open a new door