Summer Day Camps in Central New York

There are plenty of summery things to do when you live near the Finger Lakes. However, it is not always possible to take your kids to Skaneateles all the time, or to hike around at Watkins Glen State Park. And though Lake Ontario is not that far away, there is only so much one can do in a summer. And when one doesn't have the resources that a city like Syracuse has to offer, it can be rather frustrating to find something for the kids to do. Luckily, there are two pretty good day camps in Central New York: one in Cazenovia, and one in Macedon.

In Cazenovia, the Summer Theatre Programs offers kids in Cazenovia and the surrounding area something to do. There are two programs in this classification. The first is an intense music program called Summerfame. It is designed for instrumental musicians, beginners or otherwise, and held in the mornings for one week. The program is reserved exclusively for students who will be in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grades.

The other day camp that is part of the Summer Theatre Programs is called Summerstage. It is done in conjunction with Cazenovia College. It is a musical theater program geared for middle school students. The classes last all day for two weeks (Monday through Friday for a total of 10 days). They encompass singing, acting, dancing, and stage design. At the end of the program, the students put on a theater presentation to showcase their hard work and talents.

You can find out more about the Summer Theatre Programs by calling 315-963-4251.

For those who are more "outdoorsy," Whispering Pine Stables in Macedon offers horse camps. Macedon is located in the beautiful and renowned Finger Lakes. Day camps run on a weekly basis, meaning that each session is five days. The hours of the camp are from 9 am to 3 pm. This is one of those day camps that understand that some kids might need to stay later, and so allow it for a small fee. In addition to learning about horses and riding, kids get to play games and make crafts. The week long session of day camps includes a trip to the Finger Lakes Racetrack. The kids get to watch the races and have lunch. Anyone between the ages of six and eighteen is welcome to participate in the horse camp at Whispering Pines.

Call 585-314-8601 for more information.