Wagner Summer Camp for Children: A Day in the Life

Summer youth programs that promote enrichment, exercise, and interpersonal engagement can have a tremendous positive impact in the lives of our kids. As a discerning parent, however, you may have noticed that quality programs in your community are few and far between. From uninspired activities to camp staff that just doesn’t want to be there, finding exciting summer day camps for kids can be a challenge. Fortunately, our New York summer camp programs have proven to be a breath of fresh air in this regard for many parents. Rather than scour the internet for summer day camps just hoping for the best, we invite you to come join the fun at Wagner Day Camps, an incredible summer day camp experience in the heart of New York City!

Wagner Summer Day Camp

Location: Wagner Middle School (Upper East Side)

The Wagner Summer Camp program introduces campers to a well-rounded schedule of activities, combining opportunities to explore music, sports, chess, robotics, STEM and more… all in one comprehensive summer experience! While not limited to the activities of a traditional tennis camp, the Upper East Side’s Wagner camps (our other day camp programs too, for that matter) operate in partnership with New York’s oldest and most historic tennis club. Given our access to the club’s resources, facilities, and staff, each of our day camp programs is equally steeped in tradition, extraordinary learning opportunities, and above all… fun!

What Does an Average Day at Our New York Summer Camp Look Like?

Wagner campers can look forward to an exciting array of activities that cater to diverse interests, abilities, and attention spans. Whether your little one can’t get enough of sports or enjoys getting creative with arts and crafts, there’s something invigorating happening every hour! We’re dedicated to keeping your child engaged and happy while helping them grow their motor skills, logic, and social connections in a playful environment!

Before you register, why not check out what our schedule looks like on a typical day? Each session at one of our summer youth programs basically breaks down into eight sections:

Drop-Off

Our staff greet parents and campers each morning with open arms and big smiles. Upon settling in for the day, kids are welcome to use a wide range of available play items and sports equipment until camp officially starts.

*Camp Note: Parents and guardians are more than welcome to spend time with their children during this early drop-off period!

Kickoff Meeting

Once all campers have arrived, it’s time to get started! We always gather together for a meeting before kicking off each day of our summer youth programs. During this period, our director will share the day’s schedule, general expectations, and important safety reminders. Each Monday, we’ll play around with a few light-hearted icebreaker exercises. This is designed to give campers the opportunity to (a) make new friends, (b) share what interests them, and (c) set a casual tone in a welcoming environment for a week of summer day camp fun ahead!

Morning Activities

After getting together with their groups, campers will be off to their first day camp activities, led by the camp’s experienced specialists. Our cheerful and encouraging staff and specialists play a vital role in creating the unforgettable New York summer camp experience your child deserves. Over the course of the week, our staff will encourage your camper as they hone their teamwork, fitness, and strategic thinking abilities through a couple of different avenues:

• Competition — Fun camp competitions include various sports and classic games like sharks and minnows, capture the flag, and gaga.

• Creative Expression — Through arts and crafts, children learn creative problem-solving skills, mindfulness, and self-expression as they create clay pots, family picture frames, and friendship bracelets.

Lunch

After a fun-filled morning, it’s time to gather for a delicious lunch!

*Camp Note: Parents and guardians are in charge of meal selection for their camper(s).

Post-Lunch Siesta

After eating, campers will gradually transition into some of the more digestion-friendly day camp activities on our agenda. Here they have an opportunity to relax a little, sharing laughs and solidifying friendships over board or card games, puzzle-solving collaborations, or while watching age-appropriate cartoons. Before long though, it’s time to head to the next enriching activity!

Afternoon Enrichment Activities

In an effort to ensure no child can possibly get bored, we offer a different weekly enrichment program for every day of the week! Campers enjoy playing and discovering in new ways each and every day. On a given day, this may include taking in a performance by the likes of our weekly magician or immersing themselves in Lego robotics, music, chess, nature, animals, fencing, or even exploring a planetarium! On top of all that, afternoon tennis lessons from our very own Advantage Tennis Club tennis pros ensure your child gets the best tennis instruction possible without sacrificing any of the fun!

Did Someone Say… Sprinkler Time?!

By this point on any given day, even our most energetic campers are ready to cool off a bit. They’ve spent a long day competing for athletic glory, working together to solve problems, expressing themselves artistically, and almost certainly either learning about or trying something completely new to them!

This can only mean one thing… it’s time to hit the tennis courts for some refreshing sprinkler playtime!!!

*Camp Note: Should your child have difficulty changing, our counselors are available to assist.

Pick-Up

Once the kids have splashed around and changed back into their dry clothes, it’s time to enjoy some yummy ice pops and pass out all of their adorable art projects along with any other materials they’ll be bringing home to you.

Each Friday, we all get the opportunity to celebrate every camper’s weekly achievements during our official day camp awards ceremony. Without fail, this beloved camp tradition stands out as the culmination of an awesome week, plenty of new friendships, and a classic New York summer camp experience that no kid will soon forget. Once the children have all received their awards, we officially dismiss for the season, wrapping another summer day camp up on a high note, and hoping to see everyone back for more next year!

Looking for a Summer Youth Program that Makes a Positive Impact on Your Kids?

At Wagner Day Camps, we prioritize three things: safety, engagement, and fun. It’s a simple yet steadfast commitment to these three values that has helped us build this program into the premier summer camp for children in New York City.

We hope your family will consider joining us at one of our summer youth programs this season. Because everyone deserves to enjoy a fun-filled and memorable summer day camp experience. Our team can’t wait to welcome you and your child for an exciting season of growth, adventure, and memories to last a lifetime!