In most homes these days there isn’t the option to stay home with your children during the summer. This is a luxury that most households cannot afford. Therefore you need a place for your children to go while you are at work. There is sometimes the option of a friend or neighbor to watch your child. If you are extremely lucky you have a family member. Most of us fall into the category of needing outside childcare. In Western (Buffalo) NY there are as many different day camps as there are types of kids. There are specialty camps, general camps, academic camps and much much more.
There are many “all around” camps that will give your child a great camp experience and keep them busy for the summer. One option are the YMCA camps, which have many different locations around the region. The Y camps have different specialty options available also. There are swimming and field trips.Their phone number is 716-565-6000 . The Jewish Community Center offers great day camp options, one of which is Camp Centerland . Camp Centerland is a day camp in the country that the kids are bussed to. It is more like a sleep away camp that you only stay the day.You can call them for complete details at 716-688-4033.
Many local recreation department offer day camp options also. In general, these are “all around” camps, although some localities have specialty camps also. One of these is The Cheektowaga Youth & Recreation Services. You can call them at 716-897-7207 for complete details. Orchard Park Recreation offers day camps .To find more information go can call 716-662-6450. Kenmore also offers day camp programs. to find out more call 716-874-8402 . West Seneca Community Education also has day camp programs , call them for more details at 716-677-3107.
If you have a sports minded child there are plenty of different camps to choose from. If gymnastics is their thing, there is Gymnastics Unlimited in West Seneca/Orchard park NY area. You can call them for complete detail at 716-677-0338. There is also The Greater Buffalo Gymnastics & Fitness Center Adventure Camp in Amherst, NY For more info call 716-639-0020. Buffalo Turners Gymnastics located in Kenmore, NY is also an option for your gymnast. You can call them at 716-877-2700. There is also Children in Action Gymnastics in Orchard Park, NY offering summer programs. For details call 716-662-6886.
There’s tennis at The Village Glen Tennis Club in the Village of Williamsville, NY, call for info at 716-633-1635 ; fencing at the Fencing Center of Buffalo call for more information at 716-553-3448 ; Tae Kwon Do at World Class Tae Kwon Do at www.buffaokd.com,
Horseback riding is offered at many locations. One is The Buffalo Equestrian Center in the City of Buffalo, call 716-877-9295 for complete details ; Willow Creek Farm in Clarance, NY , you can call them at 716-807-5586; Skibbereen Farm in Orchard Park, NY at 716-648-1908 ; Greendale Farm in East Aurora/ Holland area at 716-941-9120.
There are many arts orientated camps. For dancing there is Fairytale Dream Dance Camp for your little princess at 716-688-9590; for art programs , The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens at 716-827-1584 ext.291; Art, Strings, and Theater are offered at Artpark in Lewiston, NY at 716-754-9000 ext. 105 : and a Music Arts program at The Kenan Center in Lockport at 716-433-2617.
For the more cerebral interests, there are writers camps at Western New York Young Writers Summer Studio at Daeman College at 716-418-3730; for the young scientist, there is The Canisius College Science Camp at www.canisiuscollege.edu/camps ; chess camp at Nardin Academy at 888-65-chess ;also video game design camp and computer animation camp at Nardin Academy at www.gamebuildercamp.com/video.htm.; science camp at Penn Dixie, an archaeological site, at 716-627-4560. If you have an animal lover the Buffalo Zoo also offers a camp. Call 716-995-6129.
This is not a comprehensive list of all camps in the Western New York area, just a starting point. Match your child’s interests to the camps and start looking . Summer is right around the corner.
