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Logan Square Halloween Parade is perfect for showing off costumes. Photo by Kate Connealy
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Best Summer Camps in the Hudson Valley for Kids

Camp Southwoods is one of many standout summer camps in the Hudson Valley. Photo courtesy of the camp
Camp Southwoods is one of many standout summer camps in the Hudson Valley. Photo courtesy of the camp
3/9/25 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

Kids' summer camps find an ideal location in the Hudson Valley, with its mountainous landscapes, natural swimming lakes, and open spaces. Whether you are looking for a traditional summer day camp for your preschooler, sleepaway camp for your kid, or an adventure camp for your teen, we've found the best camps throughout the Hudson Valley. Our picks in the Hudson Valley include sports and STEM camps, a special needs summer camp, and even a Lego camp. 

For even more options, check out our Westchester Summer Camp Guide or search our Camp Directory. 

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Campers can make a splash at Deer Mountain Summer Day Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp
Campers can make a splash at Deer Mountain Summer Day Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Best Summer Camps in Rockland County, NY

Deer Mountain Day Camp

Pomona
Ages 3-15
Campers aged 3 to 15 enjoy a diverse camp agenda, including swimming, sports, fine and performing arts, outdoor adventure, nature, STEM, lake activities, and special events. The Nursery program, for ages 3-4, features a 2:1 camper to adult ratio, with 4-6 children per group. Nursery kids have a designated lunch area and their own heated pool. READ MORE

Deerkill Day Camp

Suffern
Ages 3-15
Owned and directed by the Rhodes Family since 1958, Deerkill has been the summer home for boys and girls ages 3 to 15 from Manhattan, Rockland, Bergen, Orange, Hoboken, and Montclair for nearly 60 years. The camps are divided by age group, with age-appropriate activities for each, including nursery school and swim instruction for kids entering pre-K and athletic programs, and STEM topics for older kids. READ MORE

Camp Ramaquois

Pomona
Ages 3-15
Campers ages 3-15 experience a variety of activities to amp up their summer. With a 5-acre lake, nine heated swimming pools, a splash park, tennis courts, a petting zoo, and more, there's no shortage of fun. Junior Camp for 3-6 year olds offers age-appropriate activities and facilities, while older kids have travel options. READ MORE

The Nature Place Day Camp

Chestnut Ridge
Ages 5-16
Camp at The Nature Place is about being in and connecting with the natural world: nature explorations, cooperative games, hiking, earth art, swimming lessons, mucking in the stream, camping, canoeing, climbing, gardening, meeting animals, storytelling, music, archery, drama, and more.  READ MORE
Campers learn survival skills at Eden Village Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp
Campers learn survival skills at Eden Village Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Top Putnam County, NY Summer Camps

Kiwi Country Day Camp

Carmel
Ages 3-15
Children as young as 3 are eligible to attend this long-established day camp, which offers flexible scheduling options, hot lunch, and transportation. Activities include swimming, sports, performing arts, outdoor adventures, special events, and more, with select activities reserved for older kids. Preschoolers can choose either full- or half-day camp. READ MORE

Green Chimneys

Brewster & Carmel
Ages 4-15
Multiple scheduling options and two campuses in Putnam County are available, with camps for kids from age 4 to 15. The Carmel site offers a lake with boating and swimming, along with other outdoor recreation, while the Brewster location features a canoe launch on the Great Swamp, an Olympic-size indoor pool, and a farm center housing more than 300 animals. Programs are divided by age and include a Leaders in Training program for grade 9 and a Counselor in Training program for grade 10.  READ MORE

Camp Herrlich

Patterson
Ages 3-18
Situated on 156 acres of land with a 15-acre pond, Camp Herrlich offers nature, adventure, and water activities, plus dance and theater, arts, music, and more. Day camp is available for 10 weeks in the summer, featuring a different theme every week, and sleepaway camp is available in 3-week-long sessions. The Leader in Training (LIT) Program gives older campers the skills they need to become camp counselors while also letting them enjoy the fun of camp activities. READ MORE

Surprise Lake Camp

Cold Spring
Ages 6-15
As the oldest Jewish sleepaway camp in the United States, Surprise Lake Camp is dedicated to helping kids unplug and connect to nature while developing values, confidence, and skills to last a lifetime. With more than 50 activities and electives available, campers at SLC enjoy a summer of spectacular adventure—all 100% unplugged from phones and screentime.  READ MORE

Eden Village Camp

Putnam Valley
Ages 8-16
Eden Village Camp is an eco-conscious, Jewish faith sleepaway camp based on six core program areas – Farm to Table, Music, Culinary Arts, Survival Skills, Herbalism, and Yahadut (Jewish spirituality). Eden's summer camp is available for kids entering 3rd grade. Special camps are available for teens in 10th and 11th grades, including a Forest and Food Adirondack Adventure and an Eden Israel Experience.   READ MORE
Timber Lake Summer Camp sits on two spring-fed lakes. Photo courtesy of the camp
Timber Lake Summer Camp sits on two spring-fed lakes. Photo courtesy of the camp

More Great Hudson Valley Summer Camps for Kids

Southwoods

Adirondacks
Ages 7-17
Southwoods is a 4-week, co-ed, sleepaway camp located in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. Children can explore and grow while being immersed in a variety of outdoor, waterfront, arts, and sports programs.  READ MORE

Frost Valley YMCA Camp

Claryville
Ages 4-15
Nestled in a sprawling campus in the Catskill Mountains, Frost Valley YMCA offers a variety of day and overnight camps for kids ages 5-14. Camps range from traditional day camps to horseback riding, mini-chef, and Lego camps, with daily activities including arts and crafts, sports and games, hiking, climbing, swimming, and soaring on the flying squirrel. READ MORE

Timber Lake Summer Camp

Shandaken
Ages 6-13
Timber Lake Camp sits on a mountaintop surrounded by 500 acres in New York’s Catskill Mountains, just 2.5 hours from New York City. The traditional, co-ed camp features two private, spring-fed lakes, and tons of activities, including a wide selection of sports, watersports, hiking, climbing, STEM, and creative arts. The teen program includes trips, life skills, and leadership training. READ MORE

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About the Author

Katherine Dhurandhar
Katherine Dhurandhar is a Community Publisher for Mommy Poppins, representing the Westchester and Hudson Valley region of New York, and a freelance copyeditor for Westchester Publishing Company. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband and son.
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