Overview

Dwight Summer Day Camp embraces the same philosophy as Dwight School, which customizes the experience for each student based on individual interests and passions. We call this igniting the "spark of genius" in every child. Through a wide range of age-appropriate programs — including our specialty "spark" camps — children can explore, discover what they enjoy doing, and pursue that passion while making friends and having fun.

Rally on our rooftop Pickleball Court and dive into creativity in our Design Space and STEM Laboratory. From hands-on learning to sunny play in our shaded courtyard—filled with construction blocks and obstacle challenges—Dwight Summer Camp is where imagination, friendship, and summer joy come to life! With two cafeterias, indoor gym facilities, and a location just a stone's throw from Central Park, it's the perfect place for adventure and discovery all summer long.

The camp offers age-appropriate programs to ignite creativity, independence, and teamwork:

1. Discovery Camp (Ages 4-5):
   • Activities include hands-on crafts, sports, and science exploration.
   • A focus on confidence-building and social skills for young campers.
   • Program includes a weekly field trip and four to five swimming sessions.
2. Explorers Camp (Ages 6-7):
   • Features swimming, field trips, and daily creative activities designed to encourage curiosity and leadership.
   • Program includes four to five swimming sessions.
3. Adventure Camp (Ages 8-12):
   • Includes Passion Projects for older campers to develop their interests and leadership skills, alongside exciting field trips and team-building activities.
   • Program includes four to five swimming sessions.
4. Extreme Sports Camp (Ages 4-12):
   • Focused on high-energy sports and games, including dodgeball, flag football, and gymnastics.
5. H2O Go: Swim Camp (Ages 4-12):
   • Offers two daily swim sessions with technique training in the morning and fun games in the afternoon.

Additional Information

Prices include: 4-5 swimming sessions at our Athletic Center, 4 specialist counselors, 1 field trip, 1 guest speaker/activity or weekly end-of-week event, lunch, and Dwight Camp merch.

Swimming Sessions: Campers enjoy 4-5 swim sessions a week at the state-of-the-art Athletic Center. We run a 4:1 child-to-adult ratio in the pool (either swim instructor or lifeguard). Facility: Our 25-yard swimming pool features 6 lanes and 3 diving boards. Located on Manhattan's Upper East Side, campers are transported to the pool using Dwight Summer Camp transportation. Experienced Instructors: Our swim instructors are experienced in working with young swimmers, certified in CPR and First Aid, and adhere to the guidelines set by the American Camp Association and the Department of Health. Safety: All of Dwight's lifeguards are nationally certified and are the same team of professionals who oversee the pool year-round. We use a buddy system during swim time, where each camper is paired with a buddy. Periodically, the lifeguard will blow the whistle, signaling each pair to stop swimming, grab hands, and raise them overhead to ensure safety. Swim Groups: Campers are preliminarily tested and placed into appropriate swim groups. Our sessions include a "learn to swim" portion followed by organized recreational swim time. Campers must bring a towel, goggles, and a bag for wet bathing suits. Discovery and Explorers campers should arrive each morning in their bathing suits. Swim Levels: Our swim program is taught by certified, experienced professionals in our world-class, six-lane pool. We offer six differentiated swim levels, ensuring every camper, no matter their skill level, can enjoy and benefit from our lessons. We offer six differentiated swimming levels. While we do not provide daily or weekly updates, if your camper attends for longer than five weeks, our Aquatics department will be happy to provide a progress report upon request. Water Confidence: To help your camper have the most enjoyable and successful experience in the pool, we want to make sure they're placed in the right swimming ability group and have every opportunity to build their skills and confidence. We strongly recommend completing our Swim Skill Assessment Form before camp begins — it helps our team ensure your camper is set up for safety, fun, and progress all summer long!

Field Trips at Dwight Summer Camp Dwight Summer Camp offers weekly field trips, which are included in the price. These trips take place across the five boroughs (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island) and in New Jersey. Here are some examples of where campers visited during the last three seasons (2023, 2024 & 2025). Field Trip Lunches During field trips, lunch is still provided! Whenever possible, we use the catering services of the field trip destination to ensure campers enjoy a tasty, hot meal. If the facility does not offer catering, campers receive a bagged lunch containing a sandwich, a packet of chips, a fruit cup, crudités, a cookie, and a juice box. Children will travel to field trip locations either on foot or by bus. Our licensed bus drivers, who are part of our team throughout the academic year, ensure safe transportation. All buses are equipped with seat belts and air conditioning for comfort and safety. Dress Code & Equipment On field trip days, campers must wear their orange uniform T-shirt for easy identification. To ensure safety and comfort during outdoor activities, campers are required to bring a sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen (applied before arrival, with an extra bottle packed in their backpack)

What should my child wear and bring to Dwight Summer Camp?

• Orange Dwight Summer Camp T-shirt (required daily).
• Sneakers or closed-toe shoes.
• Hat.
• Morning snack (nut-free).
• Swimsuit and towel.
• Swim cap.
• Goggles.
• Pool shoes.
• Water bottle (to stay hydrated).
• Change of clothes (for Discovery Group campers).
• Extra nut-free snack (optional for the afternoon).
• Sunscreen (applied at home in the morning, with additional labeled sunscreen for reapplication if needed). What to Leave at Home:
• Cell phones, tablets, or electronic games.
• Fidget spinners.
• Camera.
• Chewing gum.
• Money. Note: Please label all belongings with your child's name to avoid misplacement.

What meals are provided at camp? Lunch is provided daily and includes:

• Nut-free, 75% organic options with meals like chicken tenders, quesadillas, pasta, and pizza.
• Access to a fruit salad bar and fresh fruit during periods of the day
• Fun treats like Ice Cream Sundaes on Mondays and cookies on Fridays. Families are responsible for providing a morning snack. Afternoon snacks are included, with additional snacks available for purchase.

Optional Additional Costs: Lunch, extra camp t-shirts, and early/late care are available at an additional cost. Policy on Potty Training: New reservation applications that indicate 'Potty Trained: No' will be automatically declined. Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities to accommodate children who are not potty-trained. If your child is potty-trained, this must be accurately reflected on the application paperwork.

Costumes Dates 2026: Week 2: Friday, June 26 Week 3: Thursday, July 2 Week 4: Friday, July 10 Week 5: Thursday, July 18 (Halloween), Friday, July 17 Week 6: Friday, July 24 Week 7: Friday, July 31 Week 8: Friday, August 7

Financial Aid To be considered for financial assistance for Dwight Summer Day Camp, you must complete an application for 2026. Please download and complete the form, then return it with all requested documents. The Financial Aid Application must be sent to the Dwight Summer Camp Director by 12:00 PM on Friday, March 9, 2026. NOTE: The financial aid program is not operated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you received a financial aid award letter last year, you must still go through the application process for 2026. Eligible applicants will be entered into a lottery, and ten applicants will be selected at random to receive financial aid. If selected, you will receive a letter awarding financial aid by 5:00 PM on Monday, April 6, 2026.

What is the cost of Dwight Summer Camp? Weekly tuition ranges from $840 to $1,300 , depending on the program:

• Discovery, Explorers, and Adventure Camps : $840–$1,050 per week.
• Extreme Sports Camp : $950 per week (no swimming or field trips).
• H2O Go: Swim Camp : $1,300 per week (includes two swim sessions daily). Tuition includes meals, camp merchandise, swimming sessions (if applicable), field trips (if applicable), and themed activities. Discounts are available for early registration, siblings, and multi-week enrollments.

What discounts are available for camp registration? Several discounts are available to help families save:

1. Early Bird Discount : If you register before Friday , February 27, 2026 , take an additional 5% off the total registration fee. The discount will be automatically applied at checkout, no code required.
2. Sibling Discount : Register one camper at our regular price and receive 5% off each additional sibling. The discount will be automatically applied at checkout, no code required.
3. 20% Dwight Student/1199 Resident Discount : Students enrolled at Dwight School (including our international campuses) and 1199 residents (at our Athletic Center location) 20% off. For more information and the discount code.
4. Returning Camper Discount : If you attended camp in Summer 2025, take an additional $15 off each week for Summer 2026. That's an additional saving of $120 for the entire summer. Use code RETURN26. *All discounts must be approved; if these discount codes are not applicable to your account, the discount will be removed.
5. Multi-Week Discounts : Save over$400 The more weeks your camper attends, the more you save! The discount will be automatically applied at checkout; no code is required. This can be combined with Early Bird, Returner, and Sibling discounts for additional savings. In fact, this can result in savings of over $400.
   • Enroll for 3 weeks to get an EXTRA $100 savings per camper.
   • Enroll for 4 weeks to get an EXTRA $150 savings per camper.
   • Enroll for 5 weeks to get an EXTRA $200 savings per camper.
   • Enroll for 6 weeks to get an EXTRA $250 savings per camper.
   • Enroll for 7 weeks to get an EXTRA $300 savings per camper.
   • Enroll for 8 weeks to get an EXTRA $400 savings per camper. Important Notes : Discounts must be approved, are not automatically applied, and do not apply to Bright Horizons Back-Up Care registrations.

Refund Policy If you enroll in Dwight Summer Camp and your plans change or you have concerns about your camper attending camp this summer, you can receive a refund for camp tuition paid as follows:

• On or before Friday, May 1, 2026: Receive a full refund.
• After Friday, May 1, 2026: Receive a Summer Camp credit for tuition paid for unused weeks. Credits expire Monday, June 15, 2026. Changing Weeks Families who wish to change a camp program or camp weeks will be accommodated for a $100 fee, provided there is space available. No Shows Participants who do not attend their registered session (for any reason, including illness, injury, unexpected absence, or vacation) or who do not contact Dwight Summer Camp to cancel by the refund/credit dates listed above will not receive a refund or credit. Cancellation Policy If you need to cancel your camper's enrollment, you must notify the camp director in writing prior to Friday, May 1, 2026. Full cancellations made before this date are subject to a $100 deposit fee per camper. If cancellation is made after Friday, May 1, 2026, all fees paid will be forfeited, regardless of your registration date. Changes in enrollment weeks are subject to availability and will incur a $100 change fee.

Important Notices:

• Transportation is not provided for Extended Day campers.
• Extended Day services will not be available on the following dates: Thursday, August 6 and Friday, August 7.
• Please be respectful and on time during collections. A $50 late fee will be applied for every 10 minutes past 6:00 PM. For example, 6:01 PM will incur a $50 fee, 6:11 PM will incur a $100 fee, and so on. This fee is in addition to any extended day charges. Extreme Sports Camp Extended Day Please note that Extreme Sports ends at 3:00 PM, rather than 4:10–4:30 PM like our regular programming. Families may extend care until 4:30 PM for $30 or until 6:00 PM for $60.

Weekly Camp Themes Get ready for an adventure like no other! Our Weekly Themes are packed with fun, creativity, and unforgettable experiences. Here's an insight into what we will be doing during the 2025 season.

Around The World In Eighty Days!

This week, campers discover the great world around us as we explore the vast cultures and traditions that make up our planet. Campers are encouraged to take a deep dive into their own heritage, investigate traditions and beliefs, and ultimately celebrate what makes us unique.

Magic for Muggles

Week 2 brings out the wizards and witches in all of us! If your children are fans of wizards, monsters, and magic, they are in for a fright. This week features a variety of fun, bubbling, slimy, and mysterious hands-on crafts.

Jiving In The Jungle

Week 3 is roar-some! If you are a party animal with a love for the jungle, this week's theme lets you go wild. Activities include challenging obstacle courses in Sports, animal acting in Theater, and paper-plate masks in Art.

Week 4… 3… 2… 1… We're Blasting Off!!

This week, campers lose themselves in the vastness of space. Our Sports Specialist delivers a series of Alien-Invasion Games, enabling campers to rocket around the gyms and shoot for the moon. Campers create galaxies out of glitter and out-of-this-world creations with our Art Specialist. Our Theatre Specialist interprets 'Space' a little differently, encouraging campers to consider the performance area and acting space. Let's hope campers finish Week 4 feeling like complete space junkies. To infinity and beyond!

Pirate Fever

Aye aye, maties! It's time to sail the seven seas in search of treasure! It's Week 5, and that means we have Pirate Fever. We construct life-sized pirate ships out of cardboard boxes, scavenge for buried treasure, battle it out in cannonball water balloon fights, and coffee-stain our very own ancient maps. We can guarantee that campers have a phenomenal time; we just can't promise they won't have to walk the plank and sink to the bottom of our DSAC swimming pool!

All The World's A Stage… that's right, it's Theater Week!

Special Events at Dwight Summer Camp At Dwight Summer Day Camp, every week is packed with excitement, creativity, and adventure! Campers enjoy weekly special events, meet amazing guest presenters, and dive into wacky costume parties—all designed for their age group and tied to our fun Weekly Themes. In past years, campers have had unforgettable experiences like:

• Dancing and drumming workshops with TIKoRO
• Mind-blowing magic shows and workshops with Magic Evan and NYC Magic Lessons
• Up-close encounters at The Art Farm
• Exploring the stars in our inflatable planetarium
• Racing through inflatable obstacle courses and bouncing in huge bounce houses
• Family carnival days full of games and laughter
• Showcasing talents in our very own camp Talent Show
• Glow-in-the-dark pajama parties
• Celebrating Halloween…in the summer!
• Zorb soccer
• Epic water fights to cool off on sunny days
• Cooking classes from around the world, where campers learn to make tasty treats from different countries
• Tie-dye t-shirt workshops, letting campers create their own colorful masterpieces
• Puppet theatre performances and workshops, where campers bring their own characters to life Every week brings something new and exciting, making summer at Dwight an adventure campers will never forget!

Outdoor Adventures Our outdoor time is packed with exciting activities and opportunities to explore! Highlights include:

• Central Park Passport : A brand-new program that lets campers explore multiple parks on both the East and West sides, ticking off as many locations as possible.
• Permitted Playfields : Access to baseball, soccer, and basketball fields within Central Park, offering plenty of space for sports and team activities.
• Outdoor Field Trips : Special excursions to engage with nature and the city's iconic outdoor spaces.
• Astroturf Rooftop Spaces : Our 94th Street Campus and Athletics Center rooftops provide safe, versatile areas for games, sprinklers, and group fun.
• **Splash Pads & Playgrounds: **We visit splash pads and playgrounds around the city. These include Chelsea Waterside Playground , River Park Playground , Flushing Meadows Corona Park , and Battery Playscape.
• Pickleball Courts: Reach new heights this summer with our brand-new rooftop pickleball courts, where campers can play, compete, stay active and have a blast in the sun.
• Gated Courtyard: Relax, play, and create all day in our shaded courtyard, complete with construction and games equipment, picnic tables with umbrellas, and artificial turf.

Team Building Start the day with giggles, games and teamwork! From ice-breakers to confidence-boosting challenges, each morning is all about building friendships and having fun together! Experienced, Passionate Staff Our staff are qualified educators or childcare professionals, including returning team members who are passionate about education and care. Some are current Dwight School, New York employees in other roles, while others are excited to pursue careers in education in the future! Specialist Counselors Get hands-on with cool projects like clay crafting, stop-motion animation, cardboard armor, bottle rockets, and various international sports! Campers work with specialist counselors 2-3 times a week in Art & Design, Sport, Design, and Science. Sweet Perfection Join in on our tradition of Ice Cream Sundaes on Mondays and cookies on Fridays! Outdoor Oasis Outdoor time is a key part of every day, with campers enjoying over two hours of adventure in Central Park and on the rooftop. From splash pads and picnics to sports and exciting discoveries, each moment is filled with joy, creativity, and exploration.