Summer Camp Activities at North Shore Day Camp
At North Shore Day Camp in Glen Cove, New York, children spend their summer swimming, playing sports, creating, and exploring outdoor challenges. Activities are adapted to campers’ ages and abilities, giving beginners room to learn and returning campers opportunities to build on their skills.
The program combines activities with a camper’s group and electives beginning in 1st grade. Children get to try a variety of experiences while having a say in how they spend part of their day.
Swim Instruction
Swimming is a central part of the North Shore experience. Four heated pools accommodate different ages and swimming abilities, with instruction following the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program. Campers receive an individual swim assessment when they begin camp and join an instructional group suited to their ability. Certified Water Safety Instructors help children progress at their own pace, supported by lifeguards and group counselors. Families receive a swimming progress report at the end of the summer.
Athletics
North Shore’s sports program welcomes children with different experience levels, from campers learning the basics to those who already have a favorite sport. Coaches and activity specialists combine instruction with recreational play, emphasizing teamwork and steady skill development. Campers can participate in tennis, basketball, soccer, baseball and softball, flag football, lacrosse, gymnastics, and gaga. Miniature golf and obstacle courses add other ways to practice coordination and enjoy friendly challenges. Fields, courts, and equipment are suited to different age groups, helping younger campers learn foundational movements while older children develop sport-specific skills.
FAST Training and Sports Academy
North Shore’s FAST program, short for Fitness & Athletic Skills Training, uses games, obstacle courses, and movement challenges to develop coordination, agility, balance, and other athletic foundations. It is included in camp programming, with FAST Beginnings designed for the youngest Stepping Stones campers. For children entering grades 1–4 who want additional sports instruction, North Shore also offers an optional Sports Academy for an extra fee. Morning sessions focus on basketball, soccer, flag football, and baseball, with a combination of coaching, drills, and gameplay. Participants then rejoin their camp groups for the rest of the day.
Creating & Performing Arts
North Shore’s arts program gives children opportunities to work with their hands, explore ideas, and express themselves. Creative activities include painting, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, jewelry making, beading, tie-dye, and other crafts. Campers can experiment with different materials and take pride in something they have made. Dance, music, drama, and theater games invite children to explore performance, while yoga introduces another way to enjoy movement. WonderWorks science and cooking round out the options with hands-on experimentation. Arts electives give interested campers additional time to develop a project, practice a skill, or revisit an activity they enjoy.
Adventure
North Shore’s adventure program introduces campers to challenges that involve balance, cooperation, and confidence. A 30-foot climbing wall, high and low ropes courses, and high and low zip lines give children opportunities to try something new with staff guidance. Team-building and trust activities encourage campers to work together and support one another. Participation varies by age and program. Younger campers have age-appropriate adventure spaces within the Stepping Stones campus, including climbing structures, tunnels, and a low-ropes course.
Electives
Beginning in 1st grade, campers can personalize part of their day through North Shore’s elective program. First and second graders choose one elective daily, while campers in 3rd grade and above can select two. Choices span athletics, adventure, and the arts. A camper might choose tennis or gymnastics, spend time on ceramics or woodworking, or explore dance, theater, science, or climbing. Electives give children practice making their own choices while allowing them to revisit favorites and discover new interests.
Activities that grow with your child
Stepping Stones, ages 2½–5: Younger campers participate in 30-minute activity periods on a dedicated campus. Swimming, imaginative play, smaller sports areas, arts, and introductory adventure activities support their developing skills.
Upper Camp, grades 1–4: Elementary-age campers explore sports, swimming, arts, and adventure with their groups, alongside daily elective choices.
C.R.E.W., grades 5–8: Older campers combine three days at camp with two travel days each week. In-camp days include electives, swimming, sports, arts, and adventure, while trips add opportunities to explore beyond the grounds.
Explore North Shore Day Camp
A visit can help you picture how your child would spend the summer. Meet the team, explore the activity spaces, and ask about the program and elective options for your child’s age.
