Summer Forever

Hanging at the Huffington Post

This summer will present me and my wife with our first taste of empty nesting. From the end of July to the middle of August, my 9-year-old son will go to sleepaway camp for the first time—the same Berkshires oasis that his camp-crazy 13-year-old sister attends. My wife and I joke that we’ll be very tempted to use the time to do more work. But I suspect we’ll also use it to sleep later, exercise more, worry less, and put the finishing touches on our plans for a family trip to Montreal and Quebec City.

I’m going to want August to linger forever, though I know that September, with its call to routine and responsibility, will be here before we know it. Meanwhile, I have a great end-of-summer issue to share.

On the fun front, we have an adventurous bucket list of local must-dos for families, a well-researched list of favorite picnic spots around the city, and a guide to great lakes within a day’s drive. And then there are the issue’s showstoppers:

When I originally read about how Arianna Huffington and Mika Brzezinski are trying to galvanize a “third women’s revolution” to redefine success and put a higher premium on personal wellness, my first thought was: “I need this.” And my second was: “Pitch them a cover interview.” Thankfully, they agreed.

You’ve probably heard that New York City will be electing a new mayor come November. We asked the leading candidates to discuss their key plans for improving family life in the city—and to our surprise we received some really good answers.

Originally, I had assembled a roundtable of admissions experts to discuss the nuts and bolts of applying to nursery and private school. But what they really wanted to talk about was the value of education, because they know that tuition costs are propelling many parents to question whether it’s all worth it. Is it? Find out here.

Have A Happy August,

Eric Messinger
Editor

emessinger@manhattanmedia.com

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Queens College Summer Camp

<p>Running from Wednesday, June 28th through Tuesday, August 22nd, the Queens College Summer Camp continues to be the hallmark and cornerstone of the Athletics and Recreation Department and a staple of summer plans in the NYC metropolitan area. The camp, which has always followed New York State Board of Health guidelines, will conduct this summer's programs following current state guidelines, which follow CDC recommendations regarding COVID-19. The camp's outdoor and indoor activities include:</p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Pool use.</li> <li>Use of the new turf fields.</li> <li>Other facilities around Queens College Campus. </li> </ul> <p>Five specially designed programs are available for the 2023 season:</p> <ol start="1" type="1"> <li>The Education and Sports will have three hours of academics. The rest of the day will include sports activities on the fields and gym games. Indoor Gym Games include obstacle courses, scooter games, and a daily introduction to basketball and swimming for ages 5-6. The older kids will participate in group sports such as basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, softball, and swimming. The counselor will remain with the group through all activities, including lunch. Choose the Education Academy based on the grade they will enter in September.</li> <li>Theater Arts Programs provide instruction in singing, dancing, and acting, culminating in a performance. Past productions included Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, and more.</li> <li>All Day Sports Academy provides instruction for developing generalized skills across various sports.</li> <li>Single Specialty Sports Camps provide individualized volleyball instruction by the college's coaches and varsity players.</li> <li>Counselor-in-Training Program A unique program created for teenagers focused on developing strong leaders. It helps prepare young adults for the next phase in their lives-college and the workplace.</li> </ol> <p>With summer right around the corner, there is no better time to secure your child's plans for July and August by enrolling them in the Queens College Summer Camp.</p> <p>For more details, visit the Queens College Summer Camp homepage, or email  <a href="mailto:qc.summercamp@qc.cuny.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">qc.summercamp@qc.cuny.<wbr />edu</a> for more information.</p>

YMCA of Long Island Summer Day Camp

<p><strong>MAKE A SPLASH WITH US THIS SUMMER! YMCA of Long Island Summer Day Camp – locations in Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue</strong></p> <p>As one of the region's largest, most-diverse camps for decades, YMCA Summer Day Camp offers a variety of programs with age-appropriate activities and opportunities to try new things, build confidence, and create memories. </p> <p>At the YMCA Summer Day Camp, we offer the best of adventure, aquatics, sports & games, creative arts, camp traditions, special guests & trips, and summer learning. Our programs for ages 3-15 are designed to meet your child's interests and abilities. </p> <p>Our staff create a safe, fun, welcoming environment where kids can be themselves to enjoy learning, playing, exploring, and socializing. </p> <p><strong>Two-week sessions run July 1-Aug 23.</strong> In-person and virtual open house options. Transportation, lunch and extended schedule options are <strong>CAMP LIFE is the BEST LIFE!</strong></p>

Launch Math+Science Camp

<h1>Launch Math + Science Centers</h1> <p>For more than 15 years, Launch Math + Science Centers have provided toddlers to tweens with inspiring math instruction and STEM-based camps and classes. Launch offers a true educational experience for students with small group sizes and big opportunities for learning. For Summer 2024, Launch Math + Science Centers offers exciting and educational one-week STEM summer camps for kids from kindergarten to 7th grade (5-12 years old). With a 4:1 camper-to-staff ratio, children at Launch’s exciting specialty summer programs explore the adventures of archaeology, discover the details of robotics, reveal the wonders of chemical reactions – and that’s just the beginning. Each week is jam-packed with hands-on STEM projects and fun camp activities.</p> <h2>The Camp Day</h2> <p>Each camp day kicks-off at 9:00 am and consists of designated educational segments that are designed to inspire.</p> <p>-STEM Projects (core lessons and builds tied to the theme of the week)</p> <p>-STEM Discoveries (challenge-based learning through problem-solving activities)</p> <p>-Active Adventures (a blend of tech and camp games in Central Park)</p> <p>-Math Mania! (engaging mathematics-based projects and activities)</p> <p>Standard dismissal is at 3:30 pm, with the option to extend to 5:00 pm.</p> <h2>Weekly Camp Themes</h2> <p><strong>Juniors (K+1st Grade)</strong></p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Marine Biologist!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… An Archaeologist!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Sports Doctor!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Techie!</p> <p><strong>Kids (2nd-4th Grade)</strong></p> <p>Coding + Animation</p> <p>Remarkable Robots + Marvelous Machines</p> <p>Potent Potions + Fizzing Formulas</p> <p>Rocket Science: Destination Mars</p> <p><strong>Tweens (5th-7th Grade)</strong></p> <p>Coding + Game Development</p> <p>Rockin' + Robotics</p> <p>Chaotic Chemical Reactions</p> <p>Architecture + Engineering</p> <h2>Register Early, Save Big!</h2> <p>Huge discounts for Early Bird enrollments. Register by March 31st and receive $200 off EVERY camp after the first.</p> <p>For well over a decade, Launch has delivered engaging STEM programs for children throughout New York City. Real-life rocket scientist, Scott Heifetz, founded Launch with one mission in mind: Inspire children to love and learn math and science!</p>