Crestwood Country Day Camp Blog & News

Competitive Sports Elective – WEEK 3

Published on: 07/13/26 8:54 AM

COMPETITIVE SPORTS ELECTIVE (for grades 1-6) will return in WEEK 3 with the following schedule:

• SOCCER on Monday
• FLAG FOOTBALL on Wednesday
• BASKETBALL on Friday

Here are some details:
● The program will take place during campers elective time
○ Grade 2 & 3 during period 10 & 11 elective (approximately 1 hour)
○ Grade 4 to 6 during period 8 & 9 elective (approximately 1 hour)
○ The program is coed

• First Grade – One Period class (approximately 35 minutes) that will be scheduled based on registration. Campers will miss a scheduled activity period to participate in the program.  Boys – usually period 7; Girls – usually period 7 or 8

● Campers may choose to participate in only one sport, two sports or all 3 sports.
● This program is for campers who want to play in a competitive environment.  There are other sport options available (as well as many other non-sport activity choices) during the elective time for campers who want to play in a less intense environment with our Crestwood Coaches
● CAMPERS WILL SIGN UP AT CAMP with their Group Leader, just as they choose their weekly electives. No action is required by parents.

ABOUT THE TRAINERS / COACHES:
FLAG FOOTBALL – Led by former Crestwood camper Ray Saper, Director of the Roslyn Flag Football League and Founder/Director of the Syosset Flag Football League, along with Crestwood coaches.
BASKETBALL – Taught By HOOP LAB Trainers Matt and Steve (along with Crestwood Coaches)
SOCCER –  Led by Mike Branker – Director of Player Development for Plainview-Old Bethpage Soccer Club and owner of Alliance Athletics Inc, which provides private soccer training and runs youth soccer camps.

Kindergarten & Below Show Dates/Times

Published on: 07/13/26 8:34 AM

Dear Parents,

Our August session is “Show Time!” for Crestwood’s Shawnee, Mayan, Papawnee and Kindergarten children.  Your wonderful little ones will be performing in a special end-of-the-summer show.  We invite all families to attend – dads, moms, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles… – to applaud, laugh, and cry as your children wow you with their talent and ability. We are so happy to have so many members of the same family in the lower division!  We have done our best to accommodate placing as many siblings together as possible in the same shows. We look forward to seeing you in August. Enjoy the Shows!

If you would like your child’s sibling to go to the show, we will be sending home a permission slip a few days before your scheduled show date to allow the child to be brought to the stage area.

Picture Day 2026

Published on: 07/13/26 8:32 AM

Dear Families,

Crestwood picture days will take place from Tuesday, July 14 to Monday, July 20.  Our Crestwood photographer will take a group photo and individual portraits for each camper.  Photos will be free to download.  We will notify you when the photos are available online.

We will follow the photo schedule below:

Tuesday, July 14th: B Chippewas, D Chippewas, Shawnee 1, Shawnee 7, Incas, Mayans 3, Papawnee B, Papawnee E, A Chippewas, A Warriors, Papawnee A, D Braves, B Navahos
Wednesday, July 15th:  Shawnee 6, Shawnee 8, E Chippewas, A Cherokees, Dakotas, B Braves, Shawnee 5, Eaglets, Mayans 1, Broncos, C Chippewas, B Cherokees
Thursday, July 16th: Sioux, Scouts, Cruisers, Mini 1, Shawnee 2, Shawnee 3, Shawnee 4, Hogans, Mayans 5, Papawnee 4, Papwnee 3, C Braves, Wings
Friday, July 17th:  Papawnee 2, Papawnee C, C Cherokees, D Cherokees, Papawnee 1, Coyotes, Senecas, Hopis, Papawnee D, A Navahos, A Hunters, C Hunters, B Hunters, B Warriors, Voyagers
Monday, July 20th: A Kiowas, B Kiowas, Mohawks, D Hunters, A Braves, Mayans 2, Mayans 4, Cayugas, Aztecs, Teen Adventure, E Teens, Elite, Chiefs

Campers who are not enrolled on their picture day, may be brought in for the group photo.  Contact your Division Head for your group time slot.  Additionally, our photographer is available to take individual portraits throughout the summer as a make-up.

Please note that our schedule is tentative and rain or bad weather may result in changes.  On your child’s picture day, please send him or her in wearing their Crestwood shirt unless your Division Head has instructed you to wear a different themed shirt. If your child has not received a Crestwood shirt, we will have extras on hand.

Crestwood Competitve Sports Elective

Published on: 07/2/26 5:45 PM

During Week Two, we will be starting a new competitive sports program for campers entering 2nd thru 6th grade.  For the first grade option, please go to the bottom of this post.

Here are some details:
● The program will take place during campers elective time:
○ Grade 2 & 3 during period 10 & 11 elective (approximately 1 hour)
○ Grade 4 to 6 during period 8 & 9 elective (approximately 1 hour)
○ The program is coed
● For Week 2, we will be offering Flag Football on Wednesday and Basketball on Friday.  Soccer will be added starting Week 3.
● This program is for campers who want to play in a competitive environment.  There are other sport options available (as well as many other activity choices) during the elective time for campers who want to play in a less intense environment with our Crestwood Coaches.
● We are requiring parents sign up their child for the elective option. Campers can sign up for one sport or both. Please use the google form below. Sign-ups due by Monday, July 6th.
● Please discuss this with your child before signing them up, so that they are happy with their elective choice when they are at camp.

2nd to 6th Grade SIGN UP FORM –CLICK HERE

ABOUT THE TRAINERS / COACHES:

FLAG FOOTBALL – Led by former Crestwood camper Ray Saper, Director of the Roslyn Flag Football League and Founder/Director of the Syosset Flag Football League, along with Crestwood coaches.
BASKETBALL – Taught By HOOP LAB Trainers (along with Crestwood Coaches) – Coach Matt is a Long Island raised coach who works with players of all ages and skill levels. His coaching approach is rooted in what made him successful as a smaller guard: confidence, pace, decision-making, and the ability to create advantages through skill and IQ — not size.

FIRST GRADE COMPETITIVE SPORTS OPTION
● For Week 2 – Flag Football on Wednesday; Basketball on Friday
● One Period class (approximately 35 minutes) that will be scheduled based on registration.
● Campers will miss a scheduled activity period to participate in the program.  We will not know which periods the program will take place until we see all the sign-ups.  Then we will do our best to schedule the program to not conflict with swim, or other sports activities.

1st Grade SIGN UP FORM – CLICK HERE 

Clothing and Family Fun Day

Published on: 06/22/26 10:07 AM

CLOTHING AND FAMILY FUN DAY
Saturday, June 27th from 10 AM to 3 PM
RAIN OR SHINE

CLOTHING & FAMILY FUN DAY is our in-person Camper/Parent Orientation that will take place on Saturday, June 27th from 10 AM to 3 PM. Arrive anytime you like and stay as long as you like. This special day is an opportunity for families to visit CRESTWOOD, familiarize themselves with their child’s Group Leader and bunk, drop off recommended clothing for use during the summer, meet key members of the CRESTWOOD team and generally enjoy the grounds and facilities (pools will NOT be open). It is a time when your child can familiarize themselves with their surroundings for the perfect adjustment. Some activities include Sports, Playgrounds, Arts & Crafts and more. Lunch will be served from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM.

Parking for Clothing & Family Fun Day: There is some parking at Crestwood, however, our Crestwood lot will not be able to accommodate all the cars on Family Fun Day. Additional parking and shuttle buses will be available about ½ mile south of Crestwood on the corner of Old Country Road and S. Service Road. The address for your GPS is 48 S. Service Road Melville – Park in the Rear Lot of the building.  We will have staff in that lot to guide you.

Clothing and Personal Items:
We ask that you provide the following extra clothes in a closed bag to be stored at camp:

• three bathing suits
• one sweatshirt
• one extra t-shirt
• one pair of shorts
• one pair of jeans/sweatpants
• one pair of socks and underwear
• sunscreen – we recommend Spray sunscreen and Face stick over lotions.
• inexpensive raincoat
• For preschool age campers please also provide diapers and swim diapers if needed.

Crestwood will provide all towels for swim. Towels from home may not be brought to camp.

2026 Drama Show Announcement!

Published on: 05/29/26 10:12 AM

This summer our campers will be adventuring across the seas and finding out the true meaning of dedication while singing some of their favorite songs in Disney’s Moana Jr! We can’t wait to see how far they will go bringing this beloved story to the Crestwood stage.

In addition, we also have some new staff joining us this summer. After a couple of summers as a group leader, we are excited to welcome Michael Bogart as our new head of drama and director of the show. Michael comes from a rich theater background and is a theater educator in an elementary school in the DOE. We are excited for him to bring his years of experience and expertise to our campers. Back again as our musical director, we have Mr. Trevor! We are excited to have him back behind the keys working with the kids on their singing talents and making the show sound beautiful.

Auditions for Moana Jr. will be a little bit different this year compared to past summers. Campers will be brought down to workshop a number from the show during the first week of camp and based-off the work shown at that workshop the casting decisions will be made. Any campers that are not present can still audition by submitting a video audition. The show will take place during week 7 of camp. If a camper is not enrolled for week 7 of camp they are unfortunately unable to be a part of the show this summer. Please send all questions and video auditions (if needed) to crestwooddrama@gmail.com, and as always you can reach out to our Assistant Program Director Jared, jaredg@crestwoodcamps.com with any questions as well.

2026 Parent Information Guide, Special Events Calendar, & Lunch Menu

Published on: 05/29/26 10:08 AM

If you are still considering Crestwood Day Camp as part of your summer plans, we have just released our Special Event Calendar along with other important camp information. We are currently finalizing camp groups and bus routes, but there is still time to enroll for the 2026 camp season.

You can click here to enroll online.

NEW & IMPORTANT
To enhance our campers overall experience, we have decided to extend out camp hours by 10 minutes this summer.  Campers will have additional time to complete their activities, and bus departure will now be at approximately 4:10PM.  Parent pick up will begin no later then 4:30PM.

2026 PARENT INFORMATION GUIDE – Click Here
Our Parent Guide covers just about everything you need to know about Crestwood Day Camp from A to Z. Of course, our friendly office staff is always available for your questions, calls and emails.

SPECIAL EVENTS 2026 CALENDAR – Click Here
Children look forward to our special events all year. Every year new and exciting special events are mixed with popular Crestwood favorites to create a summer calendar filled with fun, adventure, and spirit. Your child will come home every day eager to tell you about the fun they had and excited about what awaits them tomorrow.
 
This summer, our campers can look forward to the Water Carnival, the K-Cup Tournament, Crestwood Games (our Color War), Dress-Up Days, Group Talent Shows, Camper Disco, and of course the Crestwood Carnival. Many more camp-wide and divisional events plus surprises are in store for your children this summer. We will keep you up to date all summer about which events are for your child’s age group and what’s coming up next.

LUNCH MENU – Click Here
Parents tell us how much their kids love Crestwood lunches!  Crestwood offers the most comprehensive lunch program in the industry.  We want campers to not only love what they eat, but also to explore and try new food options.  Children may always have as many helpings as they like. Additionally, our counselors sit with the children during meals to monitor what they eat.

Important Reminders:

• Clothing & Family Fun Day – Saturday, June 27th from 10 AM to 3 PM – 
  This special day is an opportunity for families to visit CRESTWOOD, familiarize themselves with their child’s Group Leader, drop off recommended clothing (see PARENT INFO GUIDE) for use during the summer, meet key members of the CRESTWOOD team and generally enjoy the grounds and facilities.
• Bus Information – Bus Counselors and Drivers will begin contacting enrolled families about bus information and pick-up times will start June 12th. For those driving their child to and from camp, instructions will be sent the week prior to camp (or see the PARENT INFO GUIDE).
• Opening Day – Monday, June 29th; Last Day – Friday, August 21st
• Crestwood is Closed on Friday, July 3th
• Trip Calendars for campers entering 5th grade and older – click here to view

There is so much that goes into a summer at Crestwood.  Our ultimate goal is to see your child smile, make life-long friends, try new things, gain confidence, develop independence, and love their counselors.

We hope to see you this summer!

How Can We Help Campers With ADHD Be Successful

Published on: 04/14/26 2:46 PM

Crestwood’s own Dan Selmer, Endeavor Program Division Head, was interviewed for an article in CHADD that was just published in Attention Magazine.

Click here to read the article.

Countdown to Camp Checklist

Published on: 03/27/26 12:12 PM

1. ​Mark Your Calendars (more info to follow): Saturday, June 27th Family Fun & Clothing Day from 10AM – 3PM.  Meet your child’s Group Leader, Administrators & other campers, see the camp, and drop off your packing list items.
2. Packing List (Not for Teens): 3 Bathing Suits, Sunscreen, Sweatshirt, Sweatpants, Rain Jacket, Extra Pair of Shorts, T-shirt, Underwear, Socks. For those not toilet trained – Diapers/Swim Diapers. Label and drop off items in a bag at Family Fun Day. Crestwood provides towels for swim. Towels from home are not allowed at camp.
3. Medical Exam & Medical Authorization Forms: All Medical Forms must be filled out and uploaded to your Camp InTouch Account. Campers can NOT start camp without them. Start making those Well Visit Check Up Appointments. Click here for more information and instructions.
4. Personal Information Forms (Not for Teens or Leadership): Completed online in your Camp InTouch Account to give your child’s Group Leader, Division Head, and Directors pertinent information about your child.
5. For Campers Using Bus Transportation: Due ASAP – Please call or email the office if you have moved or if your pick up/drop off address has changed.

Crestwood’s New Family SPRING FEST

Published on: 03/16/26 3:23 PM