Crestwood Country Day Camp Blog & News
Published on: 05/29/26 10:12 AM
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
Spring is here and that means that CAMP is right around the corner.
To help you get ready for Crestwood, please see our COUNTDOWN TO CAMP CHECKLIST:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
APRIL 18th – 10AM – 1PM
~ HAVE FUN ENJOYING OUR FACILITIES
~ SNACKS WILL BE SERVED
Open to all new first year and prospective campers with their families.
Bring a prospective family and receive a GIFT!
CRESTWOOD is the SCOPE 2026 Philanthropic Camp of the Year!
Published on: 02/26/26 9:41 AM
The recognition of Crestwood Day Camp as the SCOPE 2026 Philanthropic Camp of the Year is a tremendous honor for our community. We are humbled by this recognition and incredibly proud of our administrative team, parents, campers, and alumni whose passion has brought the power of the camp experience to so many children through a partnership with SCOPE.
For those who don’t know, SCOPE is a nonprofit, funder of overnight summer camp and college scholarships, that creates pathways to potential through camp, classroom, college, and career for children from under-resourced communities who commit to staying in school. Their goal is to provide all children with access to the safe, supportive environment of overnight summer camp to learn, discover, and grow to their full potential.
we invite you to help us celebrate in one or more of the following ways:
- Purchase Camp it Forward Raffle Tickets for $100 each for a chance to win back your camp tuition. (If you are a Crestwood Alumni Family and you win this raffle, you will get the equivalent of a Crestwood tuition applied to the Sleepaway Camp that your child attends.)
- Join us in person or become a sponsor of the Scope Benefit on April 15, 2026 in New York City
- Donate in Crestwood‘s honor by contributing a Gift in Kind for the evenings festivities
We generally have our community buy about 200 tickets to Camp it Forward and we hope to do the same if not more this year. Please help us give the gift of camp to so many children that will be impacted.
Thank you once again for your support of this great program. Yes we will remind you many times, but this is a very worthwhile cause to say the least.
From the whole Crestwood family – we appreciate our entire community!
Mark T and Mark H
Camp Southwoods Open House at Crestwood
Published on: 02/12/26 1:45 PM
NEW DATE! SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28th
We are excited to introduce you to our beautiful sleep-away camp in the Adirondacks-
Crestwood Owners/Directors, Mark T & Mark H, would like
to invite you for an Open House & Information Session with
the Camp Southwoods Directors, Carl & Maddie Acosta.
Discounts Available For Past or Present Crestwood Families – See Below.
Non-Crestwood families who attend will be eligible to receive a
$250 voucher that they can apply to any Southwood session of their choice
WHERE: Crestwood Day Camp – 313 Round Swamp Rd. Melville
WHAT: Brief Presentation plus Q&A Sessions
Crestwood Day Camp Tours will also be available
- 25% Southwoods Discount to current and former Crestwood families who enroll in any Camp Southwoods session for rising 2nd – 4th graders
- 10% Southwoods Discount for rising 5th graders and up
- Non-Crestwood families who attend will be eligible to receive a
$250 voucher that they can apply to any Southwood session of their choice
RSVP Requested – click here to RSVP
For more information about Camp Southwoods and to watch our video please click here.
Snow Much Fun! Holiday Crafts to Keep Kids Busy All Winter Break
Published on: 12/23/25 12:01 PM
The holiday break is almost here! We are sure everyone is excited to spend some quality time with their family and enjoy this holiday season, which is why Crestwood has prepared some fun and engaging activities.
Miss Kim, one of Crestwood’s preschool teacher and division head, has prepared three step-by step crafts perfect for kids of all ages to enjoy. Follow along with her to see how to make a popsicle stick snowflake that will be sure to last with you for years to come!
These easy, yet creative, crafts and activities are a perfect way for your little ones to stay busy this holiday brea
1. Popsicle Stick Snowflake Craft
This craft is perfect for any child to create a fun wall decoration or tree ornaments!
What You’ll Need
- Popsicle Sticks
- Glue
- String
- Pom Poms, Beads, or Buttons
Step-By-Step
- Put a dot of glue on the center of each popsicle stick
- Put the popsicle sticks together, with them meeting at the center
- Place dots of glue on where you want your decorations to go
- Place your desired decorations (pom poms, buttons, or beads) over the dots of glue
- Cut a piece of string and tie the ends together
- Glue the piece of string on the top of the popsicle sticks
2. Paper Plate Snow Buddy
This easy snowman craft is both fun and encourages kids fine motor skills!
What You’ll Need
- Paper plates
- Glue
- Cotton balls
- Crayons or markers
- Optional: Colored paper and googlie Eyes
Step-By-Step
- Place a paper plate in front of your child.
- Help them squeeze glue onto different areas of the plate.
- Stick cotton balls onto the glue to make “snow.”
- Use crayons or markers to draw a face
- Use any additional supplies to add to the decorations!
3. Hand Print Winter Mitten
This fun hand painting craft is a great keepsake for your child and a fun way to honor the winter season.
What You’ll Need
- Construction paper
- Washable paint
- Paintbrush or sponge
- Glue
- Paper towels
Step-By-Step
- Paint your child’s hand using a brush or sponge.
- Press their hand onto construction paper to make a mitten shape.
- Let the handprint dry completely.
- Cut out the mitten shape (adult help).
- Decorate with crayons or stickers.
These activities create new and fun ways for your children to enjoy their break home from school this holiday season! In addition, it is another great way to see your child’s creativity, fun, and imagination shine through! We can not wait to see all the masterpieces our Crestwood kids will create!
Crestwood School Open House
Published on: 12/19/25 2:09 PM
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
9:30am -11:30am
Come see our classes in session!
~Toddler, Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten classes
~Meet our school Administrators
~Meet our Certified Teachers
~See our Spectacular Classrooms
~Learn about our advanced curriculum
~Receive a Personal School & Camp Tour
~Early Bird Rate for school still available for any new families who attend our Open House
Please Call 631-692-6361 to RSVP for the Open House
Still enrolling for summer 2026, please call the office or click here to schedule a tour.
The Ultimate Checklist: How to Choose The Right Camp For Your Child
Finding the right camp for your child can feel like a big decision. After all, camp is more than just your place for the summer-it is where you build community, make friends, and grow confidence. You ask anyone who went to summer camp as a child about their favorite memory, and I’m sure they’ll have more than one that immediately comes to mind. However, a big decision doesn’t have to be a difficult one. Here is a helpful guide to help you know which is the right fit for you and your family.
1. A Safe and Supportive Environment
Every parent’s first priority is making sure their child is somewhere that they feel safe physically, mentally, and emotionally. Finding a camp that prioritizes staff training, retention, and thorough hiring practices is an important step in deciding if a camp is a good place for your child to feel- and be- safe.
It is important to choose a camp where the staff make an effort to connect with your child, and ensure your child’s best interest each and every day. Having staff members that make children feel comfortable is key to ensuring a fun and successful summer. In a study by the American Camp Association, children were believed to be more socially comfortable at camp compared to school. The conducted study showed a significant increase in social comfort in the six months after camp ended and parents even showed a significant increase in reporting their children’s social comfortability (ACA 2005). The positive impacts from going to camp, allowing children to thrive in a safe and secure environment, will stay with them and help them to grow for their future.
2. A Wide Range of Activities
It is important for children to be out participating in physical activities each and everyday. Having children participate in physical activity is important to their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development (Pediatric Association of Austin 2025). Which is why the right camp should provide a variety of activities for campers to participate in, including different kinds of physical activities. There is nothing better than being able to go out and play tennis with friends, cool down and swim in the pool, or get to learn new skills in soccer. Having fun while taking part in physical activities is not only a great way for campers to have fun, but also beneficial to their development.
Additionally, it is important to note that every child is different and they deserve to be at a camp that celebrates these differences. When exploring all your camp options, it is important to keep in mind your child’s individual needs, interests, and personality. Which is why camps should offer activities that cater to each child’s unique interests, which may include drama, the arts, or STEM. There should be opportunities to explore areas of creativity, athletics, aquatics, adventure, and more at camp.
3. The Camp Facilities
It is important for camp to be more than just the picturesque backdrop to photos, but a place that feels like home to so many campers. Being at a camp with a large, beautiful, outdoor space that is in nature is not only beautiful but can be beneficial to children. While it’s unclear how nature improves cognitive and intrapersonal functioning, there are things that are known to help children develop. According to the Child Mind Institute, spending time outdoors has shown to help children build confidence, decrease stress and fatigue, and promote creativity (Cohen 2024). These are skills that not only help them during the summer months, but continue to benefit children into the school year.
It is also important, however, for a camp to offer spaces to escape the dog days of August or the dreaded four letter word- Rain. Consider finding a camp that has indoor facilities that cater to indoor activities for children- things like STEM, cooking, and even a big indoor gym could be great benefits to a camp (and a big bonus if those facilities have air conditioning!).
Only you know what it is that will make you feel “at home”, so as you’re camp shopping ask yourself- Can I see my child here? Can I see them running across the soccer field, laughing with friends? Can I see them sitting in the amphitheater, singing songs, and chanting for their color war team? Can I see them taking a plunge into the deep end of the pool to pass their deep water test? If the answer is yes, it looks like you found your summer home!
Finding The Perfect Fit
Picking the “perfect” camp can feel overwhelming, but what matters most is finding a place where your child is happy. Once you visit Crestwood, you will see first hand why so many families continue to choose it every year. From our incredible staff, to beautiful campgrounds, Crestwood is a place where your child can truly grow. If you want to see if Crestwood checks all of your boxes, give us a call at 631-692-6361.
American Camp Association. “Youth Development Outcomes of the Camp Experience.” Philliber Research Associates, American Camp Association, 2005. https://www.acacamps.org/sites/default/files/resource_library/report-directions-youth-development-outcomes.pdf.
Pediatric Association of Austin. “The Importance of Physical Activity in Child Development.” Pediatric Association of Austin, 2025. https://www.pediatricassociates.net/blog/physical-activity-in-child-development
Cohen, Danielle. “Why Kids Need to Spend Time in Nature.” Child Mind Institute, 13 November 2024. https://childmind.org/article/why-kids-need-to-spend-time-in-nature/
