Specialty Camps

specialty day camps

a place to grow, learn, + explore

Our specialty camps are now at somerville school!

Big news! To bring your child an even more exciting lineup of summer activities, we’ve moved our specialty camps to Somerville Elementary School. These camps now offer a full-day program, with half-day options for our youngest campers (ages 3-5).

During our week-long specialty camps, campers will be exposed to a variety of new concepts, forms of art and culture, and ways of expression—inspiring them to discover and explore new aspects of themselves.

*Please note: Creative Cooks specialty camps will continue to be held at the Ridgewood Y.

Campers will dive into a wild adventure with animal-themed crafts, games, and special activities. Each week will spotlight a different habitat, sparking their curiosity and love for wildlife. They’ll explore, create, and play their way through a summer full of hands-on experiences and exciting discoveries!

Engage in exciting, age-appropriate science experiments, build amazing structures, and have fun learning new skills! This camp session is designed to spark curiosity and promote an interest in creative learning and science, all in a fun and interactive environment. Campers will dive into hands-on activities that encourage problem-solving and exploration, making learning feel like an adventure!

Nothing’s more fun than making a mess! Campers will dive into engaging, hands-on crafts that spark creativity and imagination. Each week features a unique theme, bringing new surprises and creative challenges. They’ll explore different textures, experiment with colors, and bring their wildest ideas to life. Get ready for a week of messy masterpieces!

Join Marlene Pillow for a week of musical theater fun! Campers will explore their creativity and bring a story to life through song, dance, theater, and more—culminating in an exciting performance at the end of the week!

Kids will get active with soccer, basketball, baseball, and more, practicing skills through fun games and drills that keep them moving all morning long! They’ll stay engaged, improve their abilities, and enjoy plenty of action-packed moments.

Through water activities, crafts, and other games, campers will enjoy a unique introduction to the Spanish language. Your child will have fun and stay engaged while practicing pronunciation, vocabulary, practical conversations, and word associations!

Unleash your creative energy and imagination! Campers will explore a variety of artistic projects, creating their own unique masterpieces and letting their creativity run wild! They’ll experiment with new techniques, express themselves freely, and have fun every step of the way!

Do you love cooking shows or experimenting with new food and recipes? Then this camp is for you! Channel your inner master chef and join us in the kitchen to learn how to chop, mix, plate, and create tasty dishes and snacks to share with your family and friends.

Get ready to groove and make new friends at our high-energy dance camp! Campers will learn awesome new moves and master exciting choreographed routines led by our talented counselors. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced dancer, this camp is all about dancing your heart out, learning new steps, and having a blast with friends!  

Get ready to dive into the sea! Join us for a week of ocean exploration through creative crafting, story time, and fun water activities. Campers will discover fascinating sea creatures, engage in hands-on projects, and learn about ocean life in a lively, interactive environment. It’s an exciting adventure that’s sure to make a splash!

Enjoy solving secret messages, cracking codes, and conquering escape challenges! Spy Kids is the perfect place to work as a team and unravel quirky mysteries in a fun, playful atmosphere. Campers will sharpen their problem-solving skills, think creatively, and have a blast while on the case—it’s the ultimate adventure for young spies!

Dive into exciting science experiments, tackle engineering challenges, and discover new skills in a fun, hands-on environment! Campers will build structures, experiment with new materials, and engage in activities that spark curiosity and foster a love for learning. It’s an adventure where creativity meets discovery, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow!

If your camper loves competing in sports, games, and high-energy activities, this is the camp for them! They’ll play soccer, basketball, kickball, pickleball, and other classic athletic games, all while building teamwork, confidence, and sportspersonship. With plenty of action-packed fun, it’s the perfect place for active kids to have fun while challenging themselves!

2025 SPECIALTY CAMP CALENDAR

DateSpecialty campAge group

Week 3: July 7-11

Sporty All-Stars

Messy Artists: Rainbows

Animal Adventures: Jungle + Savannah

3-5

Week 4: July 14-18

Sporty All-Stars

Messy Artists: Mermaids + Ocean

Music + Theater

3-5

Week 5: July 21-25

Sporty All-Stars

Building + STEM

Music + Theater

3-5

Week 6: July 28-Aug 1

Messy Artists: Disney

Animal Adventures: Dinosaurs

Music + Theater

3-5

Week 7: August 4-8

Building + STEM

Animal Adventures: Ocean

Summer Spanish

3-5

DateSpecialty campAge group

Week 3: July 7-11

Crafty Artists: Slime Time!

Ultimate Sports + Games

Dance + Movement

6-7

Week 4: July 14-18

STEM Scientists

Crafty Artists: Friendship Bracelets + Jewelery

Ultimate Sports + Games

6-7

Week 5: July 21-25

Creative Cooks*

STEM Scientists

Ocean Discovery

Spy Kids

6-7

Week 6: July 28-Aug 1

Creative Cooks*

Ultimate Sports + Games

Crafty Artists: Paint Like Picasso

Spy Kids

6-7

Week 7: August 4-8

Ultimate Sports + Games

Dance + Movement

STEM Scientists

6-7

DateSpecialty campAge group

Week 3: July 7-11

Crafty Artists: Slime Time!

Ultimate Sports + Games

Dance + Movement

8-14

Week 4: July 14-18

STEM Scientists

Crafty Artists: Friendship Bracelets + Jewelery

Ultimate Sports + Games

8-14

Week 5: July 21-25

Creative Cooks*

STEM Scientists

Ocean Discovery

Spy Kids

8-14

Week 6: July 28-Aug 1

Creative Cooks*

Ultimate Sports + Games

Crafty Artists: Paint Like Picasso

Spy Kids

8-14

Week 7: August 4-8

Ultimate Sports + Games

Dance + Movement

STEM Scientists

8-14

*Creative Cooks specialty camps will continue to be held at the Ridgewood Y.

2025 Pricing

SPECIALTY CAMP SESSION

Prices are per week

Session lengthAgesMemberNon-member

Full day (9:00AM-4:00PM)

3-14

$500

$520

Half day (9:00AM-12:00PM)

3-5

$300

$320

BEFORE/AFTER CARE

Prices are per week

Session lengthAgesMemberNon-member

Before care (7:00-9:00AM)

3-14

$45

$65

After care (4:00-6:00PM)

3-14

$45

$65

HOURS + LOCATION

Drop-off 9:00AM
Pick-up (half day) 1:00PM
Pick-up (full day) 4:00PM

Before care 7:00-9:00AM
After care 4:00-6:00PM

Somerville Elementary School
45 S Pleasant Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Financial aid

We believe the opportunity to gain personal growth from summer camp should be accessible to all children regardless of financial situation or socioeconomic status. Our Summer Camp for All program ensures that nobody is turned away because of inability to pay.

Download our application here.

For questions and additional information, please contact Cara Apsley at capsley@ridgewoodymca.org

Click here to download and fill out the registration form.