Plan A Summer of Adventure Right in Lincoln Square

This week's warmer temperatures are a reminder that summer is right around the corner! That means it’s time to make plans for summer camps and programs. Whether your child is looking to surround themselves with music, art, educational experiences, or a more traditional summer camp, look no further than Lincoln Square. We’ve even found a few opportunities for adult participants!

It should be no surprise that Lincoln Square is packed with musical experiences. Dedicated high school jazz students (grades 9–12) can apply to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Summer Jazz Academy, a two-week program designed and instructed by a select team of faculty that serves as a rigorous training institute for 42 of the most advanced and high school jazz students. Applications will be accepted now through May 25, 2025 (apply here).

The Juilliard School’s (60 Lincoln Center Plaza between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway) Juilliard Extension program for teens focuses on Music Theory and Ear Training for High School Students. Beginning in March, students aged 14-18 may apply for the program, which will cover a broad range of topics, from fundamental concepts to advanced training in music theory, ear training, or both. The semester will run from June 27 through August 14.

Kaufman Music Center (129 West 67th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave) offers dance and musical theater programs. Dance Camp will run for one week (August 11-15) and introduces boys and girls ages 4-12 to several forms of dance, including ballet, jazz and Broadway, hip hop, and lyrical. The Summer Musical Theater Workshop (June 30-July31) is for those ages 6-16 and allows kids the exciting opportunity to rehearse and perform in original musical plays.

Broadway Dance Center (37 West 65th Street between Columbus Ave and Central Park West) offers summer programs for all ages and levels of dance experience. Children and teens can try a variety of dance styles in the Children and Teens Summer Dance Camp (ages 3-14), while the Junior Training Program provides training opportunities for intermediate/advanced dancers (ages 9-18). If dancers are looking for a shorter program, they can consider the two-day Summer Intensive (ages 13-21) or the Junior Summer Intensive (ages 9-12).

For high school students looking for insight into college life or students who want to explore the city, there’s Fordham University’s Summer Leaders Academy. The program, available for students who will have completed their first year of high school by summer, gives participants useful tools for college application preparation, career exploration, and off-campus excursions around New York City.

The West Side YMCA (5 West 63rd Street at Central Park West) runs an array of summer camps like a traditional summer camp (ages 6-12), kinder camp (ages 4-5), and an early childhood camp (ages 3-4). For children more interested in running than dancing, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation's Summer Day Camp program offers an exciting mix of outdoor adventures, sports, and cultural experiences for kids ages 6 to 13, with registration conducted through a lottery from March 3 to March 22, 2025. Riverside Park Conservancy hosts Summer Sports Camp, a weekly all-day camp for children ages 4-16 in Riverside Park. Sign up for either a half day or full day of sports like baseball, basketball, or flag football.

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School (33 Central Park West at West 63rd Street) offers a Week of Discovery camp for children in Pre-K through 4th grade, where kids explore themes through art, science, and nature activities. Current 4th through 8th graders can join the Counselor in Training program, which focuses on leadership skills. At its Fieldston campus in the Bronx, the school runs Fieldston Future Leaders, a STEAM summer program for children ages 4-14, and a Leaders in Training program for campers entering 9th and 10th grade. For more information, visit the Ethical Culture Fieldston School Summer Camps website. 

If you’re searching for a way to let your child learn about wildlife despite living in the concrete jungle, check out programs at the Central Park Zoo (located near 5th Ave at E 64th St). The Zoo offers immersive experiences with nature and wildlife for children and teens (ages 2-4 with a caregiver or entering kindergarten through 9th grade). These programs include the opportunity to meet different animals, explore the Zoo playing games, learn about the roles of a zookeeper, and even take care of the animals at the Central Park Zoo!

Looking for a way to occupy your wee ones? The Marlene Meyerson JCC (334 Amsterdam Avenue at W 76th) runs up to 9 weeks of Day Camp @ The JCC for children ages 3-5. Sign up knowing that your child will participate in engaging programming with age-appropriate developmental skills.

This is not an exhaustive list of children’s summer camps—Mommy Poppins has a guide on its website with more options, but we also recommend doing your own research to find the best fit for your child.

Last but not least, some neighborhood organizations offer summer programs for adults. Existing quartets can apply for intense coaching and mentoring alongside other quartets as part of the Juilliard String Quartet Seminar (May 25-May 29). You’ll also find an array of adult programs through Juilliard Extension—stay tuned for when the Summer 2025 Catalog is published here. No matter your experience level, you can participate in a fun Dalcroze Summer Intensive at Kaufman Music Center from August 4-15. Advanced adult dancers can get a taste of the NYC dance industry with private curated classes through Broadway Dance Center’s 4-week Summer Training Program (June 23-July 18). 

Application and enrollment deadlines have already passed for certain programs like the ABT Summer Intensive, Juilliard’s Summer Composition Program, and Summer Dance Intensive. Be sure to add the application deadlines on your calendar for next summer, and jump on the opportunity to enroll in the rest of these great camps and programs today!

Photo Credit: NYC YMCA