The right summer day camp on Long Island covers the weeks your family needs, starts and ends at times that work for your day, and is easy to reach. Once a camp fits your summer, compare who runs it, what children do all day and what the price covers. Ask every camp the same questions, and write down the answers so you can compare them side by side.
Chung TKD in New Hyde Park, Nassau County, teaches Tae Kwon Do to children ages 2 to 13. Its summer camp runs for six weeks each summer, and the school's black-belt instructors run it. Grandmaster Howard Chung, 9th Dan, has taught Tae Kwon Do since 1970 and opened the school in 1984. This guide is by Master Chris J. Chung, 5th-degree black belt.
What is a summer day camp?
A summer day camp is a camp where your child spends the day and comes home at night, for some or all of the summer break. At a sleepaway camp, children stay overnight. On Long Island, day camps range from general camps with a mix of sports, arts and swim to specialty camps built around one interest.
When should I start looking at Long Island summer camps?
Start in the winter. Many camps share their dates and costs and open sign-ups months before summer. Starting early leaves time to visit, ask questions and compare camps before you commit.
Which weeks do we need camp?
Work it out on a calendar before you compare camps. These four steps give you a list to check every camp against.
- Mark your child's last day of school and first day back. Your school district sets both, so check its calendar.
- Cross out the weeks your family is away, and the weeks a parent, grandparent or sitter is home with your child.
- Count the weeks that are left. Those are the weeks camp needs to cover.
- Check each camp's weeks against your list. If one camp does not cover every week, plan the rest now, with a second camp or help from family.
What should I compare between summer day camps?
Compare these six points for every camp on your list.
- Weeks. Which weeks camp runs, and whether you can sign up by the week or only for the whole summer.
- Hours. When camp starts and ends each day, and whether there is early drop-off or late pickup.
- Getting there. Whether there is a bus from your area or you drive, and how the trip fits the rest of your day.
- Kind of camp. A general camp with a mix of activities, or a specialty camp built around one interest, such as a sport, the arts or a martial art.
- People. Who runs camp, and who is with the children through the day.
- Cost. What the price covers, and what costs extra.
What should I ask a summer day camp before I sign up?
Ask every camp these twelve questions, by phone or on a visit, and write the answers down.
- Which weeks does camp run, and can we sign up for single weeks?
- What times are drop-off and pickup, and can we come early or stay late?
- Is there a bus from our town, and who rides with the children?
- Who runs camp, who is with my child through the day, and how are they trained?
- What does a typical day look like?
- What ages does camp take, and how are children grouped?
- What does the price include, and what costs extra?
- Is lunch included, and how do you handle allergies and medicine?
- What happens on a very hot or rainy day?
- If there is swimming, who watches the water?
- How will I hear about my child's day, and who do I call with a question?
- What happens if our plans change after we sign up?
Should we choose a camp near home or near work?
Choose the one that makes both ends of the day easy. Whether you are comparing Nassau County summer camps or camps farther out on Long Island, you make the trip twice a day, every day of camp. If one parent drops off and another picks up, check the trip from both places.
Should I choose a general day camp or a specialty camp?
Choose by what your child enjoys. A general day camp gives a child a little of many things. A specialty camp spends more of the day on one interest and suits a child who already enjoys it or is curious to try it. If your child is curious about Tae Kwon Do, our guide to whether a Tae Kwon Do camp suits your child has a five-question checklist.
Does Chung TKD run a summer camp?
Yes. Chung TKD in New Hyde Park runs a summer camp for six weeks each summer, and the school's black-belt instructors run it. The school also runs a winter camp and a spring camp. The school shares camp dates, cost and availability directly, so ask through our camp page, and bring the questions above. For school breaks during the year, read how to choose a winter break camp or spring break camp.
Can my child try a Tae Kwon Do class first?
Yes. New families at Chung TKD start with two free trial classes, and a parent or guardian stays for both. Kids wear something comfortable, sweats or shorts.
Chung TKD has three programs by age. Pee-Wee is for ages 2 to 3, Children is for ages 4 to 6 and Youth is for ages 7 to 13. For more on the school, read about kids Tae Kwon Do classes in Nassau County.
Where is Chung TKD?
Chung TKD is at 1527 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
How do we get started?
For summer camp, ask the school through our camp page. To start Tae Kwon Do, begin with the two free trial classes. Book a free class.
Questions parents ask
When do Long Island summer camps open sign-ups?
It depends on the camp. Many share their dates and open sign-ups months before summer, so start looking in the winter.
What is the difference between a day camp and a sleepaway camp?
At a day camp, children go home at the end of each day. At a sleepaway camp, they stay overnight.
What should I ask a summer day camp?
Which weeks it runs, its drop-off and pickup times, whether there is a bus, who runs it and who is with the children, what a typical day looks like, what ages it takes, what the price includes, how it handles lunch, allergies, heat, rain and swimming, how it keeps parents informed, and what happens if your plans change.
How many weeks does summer camp run at Chung TKD?
Six weeks each summer.
Who runs the Chung TKD summer camp?
The school's black-belt instructors.
Does Chung TKD run camps in winter and spring too?
Yes. Besides summer camp, the school runs a winter camp and a spring camp.
Is there a way to try Chung TKD before summer?
Yes. New families start with two free trial classes, and a parent or guardian stays for both.