Your Child's Day in Specialty Camp
For Sessions 1-3, campers enrolled in any on-campus Specialty Camp will split their day between their camp program and recreation. During their specialty period, campers are engaged in a fun and educational environment using Hofstra’s state-of-the-art academic classrooms, labs, and facilities. During the recreation period, which includes lunch and instructional swim, campers are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities.
Campers entering grades 2-5 participate in morning specialties; campers in grades 6-10 participate in afternoon specialties.
All campers in the same grade requesting a Specialty Camp in the same session are automatically placed together, except for video game courses.
For Session 4, there is no recreation portion of the day. Some specialties may stay in their program for the full day – otherwise, campers are instead treated to a different fun activity for each afternoon! In the past, we’ve had DJ Dance Parties, Ice Cream Sundae Parties, Slip and Slides, Karaoke, Movie Days, and more.
We recommend campers wear a cotton t-shirt, athletic shorts, socks, and sneakers each day. They should also bring a bag with their bathing suit, a towel, and a reusable water bottle (all items should be clearly labeled with the camper’s first and last name).
Campers enrolled in Tennis must bring the following each day: athletic sneakers are acceptable footwear (no black soled shoes) and a tennis racket.
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Specialty Sports Programs
Campers enrolled in Basketball, Flag Football, and Tennis specialties are evaluated on the first day of each session and placed into appropriate groups based on skill-level.
Recreation
A portion of your camper’s day is spent in recreation, where he or she participates in a period of instructional swim and a period of recreational activities.
Recreation groups consist of 8-10 campers of the same gender and grade and are overseen by a dedicated recreation counselor. Each recreation group follows a scheduled set of indoor and outdoor activities ranging from soccer, arts and crafts, volleyball, gaga, double Dutch, tennis, dodgeball, Zumba, and more.
Please indicate on the Registration Form if you want to request that your child be placed with a friend who is in the same grade. To ensure this request is received, please submit group requests prior to June 1st.
Club Recreation
In addition to the standard recreation period, campers in grades 2-5 participate in Club Rec. During Club Rec, campers select their own activity to participate in at their own pace.
A variety of activities are offered: volleyball, football, kickball, relays, and more. Campers may also choose to relax under a shady tree with their friends, play a board game, create something unique in arts and crafts, or engage in any age-appropriate activity.
Instructional Swim
As part of the recreation portion of the day, campers enjoy a period of instructional swim each day in Hofstra’s Olympic-sized indoor pool. Part of their time in the pool is dedicated to an American Red Cross swim lesson; the remaining time is free swim where they can go off the diving board, float on pool noodles, or play with their friends.
Campers are evaluated on the first day of each session and are placed in an appropriate swim level group. At the conclusion of summer, American Red Cross swim cards are mailed home.
Special Event Days
Each week, we offer an exciting Special Event Day during recreation that is always one of the highlights of the week!
Past events have included: carnivals, Color Wars, DJ dance parties, game shows, karaoke contests, and more.
Your Child's Day at Sports Academy Camp
In any of our one-week Sports Academy Camps, campers are immersed in their chosen sport all day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.). Each day is an exciting, intensive, and fun-filled day where campers improve their skills through instructional clinics, drills, scrimmages, and gameplay. There are two swim periods scheduled per program, per week.
Campers receive expert-level instruction in all Sports Academy camps – many of which are run by Hofstra’s Division I coaches and their staff – and utilize Hofstra University’s incredible collegiate playing fields, stadiums, arenas, and practice facilities.
Stop Camp Bullying
Hofstra Summer Camps does not tolerate bullying of any kind, and it is our mission to provide a fun, exciting, and safe environment for all campers.
Our goals are to:
- Recognize warning signs that a camper is being bullied.
- Learn appropriate responses to bullying behaviors.
- Create a camp culture that does not tolerate bullying and aggressive behavior.
Hofstra Summer Camps has a dedicated Director of Pupil Personnel on staff who works directly with campers to mediate and resolve any issues that may arise during the camp day.
Additionally, Hofstra Summer Camps has a clear Code of Conduct that details the expectations of our campers. Please review this with your child prior to the first day they attend.
Getting Your Child Ready for Camp
Please read this entire handbook. You may view it online or print it to keep on hand.
Physical Exam Form and Camp Infirmary
RNs and certified nurses are in our camp infirmary full time. Each camper must have a physical examination within one year prior to their first day of camp. These forms must be completed by your pediatrician and returned to the camp office. You can download a Physical Exam form here.
The parent of any child needing medication must meet our RNs with the child’s medication in the original container (dates TBD).
During the hot days, parents can ensure their child's comfort better by dressing them with:
- Light-colored clothing – reflects radiant heat
- Loose clothing – assists in evaporation of sweat
New York State Notice
New York State law requires that each parent be aware of the following:
- It is mandatory for all camps to receive an operating permit from the New York State Department of Health each year.
- Camps are required to be inspected twice a year.
- Inspection reports are filed at the Nassau County Department of Health at 200 County Seat Drive, Mineola NY 11501.
- Inquiries can be made Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
Hofstra Summer Camp's American Camping Association and Board of Health certifications are on display in the camp office.
