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• Staten Island Academy Day Camp: Where There’s Something For Every Camper To Love

  Staten Island Academy Day Camp: Where There’s Something For Every Camper To Love Are you looking for a day camp for your kids this summer? Choosing the right camp is no easy task. That’s why when we heard about Staten Island Academy Day Camp, a top day camp that has something to make every kid smile, we knew we had to share.  Staten Island Academy’s beautiful 12-acre campus welcomes campers ages 3 to 15 every summer to make lasting memories, friendships, and new experiences. The campus is one-of-a-kind, equipped with air-conditioned indoor spaces like classrooms, theaters, art rooms, computer labs, and gymnasiums. And the outdoor spaces invite little adventurers to play on soccer, baseball, and softball fields. There are even two swimming pools so everyone can stay cool and have some water fun! Staten Island Academy Day Camp also offers auxiliary programs for parents looking to add extra enrichment to their child’s camp experience. The English Institute at Staten Island Academy allows international  and local campers the ability to improve English writing and reading skills with supportive peers and advisors. At LEGO camp, kids will explore concepts like force, motion, gravity, and friction all while engaging in building and exploration as a team. In Musical Theater Camp, campers will act, sing, dance, and even perform in a special show organized by experienced directors. Talented and Gifted Camp offers academic enrichment with three interactive classes per day. There is no shortage of activities at Staten Island Academy Day Camp– your kids will be looking forward to going to camp every day. Crafty kids can tap into their creativity with painting, drawing, and sculpting. Rhythmic little ones can partake in dance, gymnastics, and the annual Camp Show. Bigger kids take to the Game Room to play air hockey and foosball. Young science explorers learn in the hands-on science program and Turtle Beach, where they play with water tables and sand turtles.  On top of all the daily offerings, kids can join specialty camps during Specialty Camp Week to dive deep into their interests. There are programs in cooking, art, engineering, sports, dance, and more. And did we mention that there’s Theme Weeks too? That’s right– campers enjoy a new theme each week, like Carnival Week and Wacky Week. There’s always something new and exciting happening at Staten Island Academy Camp.  The best part? You can drop your kid off each day knowing that they are well taken care of in a safe environment. The camp is run by highly qualified and screened professionals: counselors, lifeguards, security, administrators, and, of course, the camp director of 17 years, Chris Bruno. With frequent communication between staff and families, you’ll always be in-the-know about what’s happening with your little camper. And if you need to pick up your child later or drop them off earlier, there’s an Extended Day Program that offers flexibility for all families.  Ready to sign up your child for Staten Island Academy Day Camp this summer? Attend an open house on March 26 or April 29, and head over to statenislandacademy.org/summer to learn more!  SPONSORED CONTENT BY STATEN ISLAND ACADEMY DAY CAMP

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• Read the NEW March Issue of Staten Island Parent!

  Staten Island Parent’s March 2023 issue features advice for parents on selecting a summer camp plus Staten Island camp listings, as well as charter school listings and information. Cover Mom-fluencer and parenting expert Bethany Braun Silva discusses her career and parenthood, and we’re sharing what you need to know about gas stoves and asthma, along with new guidelines from the AAP on childhood obesity. And as always, we have a bunch of family friendly events and activities in Staten Island throughout March and much more! Click below to read it now.

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• 10 Tips on How to Begin the Camp Search

  [caption id="attachment_363983" align="alignnone" width="822"] Getty Images[/caption] 10 Tips on How to Begin the Camp Search Thinking about summer camp for your child but don’t know where to start? Here are a few tips to help you find the best camp for your child.  

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• 10 Spots for the Perfect Picnic in Staten Island

  Now that spring is in full bloom, it’s time to start thinking about ways your family can enjoy the great outdoors on Staten Island. One easy way to embrace nature as a family is to have a picnic! There are many places where families can have a picnic on Staten Island. From beachside locales to historical sprawling grounds, there are many picnic spots located throughout the borough.  Browse our guide to some of the best spots for picnics in Staten Island, pack a basket with some good eats and be on your way to outdoor family fun. It’s free to spread out a blanket and enjoy a picnic at most of these locations, but if you plan to host a larger party, it’s best to call or check online about rules, regulations and possible fees and permits. For example, if you want to have any activity in a NYC-run park with more than 20 people, or if you’d like to reserve a specific area within a park, you  must apply for a special event permit.  Wolfe’s Pond Park  WHERE: 420 Cornelia Ave. PHONE: 212-639-9675 HOURS: 6am-10pm or 1am, but hours can vary.  From scenic water views to beautiful sprawling grounds dotted with trees, Wolfe’s Pond Park is a great place to set up lunch at one of the many on-site picnic tables, and enjoy the fresh air with your family. Great Kills Park – Gateway National Recreation Area WHERE: Hylan Boulevard and Buffalo Street PHONE: 718-354-4606 HOURS: Daily, 6am-9pm Great Kills Park is a 523-acre park that is part of the National Park Service. Families can enjoy the park any time of year, but come summer, it’s a great place for a picnic on the beach. Amenities include a life-guarded beach, hiking trails, biking trails and more.  Clove Lakes Park  WHERE: 1150 Clove Rd. PHONE: 212-639-9675 HOURS: 6am-10pm or 1am, but hours can vary. Cloves Lakes is one of Staten Island’s most popular parks. There’s a section with picnic tables for visitors to use, or they can spread a blanket and enjoy a picnic on the grass. The park is packed with activities families can enjoy before or after their picnic, including paddle boats in the summer, sports fields, a playground and more. There’s also a dog friendly area if you want to bring the family pup to the park!  Bloomingdale Park WHERE: Ramona and Lenevar Avenues PHONE: 212-639-9675 HOURS: 6am-10pm or 1am, but hours can vary. Pack a picnic basket and head to this South Shore park that has lots of activities for kids and families to enjoy, including soccer fields, trails and a playground.  Conference House Park WHERE: 298 Satterlee St. PHONE: 718-984-6046 HOURS: Call for information. Right at the southernmost end of Staten Island is Conference House Park, site of a 1776 peace conference that attempted to end the Revolutionary War. Families can toss a blanket on the lawn or under a tree to enjoy a picnic. After dining, children can toss a ball, play and simply run on the sprawling lawn. Park-goers can walk along the beach or hike into the woods to enjoy nature. Kids—and adults—will get a kick out of seeing New Jersey right across the water!    View this post on Instagram   A post shared by The Historic Conference House (@conferencehouse) Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden WHERE: 1000 Richmond Terr. PHONE: 718-448-2500 HOURS: Grounds are open daily, dawn to dusk Snug Harbor is a delightful location for a family picnic. It’s free to explore the grounds, home to 26 historic structures, botanical gardens, a 2-acre urban farm, wetlands and more. Just keep in mind there is a fee to enter some of the on-site museums.  Alice Austen House  WHERE: 2 Hylan Blvd. PHONE: 718-816-4506 HOURS: Call for grounds hours. The Alice Austen House grounds provide scenic views and sprawling lawns perfect for a family picnic.  While you’re there, consider stopping in the museum to learn about Alice Austen, one of the earliest and most prolific female photographers in the United States.  Willowbrook Park  WHERE: Richmond Avenue, Victory Boulevard, Ashworth Avenue and Forest Hill Road PHONE: 718-667-2165 HOURS: 6am-10pm or 1am, but hours can vary. Willowbrook Park is a woodland escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life. There are barbecue areas, baseball fields, and more for families to enjoy during their picnic outing. A major highlight of the park is the Carousel for All Children, a handicap-accessible merry-go-round that children can enjoy.  Fort Wadsworth WHERE: 1598 Bay St. PHONE: 718-354-4606 HOURS: Daily, 6am-9pm Fort Wadsworth is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, which is maintained by the National Park Service. There are picnic tables, views of the Narrows of New York Harbor, walking and biking trails, and more.   Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve WHERE: 83 Nielsen Ave. PHONE: 718-967-1976 HOURS: Grounds are open year round, sunrise to sunset Clay Pit Ponds is a state park off the beaten path on the South Shore. A hidden gem, it’s a 265-acre nature preserve that is home to many habitats, including wetlands, ponds, sand barrens, spring-fed streams and woods. Visitors can picnic and hike on designated trails within the park. Keep a look out for cool wildlife, such as deer, squirrels and lots of birds! Wanna read more stuff like this? 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• Your Guide to Playgrounds in Staten Island and Nearby NJ

  As the weather warms up, kids will want to play outdoors in the fresh spring air. And what better place to play than at a neighborhood playground in Staten Island? Playgrounds are wonderful places for children to play and be active. NYC Parks playgrounds are dotted throughout Staten Island. Whether you live on the North or South Shore, you’re sure to have a playground nearby. Playgrounds in our borough offer lots of activities and equipment, athletic fields, courts, game tables and benches for kids of all ages and abilities to enjoy.  Playgrounds are not only fun for kids to use, but they provide wonderful health benefits for your little ones, according to experts. Dr. Carol Stillman, PT, DPT, PHC, a physical therapist certified in pelvic health, aquatics and wellness, and owner of Sutton Place Physical and Aquatic Therapy in Manhattan, says play equipment targets strengthening, balance, motor planning, endurance and vestibular function. “The playground is an exciting place for most children that is both fun and crucial to the development of fine and gross motor skills,” Stillman says. “For example, swings work on core strength and postural control, both on the child and the person pushing the swing!” Being in nature and outdoors can be therapeutic, so the mental health benefits playgrounds provide for kids are worth noting, too.  “A change of setting is always a good idea but playing outside at the playground is great for social and emotional health,” Stillman says. “It boosts self-confidence and self-esteem as they master challenging playground structures and the playground allows kids to retain a sense of control unavailable in many other parts of their lives. Playing outside also teaches kids  how to deal with challenges in a healthy way.” Playgrounds in Staten Island and New Jersey Browse our guide to the NYC Parks playgrounds in Staten Island and a few playgrounds that are worth the trip to areas in nearby New Jersey. Most of these playgrounds are wheelchair accessible and have inclusive play elements designed for children with autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) or other sensory processing disorders. These elements include ramps and transfer stations for children with mobility issues, sensory gardens and quiet spaces. We’ve noted in the guide which NYC playgrounds are wheelchair accessible and offer inclusive play elements.  NYC Parks playgrounds are generally open 6am-9pm, while parks are open 6am-10pm or 1am. Park hours can vary, so it’s best to check signs at entrances for posted hours. Visit the NYC Parks website to learn more about each playground, especially if you have questions about accessibility, amenities, restrooms or rules and policies.  Playgrounds in Staten Island: North Shore Arrochar Playground  Sand Lane, Major Avenue and Mcfarland Avenue Inclusive play elements Wheelchair accessible Located next to P.S. 39, Arrochar Playground has swings, a play unit for toddlers and a larger one for kids ages 5-12. A great place to play soccer and basketball. Austin J. McDonald Playground Forest Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, Broadway, N. Burgher Avenue Inclusive play elements Wheelchair accessible Amenities include basketball and handball courts, play areas for toddlers and older children, and more. Bobbie Lewis, Jr. Playground  Harbor Road at Richmond Terrace Wheelchair accessible Inclusive play elements Formerly the Mariner’s Harbor Playground, the site was renamed in 2021 to honor Bobbie Lewis, Jr., a local athlete and youth mentor who was struck and killed by a vehicle in his neighborhood. The playground has play equipment, basketball courts and more.  Christopher J. Igneri Playground  Schmidts Lane, Manor Road, Laguardia Avenue Inclusive play elements Wheelchair accessible The park offers basketball and handball courts. Spray showers on site.  Clove Lakes Park Playground  Clove Road and Cheshire Place Inclusive play elements Wheelchair accessible The playground is located in Clove Lakes Park, one of Staten Island’s most popular parks.  Corporal Thompson Playground  Broadway, Wayne Street Inclusive play elements Wheelchair accessible The playground is located in Cpl. Thompson Park, which has baseball and football fields, and an outdoor pool. Davis Playground Jersey Street, Crescent Avenue, Layton Avenue, Beechwood Avenue Inclusive play elements Wheelchair accessible Named after William T. Davis, a local historian and early advocate of the Staten Island Park System, this playground has a wide asphalt area, basketball court and benches.  De Matti Park  Tompkins Avenue between Chestnut Street and Shaughnessy Lane Inclusive play elements Wheelchair accessible De Matti Park is one of nine playgrounds that NYC Parks built through a war memorial fund. It features baseball fields, basketball courts, spray showers and more.   Faber Pool and Park  Richmond Terrace to Kill Van Kull, Faber Street Inclusive play elements Limited wheelchair access This North Shore park includes playgrounds, courts, skate park and an outdoor pool.  Jennifer’s Playground  Jules Drive, Elson Court, Regis Court Inclusive play elements Wheelchair accessible The playground is dedicated to Jennifer Schweiger of Westerleigh, who was abducted and murdered when she was 12 years old. The playground, named for Jennifer in 1997, was the first of its kind in Staten Island designed to accommodate kids with special needs. It offers play equipment, game tables, sandboxes, sensory trails, gardens, a basketball court with adjustable baskets and more.  Kaltenmeier Playground  Virginia Avenue and Anderson Street Limited wheelchair access One of the smaller parks on Staten Island, it offers play equipment and basketball courts. Liotti Ikefugi Playground  Winter Avenue, bet. Bismark and Westervelt Avenues Limited wheelchair access The playground honors the memory of Sergeant Carmine Liotti and Private First Class Lloyd Ikefugi, two Staten Islanders who died fighting for their country in World War II. The playground has play equipment and basketball courts.  Lopez Playground  Palma Drive bet. Targee Street and Oder Avenue Inclusive play elements Wheelchair accessible The playground honors NYPD officer Luis Reynaldo Lopez, who was killed in the line of duty in 1993. The playground has play equipment, basketball courts and more.  Lt. Lia Playground  Wall Street bet. St. Marks and Belmont Places Inclusive play elements Wheelchair accessible Named after Lieutenant Nicholas Lia, a Staten Islander killed while serving in Vietnam, this playground has play equipment, game tables and more.  Mahoney Playground  [more…]

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• STEM Matters NYC Offers Educational Fun for Kids During Spring Break

  STEM Matters NYC, a NYC Department of Education (DOE) program, will offer free educational STEM programs for students in kindergarten-grade 8 during spring break.  The program will run daily 9am-3pm during the break, which is Monday, April 10-Friday, April 14 this year. Programs will be on site at various cultural institutions throughout the city, including: The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum The Central Park Zoo MakerSpace NYC New York Botanical Garden The Queens Museum The Staten Island Museum, based at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden The programs aren’t just about learning—they’re about having fun, too. Kids will have a great time discovering, investigating, designing and creating with friends and peers all week long. Whether your child is interested in animal science, marine biology, mechanics or other subjects, there’s something for every kid throughout the week.  How To Apply To STEM Matters NYC The deadline to apply is Friday, Feb. 10. The program is open to NYC public school students, including those enrolled in charter schools and homeschool. It’s free, but parents must apply first in order for their child to be accepted. An application can be accessed online. If selected, the student must attend the program every day. Participants are selected via lottery and preference is given to students who attend Title I schools. Importance of STEM Education  STEM is short for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This type of education engages students in asking questions and solving problems related to the world around them, according to the DOE’s website.  “Using the engineering-design process, students identify problems, design possible solutions, and test and evaluate those solutions,” the site reads. “This process, combined with the study of math and science, helps students to find connections that make science, math, and technology relevant to their lives.” For more information about STEM education or STEM Matters NYC, visit the DOE’s website at schools.nyc.gov.   Wanna read more stuff like this? Get our newsletters packed with ideas, events, and information for parents in Staten Island.

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