Program Overview

Summer STEAM Day Camp

A Fun, Enriching, and Active Summer Experience

Manhattan University's Summer Day Camp provides elementary-aged children (ages 5–10) with a safe, engaging, and well-structured summer experience that blends academic enrichment, creative arts, and activities on a beautiful university campus.

Designed for families seeking a high-quality, full-day program, our camp emphasizes learning through exploration, creativity, teamwork, and activities, helping children grow socially, intellectually, and physically while having fun.

The Summer Day Camp is a 6-week, full-day program that supports curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and healthy movement. Campers rotate through academic enrichment, visual arts, and activities in small, age-appropriate groups led by trained educators, staff, and tutors.

Program Details

• Dates: July 6 – August 13, 2026
• Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM, Monday through Friday
• Location: Manhattan University Campus, Riverdale, NY
• Ages: 5–10 years old

Academic Enrichment

Children participate in hands-on learning activities that promote problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking through weekly rotating enrichment themes.

Science & Technology Activities

• Mini Mad Scientists Lab: Children conduct safe experiments such as volcano reactions, color-changing liquids, and density jars while learning how scientists observe, predict, and record results.
• Weather Watchers Studio: Campers build simple weather tools like wind socks and rain gauges, track daily conditions, and present short "weather reports" to the group.
• Unplugged Coding Adventures: Using games, floor grids, and movement, children learn sequencing, patterns, and logic without screens through activities like "Program the Robot" and "Code My Path."

Engineering & Building Challenges

• Bridge Builders Challenge: Teams design and test bridges using straws, craft sticks, and tape to see which structure holds the most weight while discussing balance and load.
• Tower Power Engineering: Campers compete in friendly design challenges to build the tallest free-standing tower using limited materials, encouraging iteration and teamwork.
• Marble Maze Masters: Children design and redesign marble runs, learning about gravity, angles, and trial-and-error through guided experimentation.

Group Projects & Guided Exploration

• Eco-City Collaborative Project: Small groups design a sustainable city using recycled materials, assigning roles such as engineer, designer, and planner to encourage collaboration.
• Inventors Workshop: Campers identify a simple problem (e.g., carrying supplies, organizing toys) and prototype an invention using craft and building materials.
• Mission to Mars: A week-long themed project where teams design rockets, habitats, and exploration tools while learning basic space science concepts.

Creative Arts

Visual and creative arts are integrated throughout the day to support imagination, self-expression, and design thinking.

Painting & Drawing

• Emotion Colors Studio: Children explore how colors express feelings by creating abstract paintings inspired by music and storytelling.
• Nature Sketch Journals: Campers observe leaves, insects, and outdoor spaces and create illustrated journals that blend science observation with art.
• Character Creators Lab: Kids design original characters and backstories, combining drawing with storytelling and presentation skills.

Multimedia & Craft-Based Projects

• Recycled Art Innovators: Using cardboard, bottles, and found materials, campers create sculptures while learning about sustainability and reuse.
• Texture & Materials Lab: Children experiment with fabric, foil, paper, and natural materials to create mixed-media artwork and discuss material properties.
• Mask & Costume Design Studio: Campers design masks or wearable art tied to weekly themes such as animals, space explorers, or superheroes.

Design & Creativity Labs

• Young Designers Studio: Children follow a simplified design-thinking process—imagine, create, test, improve—to design everyday objects like pencil holders or toy vehicles.
• STEAM Storybook Makers: Teams create illustrated books that explain a science or engineering concept using drawings, simple diagrams, and short narratives.
• Art Meets Engineering Gallery: Final projects combine structure and aesthetics, such as moving sculptures or pop-up art, culminating in a camper art showcase.

Camp Schedule

Camp Fees

• Non-refundable registration fee: $100
• Tuition: $725/week
• Early Bird Special: $645/week by April 1, 2026
• Camp t-shirts: $10 each (required every day)

Other Costs And Discounts

• Manhattan University Employees/Alumni discount: $20 per week
• Second/Third Sibling Camper Enrolled discount: $20 per week

Lunch/Snacks

Parents must provide a cold lunch and two snacks in a sealed lunch box daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does the Camp offer financial aid? Our camp offers several options to support parents with their financial situations. Please get in touch with us to discuss your financial case.
• Where is the Camp located? We are located in Riverdale, west of Van Cortlandt Park. Our Camp is conveniently located one and a half blocks from the NYC subway (#1 train at 242nd Street) and close to several major highways. All children will stay on campus.
• Can we visit the Camp before signing up? We are not running in-person camp visits. Please join our virtual meetings to learn more about our Camp.
• What is security and safety like at the Camp? Security and safety are our top priorities in Camp. Our trained camp staff will accompany participants at all times. Campers never leave our campus.
• What should participants wear to the Camp? Campers should wear comfortable shoes. Sneakers are highly recommended—no flip-flops or Crocs. Campers must wear their Manhattan University t-shirt every day.
• Who makes up the camp staff? Our camp staff comprises professionals with experience in education, Manhattan University faculty, and Manhattan University students may also support daily activities.
• Does the camp offer field trips? All the activities and classes will be on campus and in our Manhattan University labs.
• Can I cancel my child's registration? The registration fee is non-refundable. If you have paid for Camp and, for some reason, you decide not to continue coming, please discuss your situation with us.
• Does the Camp provide lunch and snacks? We do not provide lunch or snacks to participants.