World of Discovery Summer Day Camp — Local services in New York

My daughter went to WOD for the first time last Summer at 6 years old and we just signed up again for Summer 2019. She cannot wait to go back! Previously she had gone to another Summer Camp but after a couple weeks she ended up not enjoying it because it was too routine, doing the same thing everyday so it ended up feeling like, as she said, "school". World of Discovery makes everything fun! The school bus that picks her up and drops her off is like a fun bus and plays music and they give out ice pops, the counselors are a blend of 17 year olds through maybe late 20s (I'm guessing) so my daughter thought they were the coolest girls EVER and the camp plans out awesome day trips. The trips are at least 2 days per week and even on NON-trip days they did things like go to a dance studio or go out for ice cream (which are not even considered "trips"), or they would arrange for a magician to come to give the kids a show, etc etc. The full day trips consist of places like Adventureland which I am just not able (or willing lol) to take her to with my schedule so the pressure is off of me to help her experience these fun places. Non-trip days always offer swimming, but even the swimming is not mandatory which made my daughter ecstatic to be given the option of what she wanted to do (swimming, arts and crafts, legos, etc). I think she always felt free to make her own decisions which made her extremely happy. The constant excitement, change of routine, the fun counselors who are very loving (like big sisters), the way it feels nothing like school and only FUN, and the effort into the small details are what my daughter and I love about this camp. I was so nervous trying to find a new summer camp last year that would be fun but also safe, affordable, and accommodating for pickup and drop off. WOD far exceeded my expectations! My daughter cried on her last day of camp in 2018 and of course she cannot wait to go back this coming Summer. One of the camp counselors from WOD has even now become my regular babysitter so my daughter begs for me to make plans to go out so the babysitter can come over. A couple things to keep in mind: This camp is definitely not academically based in any way which for my family is a plus because I want my child to have a break from academics during Summertime. Also parents should budget a couple hundred more dollars to give out in tips depending on how many weeks you child goes to the camp. Lastly, due to the excursions and jam packed schedule the kids have at WOD my daughter very often would lose a water bottle or extra sweatshirt never to be seen again so don't send your kids with anything valuable. I think it's hard for everyone to keep track of everything especially with the...

My daughter has been going to World of Discovery every summer since 2010 (age 5). Since then, every August when camp ends, begins her 2 weeks of mourning. She misses her camp, camp friends and counselors. She’s linked up with some of her girls on social media, but it’s just not the same. We were in Florida the last 2 weeks of camp this year, and she wanted to come home early so she could attend camp for the last week. Florida vs. World of Discovery! This is how much she loves it.

The camp has been my daughter’s home every summer. This year she was in Division 10. They have great trips, fun activities, excellent swim instruction (they had her swimming like a fish within days her first year there), and a wonderful staff. I have never had any issues with any of her counselors nor has she had any issues with other campers. My daughter came home happy every day, bubbling with excitement and amusement over her latest adventures.

The camp has always accommodated my daughter and made sure she was grouped with her friends each year, making any adjustments if necessary. Being with her friends, and the counselors that have become her friends has provided great enrichment for my daughter. She matures so much over every summer and I credit her time at camp and time spent with her girls and their great counselors for a lot of her growth over the summer.

World of Discovery provides door-to-door service via bus. The bus counselors always become great friends with my daughter by the end of the summer. Pick up is usually within a 15-20 minute window, and at drop-off they always make sure she’s in the door before leaving.

My daughter is already talking about next summer, and how she can’t wait to go back, and spend another great summer with her friends. She’s also looking forward to being old enough to be a CIT and eventually a counselor.

Some of the things she loved most this summer: Spending time with her friends and great counselors, swimming at the country club, spending time with seeing the miniature city models at a museum in the city, almost all the trips, just not the Mets game, though. (She asked me to mention that!)

Some of the things I love: Door-to-door service, great responsible counselors, organized management, reasonably priced, accommodating to what my daughter wants, excellent communication with parents, camp pictures on Facebook so I can see the joy on my daughter's face while she's there. I feel 100% confident that my daughter is in excellent care when she's at camp.

All and all, a great camp. Keeps my girl happy and active all summer. I wouldn't send her...

World of Discovery is truly everything you could want in a children’s day camp and more. From the moment we signed up five years ago, the communication between the counselors, directors, and parents has been nothing short of exceptional. They keep you informed at every step, whether it’s a quick update on your child’s day, a reminder about an upcoming field trip, or a thoughtful note about something special your child accomplished. You can tell they genuinely care about building a strong partnership with parents, and it makes all the difference.

The counselors are warm, kind, and incredibly attentive to each child’s needs. They take the time to get to know your child as an individual, tailoring their care and support so every camper feels happy, confident, and included. I’ve seen firsthand how they go out of their way to make each child feel special, and it’s heartwarming!

The activities are simply amazing. The kids go on an impressive number of exciting field trips—each one thoughtfully planned and full of adventure. They also get to enjoy swim lessons at the beautiful Roslyn Pines Swim Club, where the instructors are patient, encouraging, and skilled at making children feel safe and confident in the water.

On the Bayside camp grounds, there’s never a dull moment. The variety of sports keeps the children active and engaged, while the specialized arts and crafts activities give them the chance to express their creativity in new and exciting ways. I especially love how much they incorporate nature into the program, from exploring the outdoors to interacting with animals—it’s such a rare and wonderful experience for kids these days!

The best part is how consistently the camp updates you on your child’s happiness. They check in often, share little moments, and make sure you know your child is thriving. You never feel out of the loop, and you always feel like your child is in the best hands possible.

World of Discovery isn’t just a camp—it’s a community where children grow, explore, and build lifelong memories. I can’t recommend it...