Mini Camps 2025 — play:groundNYC

2025 Mini camps

Please read through this page before registering for camp.


What is Mini Camp At The Yard?

The famous human hamster wheel in action

Mini Camp days are a wonderful way to spend a day off from school, plus they are an excellent test run for campers who are new to our camp.

Camp at The Yard is a unique experience of freedom for imaginations to go wild and for play to flourish. These busy days are filled with unstructured time, giving campers unlimited choices about how to spend their day. We arrive at The Yard each morning at around 9:30, and we pack to leave at 2:20 in the afternoon. Between those hours, so much is possible!

Campers can build with real tools, dig in the dirt and mud, splash around in puddles. They may put on a play, paint, draw, dress-up. They can zip through the sky on our zip-line or slide down the fire pole 1000 times in a row. They might climb, jump, tumble, wrestle, tag, chase, smash, or lie in the grass with a book. They can organize restaurants, or wars, play capture the flag, or cards. From mushroom and bug hunts to bike rides and soccer tournaments, the days just fly by.

We also run a full week of camp for Spring Recess similar to our Summer Camp offering!

Payment Options

  • We offer tiered pricing for all of our camps to reflect household income levels.

    Please remember that your tuition helps make it possible for play:groundNYC to provide free access to The Yard every weekend for thousands of children, and to organize play pop-ups all over the city - thank you! We may ask for proof of income.

    If you can pay with the eCheck option rather than a credit card, it would help us significantly to reduce fees. We are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, and every dollar counts. Thank you in advance!

    If you would prefer to pay by check or cash, please reach out to us directly at play@play-ground.nyc

  • At this time, we are unable to offer after-care at our Mini-camps and Spring Recess camp.

    Pick-up time is 3:15 PM.

Be Prepared

What to Expect

Your child will get dirty and/or wet and may get small bumps, bruises, or scratches, as is the nature of play. We recommend packing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and a change of clothes. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory inside The Yard, and you will receive an updated packing list before the start of camp.

We are not authorized to provide food, so please be sure to send plenty of choices that your camper will want to eat. Camp days are very busy and calories are burning! Also, please provide a water bottle. We have drinking water available to refill throughout the day.

Please reconsider sending any valuable items as they will likely be lost or damaged.


The Mud Pit

Mini Camp Day Schedule

8:30-8:50 AM: Drop Off at Citi Bike Station
9:00-9:10 AM: Ferry to Governors Island
9:10-9:30 AM: Walk to The Yard
9:30-2:20 PM: Play!
2:30-2:50 PM: Walk to ferry/reflect on day
3:00-3:10 PM: Ferry to Manhattan
3:10-3:20 PM: Pick up at Citi Bike Station

No After-care for Spring/Fall Camps


Snowy <3

More Considerations

Unstructured play is wonderful, but it also has its tough moments. Campers will struggle with challenges both physical and social. We encourage families to talk to campers about their time, to listen, and to offer support for big feelings that come up.

We do not allow actions involving bullying, harassment, hitting, cursing at people, offensive language, throwing heavy things, claiming part of the playground (restricting access for others), and threatening. If these actions take place, we will address the issue. We encourage campers to listen to each other and respect others, including peers, team members, other visitors on the Island, families, and animals.


The Basics

  • play:groundNYC advocates for and practices age-mixing at our camp programs. Children of various ages have the opportunity to play together. For camp, we welcome children ages 6-12+ years old. Children must be 6 years old by the first day of their camp session.

    For children over 12, we welcome back former campers who know the program and are still interested in joining. Email us at play@play-ground.nyc for help with registration.

  • Our Camps run from 8:30am to 3:15pm. Please note these times are subject to change, should the Governors Island ferry schedule change.

    For all camp programs, drop off and pick up takes place at the Citi Bike station near the Battery Maritime Building (downtown Manhattan), unless otherwise indicated by our team.

    Options to Drop Off and Pick up on Governors Island are also available. Please email play@play-ground.nyc to discuss

  • We do NOT provide food or snacks but we DO keep drinking water onsite. Please note that we allow children the freedom to choose when to eat, and while we will give reminders about lunchtime and offer to eat together, it is not a mandate.

    All campers should pack a refillable water bottle.

    Always pack plenty of foods that your camper will enjoy. We have very busy days and require lots of calories.

  • Your child must be potty-trained to attend camp. There are both gendered options and unisex bathrooms next to The Yard. Bathrooms are both heated and air conditioned for all seasons.

    Playworkers can escort campers to the bathrooms, but cannot assist any camper inside the bathroom unless it is a medical emergency.

  • If your child is sick, we ask that you please keep them at home to protect our team and fellow campers. If your child is at camp and visibly unwell, we may call to ask you to pick them up.

Important Info

  • Families must submit a camp release waiver, camp policy agreement, trip consent form (all included in registration), and a recent health form for each participant at least two weeks before the first day of camp attended by your child.

    Children must be immunized according to DOH guidelines with supporting documents.

    We reserve the right to delay your child’s first day, with no reimbursement, if these documents are not submitted in time. Thank you for understanding! 

  • We maintain a ratio of at least 1 playworker to 6 children at The Yard for all camp programs. Mini Camps may be small groups (5-10 campers) or they may include up to 20 campers.

    Our playworkers are trained to support children to make their own decisions around risk taking while being vigilant to remove hazards. Risks and hazards are not the same.
    A risk involves a choice by an individual child, while a hazard is an unknown factor.

    To ensure that we can provide a hazard-free space, we are unable to provide continual 1-on-1 support to individual campers.

    Camp at The Yard is a dynamic setting with lots of freedom for young people to explore. Handling freedom well in community is a skill that we hope to support your child in developing and do not wish to overwhelm them with. Our staffing ratio is such that we are unable to provide one-on-one attention to any young person for extended periods of time. Be it due to anxiety, impulse control, or illness, if you think that your child may need such close support and/or receives it at school, please get in touch before registering by emailing play@play-ground.nyc. A conversation will help us determine if:

    • Your child is likely to succeed at summer camp within our 1 adult to 6 child ratio

    • We may be able to work with your family to provide accommodation

    • Your child would benefit from developing some skills before joining our camp.

    We are committed to being a welcoming space for all children, and we have successfully accommodated a variety of children with various support needs across our programming.

    Again, if you feel that your camper may need any extra support, please contact us at play@play-ground.nyc before registering for camp.

  • Our camps follow the DOH requirements for CPR and first aid training. Each camp session will have a trained Health Director on site. Governors Island also has EMT professionals who can respond to any major injury. 

    Our staff are all able to administer basic first aid for the typical cuts, splinters, bumps, and bruises that happen during play.

  • Our staff cannot administer medications (with the exception being emergency EPI-pen administration), but our Health Director can supervise campers who self-administer any necessary medications. This includes sunscreen and bug spray.

    Please notify us of any allergies and provide an allergy response plan if one is available.

    Camp is outdoors. Stinging insects and a variety of pollens will be present.

    We ask all families to avoid sending typical allergens (like nuts) to camp. We will do our best to notify families if any camper has a severe allergy to a food item at a camp session.

 

2025 Schedule

Seesaw shenanigans

2025 Mini Camps

  • March 31st

  • Spring Recess: April 14-18

  • June 5th

  • June 6th

Fall dates to be added later this year


Please note! Not all schools have the same calendar; please check your child’s calendar before enrolling.

 

mini Camp Policies

play:groundNYC reserves the right to cancel registration for any camper who does not submit required paperwork, any camper who does not meet the minimum age requirement for camp, or any camper who requires accommodation beyond our stated capacity.

  • Cancellation Policy
    Mini Camp and Spring Recess registrations are non-refundable.

    We do our best to operate camp in all conditions, rain and shine. However, if we deem the conditions to be hazardous or unsafe for the young people or our staff, and we are unable to provide an alternative solution, we will notify you as soon as possible and cancel. Sadly we are not in a position to offer a refund in whole or in part as we are committed to paying our staff.

    Transfers
    We will consider requests to change sessions depending on space available. We cannot transfer sessions between spring and fall. Thank you for your understanding.

  • Mandatory Health Forms:

    We reserve the right to cancel registration without refund for any camper who does not submit required paperwork including mandatory immunization acknowledgment as required by the NY State Department of Health.

    Age Requirements:

    We reserve the right to cancel registration without refund for any camper who does not meet the minimum 6-year-old age requirement for camp.

    Restrictions to Accommodation:

    If our playworkers determine that your child is unable to handle the adventure camp environment or is behaving in a way that harms or jeopardizes themselves or others, we reserve the right to refuse entry to your child for the remainder of the session. No refunds will be offered in this case. Please communicate with our team before registration if you feel that this may be a concern.
    Read our Capacity & Support section above for more details.

  • Lateness Policy
    Pick up is between 3:10 and 3:20 PM.

    If pick-up is after 3:30pm, families will be charged $30 for each 15-minute interval (rounded up) that you are late. We can offer one 15-minute grace period for each Mini Camp/Spring Recess day for the Spring season. Please plan accordingly.

  • Inclement Weather:
    We operate rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather or high AQI (140+), the camp will be held at the Harbor School on Governors Island at 550 Wheeler Avenue, on Governors Island. Indoor activities are limited and may require more structure than what we offer outside, but we find ways to have fun.

    Hazardous Conditions Cancellations:
    We do our best to operate camp regardless of any situation. However, if we deem the weather, environmental conditions, or an unforeseeable situation to be too hazardous for the young people or for our staff and are unable to find an alternative offer, we will notify you as soon as possible and cancel. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to offer a refund in whole or in part as we are committed to paying our staff. 

    Ferry Interruptions/Cancellations:
    Due to our unique location on Governors Island, we are beholden to the ferry service provided by the Trust for Governors Island. If the ferry service is cancelled or interrupted, we will do our best to provide an alternate play option in the area near South Ferry for the scheduled camp hours. We will do our best to communicate with families as soon as we are aware of any ferry disruption.

Are You Ready To Register?

We use the ACTIVE registration system for our camps.
Please reach out to us at play@play-ground.nyc if you have any issues using their system.

ACTIVE Refund Notice
Please note, play:groundNYC’s cancellation policy is distinct from ACTIVE's payment protection plan: ACTIVE REFUND, which you can purchase at an additional charge directly from Active during registration. play:groundNYC does not receive funds from ACTIVE Refund, but will honor all cancellations made using this plan.

We also offer private events, field trips and can potentially organize additional Mini Camp days for schools/groups on alternative schedules. Email us at play@play-ground.nyc to inquire.