NEW YORK CITY — If you're looking for last minute ways to get the kids out of the house this summer, DNAinfo New York has you covered.
As most summer camps fill up, we list some of best still taking applications.
- New York Junior Tennis League
Your kids can bust out their inner Roger Federer by enrolling in the New York Junior Tennis League, which offers free tennis lessons across the five boroughs for kids aged 5 and 18, according Ron Nano, the league's senior director of tennis and program operations.
This is the first year that the program is accepting 5-year-olds citywide, but the league's website has not yet been updated to reflect that.
Trained coaches walk children through the basics of the game or help them improve their existing skills.
If you don’t want to splurge on a racket just yet, you can borrow one at the League, the website says.
“The summer season is the busiest,” said Ronnie Loo, who helps out with the program in the summer. “We get thousands of kids applying.”
The summer training camps begin July 9 and run through August 31.
To register, parents must take their child to their desired location on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information call 718-786-7110 Ext. 8157 or go to nyjtl.org
- New York City Council Sports and Arts Camps
For the last 16 years, the New York City Council Sports and Arts Camps have trained thousands of kids to be proficient in different sports including rugby, fencing and soccer, the website states.
The program which is funded by the City Council operates in 40 schools across the boroughs.
The free summer day camps take place in a public school and are headed by an experienced camp director, according to its website sasfny.com.
Each camp has a group of trained counselors who will mentor and guide your child through the summer.
The kids get to hone their sporting chops by getting free lessons from professional team members from Play Rugby USA, Woodside Fencing, Metro Soccer and the NY Metropolitan Martial Arts Foundation, according to the website.
The camps run from July 8 through August 9, 2012 and registration is open to kids between 6-13 years.
For more details - go to sasfny.com.
- The YMCA
If you’re still debating what would be a better fit for your kid — a day camp or sleepaway camp — then check out the Y for options in both categories. Registration for both types of camp are currently open, according to its website.
If you can’t afford to pay for the camp, ask if you are eligible for financial aid.
Check with your local center about registration needs — some YMCA's require you to be a registered member at their center to send your child to their camp.
If you are interested in knowing more about the Y Day Camp, contact your local branch or call 212-630-9708 or email Diane Rizzolo at drizzolo@ymcany.org.
For more details on the Sleepaway Camps, call 845-858-2200 or email camps@ymcany.org
If your child is into art, then the Queens Museum of Art's summer camp — Big Time Summer Art Things For Kids — might be the right fit.
Kids will be placed under the mentorship of four teaching artists in the museum and will learn how to paint and draw on the premises, according to the QMA website.
There are four programs between the second week of July through mid-August.
The program also features regular excursions to nearby Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the Queens Zoo and the Queens Botanical Garden.
The day camp runs from Monday-Friday from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. You have to bring your own lunch.
Sessions range from $300 to $500 for two weeks.
Get more information here.
For a comprehensive listing of all low-cost summer camps in your borough, go here.
