While the summer months provide kids with a reprieve from schoolwork, regular exercise shouldn't take a vacation.
"It's important to start regular exercise habits at an early age," NYU Langone Medical Center Department of Pediatrics instructor Dr. Deena Blanchard said. "The younger you are, the more likely [these habits] are to be part of a natural way you live your life, and not a chore."
Blanchard adds that regular exercise — especially when done in a non-gym environment — helps a child's development in non-physical ways.
"Team sports ... encourage social interaction, and kids get the message of what it's like to be part of a team, to share responsibilities."
With that in mind, DNAinfo New York has scoured the city for an array of sports summer camps which make exercise fun:
► Brooklyn Boulders
Where: 575 Degraw St., Gowanus
When: July 5 to 8, July 11 to 15, July 25 to 29, Aug. 22 to 26
Days and hours: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ages: 5 to 12
Activities: Boulder climbing, top-roping, outdoor recess
Pricing: $659
Registration deadline: First come, first served
► Chelsea Piers Summer Sports Camp
Where: Pier 62, Chelsea
When: June 20 to Sept. 2
Days and hours: Monday to Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 12:45 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. (3-4 year olds) Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (4-5 year olds), Monday to Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. (5-16 year olds)
Ages: 3 to 16
Activities: Golf, ice skating, ice hockey, basketball, gymnastics
Pricing: $365 to $1,665, depending on camp and weeks registered
Registration deadline: Early bird discounts apply before May 21
► Court 16
Where: 526 Baltic St., Gowanus
When: June 27 to Sept. 2
Days and hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (full day), Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (half day)
Ages: 3 to 11
Activities: Tactical training and agility tennis games, tennis stroke video analysis, arts and crafts, table tennis
Pricing: $400 to $575, depending on camp chosen and membership status
Registration deadline: First come, first served
► Aviator Sports
Where: 3159 Flatbush Ave., Floyd Bennett Field
When: June 29 to Aug. 26
Days and hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ages: Grades pre-k to 9
Activities: Fencing, CrossFit Kids, swimming, gymnastics
Pricing: $465 to $3075, depending on registration date, as well as camp and weeks chosen
Registration deadline: Medical form due June 1
► City Sail Summer Camp
Where: Pier 66, Chelsea
When: July 5 to Aug. 26
Days and hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: 10 to 17
Activities: Sailing and games
Pricing: $495 per week
Registration deadline: First come, first served
► Summer Sports Camp at the Riverside Park Conservancy
Where: 475 Riverside Drive, Morningside Heights
When: June 6 to Aug. 26
Days and hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. (full day), depending on activity chosen; Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (half day)
Ages: 4 to 16
Activities: Soccer, baseball, softball, basketball and tennis
Pricing: $450 per week
Registration deadline: Tuition balance to be paid in full by May 13
► Ice Skating Camp
Where: Pier 61, Chelsea
When: June 20 to Sept. 2
Days and hours: Monday to Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: 6 to 12
Activities: Skating fundamentals, on- and off-ice training, jumps and spins
Pricing: $655 to $875 per week, according to number of weeks chosen and when registered
Registration deadline: Early bird tuition due by May 20
► Urban Martial Arts
Where: 965 Coney Island Ave., Ditmas Park
When: June 29 to Aug. 6
Days and hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: 4 and up
Activities: Karate classes, martial arts lessons from around the world (Brazil's capoeira and Senegal's laamb wrestling)
Pricing: $1214 to $2879, depending on registration date and weeks chosen (three-week minimum)
Registration deadline: Early bird registration ends Feb. 29
► NYU Swim Camp
Where: Palladium Athletic Center, 140 E. 14th St., Gramercy
When: July 18 to July 29
Days and hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages: 5 to 13
Activities: Swim instruction and water play; basketball and soccer when not in the water
Pricing: $600 per week, $50 discount if registered for both weeks
Registration deadline: First come, first served
► The Baseball Center NYC
Where: Riverside Park, 103 Riverside Dr.
When: June 12 to Sept. 2
Days and hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (half day), Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (full day)
Ages: 4 to 12
Activities: Baseball games and training; lessons on score keeping and statistical gathering
Pricing: $100 to $145 daily; $435 to $625 weekly, depending on program chosen
Registration deadline: First come, first served
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