North Fork STEM Camps for Kids

It's not always easy to find STEM camps on the North Fork, especially compared to farm or sports programs. Here are five good options, from slime-and-sensory weeks for toddlers to full-day coding and engineering for older kids.

Holistic Playschool: Camp Wonder Years

Wading River

Camp Wonder Years is a half-day summer camp for children ages 2.5 to 6. Each week has a new theme with STEAM activities every day. Kids explore maker stations, a slime lab, a mud kitchen, engineering challenges, art, gardening, and water play.

Ages 2.5 to 6, Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 11:30 am. Sessions run July 6 through August 28.

Heart of Summer

Aquebogue

Heart of Summer offers two science-themed weeks: Mad Scientists in Week 2 and STEM Lab in Week 5. Both include outdoor play, art, and experiments.

Ages 3 to 9, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Mad Scientists runs July 6 to 9. STEM Lab runs July 27 to 30.

Bella Anima Summer Camp: Science Week

Wading River

Bella Anima has a different theme each week, built around creativity and play. Week 6 is Science, with experiments, themed crafts, and interactive demonstrations.

Ages 5 and up, Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, with optional aftercare until 1:30 pm. Science week runs August 10 to 13.

Future Stars: Minecraft and STEAM

Riverhead

Future Stars in Riverhead runs ten specialty tracks. Two are STEM-focused: Minecraft and STEAM.

In the Minecraft program, kids learn Java programming by modifying the game. They write code to make custom items, design new worlds, and create their own creatures.

The STEAM track includes 3D design and printing, circuits and robotics, video game creation, stop-motion movies, and science experiments.

Ages 6 to 15, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Minecraft runs July 20 to 31. STEAM runs June 29 through August 21.

Sylvester Manor: STEM

Shelter Island

Sylvester Manor's STEM program is a week-long outdoor science camp for kids ages 8 to 12, led by math teacher Jimbo Theinert. The Manor grounds turn into a lab where kids ask questions, make observations, and work through hands-on challenges.

Kids build structures with natural materials, mix solutions, study local wildlife and plants, experiment with leaves, and make sensory boards.

Ages 8 to 12, Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 11:30 am. STEM week runs July 13 to 17.