Our program, staff, facility and culture make Buckley unique!

• Our elective based program provides families with a different take on the traditional camp experience.  As children grow with us, the elective based program provides campers the opportunity to meet and socialize with campers in the same grade as well as campers with similar interests.
• The Buckley staff combines the strength and enthusiasm of social workers, certified teachers, experienced college students and mature high school students.  Their passion and dedication to the campers are a main reason why parents feel so comfortable with the care that their children receive.
• Our 25-acre facility has best of an outdoor camp combined with a state-of-the-art, air conditioned indoor facility.  This allows our camp to really run RAIN OR SHINE!  No need for movies or trips on rainy days.  Our program can be run no matter the weather!

Camp begins approximately 9am with the arrival of our buses and parent drop-off.  Mini-Day dismissal (for entering Nursery and Pre-K) is at 1:30pm.  Full Day (entering Nursery through 10th grade) dismissal is at 4pm.  Our Parent-Child program runs from 9:45am-12:15pm.

Yes, Buckley Day Camp is co-ed in all age groups. We believe that co-ed groups are both a natural extension of our world and provide campers the opportunity to socialize and develop friendships with both boys and girls.

We believe that communication is crucial to ensure that you feel comfortable with the experience that your child is having.  In addition to a pre-camp phone call, you will receive regular phone calls and/or emails from your child’s Group Leader.  Each week you will also receive email newsletters from the camp administration informing you of important events at the camp and general information.  Families also receive progress reports from the Aquatics Staff at the end of summer so you know how your child has progressed during swim instruction.

Of course! We provide transportation on air-conditioned, mini-buses for families who live in most of Nassau County, Eastern Manhattan and Queens. In addition to the bus driver, each bus has a bus counselor who works with the children and ensures a safe and fun bus ride to and from camp. Families who wish to drive their children to and from camp are eligible to save up to $100 per week, per child.

Our swim program prides itself on working with all types of campers – from those hesitant to get into the water to the fishes who can swim all day! Our lessons are based on the American Red Cross’ Learn-to-Swim Program for campers ages 18 months to 12. Children learn in one of our four temperature controlled, outdoor swimming pools.

Of course we do!  We offer an extended day program both before camp (from 8-9am) and after camp (from 4-6pm). There is an additional fee for campers to participate in this program.

All Buckley Day Camp staff participates in extensive training before each summer. Training topics include child development, behavior management, using transition times effectively, basic first aid, teamwork, how to teach to different learning styles and effective communication.  Additional training and certification is required for all staff working in the Nurses’ Office, Aquatics Program and Outdoor Adventure Program.

In order to ensure a high level of quality experience for each camper, our staff continues the training throughout the summer with individual and group meetings with our administration.

Our high retention rate of 65% allows parents to feel comfortable seeing familiar faces and confident that the right people are caring for their children.