What ages is The Nature Place Day Camp for?

The Nature Place welcomes campers ages 4 through 16. Our youngest campers (rising Pre-K and Kindergarteners) thrive in our gentle, nature-rich environment, while our oldest campers take on leadership roles and more challenging adventures like high ropes and multi-day hiking trips. Groups are organized by age and grade, so every camper is with peers at a similar stage.

How is The Nature Place different from other day camps near New York City?

Most day camps pack the day with scheduled activities, team sports, and structured programming. The Nature Place is built around a different idea: that kids thrive when they have real time in nature, freedom to explore, time to transition, and a community that isn’t built on competition. On 200 acres in Rockland County, campers hike Harriman State Park, tend a working farm, muck around in streams, canoe, do archery, garden, cook, and make things with their hands — all in a cooperative, non-competitive environment where no one is keeping score. There are no devices, no pressure to perform, and no rushing. We’ve been doing this since 1985, and families come from Manhattan, Bergen County, Westchester, and beyond because there aren’t many places left that offer this kind of summer.

Do you provide transportation from Manhattan, Astoria, Bergen County, Westchester, and other places from NYC or New Jersey?

Yes. We run buses from Manhattan, Astoria, Hoboken, Bergen County, Westchester County. Most campers spend the bus ride building friendships that last all summer; it’s genuinely part of the camp experience. More information and a sample bus map are available on our Transportation page. Rockland County campers typically come to us by car.

Discover the Best Summer Day Camp for Your Family

Manhattan & NYC Summer Day Camp

Transporting New York City campers to our magical 200-acres of fields, streams, farmlands, and forest in Chestnut Ridge, NY!

Campers wading ankle deep into a stream in the forest

Bus Transportation from NYC

Located in Chestnut Ridge, NY, just northwest of New York City in Rockland County, The Nature Place Day Camp provides a socially-nourishing environment for campers throughout the greater New York/New Jersey metro area. We offer a nature-focused and non-competitive summer camp experience, with conveniently-located stops to and from Manhattan neighborhoods such as Midtown, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, as well as Downtown. We even have Brooklyn families who come to camp via the Downtown bus!

Children standing in a parking lot with their bookbags in a parking lot with parked buses in the background

Convenient and Sustainable Transportation from NYC to Camp

The Nature Place prioritizes convenience and sustainability when it comes to transportation from Manhattan and Astoria. Our air-conditioned buses staffed by warm and caring bus counselors use central pick-up and drop-off stops strategically located for your convenience. This approach not only saves time spent on the bus but also reduces our environmental impact by minimizing fuel usage and emissions, helping us care for the planet as much as we care for your camper.

camper outside stop to smell the roses and be present the nature place

Why Parents & Caregivers Say TNP is the Best Summer Day Camp for Their NYC Families

The nature place philosophy offers a deep connection to nature...Florencia

Warm and welcoming camp culture, easy bus transportation from NYC.Rebecca

Both our daughters have taken the bus from Manhattan to Nature Place for many joyful summers...Abigail

NYC Bus Drivers and Bus Counselors

We have partnered with Chestnut Ridge Transportation for over 20 years. Our small, 20-30 passenger buses are driven by professional and caring certified school bus drivers, many of whom return to The Nature Place year over year to transport our campers! Additionally, each bus has a head bus counselor present at all times, as well as assistant bus counselors to keep everyone safe and facilitate the fun. Many of our NYC campers say that their bus group is their second Nature Place family.

Wide shot of "The Pond" a crystal clear, lined and chlorinated outdoor pool with sand that used to be a pond.

Campers pressing her nose against the bus window

Both our daughters have taken the bus from Manhattan to The Nature Place for many joyful summers and return happy and dirty after playing in the fairy stream and the farm, putting on plays, swimming every day and learning things like archery and African drumming. Nature Place is a very special place and a welcome antidote to stressful city living.

~ Abigail, NYC Parent

There is No Place Like The Nature Place Near NYC

NYC to New York & New Jersey’s Only Nature-Focused & Non-Competitive Day Camp

The Nature Place Day Camp is a nature-focused, non-competitive summer day camp located 25 minutes from the George Washington Bridge. Learn more about what makes The Nature Place the best summer camp for families who are looking for time to slow down and decompress, take a break from competition, and spend the summer outdoors connecting in nature.

The Power of Time

campers helping each other high ropes course teamwork outdoors

Request a Brochure or Give Us a Call

(845)-356-1234

Request a Brochure

Parent/Guardian's Name*
First Last
Email*
Phone*
Brochure Type*
Mailing Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
How did you hear about us?