Which dates should I check before booking a late-summer camp for my 10-year-old so we don't end up with another childcare gap?
I thought booking August camp meant the summer was handled. Now I'm noticing different finishing dates and some weeks that seem shorter than others. We're looking in Queens and I need actual daytime coverage, not a two-hour workshop. What gets missed in the booking process?
Start with the school date, then work backward. NYCPS lists September 10, 2026 as the first day for its schools, but other settings can have different calendars. I'd put the actual camp days beside your own school's calendar before paying. Official calendar: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/calendar/2026-2027-school-year-calendar
Check the last day's pickup time separately. I now ask whether the listed hours apply to every date, including any showcase or celebration. A midday finish is not a small detail when you're working.
I'd check where the final week takes place too. If a camp uses different buildings over summer, the address you visited might not be the address for the week you're buying. I want the dates, hours and location together in the confirmation.