Swimming—And Much More

(914) 834-1084; www.badgersportsclub.com

Whether you’re raising the next Michael Phelps or struggling to help your child overcome a severe case of aquaphobia, Badger Day Camp is the perfect place for every level of swimmer. Camp owner and director John Collins III has teamed up with his father, internationally regarded swim coach John Collins Jr. (whose clients include US Olympians), and the result is a top-notch swim program. Each camper is fully evaluated and placed in the level that is right for them with all full-time campers receiving instruction twice a day.

Badger Day Camp has been family owned and operated since 1933 and John Collins III is the grandson of the original owner who purchased the 10 acres of land and facilities from an old country club when it closed. It was the perfect location for Camp Badger, which has remained secluded and still
can’t be seen from the road today.

Beyond its world-class swim-ming program, Badger Day Camp is a well-balanced camp program with equal emphasis on sports and non-sports activities. “Last year we started a club program which provides electives that the campers can opt in or out of. We offered Lego, cartooning, and chess, and this year we are looking to add jewelry-making and a few more clubs to the list,” reveals Camp Badger Assistant Director Ali Lupiano.

Train Like An Olympian

In addition to overseeing the swimming program at Badger Day Camp, Coach John Collins, Jr., is a former coach of the US National Swim Team (a post he claimed from 1984 to 2007).  Coach Collins has worked with a bevy of world champions including Rick Carey (1983), Lea Loveless Maurer (1998), and Jenny Thompson (2003, ’04). 

Ages: 3 to 15. Dates: June 27 to August 19; campers register for 4 week to 8 week sessions (do not have to be consecutive). Fees: From $5,300 (4 weeks) to $7,500 (8 weeks). Transportation: Free