Our various Summer Youth Programs provide kids the opportunity to experience all the fun that Sylvester Manor has to offer. Registration will open on February 1, 2024 for the 2024 season.
Questions? Email youthprograms@sylvestermanor.org
Ages 3-7 Years Old
THE place for your kids to enjoy growing and harvesting vegetables in our Children’s Garden, creating nature-based arts and crafts, exploring the Sylvester Manor forest, taking field walks to the Windmill Field and learning about music, imagery, fiber arts and more! Meeting new friends, spending time outside and participating in all of these activities will certainly engage your Little Sprout (ages 3-4) or Young Farmer (ages 5-7) this summer!
2024 DATES & TIMES
Week 1 (June 24-28, 2024): FARM WEEK
New in 2024, we will start our summer season at the Farm for the first week! Drop off and pickup will be at the Farmstand, with most activities taking place in and around Windmill Field. Limited space available for Week 1.
Weeks 2-9 (July 1-August 23, 2024): TRADITIONAL SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
We are extending our program in 2024 to include an extra week!
All programs run Monday through Friday (including July 4th), from 9am-12:30pm.
Children must be 3 years old by January 1, 2024 in order to register.
PRICE
$535 per child per week. Scholarship options may be available for local, year-round resident children. Please email youthprograms@sylvestermanor.org for more information. The Shelter Island Educational Foundation also provides grants and financial assistance for full-time resident children.
*NEW in 2024* In the event of severe weather, we have the use of an indoor facility location at the Shelter Island School gym. The hours and programming may be adjusted when the indoor facility is used.
We also have a tent on the grounds to provide cover in the event of rain. If we are able to offer programming under the tent when it rains, we will do our best to stay open. We do not have any indoor facilities to accommodate children and staff. We do not prorate tuitions based on closures due to weather.
We offer an extended day option for a limited number of children ages 5-7, Monday through Thursday, from 12:30-3:00pm. The extended day provides kids a place to play freely, in an unstructured, supervised environment after the end of the regular day. Enrollment is on a week-to-week or daily basis and you do not need to be enrolled in the morning program to participate.
2024 DATES & TIMES
June 24-August 22, 2024
Monday through Thursday
12:30-3:00pm
PRICE
$300 per week, if you enroll with the Traditional Youth Program
$80 per day if you enroll daily
Fees for the Traditional Summer Program include a non-refundable $100 administrative fee/week. Refunds cannot be made after May 1st, 2024.
Ages 8-10 Years Old
Fig & Forest is open to children ages 8-10 years old and will provide for a more focused approach to the wonder of story and the culinary arts in an outdoor summer setting. Each week children will be invited to collaborate in an authentic way pairing food, art, storytelling and music in a unique, interactive and intimate space. The children will explore the culture of the culinary arts through music, storytelling and dance and their week will culminate in both cooking for others and the creation of a unique cookbook that includes their cooking experiences.
2024 DATES & TIMES
July 1-August 23, 2024
Monday through Friday (including July 4th)
9am-12:30pm
PRICE
$550 per child per week. We offer a 10% year-round resident discount. Use code “resident10” when you checkout. The Shelter Island Educational Foundation also provides grants and financial assistance for full-time resident children.
In the event of severe weather, we may cancel the Fig & Forest Program for the day. While we will have a tent this year to provide cover in the event of rain, we do not have any indoor facilities to accommodate children and staff. If we are able to offer programming under the tent, we will do our best to stay open. We do not prorate tuitions based on closures due to weather.
Fees for the Fig & Forest Program include a non-refundable $100 administrative fee/registration. Refunds cannot be made after May 1st, 2024.
Ages 7-14 Years Old
This unique program is an experiential theatrical conservatory supporting the belief that children can find the noblest understanding of themselves…
and the world…
within an environment that embraces nature.
While enabling for an opportunity to experience the aspects of theatre arts in the natural world, Forest Theatre encompasses aspects of theatrical study while deepening the wonder and understanding of oneself in relation to nature.
The children will move through music and dance as a basis for culture and communication through poignant storytelling and spirited movement.
Performances are structured to embody the spirit of each child while fostering a deeper understanding of the expressive arts, inside a reverence for nature.
Each program will culminate in a uniquely authentic performance, in the forest.
2024 DATES & TIMES
Wing & Song (11-14 years old)
July 1-July 25, 2024
Monday through Friday (including July 4th)
1-3:00pm
Performance Date: July 26 at 7:00pm
Children must attend each week and be available for the final performance.
**There will be an opportunity this year for children enrolled in Wing & Song to participate in a workshop and/or perform with the actors who will be performing Shakespeare at the Manor.**
PRICE
$1800 total. We offer a 10% year-round resident discount. Use code “resident10” when you checkout. The Shelter Island Educational Foundation also provides grants and financial assistance for full-time resident children.
Dancing Moths (7-10 years old)
July 29-August 15, 2024
Monday through Friday
1-2:30pm
Performance Date: August 16 at 6:00pm
Children must attend each week and be available for the final performance.
PRICE
$795 total. We offer a 10% year-round resident discount. Use code “resident10” when you checkout. The Shelter Island Educational Foundation also provides grants and financial assistance for full-time resident children.
In the event of severe weather, we may cancel the Forest Theatre Program for the day. While we will have a tent this year to provide cover in the event of rain, we do not have any indoor facilities to accommodate children and staff. If we are able to offer programming under the tent, we will do our best to stay open. We do not prorate tuitions based on closures due to weather.
Fees for the Forest Theatre Program include a non-refundable $100 administrative fee/registration. Refunds cannot be made after May 1st, 2024.
Ages 8-13 Years Old
Outdoor Wilderness Living Skills (O.W.L.S.) program is a two-week program that teaches kids how to practice outdoor skills mindfully and safely. They learn how to identify, avoid and deal with common hazards encountered outdoors. Exploring all of Sylvester Manor’s terrain—Farm, Field, Forest and Wetlands—kids will explore how these and other landscape features influence each other. Depending on the season, a typical day may include foraging in the forest, fishing in the creek, building a shelter, using a field knife, crafting tools for camp, starting and managing fire, all while moving through the various landscapes safely and comfortably. Led by Shelter Island native and outdoor expert Mark Mobius, the O.W.L.S. program will immerse your kids in two action-packed weeks of authentic wilderness training, exploring and skills building.
Each age group will participate in a two-week program in 2024.
2024 OWLS DATES & TIMES
11-13 year olds
July 1-12, 2024 (including July 4th)
9am-12pm
8-10 year olds
August 5-16, 2024
9am-12pm
PRICE
The two week program is $1,150 and each child must sign up for the entire two weeks as each week will build upon the previous week experiences. We offer a 10% year-round resident discount. Use code “resident10” when you checkout. The Shelter Island Educational Foundation also provides grants and financial assistance for full-time resident children.
In the event of severe weather, we may cancel the O.W.L.S. Program for the day. We do not have any indoor facilities to accommodate children and staff. If we are able to offer programming in an alternate location, we will do our best to stay open. We do not prorate tuitions based on closures due to weather.
Fees for the O.W.L.S. Program include a non-refundable $100 administrative fee/registration. Refunds cannot be made after May 1st, 2024.
Ages 8-14 Years Old
Using the Manor grounds as their laboratory, kids will engage in hands-on discovery learning each day during this week-long STEM program! Young scientists will ask questions, make observations and create solutions as they participate in a variety of experiences and challenges. Themed days include activities involving physics, geology, chemistry, biology and engineering. Everything from building boats and bridges, to creating mixtures and solutions, to identifying native plants and animals, to experimenting with rocks and water stream tables – if your child is curious and enjoys scientific investigation, register now for this exciting program! The STEM program is led by Shelter Islander Robin Lewis, a fun-loving and engaging local elementary science teacher.
Each week is limited to 10 children so sign up today to secure a spot in this program!
2024 STEM DATES & TIMES
8-10 year olds
July 15-19, 2024
9-11:30am
11-14 year olds
August 12-16, 2024
9-11:30am
PRICE
Each week is $550 per child. We offer a 10% year-round resident discount. Use code “resident10” when you checkout. The Shelter Island Educational Foundation also provides grants and financial assistance for full-time resident children.
In the event of severe weather, we may cancel the STEM Program for the day. We do not have any indoor facilities to accommodate children and staff. If we are able to offer programming in an alternate location, we will do our best to stay open. We do not prorate tuitions based on closures due to weather.
Fees for the STEM Program include a non-refundable $100 administrative fee/registration. Refunds cannot be made after May 1st, 2024.
Post Office Box 2029
80 North Ferry Road
Shelter Island, NY 11964 info@sylvestermanor.org 631.749.0626
