Driftwood Day Camp

Driftwood Day Camp is a large, traditional day camp in Melville, Long Island, serving children from preschool through ninth grade. For more than 60 years, the camp has provided a classic summer camp experience with an extensive range of activities designed to keep campers active, engaged, and having fun. The program is organized by age group, allowing children to participate in age-appropriate activities while building friendships, confidence, and independence in a structured environment. Transportation is available from many Long Island communities as well as parts of Queens, making it a convenient option for many New York-area families.

One of Driftwood's biggest draws is the sheer variety of activities available. Campers rotate through sports, swimming, arts and crafts, music, dance, theater, STEM, adventure programming, and special events throughout the summer. Facilities include multiple heated pools, athletic fields, creative arts spaces, climbing elements, and adventure courses. Younger campers benefit from nurturing supervision and structured schedules, while older campers have opportunities to take on more challenging activities and leadership experiences. The camp emphasizes participation, skill development, teamwork, and fun rather than intense competition, making it accessible to children with a wide range of interests and abilities.

For parents, Driftwood offers many of the amenities associated with a well-established premium day camp, including door-to-door transportation, hot lunch options, extended care, professional activity specialists, and a low camper-to-staff ratio. Families looking for a traditional day camp experience with extensive facilities, a broad activity selection, and decades of operational experience will likely find Driftwood appealing, particularly for children who enjoy trying a variety of activities rather than focusing on a single specialty.

June 29 - Aug 21, 2026

331 Mt Misery Rd

Melville, NY 11747

5 Day (9 am - 12:15 pm) Adventurers – (2’s)

• ‍‍$5,395/8 weeks
• Call 631-692-6990 to check for availability & pricing for 6 weeks
• Call 631-692-6990 to check for availability & pricing for 4 weeks

‍Nursery (2’s & 3’s)‍

• $9,595/8 weeks
• $8,595/6 weeks
• $7,395/4 weeks        

‍Grades Pre-K, K‍

• $10,195/8 weeks
• $9,095/6 weeks
• $7,895/4 weeks        

‍Grades 1-5‍

• $10,995/8 weeks
• $9,795/6 weeks
• $8,595/4 weeks      

‍Grades 6, 7 – Pre-Teen Travel‍

• $11,995/8 weeks
• $10,795/6 weeks*
• $9,595/4 weeks*

‍Grades 8-10 – Teen Travel‍

• $13,195/8 weeks
• $11,995/6 weeks*
• $10,795/4 weeks*        

‍Grades 8-10 – Leadership Academy‍

• $8,695/8 weeks
• $8,195/6 weeks*
• $7,795/4 weeks*        

‍3 Day Week Nursery (2’s & 3’s)‍

• $8,495/8 weeks
• $7,795/6 weeks
• $6,895/4 weeks

‍3 Day Week Pre-K & K‍

• $9,095/8 weeks
• $8,295/6 weeks
• $7,395/4 weeks        

‍3 Day Week Grades 1 – 5‍

• $9,795/8 weeks
• $8,795/6 weeks
• $7,895/4 weeks      

‍5 Mini Days – Nursery‍

• $8,495/8 weeks
• $7,495/6 weeks
• $6,395/4 weeks

‍*Rates may vary depending on chosen weeks.

Programs can be found and registered for online here.

631-692-6990

‍Contact Us Form

What Parents Like‍

• Parents frequently praise Driftwood's caring and attentive staff, noting that counselors and group leaders make a genuine effort to get to know campers and help them feel comfortable, especially during their first summer. (1, 2)
• Many families report that their children come home excited about camp each day and eagerly return summer after summer. Parents often mention the friendships their children develop and the strong sense of community campers experience. (2, 3)
• Parents consistently highlight the camp's wide variety of activities, appreciating that children can explore sports, swimming, arts, STEM, adventure programming, and special events all in one place. Many families feel this variety helps campers discover new interests. (2)
• Families praise the camp's facilities, particularly the pools, athletic spaces, and well-maintained grounds. Several reviewers describe Driftwood as offering a "sleepaway camp feel" while allowing children to return home each evening. (2)
• Parents appreciate the transportation services and organization of daily operations, citing convenience for working families and smooth communication from camp leadership. (2)

‍What Parents Think Could Be Improved‍

• Some parents note that Driftwood is one of the more expensive day camp options on Long Island, particularly when transportation, extended care, and optional extras are included. (4)
• A handful of reviewers mention that because the camp is relatively large, children's experiences can vary depending on their group, counselor assignments, and age division. (4.5)
• A small number of reviews mention occasional transportation challenges, such as long bus rides or shifting pickup/drop-off times, though these concerns appear to be relatively infrequent given the size of the transportation program. (4)

‍Our Take

‍Driftwood Day Camp receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from families, with the strongest themes being its caring staff, extensive activity offerings, strong community atmosphere, and ability to keep children engaged all summer long. Parents frequently describe the camp as a place where children build confidence, form lasting friendships, and look forward to returning year after year.

For families seeking a traditional day camp experience with premium facilities, a broad range of activities, and a well-established reputation, Driftwood appears to be one of Long Island's most highly regarded options. While the cost may be higher than some alternatives and experiences can vary within a large camp environment, the overall parent sentiment suggests that Driftwood successfully delivers the fun, friendships, and personal growth many families hope to find in a summer camp experience.