Van Cortlandt Park

Send your child on an adventure back in time this summer at Van Cortlandt House Museum at our Adventures in Time Summer History Camp. Campers will learn about the history of the Van Cortlandt family and how they relate to the history of New York City all while having fun. 

All activities will take place outdoors including on rainy days when we will make use of an 18th-century style canvas dining fly. We will be immersed in activities exploring the everyday life of a child in the 18th century, historic foodways, and the local history of the land as a plantation and park. Children will also travel in time back to the early years of the Revolutionary War and experience the life of a soldier in General George Washington’s army.  They will lend a hand with pitching a tent and setting up camp. “Enlistment” in the army, military drill, and reconnaissance are also part of the action.

Camp is led by Van Cortlandt House Museum’s professional staff, talented living history volunteers, and college students studying material culture and history. Daily activities for Adventures in Time Summer History Camp are designed in keeping with New York State 4th grade curriculum standards and are appropriate for children ages 6 - 12. Campers bring their own lunches but VCHM provides daily snacks and drinking water. Adventures in Time is a technology-free experience. Campers may bring a cell phone with them to camp but all phones will be left with the administrative staff in the Welcome Center/Office during camp hours. Special protocols will be in place to comply with COVID-19 regulations established by the State and City of New York including, but not limited to, the wearing of face masks/coverings, frequent hand-washing, use of hand-sanitizer, and no sharing of food or beverages.  Registration will be strictly limited to 15 campers.

Adventures in Time Summer History Camp is open to all children with a sense of adventure who have completed 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th grade (or the equivalent) in the Spring of 2021. We encourage early enrollment, as camp space is limited and enrolls on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Van Cortlandt House Museum is owned by the City of New York Parks & Recreation, operated by The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York, and a member of The Historic House Trust of New York City.

Camp Dates 2021

Week 1: August  9 - 13

Week 2: August 16 - 20

Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. each day

Registration Fees

$350.00 per child/week

Campers who are enrolled in two weeks of camp or two or more children from the same family qualify for a 10% discount on registration fees.

Please visit VCHM's website for registration information.