For kids, summer camp is gold. School fades to a distant memory as days filled with activities, friends, and sunshine take center stage. That’s why it’s hard not to feel like adults get the short end of the summer camp stick. Stuck at work instead of by the pool, grown-ups miss out on the fun that defines summertime in the Hudson Valley.
No longer! This year, the older crowd deserves a spot of warm weather entertainment too. Take a page from the little ‘uns book and sign up for one of these local workshops and classes. Just like the camps of your childhood, they’ll get you out and about, introduce you to new people, and even help you to learn something new.
Dance / Movement and Drawing Classes
Unison Arts Center & Sculpture Garden
68 Mountain Rest Rd, New Paltz
May – August
Take classes galore with seasoned professionals in the arts world at New Paltz’s community art center. From drawing to dance movement classes, there is something for everyone here. If you want to move and groove, treat yourself to a wellness and tango class or learn how to open your energy flow in the Qigong hour-long class. If movement sessions are not for you, pick up a pencil for the life drawing course, which offers attendees the opportunity to draw models. The sessions are for both artists and amateur artists.
Farm Classes: “Goats 101” and “Intro to Backyard Homesteading”
Hudson Valley Kinders Farm
7960 Albany Post Rd, Red Hook
All summer and online
Take an in-person or online class about goats, how to raise them, and what to know about goat milk. If you’d rather get an all-around farm life primer, tackle homesteading basics like how to grow vegetables and raise chickens in your own backyard. The workshops are led by the team at Hudson Valley Kinders Farm, which focuses on living a self-sufficient, country lifestyle in the Valley.
Fencing Classes
Peekskill Fencing Center
1000 North Division St, Ste G Second Floor, Peekskill
Call for session
Stick it to them with your new hobby, fencing. Peekskill Fencing Center offers group classes or individual lessons for children and adults. Glide through the summer with your first few lessons and see if you can keep up with the movements as you conquer balance and coordination. Fencing can give you more flexibility and muscle strength, which makes it a top option for all who want to get moving in a new way.
Food Boot Camps
Culinary Institute of America
1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park
All Summer
Thanks to the Culinary Institute of America’s (CIA) bootcamp cooking course, you can finally make that romantic dinner for you and your partner. The summer courses include grilling and BBQ boot camp, techniques of healthy cooking, and flavors of the Hudson Valley. Try a five-day basic training boot camp to master the skills every home cook needs like sauteing, grilling, stir-frying, and sauce-making. If you want a more specialized option, go straight for the specialized classes like Italian cooking, cake-decorating, artisanal breadmaking, and everyday grilling.
Private and Trail Lessons
Saddle Brook Farm Animal Rescue
163 Berea Rd, Walden
Call for session
Saddle up and hop on a horse to take a trail ride lesson with a few friends and explore the miles of paths at Saddle Brook. If you’re thinking about snapping on your helmet and grabbing the reins, pick whether you want to go it alone in a private session or ride with a group in one of the adult riding lessons.
Swimming Lessons
Hudson Valley Swim
15 Racquet Rd Ste B, Newburgh
Call for session
Ease into the water and prepare for beach adventures with a beginners’ swim class. If you are fearful of swimming, Hudson Valley Swim is here to help with classes tailored specifically for adults. Once your feet are wet and you’re splashing for more, jump into improving stroke techniques and endurance at the intermediate lessons.
Catskill Art Workshop
Emerson Resort & Spa
5340 Rte 28, Mt. Tremper
May 20-22, July 8-10, Aug 12-14, Oct 14-16
Put the paintbrush to the canvas and create your very own masterpiece at at Emerson Resort’s three-day art workshop. There are four sessions from which to choose, including “Painting the Catskill Mountains, Steams, and Reservoirs,” “Creekside Painting in the Catskills, Plein Air,” “Light on the Esopus Creek Landscape Oil Painting,” and “Fall Foliage and Reflections on the Esopus Creek Painting.” A different artist leads the class at each session, and guests who stay at the Emerson can receive their third night free.
Yoga Classes
FireFly Yoga
992 Main St, Fishkill
Call for session
Ease into summer with a thirty-day trial for new students at FireFly Yoga. Try different classes like deep stretch, gentle yoga, or power beats to find the best one for you. After the workout’s over, visit the juice bar and cool off with a smoothie bowl to power you back up.
