Summer Programs

Summer Programs


PDS offers an array of unique summer programs for children and young adults:

  • The PDS Summer Camp Program (ages 4–12) focuses on joyful learning and exploration in the arts, imagination, cooking, science, and nature.
  • Jazz Camp (ages 12–18) featuring the highly regarded Jazz Camp features professional musicians and amazing guest artists. Click here for the full Jazz Camp page.


Discounts & Promotions
:

  • Register for 2 camps and get 4% off each one! (Promo code = 2CAMP)
  • Register for 3 camps and get 4.5% off each one! (Promo code = 3CAMP)
  • Register for 4 camps and get 5% off each one! (Promo code = 4CAMP)
  • Register for 5 camps and get 6% off each one! (Promo code = 5CAMP)

 

Summer Camp Program 2025

Week #1 : June 30th – July 4th, 2025

Sunbeam Friends (General Camp – Week 1), for Ages 4-8

June 30, 2025 – July 3, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Designed for children ages 4-8, this fun-filled, beginner-friendly camp offers a little bit of everything: arts and crafts, outdoor games, campus nature walks, sprinkler play, and exciting group activities. Perfect for first-time campers or those newer to summer adventures. Sunbeam Friends provides a warm, welcoming environment where young explorers can make new friends and lasting summer memories.


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : June 30, 2025 – July 3, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 18 seats available
Fees : $310.00
Registration

Week #2 : July 7th – July 11th, 2025

The Great Poughkeepsie Baking Show, for Ages 8-11

July 7, 2025 – July 11, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Whip, mix, and bake your way through the Great Poughkeepsie Baking Show! Aspiring chefs aged 8-11 will learn the basics of healthy cooking and baking as they create delicious treats and baked goods. Along the way, campers will explore decorating techniques, practice kitchen safety, learn about food science, and much more. Perfect for young foodies, this hands-on workshop will inspire a love for baking and leave everyone with a belly full of healthy and tasty treats!


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : July 7, 2025 – July 11, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 20 seats available
Fees : $425.00
Note : – A $25 supply fee is included in the price of this camp
Registration

Storytelling Workshop: From Page to Life, for Ages 8-11

July 7, 2025 – July 11, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Lights, camera, creativity! Storytelling Workshop invites children aged 8 to 11 step into the world of technology and storytelling. Campers will design costumes, write scripts, and collaborate to create their very own group film. In addition to exploring videography, students will engage in other tech-inspired activities such as stop-motion animation, simple coding games, and fun photography projects. The hands-on camp ignites creativity, fosters collaboration, and enables young innovators to transform their ideas into reality.


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : July 7, 2025 – July 11, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 18 seats available
Fees : $400.00
Registration

Sunbeam Friends (General Camp – Week 2), for Ages 4-8

July 7, 2025 – July 11, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Designed for children ages 4-8, this fun-filled, beginner-friendly camp offers a little bit of everything: arts and crafts, outdoor games, campus nature walks, sprinkler play, and exciting group activities. Perfect for first-time campers or those newer to summer adventures. Sunbeam Friends provides a warm, welcoming environment where young explorers can make new friends and lasting summer memories.


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : July 7, 2025 – July 11, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 16 seats available
Fees : $400.00
Registration

Week #3 : July 14th – July 18th, 2025

Block Builders: A Minecraft Adventure, for Ages 8-11

July 14, 2025 – July 18, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Calling all Minecraft enthusiasts! Block Builders is the ultimate camp for creative minds and problem solvers ages 8-11. Campers will work both individually and in teams to design, build, and explore incredible worlds with Minecraft. Through exciting challenges and collaborative projects, they’ll develop skills in teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking – all while having a blast in their favorite virtual sandbox. Whether constructing epic structures or talking group quests, Block Builders is the perfect mix of fun and learning for every young Minecraft fan!


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : July 14, 2025 – July 18, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 18 seats available
Fees : $400.00
Registration

Sunbeam Friends (General Camp – Week 3), for Ages 4-8

July 14, 2025 – July 18, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Designed for children ages 4-8, this fun-filled, beginner-friendly camp offers a little bit of everything: arts and crafts, outdoor games, campus nature walks, sprinkler play, and exciting group activities. Perfect for first-time campers or those newer to summer adventures. Sunbeam Friends provides a warm, welcoming environment where young explorers can make new friends and lasting summer memories.


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : July 14, 2025 – July 18, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 18 seats available
Fees : $400.00
Registration

Week #4 : July 21st – July 25th, 2025

Viva Español, for Ages 6-10

July 21, 2025 – July 25, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Dive into the vibrant world of Spanish language and culture at Viva Español! This immersive camp invited students aged 6-10 to learn Spanish through engaging activities, including traditional cooking, cultural games, and hands-on exploration of Spanish culture and heritage. With most interactions conducted in Spanish, campers will build language skills in a fun and supportive environment. Whether discovering new recipes, playing popular games, or celebrating cultural traditions, this camp is a passport to a whole new world of learning and fun!


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : July 21, 2025 – July 25, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 16 seats available
Fees : $400.00
Registration

Sunbeam Friends (General Camp – Week 4), for Ages 4-8

July 21, 2025 – July 25, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Designed for children ages 4-8, this fun-filled, beginner-friendly camp offers a little bit of everything: arts and crafts, outdoor games, campus nature walks, sprinkler play, and exciting group activities. Perfect for first-time campers or those newer to summer adventures. Sunbeam Friends provides a warm, welcoming environment where young explorers can make new friends and lasting summer memories.


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : July 21, 2025 – July 25, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 18 seats available
Fees : $400.00
Registration

Week #5 : July 28th – August 1st, 2025

The Art Gallery: A Mixed Media Adventure, for Ages 8-11

July 28, 2025 – August 1, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Unleash your creativity at The Art Gallery! Designed for artists ages 8-11, this camp explores the exciting world of art fusion and mixed media. Campers will experiment with painting, sculpture, collage, and more to create unique masterpieces of their making. The camp will culminate in an end-of-week showcase curated by the students showcasing their artistic journey. Join us for a hands on, inspiring experience where imagination takes center stage!


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : July 28, 2025 – August 1, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 18 seats available
Fees : $425.00
Note : – A $25 supply fee is included in the price of this camp
Registration

Sunbeam Friends (General Camp – Week 5), for Ages 4-8

July 28, 2025 – August 1, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Designed for children ages 4-8, this fun-filled, beginner-friendly camp offers a little bit of everything: arts and crafts, outdoor games, campus nature walks, sprinkler play, and exciting group activities. Perfect for first-time campers or those newer to summer adventures. Sunbeam Friends provides a warm, welcoming environment where young explorers can make new friends and lasting summer memories.


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : July 28, 2025 – August 1, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 18 seats available
Fees : $400.00
Registration

Week #6 : August 4th – August 8th, 2025

Brain Boosters: A Fun Filled Mind Refresh, for Ages 8-11

August 4, 2025 – August 8, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Gear up for the new school year with Brain Boosters for students aged 8-11. This camp is all about reinvigorating young minds through engaging, group-based activities designed to make learning fun. Campers will refresh essential academic skills, tackle subjects they’ve found challenging, and build confidence with hands-on support in areas like math, reading, and more. Through creative games, team challenges, and focused practice, Brain Boosters prepares students to start the school year strong, motivated, and confident!


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : August 4, 2025 – August 8, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 18 seats available
Fees : $400.00
Registration

Sunbeam Friends (General Camp – Week 6), for Ages 4-8

August 4, 2025 – August 8, 2025 : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Designed for children ages 4-8, this fun-filled, beginner-friendly camp offers a little bit of everything: arts and crafts, outdoor games, campus nature walks, sprinkler play, and exciting group activities. Perfect for first-time campers or those newer to summer adventures. Sunbeam Friends provides a warm, welcoming environment where young explorers can make new friends and lasting summer memories.


Instructor :
Melanie Girdlestone
Dates : August 4, 2025 – August 8, 2025
Times : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location : PDS : Gilkeson Center : map
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 : Gilkeson Center
Seats : 18 seats available
Fees : $400.00
Registration