Thursday, October 1, 2026
Camp Barrett is back in session for another summer, welcoming nearly 400 campers to Barrett Park as one of the Village of Valley Stream’s longstanding recreation programs.
The six-week outdoor camp began June 29 and runs through Aug. 7, serving residents of the Village of Valley Stream and the Valley Stream Central High School District. Operating out of Barrett Park in South Valley Stream, the program offers full-day and half-day options for children entering kindergarten through age 14.
“For many decades, Camp Barrett has been a summertime mainstay for a great many Valley Stream families,” Mayor Ed Fare said. “Our counselors and staff have put a lot of time and thought into making the camp experience positively great for the children. This program offers an enriching recreational outlet in a safe and nurturing environment when youngsters are not in school, and parents are looking for ways to keep their children safe, happy and busy.”
Campers rotate through activities throughout the day, including arts and crafts, playground time, outdoor games, imaginative play and water activities. During periods of hot weather, additional sprinkler and water-based activities are incorporated to help campers stay cool while remaining active outdoors.
Optional field trips are also offered throughout the summer and include destinations such as Adventureland, bowling alleys, movie theaters, the Long Island Aquarium, Laser Bounce, Pump It Up, and, new this year, the New York Hall of Science in Queens.
“It was incredibly hot with the heat wave, but our kids enjoyed the sprinklers and the water activities on those hot days,” Nicole Winter, the camp’s director, said. “They’re enjoying going on the field trips, and it seems like they’re having a good time despite the earlier weather. The campers have really enjoyed getting to see their friends again.”
According to Winter, arts and crafts, obstacle courses and field trips remain among the activities campers enjoy most each summer.
Camp Barrett is organized into seven divisions based on age and grade level, including a Purple Division for campers who have completed seventh grade and are up to 14 years old. That program combines traditional camp activities with opportunities for participants to assist younger campers as “camp buddies,” helping prepare them for future leadership roles. 15-year-olds may then apply to become volunteer counselors-in-training, assisting with camp programs while gaining workplace experience.
The camp employs just under 100 staff members, including counselors, counselors-in-training, supervisors, assistant directors, first-aid personnel and administrative staff.
Before camp begins each summer, counselors participate in training covering daily operations, working with children who may require additional support, and brushing up on field trip procedures and school bus safety. Supervisors and directors also maintain CPR and first aid certification before the season begins.
Campers can also look forward to weekly special events, including Spirit Days and Bounce House Wednesdays, as well as larger traditions such as Color War, Carnival Day, scavenger hunts and other themed activities. Carnival Day, held on the second-to-last Friday of camp, features games, entertainment, face painting and booths created by each camp group.
“I always hope that they come and they can make friends, build on their confidence, enjoy some free time that is screen-free, and hopefully learn how to be leaders and confident in themselves,” Winter said.
Those connections often continue into later school years, with campers meeting classmates from different elementary schools before attending high school together. She also noted that many former campers eventually return as counselors-in-training or staff members. About 15 current staff members attended Camp Barrett as campers themselves.
Camp Barrett serves as one part of the Village Recreation Department’s broader slate of summer programming, which also includes concerts, movie nights, Family Fun Days, aquatics programs, swim team activities and car shows.
Department of Recreation Assistant Samantha O’Brien said local recreation programs provide opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in affordable activities close to home without needing to travel far. The department consistently receives positive feedback from families about Camp Barrett, as well as its other summer offerings.
“Camp Barrett has been a staple part of our recreation for years,” O’Brien said. “I know people who are my age, I’m in my 30s, who attended the camp as well. It’s been here forever. It’s become a staple. It’s growing. It’s becoming more. There’s more every year that Nicole puts together for us. So, it’s a huge part of our program.”
She added that its convenient location allows working parents to enroll their children in a nearby program while knowing their children are participating in supervised activities throughout the day.
As another summer gets underway, Camp Barrett continues to provide generations of Valley Stream families with a familiar place where children can spend time outdoors, participate in organized activities, develop new friendships, and return year after year as campers, volunteers and staff members.
