Theme days are often the highlight of the summer, but at a lot of camps they can feel like last-minute chaos. A loose costume contest here, a half-organized competition there. At Camps ‘R’ Us, we treat theme days with the same planning and structure we give everything else.
Since 1993, our family-owned and ACA-accredited program has welcomed more than 2,000 participants annually across our nine Long Island locations. We know that a theme day only works when it is as well-run as it is exciting. Every activity we plan is something a parent could actually picture their child doing on one of our school campuses, whether they are a Tiny Tot® or part of our Explorers® program.
What Theme Days Look Like at Camps ‘R’ Us
Theme days are structured events woven into our regular schedule. The daily rhythm stays intact, which gives kids the stability they need. What changes is the energy. On a theme day, the campus feels different. There is something in the air from the moment campers walk in.
You will see the gymnasium turned into an arena for themed competitions, the outdoor courts buzzing with rallies, and the ‘R’ Cade hosting special events. We design every theme day so that every child can participate comfortably, without putting pressure on families to pull together elaborate costumes or gear on short notice. If your child shows up ready to have fun, they are already set.
Theme Days Our Campers Look Forward to Every Year
We build our calendar around what Long Island kids get excited about. A few of our most anticipated traditions:
- Color War: The event that defines the summer for a lot of our campers. Teams are formed across the campus, and for a stretch of days, friendly competition takes over everything. The energy is contagious, and the bonds that form during Color War tend to be some of the strongest of the season.
- Summerween: Halloween in July. Campers come in costume, and we run a full day of themed activities across the campus. It is creative, silly, and one of the most talked-about days of the summer.
- Tie Dye Your Summer: A hands-on creative day where every camper walks away with something they made themselves. A personal keepsake, and a good reminder that not every highlight has to involve competition.
Every one of these events is supervised by our professional staff to make sure the high energy stays safe, inclusive, and fun for everyone involved.
How Theme Days Build Community and Confidence
Theme days do more than entertain. They are one of the ways we build the kind of community that makes kids want to come back year after year. When a younger Tiny Tot® watches an older Explorer® leading their team during Color War, something clicks. They see what camp can become as they grow into it. They want a piece of that.
Because we operate on school campuses, these events happen in settings where kids already feel comfortable. That familiar foundation makes it easier for campers to take chances, cheer loudly, and show up fully. Our counselors are right in the middle of it, not watching from the sideline, making sure every child feels included and no one gets left out of the fun.
What Makes It Different
A lot of programs run theme days. What makes ours different is the thought behind them. We are not a generic program dropping a costume contest into an otherwise ordinary week. We are a community that has spent over 30 years building a summer experience where these moments mean something. The big camp energy with the close-knit feel of a neighborhood program. That combination is not easy to find, and it is what keeps Long Island families coming back.
Ready to see it for yourself? Contact us today to find the right location for your child among our nine Long Island campuses.