baby meets city: A NYC Summer with Kids in the Game (& a GIVEAWAY!)

And just like that, the NYC school year is drawing to a close. In about a week, I'm going to have a kindergartner and 2nd grader on my hands. How on earth did that happen? But before I can adjust to that crazy realization, a long summer looms in front of me. Like just about everyone (see recent New York Times article), finding a way to keep your child entertained during the summer affordably can be a challenge -- especially in families where both parents work full-time, which is just about everyone.

If you're still mapping out your summer plans (i.e, are a procrastinator like me), I want to introduce you to a dynamic day camp I recently learned about -- Kids in the Game.

Kids in the Game operates day camps in 3 parts of the city: the Upper West Side, Inwood and it's newest location, Riverdale. A leading provider of after school and youth sports programs during the school year, their summer day camp program has become a natural extension of one common theme: teaching kids health, wellness and life skills through sports. While a typical day at camp involves active play like basketball, soccer and tennis, the program is rounded out with arts and crafts, dance, music and field trips to museums, the zoo, etc.

Kids in the Game was founded by Michael Murphy, a former college basketball coach, and summer staff are a mix of teachers and teaching assistants, current and former college athletes, current and former professional dancers, and graduate students in programs ranging from physical education to early childhood development. Rising high school seniors also play supporting roles as part of their Counselor in Training program.

Set up like a typical school day, Kids in the Game campers can be dropped off between 7:30-9am, when camp begins. Pre-k campers are picked up at 2:30 (with an after school option till 4pm), while kindergartners and above are picked up between 4-4:30pm (with an after school option till 6pm). While weekly camp prices vary depending on which location you choose, Kids in the Game is arguably one of the most affordable options you have in NYC. Here's to that!

So here's the really EXCITING part. Kids in the Game has agreed to give one lucky reader a FREE WEEK of camp for their child this summer -- at the LOCATION of their choice and the WEEK of their choice (in case you hadn't noticed, all caps means I'm kinda EXCITED). So here's what you do -- simply fill out the Rafflecopter contest below and check back here on June 27th. I'll announce the winner on my social media channels as well.

GOOD LUCK!!