• N.Y.C. Soccer Academy

  Columbia University, Baker Field, 212-502-3451; nycsocceracademy.com

  In New York, soccer can be cutthroat; fortunately, folks at the N.Y.C. Soccer Academy never forget why kids play. Founded by the head coaches of Columbia’s soccer teams, this summer day camp for kids from 6 to 17 is known for the first-rate instruction—schools like Bronx Science, Riverdale, and Horace Mann use the camp for preseason training. But the emphasis is on having fun: Most of the teaching is done in scrimmages instead of drills. Four weeklong sessions (each costs $275 and accommodates up to 200 kids) are held between June 16 and August 20.

From the 2003 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine