What is City Savvy Explorers?
City Savvy Explorers curates urban exploration experiences where pre-teens learn to navigate New York City using public transportation while exploring landmarks, museums, parks, neighborhoods, and hidden gems. Through hands-on experiences, adolescents build confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills.

Who are your experiences for?
Our experiences are designed for children ages 8–12 who are curious, adventurous, and eager to explore the city in a fun and supportive way.

Explorers need to be ok walking to and from locations and up and down subway stairs-we will get a lot of steps in each day! Children also need to be independent in carrying their own backpack with all personal items and be responsible and independent using the bathroom.

How many children will be a part of the summer experience? The group size will be small. For our inaugural summer experience, our group size will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants.

What are the summer experience dates and hours?
The City Savvy Explorers 2025 summer experience runs from Monday to Thursday for three weeks: June 30th, July 7th and July 14th. Friday July 11th and 18th are optional days for an additional fee. Hours are from 8:30am to 3:45pm.

Where do we meet?
We will meet at the steps of the main branch of the Brooklyn Library at Grand Army Plaza. Drop-off and pick-up will be here.

Are cellphones or other electronics allowed?
No, we are a screen-free experience so children can be present and pay attention to their surroundings. However, children can bring cellphones or smart watches but these must remain on silent and in backpacks for the ENTIRE day. City Savvy Explorers is not responsible for any loss, theft or damage to any devices.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Summer Daily Activities & Itinerary

What will we do each day?
Each day, we embark on a new adventure using subways, buses, and ferries to explore different parts of NYC. Activities include scavenger hunts, museum visits, historical sites, parks, playgrounds, mindfulness walks and unstructured exploration time.

How far will we travel?
We explore a variety of locations mostly in Manhattan. Occasionally, we may visit Queens or Staten Island. On the optional Fridays, we will explore in Brooklyn. Travel distances vary, but we ensure a balance of exploration and rest.

Is there a set itinerary?
While we have planned destinations and a scheduled itinerary, we also encourage flexibility to accommodate participant interests and unexpected discoveries along the way! Itineraries are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors.

What should we bring each day?
Children should bring:

  • A comfortable and supportive backpack (hiking backpack recommended).

  • A refillable water bottle.

  • A packed lunch and snacks.

  • Comfortable walking shoes.

  • Quick dry clothes (recommended) or packed bathing suit (please remember any changing will be done in public city park bathrooms.)

  • Weather-appropriate clothing and accessories (hat, rain jacket, etc.)

  • Sunscreen.

  • A quick dry towel.

    Remember your child must carry their belongings by themselves for the entire day.

Is lunch provided?
No, participants must bring their own lunch. We will provide a light snack each day. We will have designated lunch breaks at parks or other suitable locations. There will occasionally be a day where explorers can buy lunch. This opportunity will be communicated and will be optional. Buying lunch or snacks will NOT be an option on most days. Children must carry their lunch in their backpacks.

What snacks do you provide? We will provide a non-perishable snack each day. Think goldfish, veggie sticks, apple sauce etc. We will occasionally get a snack or treat from a location. We are allergy aware and all snacks will be nut-free. However, if your child has extensive food allergies or dietary restrictions, we recommend sending snacks from home.

What if it’s raining? We will explore rain or shine! Please dress appropriately for the weather. Packing a lightweight poncho or rain jacket is a good idea. Itineraries may be adjusted due to weather forecasts or as we are out exploring. In the case of extreme weather we will follow all local emergency guidance and safety will always be our number one concern.

Safety & Supervision

How do you ensure safety?
Safety is our top priority. Children are always supervised by an experienced NYS-licensed educator and support staff. We maintain small group sizes to ensure individual attention and enforce strict safety protocols when using public transportation and exploring the city. Staff is carefully screened. In addition, all families will be required to sign a Code of Conduct and children are expected to adhere to this conduct at all times.

What if my child violates the Code of Conduct agreement?
The Code of Conduct agreement is in place to maintain safety and ensure that all participants feel safe and respected. Violations will be taken seriously. Violations involving safety matters or aggressive behavior or harassment (hitting, bullying, name calling etc.) towards other children may result in your child being dismissed from the program without a refund or require an adult chaperone in order to continue attendance.

Do children travel alone?
No. Children always travel in a group with supervision. We teach navigation skills in a safe and controlled environment. Unstructured exploration will be within a set location with supervisors present. The Code of Conduct also ensures that no one ever goes anywhere alone.

What happens in case of an emergency?
There will always be a staff member that is trained in CPR. We carry a first aid kit at all times and have a plan in place for handling unexpected situations. Emergency contacts are required and parents will be notified as soon as possible if an emergency occurs..

What if my child has a food allergy or medical condition?
Please inform us during registration. We take allergies and medical conditions seriously and will work with families to ensure a safe experience.

Registration & Logistics

How do I register my child?
Please fill out the
pre-registration form if you wish to register for the summer experience. We will respond to set-up a brief phone call or zoom with you and your child. You can fill out an interest form here or by clicking on any of the black pre-registration buttons. After we chat, registration and payment information will be forwarded and is not complete until the registration fee and deposit are paid. Spots are limited. We recommend signing up early!

What is the cost of the summer experience?
Tuition for each weekly session (Monday to Thursday) is $650. This includes all transportation fares, admission fees, activity materials and a light snack. The optional Fridays are $150 each. If you register for all three weeks, you will receive a 10% discount on the total tuition.

When are payments due?
50% of your total tuition is due at the time of registration along with the non-refundable registration fee of $35. The balance of tuition is due by June 1st.

Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?
Unfortunately, we do not offer scholarships or financial aid at this time. However, we can work with families to set-up payment plans on an individual basis. Please contact us to learn more about available payment plan options.

What is the cancellation/refund policy?
Registration fees are non-refundable. 50% of deposit payments made are refundable prior to June 1st. There are no refunds after June 1st. Please reach out if you have any concerns.

Have more questions? Contact us at: hello@citysavvyexplorers.org