Play Connect Grow
Why Camp Matters
Study after study supports what camp directors have said for decades: Camp does kids a world of good. Summer camp provides a platform for children to:
• Develop self-confidence and self-reliance
• Learn and improve skills such as swimming
• Activate their creativity
• Engage in physical activity
Camp is a face-to-face community, giving campers daily practice dealing with real situations and experiencing a range of emotions. Campers learn through friendship, teamwork, frustration, and a lot of success.
What makes the J Day Camps so extraordinary? It’s our attention to relationships. It’s our understanding of children and staff trained to be supportive, caring and engaging. It’s our activities which inspire fun, build skills, keep campers moving, and empower imagination. We spend our days smiling and spreading laughter. We create a space where children learn and practice social and coping skills, which help them build success outside of camp.
J Day Camps create an environment where parents need not worry and campers have the freedom to be themselves, in a kid-friendly community led by caring adults.
Our motto is PLAY, CONNECT, GROW. We invite your childen to PLAY at camp, where they’ll make CONNECTIONS to people, activities and positive habits, the result being GROWTH physically, emotionally and socially.
Important Dates
January 2 Registration opens
February 19 J Day Camps Reunion
March 8 Last day to receive early bird discount
April 1 Life Enrichment inclusion services application deadline
April 20 Scholarship application deadline
May 21 Parents’ & Guardians’ Orientation (Zoom)
June 3
First day of Camp!
July 4 No Camp
August 2
August 9
August 16
End of Life Enrichment Camp season (both locations)
End of Camp season (Fox/Chesterfield)
End of Camp season (SFC/Creve Coeur)
Reasons to choose J Day Camps:
On-site swim program: Most campers swim daily, enjoying our indoor and outdoor pools. This includes free swimming lessons after an assessment by our certified aquatics instructors. During free swim, campers can play and further use their new skills. All of our pools are supervised by American Red Cross lifeguards, certified in lifeguarding CPR/AED and first aid for the professional rescuer.
Activities for every kid: We offer one camp at each location, but campers can customize their days. We offer everything from arts and crafts to sports, gymnastics, swimming, wall climbing, and more.
Caring, well-trained, professional staff: Our staff is led by full-time, year-round camp professionals who guide and train our summer team through 30+ hours of training on how to “think like a parent and act like a friend.”
Accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA): Our camp is a proud member of, and accredited by, the ACA. This means we maintain industry standards, are annually reviewed, and are committed to providing a safe and nurturing camp community, focusing on campers.
Come for one week, multiple weeks, or all summer: With each session lasting one week, kids can spend as much of their summer with us as possible without interfering with other plans.
Come for one week, multiple weeks, or all summer: With each session lasting one week, kids can spend as much of their summer with us as possible without interfering with other plans.
What makes J Day Camps a Jewish Camp?
At our day camps, we integrate Jewish values such as kindness, respect, and care for the environment into our activities. We celebrate Shabbat on Friday afternoons and our Shaliach (Israel education specialist) helps to enrich activities with Israeli culture, food, songs and Hebrew words. We intentionally incorporate Jewish culture and traditions in a fun and joyous way where everyone learns and feels included, no matter knowledge, religion, or background.
Early Bird Rates
Early Bird Thru March 8
These rates are the Early Bird rates for our main camp. We offer a variety of camps including AM- and PM-Care, Pre-K and Life Enrichment camps.
For a full list of pricing, please visit jccstl.com/jdaycamps-pricing or scan the QR code.
What We Offer
Creve Coeur
Camp Baer – K-2nd graders get a taste of everything with preset schedules, including four swim lessons per week.
Baer Focus – 3rd-6th graders customize their schedules for the week with the opportunity to mix and match focus activities like sports, arts, gymnastics, climbing wall, and more.
Baer Adventures – Our oldest campers (7th-9th grade) split their time playing at the J and visiting awesome St. Louis attractions.
Teen Skills – 15-21 year-olds with developmental disabilities. Campers work on social and vocational skills alongside their peers. Campers spend time in the community engaging in a variety of interesting outings and volunteer projects as well as having fun at the J!
Before-Care
Camp 9am-3pm
After-Care
Great
Indoor/outdoor
On-site
Climbing
Preschool
Camp Nat Koplar
Camp Katan (Chesterfield)
Preschool camps include
We’ll Make Kosher, nut-free $40/week
See menu
Both Chesterfield
Flexible times Before-Care 7:30-9am
9am-3pm
After-Care 3-6pm
Facilities
Indoor/outdoor space
On-site pools
Climbing Walls
Preschool Camps
Koplar (Creve Coeur) (Chesterfield)
include swim lessons
Make Lunch!
nut-free lunches
$40/week
menu online
Camp Essman – K-2nd graders get a taste of everything with preset schedules, including four swim lessons per week.
Essman Focus – 3rd-6th graders customize their schedules for the week with the opportunity to mix-and-match focus activities including sports, arts, climbing wall and more.
Essman Extravaganza – Each week all campers participate in a special group activity!
FAQ
How do I register?
Register at community.jccstl.org. For more detailed instructions, go to jccstl.com/jdaycamps and click on the Registration Help button.
I can’t remember my J account password and/or I’m having issues registering. What should I do?
Contact the J Registrar, Emily Brimberry at ebrimberry@jccstl.org or 314.442.3110.
What if I want to change/cancel my registration?
Contact the J Registrar, Emily Brimberry at ebrimberry@jccstl.org or 314.442.3110. See jccstl.com/daycamps for change/cancellation policies.
I registered for camp. What’s next?
Join us at our virtual orientation on May 21. You’ll also receive a welcome email the Friday before each week your child attends camp. If you have any questions before then, contact Mathew DeWinters, 314.442.3104, mdewinters@jccstl.org (SFC) or Jess Bauer at 314.442.3431, jbauer@jccstl.org (Fox).
My child has a disability which requires support. Is that something you provide?
Yes! You must register for camp and speak with Erik Carlson, Manager, Life Enrichment and Camp Services, (ecarlson@jccstl.org, 314.442.3295) to receive support. Spaces are very limited. Preference will be given to families who register before February 29 for the greatest number of weeks.
Can I set up a payment plan?
Yes. When you enroll, you have the option of paying in full or making payments. If you choose a payment plan, a deposit is due when you register, and camp payments will be charged on March 1, April 1, May 1 and June 1. If registering after June 1, entire camp balance is due at time of registration.
How do I apply for financial aid?
First, submit a camp registration. Next, download a scholarship application at jccstl.com/scholarships. The deadline to submit a scholarship is April 20, 2024.
Should I attend the orientation?
Yes, please join us, especially new families! We will review important information and give you the opportunity to get all of your questions answered!
When is the last day I can register?
Monday at midnight one week before the week you want your child to attend. However, we highly recommend you register early as age groups sellout.
I’m not Jewish, can I still attend J Day Camps?
Yes! While we incorporate Jewish values into some of our programs, campers of all backgrounds are welcomed regardless of race, faith, or national origin.
Life Enrichment
Camp is a fast-paced day, that involves lots of transition of activities and locations. We know some of our campers need extra assistance navigating the camp day, and that’s why we offer Life Enrichment at J Day Camps.
We embrace neurodiversity at J Day Camps. We call all participants “camper,” “friend,” or “one of the kids.”We understand that some campers need some additional support and we can offer a camp advocate (a shadow counselor) to help when needed and fade in the background when not needed. An IEP or other documentation from a physician is required for Life Enrichment services.
Our goal is to help all campers find success at camp and beyond. Life Enrichment is available to campers who…
• Misread social cues such as body language or voice inflections
• Have difficulties with transitions
• Have sensory difficulties
Our program is not able to support campers who…
• Elope (run away)
• Cause physical harm to others
• Are not bathroom independent
• Are a threat to themselves or others or infringe on others having a successful time
• Destroy property
For more information on Life Enrichment support contact Erik Carlson at 314.442.3295 or ecarlson@jccstl.org
