BWS Summer Camp

Early Childhood Explorers follows the gentle rhythm of the Waldorf school day. Campers enjoy seasonal handwork, storytelling, imaginative play, water play, and outdoor adventures in a nurturing, unhurried environment.

Grades Adventurers features immersive specialty programming that changes weekly, along with field trips and hands-on experiences. Natural crafts, movement games, and outdoor play are woven throughout each week to support creativity, curiosity, and confidence.

Our camp is Waldorf-inspired, with a curriculum that blends the heart of Waldorf education with the joy and energy of a classic summer camp. Each day is thoughtfully designed around creativity, movement, outdoor exploration, and meaningful hands-on experiences, all within a warm, nurturing environment guided by the rhythms of the school year.

Our summer staff is made up of experienced educators and caregivers, many of whom have strong ties to the Brooklyn Waldorf School community or have worked on-campus in various roles. All staff are carefully selected and supported to uphold the values, care, and intentionality that families expect from Brooklyn Waldorf School.

Summer Camp runs from June 15–July 31, 2026.

Weekly schedule:

• Week 1: June 15–18 (no camp June 19)
• Week 2: June 22–26
• Week 3: June 29–July 3
• Week 4: July 6–10
• Week 5: July 13–17
• Week 6: July 20–24
• Week 7: July 27–31

Families may enroll in one-week increments.

• Camp Day: 9:00 am–3:00 pm
• Extended Day: 3:00–5:00 pm (additional cost)

Yes. Extended Day runs from 3:00–5:00 pm and includes additional indoor and outdoor play and a snack.

Cost: $25/day or $100/week (Monday–Friday)

Weekly Rates (All Ages):

• $695/week for 1–2 weeks
• $675/week for 3–4 weeks (counted per family)
• $650/week for 5+ weeks (counted per family)

Prorated 4-Day Week Rates (to account for holidays):

• $556/week for 1–2 weeks
• $540/week for 3–4 weeks
• $520/week for 5+ weeks

Yes! We offer several discounts:

Early Bird Discount

• 10% off with code ebsummer26 when registering before March 15

Sibling Discount

• 10% off the second child
• 15% off the third child
• 20% off each additional child

Referral Discount

If you refer a new family to the Brooklyn Waldorf School community, you will receive a $75 tuition refund. The new family will receive a $25 refund after registration.

Discounts are applied in the following order:
Early Bird → Sibling → Referral

All campers should bring:

• A backpack
• Lunch and afternoon snack
• Water bottle
• Hat, Sunglasses
• Sneakers / Sturdy Walking Shoes
• Extra Socks
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito Repellent
• Swimsuit, Towel, & Close-Toed Water Shoes (daily for Early Childhood Explorers; on select days for Grades Adventurers)
• Change of clothes (Early Childhood - Rising 2nd Grade)
• Indoor Shoes / Slippers (Early Childhood Explorers)

All belongings should be labeled with the child’s first and last name.

What to leave at home:
Please keep toys, dolls, stuffed animals, electronics, jewelry, and money at home.

Camp continues rain or shine. Activities and some field trips may still occur in rainy weather, so please pack appropriate rain gear and extra clothing.

Early Childhood Explorers help prepare a simple morning snack each day (menu varies by day and repeats weekly).

Families provide:

• Lunch
• Afternoon snack

Please pack an additional snack for your child’s time in Extended Day from 3:00-5:00 pm.

Yes. Early Childhood Explorers campers must be fully independent in the bathroom before enrolling.

The day follows a gentle, predictable rhythm:

• 9:00 am: Welcome & drop-off
• 9:30–10:45 am: Circle Time & themed activities
• 11:00–11:30 am: Morning Snack
• 11:30 am–12:30 pm: Outdoor/indoor play
• 12:30–1:00 pm: Lunch (outdoors when weather permits)
• 1:15–2:15 pm: Rest
• 2:30 pm: Afternoon snack & story
• 3:00 pm: Pick-up
• 3:00–5:00 pm: Extended Day (optional)

The schedule for Grades Adventurers will vary depending on scheduled programming for the week.

• 9:00 am–12:00 pm: Specialty programming
• 12:00–1:00 pm: Lunch & free play
• 1:00–3:00 pm: Continued specialty programming, field trips, outdoor play, crafts, and games
• 3:00–5:00 pm: Extended Day (optional)

Each week features a unique theme:

1. Magic Arts (no camp June 19)
2. Make-A-Musical
3. Textile Arts
4. Skating Arts
5. Devised Theater
6. Gardening
7. Mixed Media Arts

Detailed descriptions of each specialty are available in the summer camp catalog.

Yes. Grades Adventurers participate in weekly field trips connected to their specialty theme. Field trips may include visits to local museums, studios, parks, and cultural institutions. Itineraries and travel info will be shared in advance. On field trip days, all campers and staff participate together. Campers may not be dropped off or picked up at field trip locations. If you do not want your child to attend a scheduled field trip, please do not send them to camp that day.

Early Childhood Explorers may go on walks to nearby parks, if developmentally appropriate and safe for the group of campers.

Summer Camp takes place on the Brooklyn Waldorf School’s beautiful campus in Bed-Stuy, with regular use of outdoor spaces and neighborhood destinations.

A $300 non-refundable deposit per camp week is required at registration to secure your child’s spot and is applied toward the total balance.

• Cancellations on or before April 1, 2026: Refund of camp tuition minus the $300 deposit
• Cancellations after April 1 and before June 1, 2026: 75% refund of camp tuition minus the $300 deposit
• Cancellations after June 1, 2026: No refunds

If the School cancels a program, families will receive a full refund for the canceled week(s).

Children should not attend camp if they:

• Have a fever of 100°F or higher
• Have experienced vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
• Have a rash, severe cough, or any contagious illness
• Are not well enough to participate fully in camp activities, including outdoor play

If a child becomes ill during the camp day, families will be asked to pick up their child within 30 minutes.

Families must notify summerprograms@brooklynwaldorf.org by 9:00 am if their child will be absent due to illness. Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to camp.

• Minor injuries are treated with basic first aid, and families are notified at pick-up.
• Serious injuries result in immediate family notification. Emergency services may be called if necessary, and a staff member will accompany the child if a caregiver cannot be reached.

At least one CPR/First Aid–certified staff member is always present.

Yes. Prior to camp, families must submit:

• A completed CH205 Health Exam Form (provided before camp begins)
• Up-to-date vaccination records or medical exemption documentation

All health documents should be emailed to healthrecords@brooklynwaldorf.org.

Families must notify the Camp Manager of all allergies prior to camp. Camp may be designated nut-free during specific weeks if needed.

Medication such as EpiPens or inhalers may be administered only with proper physician authorization and consent forms. All medication must be:

• In its original container
• Clearly labeled with the child’s name and dosing instructions
• Handed directly to staff at drop-off (not sent in backpacks)

• Campers should arrive by 9:00 am (no later than 9:25 am)
• Pickup is at 3:00 pm (or 5:00 pm for Extended Day).
• Only adults listed on the authorized pick-up list (minimum age 16) may sign out a child. Photo ID is required for pick-up.
• A late pickup fee of $2/minute begins at 3:10 pm (or at 5:00 pm for Extended Day). Chronic late pick-up may result in dismissal.

Summer Camp is grounded in kindness, respect, responsibility, and safety. Bullying, harassment, physical aggression, unsafe wandering, inappropriate touching, and misuse of belongings are not permitted at camp. 

Because summer staffing differs from the school year, unsafe or disruptive behavior may result in immediate caregiver pickup, and in some cases, dismissal from camp. Camp tuition is not refunded due to suspension or dismissal.

No. Campers may not use cell phones or electronic devices during the camp day or camp-sponsored events. This supports focused, imaginative play aligned with Waldorf principles. 

We recommend leaving technology at home. If brought, they must stay off and put away all day.

For non-urgent questions, email summerprograms@brooklynwaldorf.org.

For urgent matters during the camp day (such as pick-up changes), please call (718) 783-3270.