Our Program

Lower Camp is designed for campers entering pre-K to first grade. All campers must be 4 years old by their first day of camp and fully potty trained.

Guided by Bank Street’s progressive philosophy, campers build community in a safe environment while nurturing their social-emotional skills. A day in Lower Camp includes ample outdoor play in Riverside Park or on Bank Street’s outdoor playdeck. Specialists and educational professionals in Spanish, STEAM, and sports engage with campers weekly. Additionally, campers swim twice a week and go on weekly field trips. 

Campers are divided by age into groups of approximately 15 children, allowing us to maintain a staff-to-child ratio of 1:5. Camp groups are led by head counselors and are supported by assistant and junior counselors. Our head counselors are educational professionals, often teachers during the year or pursuing a master’s degree in education.

Lower Camp groups include:

• Ducks (Rising Pre-K)
• Bunnies (Rising Kindergarten)
• Bears (Rising First Grade)

The above animals that name our Lower Camp groups are featured in books written by Margaret Wise Brown, beloved author of the classic children’s book Goodnight Moon and an early member of the Bank Street Writers Lab.

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Learn more about our specialty activities:

Spanish
Campers learn and practice the Spanish language through engaging learning experiences and projects. Our Spanish instructor emphasizes an appreciation and love for the Spanish language through dynamic learning activities as well as by joining campers during daily activities, such as trips to the park.

STEAM
Campers explore the wonders of science and discovery through hands-on projects and experiences. Our STEAM curriculum is child-led and guided by what individual groups are interested in learning. Examples of projects from previous summers include sun art, edible sugar glass, and pickling.

Sports
Campers develop foundational sport and fitness skills in a non-competitive environment. Games are designed to encourage teamwork and cooperation while building body and spatial awareness.

After Camp (3:15 PM – 5:45 PM)

Campers will dive into 45-minute enrichment activities followed by group play & exploration, all led by our counselor team.

​​The structure of Middle Camp enables campers to build a core community with their “homeroom” and provides an opportunity to explore many different specialties or electives each day. Specialty focuses include Food Science, Woodworking, Drama, Cooking, Sports, and Ceramics. 

Middle campers have instructional swim twice a week, go on weekly field trips, and participate in sports and movement classes led by a School for Children physical education teacher. Camp groups are led by head counselors and are supported by assistant and junior counselors. Our head counselors are educational professionals, often teachers during the year or pursuing a master’s degree in education. Campers are divided by age into groups of approximately 15 children, allowing us to maintain a staff-to-child ratio of 1:7.

Middle Camp groups include:

• Otters (Rising Second Grade)
• Sea turtles (Rising Third and Fourth Grade)

The above animals that name our Middle/Upper Camp groups are native to Mannahatta, known today as Manhattan. The study of Mannahatta, its wildlife, and the Lenape people are explored in the School for Children’s 7/8s study of the Hudson River

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After Camp (3:15 PM – 5:45 PM)

Campers will dive into 45-minute enrichment activities followed by group play & exploration, all led by our counselor team.

​​The structure of Upper Camp enables campers to build a core community with their “homeroom” and provides an opportunity to explore many different specialties or electives each day. Specialty focuses include 3-D printing, Theater, Woodworking, Cooking, Sports, and Ceramics. Counselors will also leave time for Upper Campers to suggest and work on other projects such as creating short films. 

Upper campers also swim twice a week, go on weekly field trips, and participate in sports & movement classes led by a School for Children physical education teacher. Camp groups are led by head counselors and are supported by assistant and junior counselors. Our head counselors are educational professionals, often teachers during the year or pursuing a master’s degree in education. Campers are divided by age into groups of approximately 15 children, allowing us to maintain a staff-to-child ratio of 1:7.

Register View Sample Schedule

After Camp (3:15 PM – 5:45 PM)

Campers will dive into 45-minute enrichment activities followed by group play & exploration, all led by our counselor team.

Lower Camp (Rising Pre-K – Grade 1) – 3:15 PM – 5:45 PM

Middle Camp (Rising Grade 2 – 4) – 3:15 PM – 5:45 PM

Upper Camp (Rising Grade 5 – 8) – 3:15 PM – 5:45 PM