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 – 6:00 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 mix with other campers during their specialty period. Campers choose a specialty track and spend a portion of their day with their specialty cohort. Examples from past summers have included Drama, STEAM, and Sports + Fitness. In addition, campers swim twice a week, go on weekly field trips, and engage in weekly enrichment activities, such as Sports and Spanish. 

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 15–20 children, allowing us to maintain a staff-to-child ratio of 1:6.

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 participate in themed sessions, including Fiber Arts, Music Camp, and STEAM & Coding. Each session features engaging topical projects and culminates in a field trip related to the week’s theme. 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.

Fiber Arts Camp
Session 1: June 24 – July 3, Closed July 4 & 5
Campers will explore four components: sewing, weaving, dyeing, and surface design. Campers will create projects in each category and may expect to engage in block printing their own patterns, tie-dyeing with natural dyes, sewing their own dolls, batik, and learning the basics of weaving.

Music Camp
Session 2: July 8 – July 19
Campers will explore several different instruments that may include drums, keyboards, bass, and electric guitar. Music Camp will culminate with a final performance by the musicians for the entire camp. 

STEAM & Coding Camp
Session 3: July 22 – August 2
Campers will spend their days tinkering in our in-house STEAM Lab; learning to work with circuits, finches, coding cards, and more.

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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 – 6:00 PM

Middle Camp (Rising Grade 2 – 4) – 3:15 PM – 6:00 PM

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

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