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Jewish Community Center

J Day Camps Activities

What Do We Do At J Day Camps?

2024 Dates: June 3 – August 16

Inclusion Options Chesterfield Creve Coeur

Chesterfield Camps

Campers in Chesterfield begin their day along the shaded edge of our baseball field, where they gather together for carpool and flagpole, plus any special guests or outdoor activities. In addition, campers use the outdoor field for soccer, flag football games, sack races and capture the flag. Campers also splash down in our outdoor pool, complete with two water slides! Indoors, they make arts and crafts, dream up elaborate skits and dance routines, and more.

Chesterfield campers will be able to choose from various activities including sports, arts, science, cooking, swimming, and more. Check out details by age group below!

Camp Katan: Preschool

This early childhood camp is full of music, storytelling, art, swimming (both swim lessons and free swim), sports, nature, and more. Guided by early childhood educators, activities are catered to our youngest campers. Campers staying for the afternoon will be given a rest period. Campers must be toilet trained (potty mastery) and at least 3 years old by the start of camp to participate in Camp Katan. Camp Katan is run by the J’s Early Childhood Center. Full day camp hours are 9am-3pm and half day hours are 9am-12:30pm. Before and after care is not available. Lunch is provided by camp for Camp Katan participants.

For more information about Camp Katan, please contact:
Kathy Coldiron, 314-442-3450

Camp Essman: Grades K-2

K-2nd graders get a taste of everything with preset schedules, including four swim lessons per week.

Essman Focus: Grades 3-6

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.

For more information about J Day Camps in Chesterfield, please contact:
Contact: Jess Bauer, 314-442-3431

Creve Coeur Camps

Our Creve Coeur complex offers two softball fields, a wooded area, a climbing wall, a multi-use field for soccer, flag football Ultimate Frisbee, races, and obstacle courses, plus indoor space, including racquetball courts, two full-size basketball courts in our gymnasium and the spacious Mirowitz Performing Arts Center for our weekly Shabbat celebration. And, of course, campers love our amazing outdoor pool, complete with an aquatic climbing wall, tree swing, and water slide.

Creve Coeur campers in grades 3-6 will choose a specialty focus track each week. Focuses include sports, gymnastics, arts, or traditional Camp Baer activities. Check out details by age group below!

Camp Koplar: Preschool

This early childhood camp is full of music, storytelling, art, swimming (both swim lessons and free swim), sports, nature, and more. Guided by early childhood educators, activities are catered to our youngest campers. Campers staying for the afternoon will be given a rest period. Campers must be toilet trained (potty mastery) and at least 3 years old by the start of camp to participate in Camp Koplar. Camp Koplar is run by the J’s Early Childhood Center. Full day camp hours are 9am-3pm and half day hours are 9am-12:30pm. Before and after care is not available. Lunch is provided by camp for Camp Koplar participants.

For more information about Camp Koplar, please contact:
Melissa Burgess, 314-442-3224

Camp Baer: Grades K-2

K-2nd graders get a taste of everything with preset schedules, including four swim lessons per week.

Baer Focus: Grades 3-6

3rd-6th graders customize their schedules each Monday, with the opportunity to mix and match focus activities like sports, arts, gymnastics, climbing wall, and more.

Baer Adventure: Grades 7-9

Our oldest campers (7th-9th grade) will split their time at the J and visiting awesome St. Louis attractions.

Teen Skills: Ages 15-21

Campers from ages 15-21 who have developmental disabilities will have the opportunity to work on social and vocational skills alongside their peers at our Teem Skills Camp. Campers spend time in the community engaging in a variety of interesting outings and volunteer projects as well as having fun at the J!

For more information about Teen Skills, please contact:
The Life Enrichment Department, 314-442-3295.

For more information about J Day Camps, please contact:
Mat DeWinters, 314-442-3104

J Day Camps Swim Program

All of our campers swim almost every day at J Day Camps – without ever losing precious time on a bus. Our on-site swimming facilities provide free swim and swim lessons taught by our certified swim instructors. Both J locations have outdoor and indoor pools (five pools between the two locations!), so there’s no need to spend time riding a bus to enjoy the pool. The J has one of the best aquatics programs and swim experiences in St. Louis.

Our aquatics mission is that each camper has a safe and enjoyable experience while developing skills they can use for a lifetime. Each camper will be assessed on their first day of camp and placed into a corresponding swim class. All campers are required to participate unless they bring a note from their parent stating the reason to excuse them from swimming for that day. During instructional swim, campers will work with our certified instructors to improve their comfort and skills in the water. During free swim, campers have the chance to use their new skills in the pool appropriate for their abilities and on our water play equipment. All swimming activities are supervised by certified instructors and the watchful eyes of our summer camp counselors.

  • At our Chesterfield camps, Kindergarten through 6th graders (all campers) will have both instructional and free swim.
  • At our Creve Coeur camps, Kindergarten through 2nd graders will have both instructional and free swim; 3rd through 6th graders will have free swim and optional instructional swim.

Check Out Pricing


Questions? Here’s Who To Contact.

Mat Dewinters

Director of Sports, Recreation, and J Day Camps
314-442-3104

Jess Bauer

Director of Youth Services, Chesterfield
314-442-3431

Ashley Stockman

Director of Adult Day at the J
314.442.3245