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J Day Camps: Camps Essman & Baer (Grades K-7)

J Day Camps | The J - St Louis | Camps Essman & Baer (Grades K-7)

Day Camp Experiences for Grades K–7

J Day Camps proudly runs ACA-accredited day camp at two locations: Camp Essman at the J – St. Louis’s Marilyn Fox Building in Chesterfield (available to grades K-6) and Camp Baer at J – St. Louis’s Staenberg Family Complex in Creve Coeur (available to grades K-7). At both camp locations, campers enjoy full days of movement, creativity, and hands‑on exploration. They jump into outdoor activities like soccer, flag football, sack races, capture the flag, Ultimate Frisbee, and obstacle courses!

Campers cool off with most days by swimming in our outdoor pools, featuring big‑splash water slides, an aquatic climbing wall, and our signature tree swing. They can enjoy free swim and can boost their skills through fun, confidence‑building lessons led by certified instructors. And with indoor and outdoor pools at both locations, there’s no time lost on bus rides.

Indoors, campers explore arts and crafts, skits and dance, science projects, and cooking. Depending on age and location, they may also climb the rock wall, use racquetball courts, play in full‑size gyms, or join weekly Shabbat celebrations. With choices spanning sports, arts, science, cooking, and more, campers build friendships, discover new skills, and enjoy a classic J Day Camps summer.

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Rising K-2nd Graders

Camp Essman and Camp Baer give younger campers a well‑rounded experience through carefully crafted preset schedules that introduce them to a wide variety of activities. Each week includes four confidence‑building swim lessons, along with engaging activities designed to keep campers active, learning, and having fun.
Photo from J Day Camps 2025 at The J - St. Louis: two campers, boys of perhaps 7 or 8, create Minecraft-like paper building cubes.

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Rising 3rd-6th Graders (Camp Essman) and 3rd-7th Graders (Camp Baer)

Photo from J Day Camps 2025 at The J - St. Louis: 3 campers, girls of about 10 or 11, hug each other, smiling at the camera

Older Campers at Camp Essman and Camp Baer enjoy an exciting, interest‑driven experience. Each week gives them the freedom to customize their schedules, mixing and matching activities to suit their unique interests, such as sports, arts, team challenges, rock‑wall climbing, creative projects, and more (activities vary slightly by location).

Older campers at Camp Baer in Creve Coeur can tailor their summer experience even further. In addition to our classic general camp option, they may choose specially designed sports‑focused or arts‑focused weeks that let them spend more time doing what they enjoy most. Whether they want to sharpen athletic skills, explore their creativity, or stick with a well-rounded camp schedule, every camper can find the perfect fit for a fun, meaningful summer.

Camp Baer Options

Three Camp Options to Choose From:

  • Sports Camp
    Get ready to run faster, play smarter, and compete stronger! Our Youth Sports Camp is designed for 3rd–7th graders who want to build confidence, sharpen skills, and have a blast doing it.Campers will learn fundamentals of games, learn the skills, strategies, and mindset needed to succeed across a variety of sports—all in a fun, encouraging, and high-energy environment.Whether your camper is new to sports or ready to level up, this camp brings the training, excitement, and inspiration every young athlete dreams of. Let the games begin!
Photo from J Day Camps 2025 at The J - St. Louis: A camper, a boy of perhaps 12, blocks a soccer ball from a goal on an outdoor soccer field.
  • Art Camp
    Calling all young artists! Our Art Camp for 3rd–7th graders is a place where imagination runs wild and creativity comes to life. From paint to paper and everything in between, campers will dive into hands-on artistic projects that encourage self-expression, originality, and confidence. There are no rules—just creativity! Whether your child is a budding Picasso or just loves to create, this camp is all about expressing yourself, trying new things, and having fun while making art. Create. Imagine. Express. Sign up today and let the creativity shine!
Photo from J Day Camps 2025 at The J - St. Louis: Two girls of about 10 sit at a picnic table, drinking water and crafting.
  • Baer Advanced Camp
    Can’t decide? Why not enjoy the best of both worlds? Baer Advanced Camp offers a wide variety of activities, including sports, arts, team-building exercises, and more. It’s the ultimate mix of fun and exploration for campers who want to experience everything our program has to offer—a classic J Day Camps experience!
Photo from J Day Camps 2025 at The J - St. Louis: A group of eight boys and girls sit in a group, chatting with each other during free time.

No matter which program they choose, campers will find something they love and leave with new skills, new friends, and memories that last far beyond summer!

Check Out Pricing

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Contacts

Senior Director of Day Camps and Youth Services Director of Youth Services, Chesterfield Director of Youth Services, Creve Coeur
Mark Cohen Jess Bauer Sydney Reynolds
314-442-3263 314-442-3431 314-442-3128
Administrator, EC Camp Katan (Chesterfield) Administrative Assistant, EC Camp Koplar (Creve Coeur) Director, Youth Theatre Summer Experience
Kathy Coldiron Melissa Burgess Robyn Hartley
314-442-3450 314-442-3224 314.442.3239
Life Enrichment & Camp Services Manager Manager of Child Success, Early Childhood-Life Enrichment
Sarah Loos Savanah Ebert
314-442-3295 314-442-3115
ACA Accreditation J Day Camps program is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), the only national accrediting body for camps of all types. ACA’s accreditation standards focus on health, safety, and risk management, and are used as benchmarks by government entities. ACA accreditation provides public evidence of a camp’s commitment to the well-being of campers and staff.

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