Camps are held at 935 Columbia Avenue
Please note that there is no camp on Thursday, June 19th and June 30 – July 4, 2025.
The New School strives to provide a safe environment for our entire community. At no time is that focus more relevant than it is right now. The safety and health of our students, faculty, staff, and families will lead how, when, and where we operate. So what does that mean for you and your child?
Summer Camp will open on June 12th, 2023. Staffers and administrators will be operating according to our health and safety plan developed in accordance with the Johns Hopkins University, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the CDC’s guidance for Youth and Summer Camps. It will be revisited and revised before camp starts as additional information and guidance become available. Using this modified hierarchy of controls, COVID-19 mitigation measures at the New School will look like:
- Check-in
Upon entry, campers will be led to our handwashing stations to wash hands. - Physical Distancing
We have visual reminders for students to remember physical distancing. We limit communal use, allow for physical distancing, and accommodate frequent surface cleaning. - PPE
All students (age two and up) and staff are required to wear masks. - Outdoor Activity
In line with our established pedagogy, we will prioritize outdoor programming to afford the lowest risk of transmission. - Engineering Controls
High-touch surfaces such as door handles, light switches, and faucets will be cleaned and disinfected frequently. Additionally, tabletops will be disinfected between classroom rotations. Handwashing breaks and extra hand sanitizer will be available at all times. - Administrative Controls
We are capping classrooms to reduce contact between groups of students and staff as well as students and students. Wherever possible, we will be staggering staff and administrative hours and workspaces to minimize contacts between classrooms. - Any suspected COVID-19 cases will be immediately isolated, and all families will be notified of possible exposure.
In such a case, we will seek additional guidance from local health officials to determine the course of action.
Our traditional summer enrollments will allow us to accommodate physical distancing requirements. We can provide an incredible, developmentally appropriate space for your child to engage socially in a safe way.
For children ages 6 weeks - 17 months
Our Infant Summer Care is available to our current students and those enrolling for the 2025/2026 Academic Year.
Our Infant Summer Care is a 10 week program, beginning on Monday, June 9 and ending on Friday, August 22, 2025.
Please note that we are closed on Thursday, June 19th and the week of June 30 – July 4, 2025.
If our Infant Summer Care schedule does not align with family vacations, we are happy to accommodate up to 2 weeks with no charge.
Summer Camp Enrollment Cancellation Policy
Upon enrollment, payment includes a non-refundable deposit of $250. By completing the enrollment process, the parent or guardian acknowledges and agrees that this deposit is non-refundable.
Cancellation Policy:
- Prior to May 1, 2025, a parent or guardian may cancel their child’s enrollment and will only be responsible for the non-refundable deposit.
- After May 1, 2025, the cancellation option is no longer available. The parent or guardian will be obligated to pay the full camp fee, as all enrollments are considered final.
Please review this policy carefully before enrolling your child in our summer camp program.
For children ages 18 months – 30 months
Summer is a great time for children to explore the world around them, experience the joy of self-discovery, and enjoy a variety of age-appropriate activities geared towards their individual needs and interests. Your child will experience our outdoor environment and all it has to offer!
We combine the best of Montessori—love of learning, free choice, independence, mutual respect, and hands on learning—with the charms that only the summer can afford—plenty of sprinkler and water fun, outdoor games, nature walks, gardening, fantasy play, arts and crafts, cooking, and science experiments. Your child will develop real life skills through play, improve motor, language, and socialization skills, and continue their personal path of growth.
Our Summer Camp starts on Monday, June 9 and ends on Friday, August 22, 2025. Consistency is important to the social, emotional, and cognitive development of babies and young children. Therefore we ask Toddler Students to attend a minimum of 2 weeks to ensure an adequate adjustment period.
Summer Camp Enrollment Cancellation Policy
Upon enrollment, payment includes a non-refundable deposit of $250. By completing the enrollment process, the parent or guardian acknowledges and agrees that this deposit is non-refundable.
Cancellation Policy:
- Prior to May 1, 2025, a parent or guardian may cancel their child’s enrollment and will only be responsible for the non-refundable deposit.
- After May 1, 2025, the cancellation option is no longer available. The parent or guardian will be obligated to pay the full camp fee, as all enrollments are considered final.
Please review this policy carefully before enrolling your child in our summer camp program.
For children ages 2.5 to 5.5 years
New School Montessori Summer Camp provides stimulating activities guided by our experienced teachers. Students will enjoy a day filled with meaningful work and joyous exploration.
A developmentally-staged Montessori environment featuring summer activities focusing on gardening, science, weekly themes, and water play.
Summer Camp Enrollment Cancellation Policy
Upon enrollment, payment includes a non-refundable deposit of $250. By completing the enrollment process, the parent or guardian acknowledges and agrees that this deposit is non-refundable.
Cancellation Policy:
- Prior to May 1, 2025, a parent or guardian may cancel their child’s enrollment and will only be responsible for the non-refundable deposit.
- After May 1, 2025, the cancellation option is no longer available. The parent or guardian will be obligated to pay the full camp fee, as all enrollments are considered final.
Please review this policy carefully before enrolling your child in our summer camp program.
For children entering 1st through 6th grades for the 2024/2025 school year
We are pleased to announce that we will be offering enriching Summer Camp experiences with weekly themes for our Elementary Students.
Please note that there will be no camp on Thursday, June 19 due to the Juneteenth Holiday.
Each week will be staffed by our experienced New School Teachers and sure to be a fun experience.
Week 1: Sports Camp
Week 2: Music Camp
Week 3: Nature; held at Lancaster County Central Park
Week 4: Cooking Camp
Week 5: Messy Science, with a visit to the Lancaster Science Factory
Week 6: Animal Camp, with a visit to Ironstone Creek Farm
Week 7: Arts & Crafts Camp
Week 8: Space Camp, with a visit to the Planetarium Dome
Week 9: Theater Camp
Week 10: Splash Camp
Summer Camp Enrollment Cancellation Policy
Upon enrollment, payment includes a non-refundable deposit of $250. By completing the enrollment process, the parent or guardian acknowledges and agrees that this deposit is non-refundable.
Cancellation Policy:
- Prior to May 1, 2025, a parent or guardian may cancel their child’s enrollment and will only be responsible for the non-refundable deposit.
- After May 1, 2025, the cancellation option is no longer available. The parent or guardian will be obligated to pay the full camp fee, as all enrollments are considered final.
Please review this policy carefully before enrolling your child in our summer camp program.
For children ages 7 - 14 years
Kick off the summer with an exciting creative adventure in the art room! Dive into hands-on projects like sculpting clay birds, decorated with vibrant folk art patterns and colors. Explore the art of weaving as you create a small tapestry on a tabletop loom. Bring an ocean scene to life through the magic of both wet and needle felting, and paint a beautiful still life on canvas. Get ready for a week filled with color, texture, and creativity!