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.

Get ready to stomp, chomp, rumble & tumble your way through a dino-sized adventure at The Little Gym! No indoor ROARS are allowed at this prehistorically awesome night out where Kid-Rex’s rule the gymnastics kingdom.

Which sport is your favorite? Can’t decide? Now you don’t have to! The Super Kids are invited to wear their favorite sports teams’ shirts, jerseys and swag! Each day they will experience a unique sports adventure with friends focusing on teamwork & hand-eye coordination. While being coached to increase their strength, speed & listening skills, we will elevate their enthusiasm for sports of all sorts!

Puppies and guppies, chickens and ducks, what animals might you meet when you adventure with us?! This immersive animal adventure will include games, crafts, and animals of all kinds. Each day your Super Kid will boost their brains and their bodies while developing a love and respect for the animals all around them!

Puppies and guppies, chickens and ducks, what animals might you meet when you adventure with us?! This immersive animal adventure will include games, crafts, and animals of all kinds. Each day your Super Kid will boost their brains and their bodies while developing a love and respect for the animals all around them!

It’s time to set sail for Maui’s Mystical Island explorer’s camp! Magical adventures await campers, as they work together to discover new islands, unlock hidden treasures, learn new skills, and build long-lasting friendships. Each day is filled with fun and creative “hide-n-seek” themed challenges that celebrate strength, courage, and the spirit of adventure. Bring your island vibes and get ready to ride the tides, explorers!

Hold onto your 10-gallon hats, we’re rustlin’ up some rootin’ tootin’ FUN! Do si do on down to The Little Gym and join our friendly partner posse for rodeo relays and trailblazer tumblin’! This Country Western themed evening guarantees your little cowpoke and pals a mighty fine time!

Abracadabra, alakazam, let’s fly to Harry’s School of Magic as fast as you can! Each day will be a truly magical adventure with mysterious obstacles and mazes as the Super Kids practice taking risks and building self-confidence, all while making new friends! It will be a wonderfully wizardly time!

Come in your PJ’s and be ready to PARTY The Little Gym Way! The Super Kids are welcome to wear their pajamas during this outrageously fun adventure! Games, challenges and even some Hip Hop Dance will make this Pajama Party a Quest to remember!

Have you heard of the Mermaid – and Merman – Palace that has been missing at the bottom of the Blue Tumble Sea? This week, the Super Kids embark on incredible “underwater” adventures to find the Missing Palace, making new friends along the way! Who knows what special surprises await!!? Join us as we adventure under the sea!

Welcome to Rainbow Castle Quest camp – an enchanted adventure set in our magical kingdom! Our royal campers will conquer a new quest each day to bring the colors & magic of the rainbow back to the castle to earn their Citizen Kid of the Kingdom patches!

This stellar camp has the Super Campers racing into outer space to complete a quest on a different planet each day. Each camper will experience out of this world adventures as they fly and dodge asteroids, comets and black holes!

Utilizing our campus garden and greenhouse, campers will explore where food comes from by planting seeds, caring for garden beds, and harvesting fresh vegetables and herbs. Children will learn about soil, insects, composting, and the important role nature plays in feeding our communities as they engage in age-appropriate activities, games, and stories. Each day includes time in the garden, creative art projects using natural materials, simple cooking and tasting activities, and plenty of outdoor play. Campers will discover the value of local farms and seasonal foods while building teamwork, curiosity, and confidence. Whether pulling carrots, meeting pollinators, or enjoying a snack made from garden ingredients, children will leave with muddy hands, happy hearts, and a deeper connection to the food on their plate. Field trips may include a visit to Earthdance Farms or New Roots Urban Farm With no camp on Friday, that scheduled swim is moved to Monday, 6/15.

Wear your swimsuit everyday this week! To celebrate the end of summer, we’re diving into a week of splashing fun with our action-packed water-themed session! Each day is filled with exciting games, creative activities, and team relays designed to keep campers cool and engaged. From water and shaving cream filled balloon relays, to sponge tag and obstacle courses, this camp is perfect for kids who love to play and explore. Campers will also enjoy creating water-inspired crafts and participating in group competitions that build teamwork and laughter. Don’t miss this unforgettable week of wet and wild adventures! Field trips may include Slick City or Ultimate Ninjas.

The first day of the camp, we will meet at school to prepare for the overnight portion. We will pull all the necessary gear, fit everyone with PFDs, head to the grocery store and do the shopping together, and generally make sure everyone has what they need before we depart on Tuesday morning. From there, the 4 day/3 night overnight portion of this trip will consist of three non-consecutive days canoeing on the icy cold, spring-fed waters of the upper Current River. The other day will be spent visiting Blue Spring (our favorite swimming hole on the Jack’s Fork River) and Rocky Falls (our favorite waterfall in the area). Each night, we’ll be off the water and staying in a rented lodge on a private, 4-acre lot in the woods that is not too far from the river access points we’ll be using. This lodge/barndominium was designed for large groups and it’s perfect for our needs with multiple hangout spots both inside and out. It also has two showers, beds for all participants, and most importantly, given that it will be mid-July… AIR CONDITIONING!