Experience a Summer of Wonder
Summer camp at the Waldorf School of Philadelphia is an engaging, relevant, and connected experience. Our programs are tailored to your child’s stage of development and are open to children ages 3-14. It’s a whole new way to discover the joys of summer.
Summer Wonder Camps: a magical summer for your child
Here on our beautiful campus, a wooded oasis in an urban setting, we focus on a different theme each week. Rooted in celebrations of nature, diverse cultures, and childhood, campers will have the opportunity to create arts and crafts, explore the outdoors, and participate in storytelling, while supported by our experienced staff.
Summer Wonder Camps Overview
Camps are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., five days a week, Monday to Friday. (Exceptions noted in dates for each session.)
Campers need only pack a lunch and water bottle. We’ll take care of the rest! Snacks provided.
Spots are limited and fill quickly!
Payment Terms: Registration is not confirmed until full payment is received. Payment is due at the time of registration.
Good Neighbors Summer Camp Scholarship: As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), we are proud to offer a limited number of need-based scholarships. Learn more about our Good Neighbors Summer Camp Grant.
Refund Policy: We are unable to offer any refunds; however, campers may transfer to an alternate week if space permits, without financial penalty.
summer:garten 2024
Ages 3-6 years
Built on the Waldorf approach to child development, summer:garten provides a nurturing environment that allows the imagination for children ages three to six to unfold at their own pace. summer:garten is led by Waldorf teachers and assistant teachers who are inspired by the special opportunities that the summer season provides for learning and play. Located in our beautiful Early Childhood center, the summer:garten program focuses on one of the four elements each week: earth, air, fire, and water. Guided by our experienced staff, campers create arts and crafts, explore the outdoors, and participate in storytelling.
summer:garten spends most of the day outside in our well-shaded play yards and gardens. Activities include wading pools and water games, climbing trees and outdoor play equipment, circle games, crafts, and story time. For our summer:garteners, rest time is included in the rhythm of the day, and healthy snacks are provided.
Weekly Themes:
Earth: Digging deep with our hands in the soil, campers revel in the muddy majesty of mother earth.
Air: From the gentle breezes under a butterfly’s wings, to the mighty gusts that hold the eagles aloft, campers explore the many surprises of the airy world.
Fire: The warmth of the summer sun invites campers to explore the wonders of fire in nature and cultures from around the world.
Water: Bubbling and splashing, foaming and dashing, Summer:garten is the perfect time for campers to explore the gifts of water.
Children must be three years old by June 1, 2024 and bathroom-independent to attend.
Dates (8 weeks: sign up for one or more)
June 17th - 21st, 2024 (closed June 19th) - Earth
June 24th - 28th, 2024 - Air
July 1st - 5th, 2024 (closed July 4th) - Fire
July 8th - 12th, 2024 - Water
July 15th - 19th, 2024 - Earth
July 22nd - 25th, 2024 - Air
July 29th - August 2nd, 2024 - Fire
August 5th - 9th, 2024 - Water
Summer Wonder Camps 2024 | 1st-8th Graders
Open to campers entering First through Seventh Grades.
Dates (8 weeks: sign up for one week or more!)
June 17th - 21st, 2024 (closed June 19th)
June 24th - 28th, 2024
July 1st - 5th, 2024 (closed July 4th)
July 8th - 12th, 2024
July 15th - 19th, 2024
July 22nd - 26th, 2024
July 29th - August 2nd, 2024
August 5th - 9th, 2024
Grades 3 & 4
Camp Wonder for students in grades 3-4 engages students with the world that is both near and far: from the campus garden to the global community. Guided by our experienced staff, campers create arts and crafts, learn stories, games, and songs, and explore the outdoors – making friends that last well beyond the end of camp season.
Themes:
In the Garden—Come get a little dirty as we get into the garden and care for the bounty of the earth around us.
Around the World—We love Philly, and we love our global community. Come explore our connections to the wider world!
Above the Clouds—Up, up, and away, a world apart, but so close we can picture it. Come explore, come dream, come imagine!
Under the Earth—What’s right beneath our feet? Animals, vegetables, and minerals, there are whole worlds just waiting to be discovered!
Games—Run, jump, and tag your way through the day with a week of fun and games.
Schedule (Grades 3 & 4):
Week 1: June 17-21: Around the World
Week 2: June 24-28: Under the Earth
Week 3: July 1-5: Above the Clouds
Week 4: July 8-12: Games
Week 5: July 15-19: Around the World
Week 6: July 22-26: Under the Earth
Week 7: July 29-Aug. 2: Above the Clouds
Week 8: August 5-9: In the Garden
Grades 1 & 2
Built on the Waldorf approach to child development, Camp Wonder for students in grades 1-2 nurtures the heart, fosters the imagination, and sparks the mind. Camp Wonder is led by Waldorf teachers and assistant teachers who are inspired by the unique opportunities that the summer season provides for learning, fun, and play. Located in and around our beautiful grade school, the summer program guides our youngest grade school campers through the kingdoms of adventure that are all around us: in Fairy Tales, with Animal Friends, Under the Sea, and above us with the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Guided by our experienced staff, campers create arts and crafts, learn stories, games, and songs, and explore the outdoors – making friends that last well beyond the end of camp season.
Weekly Themes (Grades 1 & 2):
June 17-21 (closed June 19th): Fairy Tale Friends
June 24-28: Animal Friends
July 1-5 (closed July 4): Under the Sea
July 8-12: Sun, Moon, and Stars
July 15-19: Fairy Tale Friends
July 22-25: Animal Friends
July 29-August 2: Under the Sea
August 5-9: Sun Moon and Stars
Camp Wonder: Grades 5 - 8
Embark on an adventure this summer at our reimagined summer program, specially designed for students in grades 5-8. Dive into a world of discovery, friendship, and fun as we explore the great outdoors and cultivate new skills. Weekly themes include Musical Theater, Woodwork, Sports Skills, Baking, and Maker Space.
Led by experienced Waldorf faculty, counselors are passionate about nurturing talent and fostering growth. Camp Wonder for Grades 5-8 offers a supportive and inclusive environment where campers can thrive, make lifelong friends, and build essential life skills.
WEEKS 1 & 2 (June 17-21 [closed June 19th] & June 24-28)
Musical Theater Camp with Ms. Rodgers
Arrrrrgh, Ye Mateys! Come sing, dance, act, create costumes and sets, and play some silly theater games as we prepare a performance of Pirates! The Musical! by John Jacobson and Rogers Emerson! We will be preparing this show over two weeks of rollicking musical theater camp on the high seas! Join our beloved Music teacher Ms. Rogers for up to two weeks of Musical Theater Summer Wonder Camp. No experience necessary. Participants of the first week will prepare an adapted presentation and families and friends are invited to the final performance on Friday, June 28. Musical Theater Camp
WEEK 3 (July 1-5 [closed July 4])
Sports Skills Camp with Mr. Myarick
Improve your agility, balance, coordination, speed, power and reaction time with Coach Myarick’s week dedicated to sports skills. Improve your game, strengthen the fundamentals, and build your skills, all while playing some of your favorite games in this week of energy, determination, and effort!
WEEK 4 (July 8-12)
Woodwork Makers Camp with Mr. Rodriguez
Put your hands and hearts to work crafting something useful and beautiful in this week of Woodworking Camp with Mr. Rodriguez. Learn about different hand tools and how to use them to carve, shape, and finish a variety of projects. Students of all skill levels and experience will find the perfect project for them.
WEEK 5 (July 15-19)
Outdoor Skills and Backpacking Camp with Ms. Leary
Have you ever wanted to learn how to set up a tent, build a campfire, or navigate a map? Then this week might be for you. Join Ms. Leary and others in a campus adventure of these essential wilderness skills and community garden stewardship. Perhaps we’ll get to try them out on an overnight camping expedition.
WEEK 6 (July 22-25)
Woodwork Makers Camp with Mr. Rodriguez
Put your hands and hearts to work crafting something useful and beautiful in this week of Woodworking Camp with Mr. Rodriguez. Learn about different hand tools and how to use them to carve, shape, and finish a variety of project ideas. Students of all skill levels and experience will find the perfect project for them. : Wood Work Camp
WEEK 7 (July 29-August 2)
Baking and Cooking Camp with Ms. Mitchell
Anyone love to eat? Join Ms. Mitchell in the kitchen and learn to prepare a delightful variety of delicious plant-based, vegan dishes. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, this week is for you. Ms. Mitchell has mastered the ins and outs of vegan cooking and baking and is thinking of such mouthwatering possibilities as Caesar tofu wraps and baked donuts. You won’t need to pack a lunch for this week of summer fun.
WEEK 8 (August 5-9)
Craft Makers Camp with Ms. Leary and Ms. Raven
Join us for a week of creativity with Ms. Leary and Ms. Raven and enjoy a variety of projects to suit every idea and skill. Unleash your inner artist in whatever form it takes and write, sing, play, and make your way through a wonderful week of variety and fun.