FAQs

To aid you in your decision-making process and help answer your questions about the modifications we’re making, we’ve compiled this handy Q&A.

Where can I find the dates and prices for the JCC Brooklyn Camps?
Please visit our “Big Idea” camp at JCC Brooklyn page to view the dates for the “Big Idea” camp at JCC Brooklyn as well as the fees for the camps.

How can I register my child?
Please visit our registration page where you will be able to log in and follow the prompts to register your child[ren].  Please make sure to register under the “Big Idea Camp”

How can I add weeks to my child’s schedule?
Please email us at camp@jcc-brooklyn.org and we’ll be happy to make any needed changes.

When is the payment due date?
The full payment is due on or before June 1. Full payment is due upon registration or change in schedule after June 1.

What will a typical day be for my child?
Please visit our A Typical Day page to learn more about what your child could expect during their camp day.

What is the group size at the JCC Brooklyn camps?
The ratio of children to staff is 8 campers to 2 counselors per group.

Where is the camp located?
The JCC Brooklyn Summer Camps utilize our Bay Ridge Campus, located inside of the Fort Hamilton Army Base. Our Bay Ridge Campus is a beautiful, gated 177 acre outdoor facility on a country-like campus featuring green grass fields, outdoor pool, private eight-lane bowling alley, movie theater, basketball courts, arcade and cafe on site, and so much more.

Will the camp cancel activities on a rainy day?
The beauty of having a 177 acre campus is that our parents don’t need to worry about taking off from work due to a rainy day. Our Bay Ridge Campus offers plenty of indoor space and we can easily transition most activities indoors to continue on with our campers’ day. The only caveat is that we might need to cancel swimming as our Olympic size pool is outdoors.

Does the camp offer transportation?
We offer bus stop transportation from various neighborhoods in Brownstone Brooklyn: Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Clinton Hill, North Williamsburg, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Ditmas Park, Greenpoint, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, etc. Free transportation is available from JCC-Brooklyn Windsor Terrace 1224 Prospect Ave., and in Bay Ridge from 100th Street and 4th Avenue, 92nd Street & Battery Avenue, 7th Avenue & Poly Place
Please note that for the 2nd week of camp on August 21 – August 25, 2023,  the following stops will be offered:
JCC Brooklyn North Williamsburg- 14 Hope Street
JCC Brooklyn Clinton Hill- 309 Grand Ave
JCC Brooklyn Windsor Terrace- 1224 Prospect Ave- Free Transportation Available
Bay Ridge- 7th Avenue & Poly Place

To view our sample bus stop routes, please visit our Transportation page.

Are there Early Drop off and Late Stay available?
We offer an early drop-off at the  JCC Brooklyn Windsor Terrace [1224 Prospect Ave], at 7:45 AM.
We don’t offer a late stay at our Bay Ridge campus

Can I tour the camp site?
Please visit our Tours page to learn more about our tour and information sessions.

How will lunch and food distribution be handled?
Campers bring a nut-free lunch from home and will eat in the same groups with individual eating spaces in a picnic-style group that adheres according to the Department of Health regulations.

Can my child be placed in the same group as their friend?
Absolutely! There are two ways that this could be done. As you fill out the application, please add the friends’ first and last name[s] into the question for “special requests”. If you’ve already submitted the application, just send us the first and last name[s] of the friend[s] and we’ll ensure to group the campers together.  As groups and weeks fill up fast, we will do our best to accommodate these special requests for later registrations.  The earlier you submit your application and request, the better chance you have of ensuring that your child and their friends are grouped together.  Don’t delay!

What will my child need to bring to camp each day?
Every day, we ask for the campers to bring in the following items: nut free lunch, refillable water bottle, sunscreen, hat, swim suit and a towel and wear closed toe shoes. For our littlest campers, we also advise a full change of clothes, as well.

What facilities does the JCC Brooklyn Day Camp have?

JCC Brooklyn Summer Day Camp’s location and facilities at the Fort Hamilton Army Base in Bay Ridge offer us 177 acres of usable space, which includes sports fields, two outdoor swimming pools, indoor gyms, theater, bowling alley, and bike trails. This amount of space — a rare commodity in Brooklyn — allows us to place campers in groups rotating between indoor and outdoor activities every hour, weather permitting.

Can you please go into detail about your plans for personal protection for campers & staff, sanitization procedures, and medical protocols?
Our top priority remains the safety of our campers and staff. Guidelines are constantly being updated and we will keep families up to date with changes.  In 2023, the following procedures will apply unless otherwise noted in future publications:

Medical form and COVID-19 waivers are required for each participating camper.

Sanitizing and hand-washing stations will be located in all classrooms, field spaces, and active usable camp spaces. Bathrooms will be deep-cleaned frequently with personal attendants on duty to provide cleanliness checks.

What is your mask policy for Summer 2023?

While we are awaiting official guidance from the NYC Department of Health (DOH) on this matter, we anticipate that masks will not be required for campers and staff either indoors or outdoors.

* Please note that these policies are subject to change once further guidance is available from the NYC Dept of Health.

Please keep in mind that our Camp is run on a beautiful 177-acre campus that allows us to maximize time spent outdoors in our separate cohort model!

Will staff and or campers be required to receive the COVID -19 vaccine prior to the start of camp?

The JCC Brooklyn Summer Day Camp strictly adheres to the regulations set forth by the NYC Department of Health. At the moment, the DOH does not require the COVID-19 vaccine. However, as a community organization, we strongly encourage anyone who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to do so.

How will transportation work?
Morning and afternoon transportation will follow the following format:

Camp families will be provided with a list of pre-determined stop locations to select from if interested in utilizing these services. Please note that our stops have been designed to limit the amount of travel time on each highlighted route.

What kind of activities should we expect ?
Having the Bay Ridge Campus as our location allows us to continue our fantastic activities as we bring specialists directly to us! We are putting a keen focus on providing campers with awesome specialty activities led by professionals in their fields. These include the Technological workshop and Unplugged activities that will be outside the computers

Here is the breakdown of all the Technological workshops:
1. Game design

* 3rd grades: KODU Game Lab Workshop:

Programming in a graphical environment.

This workshop is designed for children as young as 9 to learn the basics of programming, with the help of a special graphic software for building experiential games while gaining hands-on experience in computer programming and game design.

* For 4th- 9th grades Roblox Studio:

Experience building computer games using Roblox Studio and create your very own designed game! You will design and shape characters and stages using Roblox software and find out how computer programming can be fun. When you’re done you’ll be able to challenge your friends and family with your own special games.

2. Website Building

Your own personal website – do you already have one? Build your first or better the one you have using the WIX platform. Make your site personal using photos, links and cool backgrounds. All that is left to do when the site is ready is to choose a URL and publish it on the Internet for everyone to see! This can be your favorite fanfic site, recipe site, photo gallery or family collage, advertisement of your favorite product, your very own DIY guide site and much more.

3. YouTube Show

In today’s world where almost every message is conveyed via video clips, this is one of the most important and interesting tools there is. You will take your personal videos of public ones from the internet, trim and refit them out to make a cool and funny filmed story using OpenShot software. You will learn to think of interesting and quality content that will bring viewers to your YouTube channel. You will be able to make ads for your favorite products, your very own versions of movie trailers, funny sketches and much more.

4. Animation Studio

Advance into the magical world of animators. With the help of WickEditor software, you will experience the techniques of creating animated characters, story building, music and effects, and then turn it all into your own original 2D animated video. You can make funny animations about your friends and family, a parody of a story you love, guidance for correct behavior, and more.

5. 3D Modeling

3D effects have become an integral part of almost every industry and you can find them in every new Hollywood movie. Now you too can become a 3D artist! Step into the world of 3D modeling where you will be able to create the models you vision by acquiring professional tools for 3D modeling using Tinkercad software. You will learn how to use light, lighting, textures and materials to create your own realistic model.

6. Graphic Design

Want to become a graphic designer? This is how you do it: Use Photopea to edit and manipulate images and apply awesome effects. Create an amazing image and receive it printed on your very own poster. Learn being a graphic designer – what does it mean? Experience Photopea and AI workspace, Use basic selection tools and advanced selection and Make your ideas reality – create your own design!

7. Mobile app coding

Here is the breakdown of all the Unplugged activities:
Pool
Go Karts
Archery
Gaga Pit
Water Tag
Air Jumper
Water Park
Bowling
Throwing Range
Sports

Do you provide instructional swimming?
We offer our campers Recreational Swimming, where they will have time to enjoy the water with their group friends and their counselors, feel more safe and comfortable in the water and have great experiences

What are the communication procedures?
Communication has always been a key talking point for our programs. Families will be sent up-to-date correspondences whenever a relevant piece of information becomes available.  Our office staff will be on call daily from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. with emergency contact emails provided for outside of standard business hours.

We’d be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Please contact us at camp@jcc-brooklyn.org or 718-407-6377