Welcome, ECFS families
At ECFS, our philosophy of ethical learning, academic excellence, and progressive education in the classroom extends through our Camp programming.
Our Summer at ECFS (formerly Future Leaders Camp), Week of Discovery: Spring, and Week of Discovery: Summer camps offer comprehensive, interdisciplinary programming that engages campers in academics, athletics, arts, and outdoor adventure.
Summer at ECFS and Week of Discovery: Spring take place at the Fieldston campus in the Bronx, and Week of Discovery: Summer takes place at Ethical Culture in Manhattan.
Registration for Summer at ECFS and Week of Discovery: Spring is open now. Check back soon for more information on registering for Week of Discovery: Summer.
Questions about Camps at ECFS should be directed to Sheyla Ortiz Peña, Director of After School and Auxiliary Programs.
Summer at ECFS
Summer at ECFS inspires curiosity, imagination, and growth through interdisciplinary programming that reflects our core ECFS values.
Monday 6/22–Friday 7/31
Pre-K–8th Grade
Fieldston Campus
Summer at ECFS guides students from Pre-K through 8th Grade through a six-week interdisciplinary program, grounded in hands-on exploration across STEM, sports, arts, nature, and traditional camp activities. Summer at ECFS serves current ECFS students as we focus on strengthening continuity between the school year and the summer experience.
Each week focuses on a new student-designed theme which encourages campers to build, play, and learn through a unique and engaging lens. Students grow, learn, imagine, and collaborate across disciplines, while building bonds in a joyful, inclusive community.
Full session: $5,735
Weekly Session: $990.00
Mission and Philosophy
Our mission is to cultivate a warm, inclusive community where students take risks, explore new ideas, collaborate with peers of all ages, and develop confidence through hands-on discovery. Through rotating weekly themes, campers learn to celebrate their individuality, embrace new challenges, and experience the wonder of learning beyond the school year.
This year’s themes were chosen in collaboration with our student community, reflecting the worlds, ideas, and challenges that pique their curiosity and enliven their imagination. Each week, students will immerse themselves in a new world, exploring a theme through STEM, arts, sports, and classic camp activities.
At its heart, Summer at ECFS is a camp designed for children by children, reflecting their wonder, excitement, and ideas.
Week of Discovery
Week of Discovery: Spring
Monday 3/23–Friday 3/27
Pre-K–5th Grade
Fieldston Campus
Week of Discovery: Spring is a five-day creative experience for Pre-K through 5th grade students focused on art, design, and hands-on exploration. Each year, the camp will feature a unique theme that invites our students to experiment with various materials and artistic techniques, fostering imagination, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Transportation to and from Ethical Culture will be provided for families who fill out the Transportation Inquiry Form.
Week of Discovery: Spring Session: $831.25
Week of Discovery
Monday, 6/15–Thursday, 6/18
Pre-K–5th Grade
Ethical Culture
Check back soon for more information about Week of Discovery: Summer!
A shuttle to and from the Fieldston campus will be provided.
Monday 3/23–Friday 3/27
Pre-K–5th Grade
Fieldston Campus
Week of Discovery: Spring is a five-day creative experience for Pre-K through 5th grade students focused on art, design, and hands-on exploration. Each year, the camp will feature a unique theme that invites our students to experiment with various materials and artistic techniques, fostering imagination, collaboration, and problem-solving.
This year’s Spring Camp theme is inspired by "Beautiful Oops!" by Barney Saltzberg, celebrating creativity, imagination, and the beauty of mistakes. Students will engage in small and large-scale projects through multidisciplinary classes, including woodshop, mixed media, crochet and knitting, and painting, to create our very own ECFS version of "Beautiful Oops!." Throughout the week, students will apply the skills and knowledge they’ve developed during the school year while exploring new forms of creative expression. The program will also feature creative movement sessions, special activities, and daily dress-up themes, culminating in a Family Visiting Day and student art gallery that showcases their projects.
Transportation to and from Ethical Culture will be provided for families who fill out the Transportation Inquiry Form.
Week of Discovery Spring Session: $831.25
Weekly Themes
Week 1 – Monday 6/22–Friday 6/26
Mad Scientist Lab: Slime and Reactions
Campers take on the world of slime as they mix, stretch, fizz, and foam their way through STEM experiments, art projects, and wacky team-building challenges
Week 2 – Monday 6/29–Thursday 7/2
Into the Wild: Nature Adventures
Using the outdoors as a guide, campers will head outdoors to discover hidden wonders and ecosystems, design nature-inspired inventions in our makerspace, and learn hands-on survival skills and nature games.
Week 3 – Monday 7/6–Friday 7/10
Summer Splash: Water Games and Sports
Campers will cool down with a week filled with water relays, pool adventures, and sunny outdoor challenges. When they’re not hitting the pool, they’ll keep busy with aquatic science and creative projects.
Week 4 – Monday 7/13–Friday 7/17
Under the Tent! Where the Magic Begins
This joyful week combines creative performance, STEM magic tricks, illusory art, and acrobatic obstacle courses to create one big ECFS circus! Plus, families are invited into the big top during our Family Visiting Day (open to all Summer at ECFS participants).
Week 5 – Monday 7/20–Friday 7/24
Animal Explorers: Creature Keepers
All animal-loving campers are invited to design creature habitats, meet new animal friends, and enjoy outdoor adventures inspired by wildlife big and small in this playful week of camp.
Week 6 – Monday 7/27–Friday 7/31
ECFS Olympic Games: Closing Ceremony
Campers will close out the summer with a week of Olympic proportions! We’ll design our own flags, participate in friendly competitions, and wrap up the week with an ECFS Field Day.
Financial Assistance
Ethical Culture Fieldston School is committed to providing financial assistance for Summer at ECFS. If you have additional questions after reviewing our Financial Assistance Policies, please reach out to Sheyla Ortiz Peña.
Summer at ECFS Financial Policies
Families utilizing their apportioned financial aid will not initially see the program cost reflect the financial aid contribution upon enrollment. Following enrollment and the deposit, the School will apply financial aid to the account. After financial aid is applied, the remaining balance will be due at 50% by Thursday 3/19/26 with the total balance paid by Friday 6/5/26. Financial aid is not available for the Extended Care Drop-In Program.
Camp Enrollment
Registration for Summer at ECFS opens on Monday 12/15.
Upon enrollment, each family must pay a non-refundable $100.00 registration deposit per child for the full six-week session.Weekly registration will require a $50 deposit per child. This deposit will then be deducted from the cost of the registration. 50% of the total cost is due by Thursday 3/19/26, with the remaining balance due by Friday 6/5/26. Sawyer will automatically charge the remaining balance to the card on file.
We will make every effort to accommodate late registration requests and offer a prorated cost whenever possible. Upon acceptance of late registrations, the School will work with families to design an individualized payment plan based on the enrollment date.
Please note that Extended Care can be added as needed; however, unused Extended Care days cannot be transferred to a different week or camper.
Financial Aid
Families utilizing their apportioned financial aid will not initially see the program cost reflect the financial aid contribution upon enrollment. Following enrollment and the deposit, the School will apply financial aid to the account. After financial aid is applied, the remaining balance will be due at 50% by Thursday 3/19/26 with the total balance paid by Friday 6/5/26. Financial aid is not available for the Extended Care Drop-In Program.
Summer at ECFS Employee Discount
School employees are entitled to a discount of 50% off the total program cost, unless their financial aid allotment exceeds this amount, in which case they will receive the larger discount.
Refund Policy
We understand that circumstances may change, and sometimes adjustments are needed.
| Refund | Refund Amount |
| Up to 3/19/26 | Full refund less deposit |
| Up to 4/6/26 | 75% refund |
| Up to 5/21/26 | 50% refund |
| On or After 5/22/26 | No refund |
Please note that no refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 30 days of the session's start date. Transfers to another camp session may be arranged up to 7 days before your session begins, subject to availability.
Should you need to request a refund, please reach out to Sheyla Ortiz Peña. Please be aware that any materials or resources provided as part of the program are non-refundable, and all refunds are subject to approval.
Transportation
Transportation to and from Manhattan will be available through Super Selby for students enrolled in Summer at ECFS. For more information, please fill the transportation inquiry form.
Sample Daily Schedule
- Early drop-off begins at 8:00 AM with quiet activities and games
- Regular arrival from 8:45-9:00 AM; program begins at 9:00 AM sharp
- Daily rotations include STEM, arts, sports, outdoor play, and traditional camp activities
- Morning and afternoon snacks, rest time, and cool-down periods are built into the day
- Lunch and extended outdoor play are scheduled midday
- Camp day ends at 3:20 PM
- Optional late pick-up offered until 6:00 PM with play-based activities for an additional fee
FAQs
What are camp hours?
Camp hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00am-3:20pm. Early drop-off and extended pick-up are available for an additional fee. Please note, there will be no camp on Friday 7/3 in observance of the holiday.
Are meals provided?
A nut-free lunch and snacks are provided daily.
What should I keep at camp?
Bathing suit, towel for lunch and siesta, hat, sunscreen, and a complete change of clothes (for younger campers).
Questions?
Director of After School and Auxiliary Programs
Sheyla Ortiz Peña
718-329-7262
fieldstonauxprograms@ecfs.org
Week of Discovery
weeksofdiscovery@ecfs.org
Summer at ECFS
718-329-7598
summercamp@ecfs.org
