Frequently Asked Questions


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Summer Camp hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Morning Care: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Afternoon Care: 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

General Information for All Camps

Cost: $250 (Summer Sharks)
$325-$425 (Specialty Camps)

Campers will be registered according to the grade they will be entering in the Fall of 2024 (Pre-K 4 - Grade 6). Pre-K 4 students must be 4 years old by September 1.

Camp Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Extended Care is available at an additional cost during the following times:
   • 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. ($25/week)
   • 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. ($50/week)

Camp Office Phone: (904) 641-4166

Register Online


What is the difference between Summer Sharks and Specialty Camp?

Summer Sharksis divided into eight, one-week sessions, so that campers and families can choose the weeks that best fit their schedule. Day Camp will include group games and activities, arts and crafts, swimming, field trips, lunch and a healthy snack..

Specialty Camp is designed to help campers explore new interests and build their skills. We provide specialized options such as dance, robotics, basketball, karate, and more! Each specialty camp will be led by JCDS instructors or local experts. These campers will spend the majority of their day doing activities which are geared toward the topic of their camp, while still enjoying the fun of Day Camp, with activities such as daily swim and play time. Lunch and snacks are provided.

As part of our specialty camp program, we offer 2 "intensive programs" throughout the summer, that focus exclusively on the topic of the camp, and don’t regularly participate in the summer shark activities (swimming, gym, playground, etc.). These camps are: Art Adventures and Camp Spotlight.

Both Day Camp and Specialty Camp utilize the state of the art facilities of Jacksonville Country Day School's campus. This includes classrooms, outdoor spaces, the junior olympic and wading pools, art rooms, and the Smith Center (a multipurpose indoor athletic facility.)

Note: Campers can attend either a Specialty Camp or Day camp each week, but not both in the same week.
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Is camp only open to JCDS students?

No! Attending school at JCDS is not a requirement to attend camp over the summer. Campers at JCDS over the summer come from all over Jacksonville. Some campers even come to us from out-of-state or other countries! Our camp program is designed for students entering Pre-K 4 through those entering 6th grade.
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What is your payment policy?

Each camp session that you register for will require a $75 deposit to secure your space. You may pay the balance in full at the time of registration or over 3 installments. The installment dates are:

• March 1
• April 1
• May 1

Any additional registrations or changes made after May 1 will require full payment. All camps are available as complete one-week sessions, and cannot be prorated into daily rates.
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What is your cancellation policy?

In the event of a cancellation, JCDS Summer Camp will issue a full refund, if made a minimum of 7 days prior to the first day of the camp program. Cancellations under 7 days will require full payment. The only exception to this policy is illness with qualifying documentation. Any further exceptions to the cancellations policy will be made at the sole discretion of camp administration.
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What will my child's day look like?

Campers will be grouped in "cabins" according to age. Each camp group will gather in their cabin or room each morning, and then follow a rotation of instructional time (Specialty only), playground time, gym time, or arts and crafts, lunch, and swimming. Once a week, all Summer Sharks campers will travel on a field trip.
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Will lunch be provided?

Campers will have a daily lunch, with sides of fruits and vegetables. Lunch menus will be sent out prior to the start of each session. A healthy afternoon snack will also be provided once per day. You may however, choose to send a packed lunch and/or additional snacks with your child if this is your preference.
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What should my child bring?

Each camper should bring a bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, and a water bottle. Campers should dress comfortably and plan to be active. Sneakers or tennis shoes are preferred. All items should be labeled with the camper’s name. Children are expected to be responsible for their own belongings, as JCDS is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
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Can my child bring a phone/iPad/tablet/device to camp?

Please do not send your camper with any electronic device, as these typically just become a problem during the camp day. Campers seldom interact with others when able to engage with their favorite device. Electronic devices will be held in the camp office until a parent comes for pick-up. JCDS is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

*Exceptions will be made for specific technology-based programs, which will be communicated to parents in advance.
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How does the swimming program work?

All campers will start their first swim time at JCDS with the lifeguard team for an assessment of swimming abilities. The team will ensure each swimmer is provided the necessary swim aids if required. Time at the pool consists of a mix of aquatic recess or, "free swim", and structured games/activities with the lifeguard teams. Pool time is a scheduled daily activity, but is also weather-dependent. Campers in Specialty camp will have a "free swim" recreational time once a day to enjoy the pool.
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How will I know which cabin my child is in each session?

Cabin or group assignments will be sent out on the Thursday before each session begins. Campers in Summer Sharks will receive a "named" group for each week, and campers in Specialty camp will simply be in a group named the topic of their camp. Example: 1st grade in Summer Sharks will be in the "Rascals" and 3rd grader in Basketball camp will just be assigned to "Basketball."

Please note that cabin assignments may change through the summer to encourage new relationships and provide the best camp experience to all campers. Cabin requests can sometimes be accommodated, and need to be submitted at the time of registration.
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What if I go to register and a session is showing as FULL?

There are times that our camps have more demand that we have capacity. The best remedy is to get signed up as early as possible (Registration opens 2/12). If you do find a program you’re interested in is full, please choose the "waiting list" option for these programs to be considered for a space if one opens up. We rarely make exceptions to capacity to maintain our camper/instructor ratios.
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Do you offer any academic programs?

JCDS Summer Camp offers a great opportunity for academic refresher and preparation through our Specialty camp program. This summer we have preparation programs for 1st and 2nd grade, as well as a variety of reading and phonics programs throughout the summer. Check out each session’s offerings page for more information.
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Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?

Our Summer Staff is an energetic and fun team of individuals, dedicated to creating a great camp experience for your camper. All of our staff receive age specific training, are background checked, and vetted by the camp administration. Our counseling team will spend their day directly supervising campers, and leading them from activity to activity. Camp counselors will also plan in-cabin activities, games, and competitions. Younger counselors will be paired with older, more experienced counselors to give them plenty of support. Many of our instructors for Specialty camps are current or former JCDS staff members. We also utilize expertise from local area partners for certain camps.
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What are your Medical and First Aid procedures?

The Camp Office will employ a qualified staff member to dispense medicine and handle any emergencies that may arise. If your child will need any medications (prescription or over the counter), you must bring the medication to the Camp Office and fill out a medical permission form. All medications must be in their original packaging or, by Florida Law, JCDS cannot dispense the medicine. All medications will remain in the Camp Office with the exception of asthma inhalers and EpiPens.
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What is your Disciplinary Policy?

JCDS reserves the right to remove any camper due to his or her behavior or a parent’s conduct. Any behavior that is determined by camp administrators to be disruptive, detrimental, dangerous to other campers, or interferes with the daily operations of our summer camp will be handled in an appropriate manner. This policy will be exercised at the sole discretion of the camp administration. Any remaining sessions refunds are at the discretion of the camp administration.
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