Summer Enrichments
Summer will be here before you know it! Keep your children engaged and learning all summer! James River has programs to make learning fun and adventurous for all kinds of kids. Most camps are open to the public. Those marked with a cardinal (
) are for James River students only.
) are for James River students only.Choose your child's summer camp and/or enrichment activities from those listed below and then complete the sign-up by following the link for the camps you choose. Keep in mind that any of the morning, weeklong enrichments may be combined with a week of afternoons in the Summer Day Camp at the Children's Center for a full day of fun and active learning! (An additional fee does apply.)
Eight-week Enrichments
Basketball Open Gym
Players will work on individual skill development in passing, shooting, and ball-handling for 30 minutes, followed by an hour of full-court scrimmaging. Open to boys and girls of all abilities. Purchase a package for all eight sessions for the best deal. Or, choose a package of four sessions to fit around your travel plans.
Players will work on individual skill development in passing, shooting, and ball-handling for 30 minutes, followed by an hour of full-court scrimmaging. Open to boys and girls of all abilities. Purchase a package for all eight sessions for the best deal. Or, choose a package of four sessions to fit around your travel plans.
Instructor: Coach John Gillum
Ages: Rising 5th through rising 8th graders
Dates/Times: Tuesdays, June 10-July 29, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 for all 8 sessions or $45 for 4 sessions. - BUY
Ages: Rising 5th through rising 8th graders
Dates/Times: Tuesdays, June 10-July 29, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 for all 8 sessions or $45 for 4 sessions. - BUY
Summer Day Camp at The Children’s Center
Searching for somewhere to spend those summer days? Look no further! The Children’s Center at James River Day School provides childcare for rising first graders through rising 5th graders. Campers will spend a fun-filled summer taking field trips to local destinations such as Amazement Square, FunQuest, and the movies. Kids can swim or just float around to cool off each week in a nearby swimming pool. In addition, children will enjoy creating crafts, reading books, and playing outside. Each day, children need to bring lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, and a water bottle. Our certified staff will supervise your children. Contact Tatum Laing to apply or for more information. If space is available, children may enroll by the week.
Searching for somewhere to spend those summer days? Look no further! The Children’s Center at James River Day School provides childcare for rising first graders through rising 5th graders. Campers will spend a fun-filled summer taking field trips to local destinations such as Amazement Square, FunQuest, and the movies. Kids can swim or just float around to cool off each week in a nearby swimming pool. In addition, children will enjoy creating crafts, reading books, and playing outside. Each day, children need to bring lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, and a water bottle. Our certified staff will supervise your children. Contact Tatum Laing to apply or for more information. If space is available, children may enroll by the week.
Director: Tatum Laing
Grades: rising 1st graders to rising 5th grade
Dates/Times: Monday - Friday, June 9-August 1, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $2000 for the 8 weeks or $300 per week (for prearranged weeks); activities and field trips are included.
Grades: rising 1st graders to rising 5th grade
Dates/Times: Monday - Friday, June 9-August 1, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $2000 for the 8 weeks or $300 per week (for prearranged weeks); activities and field trips are included.
To sign up or learn more, go to https://jrds.school/apps/pages/2025-summer-day-camp.
Weeklong Enrichments in June
Magical Fairy Tales
Bring the magic of your most treasured fairy tales to life while creating some mystical creatures, building masterpieces, and concocting your potions! Students will compare and contrast fairy tales while engaging in STEAM activities. Yummy snacks for each tale will be incorporated into the magic! 2nd and 3rd graders can combine this camp with Youth Pottery and Supervised Lunch/Recess for a full day of fun all week.
Bring the magic of your most treasured fairy tales to life while creating some mystical creatures, building masterpieces, and concocting your potions! Students will compare and contrast fairy tales while engaging in STEAM activities. Yummy snacks for each tale will be incorporated into the magic! 2nd and 3rd graders can combine this camp with Youth Pottery and Supervised Lunch/Recess for a full day of fun all week.
Instructor: Betsy Layne
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 3rd graders
Dates: June 16-20
Times: 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Cost: $175 - BUY
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 3rd graders
Dates: June 16-20
Times: 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Cost: $175 - BUY
Supervised Lunch/Recess for June 16-20
Choose this option to hang with Mrs. Layne between Magical Fairy Tales and Youth Pottery. Open for 2nd and 3rd grade. After lunch, your child will have a recess.
Instructor: Betsy Layne
Grades: Rising 2nd through rising 3rd graders
Dates: June 16-20
Times: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cost: $25 - BUY
Youth Pottery
This camp is a jump start into the art of clay. Students will learn clay techniques through guided projects that have plenty of room for creative interpretations. We will use our imaginations as a starting place to make fantastic sculptural creations. Combine this camp with Magical Fairy Tales and Supervised Lunch/Recess for a full day of fun all week.
This camp is a jump start into the art of clay. Students will learn clay techniques through guided projects that have plenty of room for creative interpretations. We will use our imaginations as a starting place to make fantastic sculptural creations. Combine this camp with Magical Fairy Tales and Supervised Lunch/Recess for a full day of fun all week.
Instructor: Ashley Felder
Grades: Rising 2nd through rising 4th graders
Dates: June 16-20
Times: 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $175 - BUY
Grades: Rising 2nd through rising 4th graders
Dates: June 16-20
Times: 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $175 - BUY
Art Adventures
Join Dr. Hellewell for some Art Adventures! Work with new materials and try unusual techniques. Explore painting, sculpture, printmaking, and more. Projects will allow for individual expression and a chance to be creative. Combine with Let Kids Grow Through Play and Supervised Lunch/Recess for a full day of fun all week.
Join Dr. Hellewell for some Art Adventures! Work with new materials and try unusual techniques. Explore painting, sculpture, printmaking, and more. Projects will allow for individual expression and a chance to be creative. Combine with Let Kids Grow Through Play and Supervised Lunch/Recess for a full day of fun all week.
Instructor: Sarah Hellewell
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 5th graders
Dates: June 23 - 27
Times: 9:00 - 11:30 am
Cost: $175 - BUY
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 5th graders
Dates: June 23 - 27
Times: 9:00 - 11:30 am
Cost: $175 - BUY
Supervised Lunch/Recess for June 23-27
Choose this option to hang with Mrs. Layne between Art Adventures and Let Kids Grow Through Play. After lunch, your child will have recess.
Choose this option to hang with Mrs. Layne between Art Adventures and Let Kids Grow Through Play. After lunch, your child will have recess.
Instructor: Betsy Layne
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 5rd graders
Dates: June 23-27
Times: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cost: $25 - BUY
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 5rd graders
Dates: June 23-27
Times: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cost: $25 - BUY
Let Kids Grow through Play
Children will relive the joy of summer through play, inspired by the "Let Grow" movement and a recent visit from author Lenore Skenazy. They will engage in various activities to foster independence, perseverance, and problem-solving. We will bring back classic games such as scavenger hunts, capture-the-flag, creating forts, board games, nature walks, and independence challenges. As a culminating activity, we will walk to May Lynns on Friday and enjoy a fun summer treat. Combine with Art Adventures camp and Supervised Lunch/Recess for a full day of fun all week.
Children will relive the joy of summer through play, inspired by the "Let Grow" movement and a recent visit from author Lenore Skenazy. They will engage in various activities to foster independence, perseverance, and problem-solving. We will bring back classic games such as scavenger hunts, capture-the-flag, creating forts, board games, nature walks, and independence challenges. As a culminating activity, we will walk to May Lynns on Friday and enjoy a fun summer treat. Combine with Art Adventures camp and Supervised Lunch/Recess for a full day of fun all week.
Instructor: Betsy Layne
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 5th graders
Dates: June 23-27
Times: 12:30 - 3:00 pm
Cost: $175 - BUY
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 5th graders
Dates: June 23-27
Times: 12:30 - 3:00 pm
Cost: $175 - BUY
Beyond Textbooks! – a STEM Camp
This hands-on camp, designed for grades 5-8, brings science to life through interactive activities – from harnessing solar energy to uncovering the wonders of chemical reactions. Led by Mrs. Webster, an educator with over 20 years of teaching science, campers will explore life, physical, and earth sciences while building problem-solving and critical thinking skills. It’s a camp filled with fun, discovery, and a deeper appreciation for the world around you! Don’t miss this chance to ignite your curiosity and explore the fascinating world of science!
This hands-on camp, designed for grades 5-8, brings science to life through interactive activities – from harnessing solar energy to uncovering the wonders of chemical reactions. Led by Mrs. Webster, an educator with over 20 years of teaching science, campers will explore life, physical, and earth sciences while building problem-solving and critical thinking skills. It’s a camp filled with fun, discovery, and a deeper appreciation for the world around you! Don’t miss this chance to ignite your curiosity and explore the fascinating world of science!
Instructor: Cindy Webster
Grades: Rising 5th through rising 8th graders
Dates: June 23-27
Times: 9:00am - 11:30am
Grades: Rising 5th through rising 8th graders
Dates: June 23-27
Times: 9:00am - 11:30am
Location: Science Lab
Cost: $175 - BUY
Cost: $175 - BUY
Weeklong Enrichments in July
Summer Stories & STEAM
What do watermelon, lemonade, bubbles, nature, and water balloons all have in common? Come, explore and find out at the Summer, Stories, and STEAM camp! Each day will have a summer-related theme starting with a story and then conquering a correlating STEAM or art project. This is an ideal summer camp for those who love to expand their thinking and create in the classroom. When applicable, some taste testing may be involved.
What do watermelon, lemonade, bubbles, nature, and water balloons all have in common? Come, explore and find out at the Summer, Stories, and STEAM camp! Each day will have a summer-related theme starting with a story and then conquering a correlating STEAM or art project. This is an ideal summer camp for those who love to expand their thinking and create in the classroom. When applicable, some taste testing may be involved.
Instructor: Hollyday Marks
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 4th graders
Dates: July 7-11
Times: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Mrs. Marks' Room
Cost: $175 - BUY
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 4th graders
Dates: July 7-11
Times: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Mrs. Marks' Room
Cost: $175 - BUY
Afternoon in the Summer Day Camp for July 7-11
Rising first through fourth graders registered for Summer Stories & STEAM or rising fifth graders registered for Middle School Pottery may also spend the afternoon (11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) in the Summer Day Camp for the week of July 7-11. Cost: $125 - BUY
Middle School Pottery
This camp will have a combination of guided projects and independently designed projects. Open to beginner and intermediate potters. This is perfect for campers who want to explore the magic of clay and have ideas they want to bring to life.
This camp will have a combination of guided projects and independently designed projects. Open to beginner and intermediate potters. This is perfect for campers who want to explore the magic of clay and have ideas they want to bring to life.
Instructor: Ashley Felder
Grades: Rising 5th through rising 8th graders
Dates: July 7-11
Times: 9:00 - 11:30 AM
Location: Pottery Studio
Cost: $175 - BUY
Grades: Rising 5th through rising 8th graders
Dates: July 7-11
Times: 9:00 - 11:30 AM
Location: Pottery Studio
Cost: $175 - BUY
LEGO STEAM
Come enjoy a full day of LEGO fun with Mrs. Klein! This full-day camp will utilize LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential kits to get students excited about hands-on STEAM learning. Students will build, code, and learn together while also having two recess/snack breaks and a break for lunch. This playful, narrative-based learning experience is part of the LEGO Learning System and encourages students to investigate STEAM concepts while contributing to literacy, math, and social-emotional development. The SPIKE™ App, featuring age-appropriate icon- and word-based coding based on Scratch, helps develop student coding skills. Students will investigate the scientific concepts of energy, energy transfer, and collision all while having fun! If your child has already attended a LEGO STEAM program, don’t worry, with over 60 building and coding challenges per kit, your child will stay challenged and engaged!
Come enjoy a full day of LEGO fun with Mrs. Klein! This full-day camp will utilize LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential kits to get students excited about hands-on STEAM learning. Students will build, code, and learn together while also having two recess/snack breaks and a break for lunch. This playful, narrative-based learning experience is part of the LEGO Learning System and encourages students to investigate STEAM concepts while contributing to literacy, math, and social-emotional development. The SPIKE™ App, featuring age-appropriate icon- and word-based coding based on Scratch, helps develop student coding skills. Students will investigate the scientific concepts of energy, energy transfer, and collision all while having fun! If your child has already attended a LEGO STEAM program, don’t worry, with over 60 building and coding challenges per kit, your child will stay challenged and engaged!
Instructor: Lindsay Klein
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 5th graders
Dates: July 14-18, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 5th graders
Dates: July 14-18, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Steam Lab
Cost: $300 - BUY
Cost: $300 - BUY
Cardinal CampoutJoin us for a campout on the JRDS athletic field! Festivities will depend on group interest and with access to both the Fieldhouse and the outdoor athletic field, there are plenty of options. Activities could include PE games like Castleball, kickball, basketball, soccer, and Four Square. Evening activities could include a movie, flashlight tag, and/or board games. And, of course, no campout is complete without a campfire and smores! A pizza dinner and a variety of options for breakfast are included. Students are responsible for bringing their own tents, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags. A limited number of tents and sleeping pads are available to rent. Contact John Gillum ahead of time to secure them. Students can choose their tent groups, so make plans with a few friends and share a tent for this one-of-a-kind summer event! Open to James River students only.
Instructors: Coach John Gillum, Tasha Gillum, and Casey Eccles
Grades: Rising 4th through rising 7th graders
Dates: July 19-20
Times: Saturday, July 19, 5:00 p.m. to Sunday, July 20, 9:30 a.m.
Cost: $150 - BUY
Grades: Rising 4th through rising 7th graders
Dates: July 19-20
Times: Saturday, July 19, 5:00 p.m. to Sunday, July 20, 9:30 a.m.
Cost: $150 - BUY
Outdoor Ramblers
It’s time to unplug and get outside with nature enthusiasts John and Tasha Gillum. Campers will embark on a different adventure each day: hiking the Appalachian Trail, playing in creeks, picking blackberries on a farm, canoeing on a lake, swimming at Miller Park Pool, and climbing at Rise Up, are just a sampling of the activities we have planned. This is the way summer should be! All rental fees are included. Transportation is provided on a mini-bus as we ramble from one adventure to another. Drop-off and pick-up will be at James River Day School. Parents will receive an email with details before the start of the camp. This camp is a proven winner with kids. Don’t delay. It will sell out!
It’s time to unplug and get outside with nature enthusiasts John and Tasha Gillum. Campers will embark on a different adventure each day: hiking the Appalachian Trail, playing in creeks, picking blackberries on a farm, canoeing on a lake, swimming at Miller Park Pool, and climbing at Rise Up, are just a sampling of the activities we have planned. This is the way summer should be! All rental fees are included. Transportation is provided on a mini-bus as we ramble from one adventure to another. Drop-off and pick-up will be at James River Day School. Parents will receive an email with details before the start of the camp. This camp is a proven winner with kids. Don’t delay. It will sell out!
Instructors: Coach John Gillum and Tasha Gillum
Grades: Rising 3rd through rising 5th graders
Dates: July 21-25.
Times: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $350 - BUY
Grades: Rising 3rd through rising 5th graders
Dates: July 21-25.
Times: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $350 - BUY
Weeklong Enrichments in August
Beyond Worksheets – a STEM Adventure Camp!
This fun and interactive camp, designed for grades 1-3, is packed with hands-on activities that introduce young explorers to the exciting world of science. From creating simple machines to discovering the magic of magnets, campers will dive into life science, basic physics, and fun experiments. Led by Mrs. Webster, an educator with over 20 years of teaching science, this camp helps kids develop curiosity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills while having a blast! Don’t miss out on this chance to spark a lifelong love of science!
This fun and interactive camp, designed for grades 1-3, is packed with hands-on activities that introduce young explorers to the exciting world of science. From creating simple machines to discovering the magic of magnets, campers will dive into life science, basic physics, and fun experiments. Led by Mrs. Webster, an educator with over 20 years of teaching science, this camp helps kids develop curiosity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills while having a blast! Don’t miss out on this chance to spark a lifelong love of science!
Instructor: Mrs. Webster
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 3rd graders
Dates: August 4-8
Times: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: STEAM Lab / Art Room
Cost: $175 - BUY
Grades: Rising 1st through rising 3rd graders
Dates: August 4-8
Times: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: STEAM Lab / Art Room
Cost: $175 - BUY
Sports Camp
If you love PE and sports, this is your camp! The focus of this camp will be on gameplay and fun. Each day, we will play three different sports with a little break between each sport. Soccer, basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, and pickleball are just a few of the sports we will play. In addition, we will throw in some classic PE games such as castle flag, colony ball, and capture the flag.
Instructor: John Gillum
Ages: Rising 5th through rising 8th graders
Dates/Times: August 4-8, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $175 - BUY
Cost: $175 - BUY
Volleyball Skills Week
Players will work on individual skill development in serving, passing, setting, and spiking. They will learn court rotations and defensive skills and have scrimmage time each day in this fun camp!
Instructor: Casey Eccles
Ages: Rising 5th through 8th graders
Dates/Time: August 4-8, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $100 - BUY
Cost: $100 - BUY
Kindergarten Readiness CampWe all love to preview a movie before watching it, right? Let your rising kindergartener preview life as a student at JRDS, and we will ease the transition into their first year of school!
We will start each day with the carpool drop-off. Once in the classroom, children will practice their new routine of hanging up backpacks and washing hands. They'll spend time exploring their classrooms and bonding with their teachers and fellow students. We'll read, sing, and try out a few readiness skills (writing, counting, etc.). Hands-on and whole-body movements through climbing and swinging on our playset, exploring the campus nature trail, and creating crafts and projects will keep us busy, plus we'll scout out all of their “specials” classrooms: the art room, the music room, the Spanish room, the library, and the gym. At lunchtime, we'll eat in the Cardinal Cafe. Please pack your child's lunch each day, so we can practice sitting at the lunch tables and opening lunch containers. At the end of the morning, there will be a quick pack-up of their belongings, then outside to the front of the school for pick up!
We are so excited to host our newest JRDS kindergarten students. It will be a fun, exciting, and informative week!
Instructors: Carly Lawrence and Michelle Lucado
Ages: Rising James River Kindergarteners
Dates/Times: August 4-8, 9:00 to 11:45 a.m. Please pack one snack, lunch, and a water bottle each day (labeled with the student's name).
Cost: $175 - BUY
Cost: $175 - BUY
One-Room SchoolhouseOne of the most popular and long-running programs at James River Day School, our iconic One-Room Schoolhouse offers students unique and specialized instruction in math, grammar, and world language, with a strong focus on organization and study skills. Designed to ease the transition into the upcoming school year, the program furnishes students with an academic jump-start by providing them with individualized lessons and differentiated instruction in the school's core curriculum areas, plus extra assistance for students who need a little help getting it all together. Students get all set up and ready to go -- from their cubbies and lockers to their new schedules. Help your student transition smoothly into a new school year by signing up for this program with its proven track record!
Instructors: A talented team of James River Day School’s expert educators
Ages: Rising 1st through rising 8th graders (James River students only)
Dates/Time: Monday through Wednesday, August 11-13, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $185 for returning students and FREE to NEW James River students! - REGISTER
Cancellation Policy
If you should need to cancel your child's participation in one of James River's summer enrichment programs, please notify the school as soon as possible by emailing Emily Campbell, our business office manager, at [email protected]. Cancellation requests received two weeks or more before the start date of the affected program(s) may be refunded. Cancellation requests received less than two weeks before the start date of the affected program will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If the school determines an enrichment must be canceled, those affected will be refunded.
If you should need to cancel your child's participation in one of James River's summer enrichment programs, please notify the school as soon as possible by emailing Emily Campbell, our business office manager, at [email protected]. Cancellation requests received two weeks or more before the start date of the affected program(s) may be refunded. Cancellation requests received less than two weeks before the start date of the affected program will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If the school determines an enrichment must be canceled, those affected will be refunded.