JCC Greater Boston stands with Israel. Find Out More.

Camp Kaleidoscope

JCC Greater Boston’s premier arts and science day camp for campers entering grades K–10. Camp runs from 9am–4pm, with early drop-off and extended-day options available.

Unleash Your Creativity and Imagination!

Experience the ultimate combination of creative arts and excitement with our unique blend of theater, filmmaking, music, culinary, science, sports, games, and outdoor activities in a nurturing and supportive environment.

Our talented staff of artists, performers, and educators will inspire you to explore your emerging interests, build self-confidence, and have a blast. We provide a pluralistic Jewish setting where you can freely express yourself and try new things. Camp Kaleidoscope is a welcoming and inclusive space that embraces all backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs. Join us for an unforgettable summer of growth, fun, and self-discovery at Camp Kaleidoscope!

Summer 2025 Rates and Registration

Stay tuned for more information on Summer 2025 coming soon!

Camp at a Glance

Make the most of your summer with a full day of fun and adventure! With extended-day options, you can start the day early and stay late for even more fun.

  • Regular Camp Hours: 9am–4pm
  • Extended-Day Hours: 8am–6pm

Sessions

June 23–August 15. For eight consecutive weeks each summer, Camp Kaleidoscope offers a variety of activities for youth by creating immersive experiences in performing arts, visual arts, science, sports, and swimming. Our camp curriculum is designed to foster social-emotional skills through extensive enrichment opportunities. Campers develop self-confidence as they are mentored by experts in their chosen specialty focus. Families may register campers entering grades K-10 for two week sessions, with many families choosing to come all eight weeks to get the most out of the camp experience. See session dates below.

Bunks

Join a diverse community of campers and make new friends. Our groups, or “Bunks” are organized by grade and age.

Camp Program

Camp is divided into four Units:

  1. Lower Camp for campers entering grades K-1
  2. Middle Camp for campers entering grades 2-3
  3. Upper Camp for campers entering grades 4-8
  4. Counselors in Training (CIT) for campers entering grades 9-10

Lower Camp features age and developmentally appropriate programming for our youngest campers to explore drama, art, science, sports, and more! With patient, caring counselors as role models, campers make friends and learn new skills in a safe and nurturing environment.

Middle Camp introduces campers to exciting new activities, including Improv, ropes challenge course, cooking, and much more. Campers continue their social development in a fun, active environment.

Upper Camp offers campers the chance to customize their experience by selecting from a full range of electives and special activities. A highlight of every summer is the Upper Camp Musical, with performances on Week 4 and Week 8 of two different, fully staged muscial theater productions. options. Campers who wish to participate in the musical(s) must attend Weeks 1-4 and/or Weeks 5-8, with many campers attending all eight weeks to star in both musicals!

Counselors in Training (CITs) for more information on our Counselors in Training leadership development program, please see CIT section below.

Swimming is a highlight of the program for all ages. Campers make a splash and swim daily. Campers in grades K-4 are offered instructional swim twice a week led by certified instructors at the JCC’s acclaimed Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy. All campers enjoy free swim in our outdoor pool.

Campers celebrate Shabbat every Friday, as well having theme days and special events throughout the summer. Weeks four and eight culminate in the Camp Kaleidoscope arts festival and musical theatre production where campers share performances and exhibits with family and friends.

Daily Schedule

Explore some of our sample daily camp schedules and browse our most recent weekly newsletter to get an idea of all the fun that happens each day at camp.

Daily Activities

Fully-staged musical theater productions, singing and dancing (hip hop, jazz, ballet, modern), music (guitar, percussion, piano, voice), story dramatization, improvisation, scene study, and stage combat.

A group of girls putting on a performance.

Painting and poster art, animation and video production, costumes and fashion, scene design, mosaics, painting, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry making, and crafts.

A boy painting.

Instructional and recreational swim, canoeing, hiking, basketball, gaga, Ultimate Frisbee, tennis, table tennis, kickball, Pillow Polo, challenge course, and fencing.

Kids on a canoe.

Buildings and structures, electricity and magnetism, rockets and kites, nature exploration, geysers, and volcanos. Other activities include cooking and baking, creative writing, knitting, needlework, set design and painting, and tie-dye.

Kids doing a science experiment outdoors.

Arts festivals, carnival, evening activities (grades 6+), daily camper performances, Shabbat celebrations, and visiting artists & performers.

Group of girls putting on a musical performance outdoors.

Rise to the Challenge

CIT Program

Counselors in Training is Camp Kaleidoscope’s leadership development program for campers entering grades 9–10. These future Camp Counselors and community leaders will receive valuable training, including CPR and first aid, event planning, child development, conflict resolution, public speaking skills, and much more. In addition to specialized training, CITs also work alongside Kaleidoscope’s experienced Counselors and Specialists to get real, hands on experience leading camp activities. CITs may opt to pursue a variety of their own interests via various camp electives, activities, and special events, including the option to participate in the popular upper camp musical.
All CITs attend special workshops, lead the camp in community service (tzedakah) projects, and help plan and execute special events and activities. The CIT program is offered at a reduced tuition rate – see dates and rates below.
Counselors jumping in the pool.

JOIN THE FUN WITHOUT THE HASSLE

Transportation

Conveniently located at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC in Newton, we’re dedicated to making it as easy as possible for everyone to get to camp. For a weekly rate of $97.50 per camper, we provide bus transportation from nearby communities, including Cambridge, Brookline, Framingham, Sudbury, Wayland, and Weston.

Bus Overview

Camp Kaleidoscope will operate two buses for Summer 2024, available in full-week increments only. You may sign up for transportation through your CampInTouch account. Bus monitors provide supervision on the bus.

Bus Pick-Up & Drop-Off

  • In the morning, arrive ten minutes before the scheduled departure to camp, as buses will leave at the scheduled time and will not wait for latecomers.
  • In the afternoon, arrive ten minutes ahead of the scheduled arrival from camp, as buses will not wait at their stops, in order to ensure they meet their drop-off times for other stops.
    • When your camper’s designated adult is not present at the drop-off location at the scheduled time, the camper will not be allowed off of the bus. We will make an effort to contact you in order to allow you to pick up your camper from a later stop.
    • A fee of $10 per half hour (or portion thereof) will be assessed after the scheduled arrival time for the last stop, should a bus counselor be required to wait with your camper. Please be mindful of our bus counselors, and arrive on time.
    • With written permission, campers aged ten and older may walk home from their bus stop.
    • Please notify us in writing, by 12pm of the applicable day, regarding any changes to pick-up arrangements, such as if your camper will not be taking the bus on a given day.

FAQs

What Dates Do I Need To Know About in 2024?

  • Jan 4–Feb 1: Sessions/weeks may be dropped or changed, subject to availability.
  • Feb 1: Financial Aid applications due online.
  • After Feb 1: Deposits are not refundable.
  • May 1:
    • Full payment is due, or a payment plan must be in place and no refunds will be issued. You cannot drop weeks after this date.
    • All camp forms are due.
  • June 24: First Day of Camp
  • July 4: There will be no camp on July 4, in celebration of Independence Day.
  • July 18  & August 15 : Arts Festival & Upper Camp Musical

What Should I Bring To Camp?

Packing List

  • Water bottle (labeled)
  • Masks (just in case)
  • Bathing suit, towel, swim cap (first days only)
  • Lunch (Dairy, parve, fish, or vegetarian; or preorder kosher-certified lunch in your CampInTouch account. Please do not bring peanuts, meat, poultry, or shellfish to camp. Lunches brought from home are stored in air-conditioned rooms.)
  • Sunscreen & bug spray
  • Snacks
  • Hat

Clothing
To ensure quick return of any lost items, please label all clothing, water bottles, towels, and bathing suits with your camper’s full name. Additionally, please check the weather forecast and provide appropriate clothing, including secure footwear such as sneakers or sandals (no flip-flops please).

Valuables
To avoid loss or damage, please refrain from sending items of high monetary or sentimental value to camp. Additionally, the use of all electronics, including cell phones and handheld devices, is prohibited.

Sun Safety & Hydration
To ensure their well-being during outdoor activities, children should come to camp with sunscreen applied and a labeled water bottle. Our staff will provide opportunities for reapplying sunscreen, refilling water bottles, and they will encourage regular hydration throughout the day.

What Food Is Provided?

  • All campers are served ice pops in the afternoon.
  • All food supplied by the camp is kosher certified and nut-free.
  • Campers should bring a healthy, peanut-free snack from home every day.

Camp Kaleidoscope offers a variety of individually packaged, healthy lunch options prepared by PLNT Burger. You may preorder from your CampInTouch account choosing options including vegan, kosher and nut free options. Campers are welcome to bring their own dairy, parve, fish, or vegetarian lunches.

All items are kosher-certified and nut-free, and include a dessert of cookie, pastry, or fruit.

Weekly Cost: $59.75/lunch

Monday Only: $11.95/lunch

 

What Are Your Health & Safety Procedures?

Camp Kaleidoscope is staffed by a registered nurse (RN), and a physician is on call. In case of an emergency, the local hospital is less than five miles away from JCC Greater Boston.

Camp Kaleidoscope is in compliance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health policies and is inspected and licensed by the City of Newton Department of Public Health. As part of that relationship, we have been asked to share commonly asked questions about Meningococcal Disease.

Parents may request copies of background checks, health care policies, discipline policies, as well as procedures for filing grievances.

What Are Your Security Procedures?

All visitors must show their JCC pass or ID for admission into the building. Parents, staff and all campers must enter the building through the front entrance and check in at the desk.

Policies

Payments, Cancellations, and Terms & Conditions

    • Payments & Cancellations
      • Camp Kaleidoscope requires a separate deposit for each session or week. The deposit(s) are strictly tied to those specific sessions and/or weeks. A deposit of $75 per week is due upon registration.
      • Sessions or weeks may be dropped or switched, pending availability, without loss of deposit, until February 1.
      • Sessions may not be split in order to drop individual weeks.
      • Payment Dates:
        • After February 1: Deposits are no longer refundable or transferable.
        • February 1–May 1: Sessions may be dropped, and all fees paid will be refunded, except the registration fee and any deposit(s).
        • May 1: Families are financially responsible for all sessions and/or weeks for which they are registered. Any outstanding fees will be collected in accordance with the previously selected payment plan option unless written notice to withdraw/unenroll has been received by May 1.
          • Tuition is non-refundable after May 1. This includes: no refunds for illness, partial sessions/weeks attended, or change of plans.
      • Camp Kaleidoscope does not charge a fee to be on our waitlist. If a camper is waitlisted and a spot opens up, the next camper in line will automatically enrolled, with a deposit charged to the payment method on file and the family will receive notification.
        • Families have one week to decline the spot for a refund of the associated deposit.
        • Families may remove their name from the waitlist by email at any time.
      • Payment of camp tuition may be paid in the following forms:
        • By check
        • By Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
        • By credit card.
          • A convenience fee may apply depending on the method of payment. If you elect to pay by physical check, please note that payment must be received and processed before the installment date, to avoid having that payment charged to the payment method on file.
          • A $25 processing fee will be added to your invoice for any check or EFT returned unpaid, or credit card declined.
      • There are two payment options available at the time of registration:
        • You may pay in two installments (in March and in May)
        • You may pay via a monthly payment plan.
        • You must select your payment option at the time of registration. Any registration after May 1 requires full payment by June 15.

COVID-19

In the event that Camp Kaleidoscope must close your child’s bunk, or all of camp, due to state or local mandate, Camp Kaleidoscope will do our best to fit you into another week, session, or JCC camp program as you prefer. If we are unable to accommodate you, JCC Greater Boston will credit your account for use in a future program.

Financial Aid

Thanks to the support of generous individual and foundation donors, JCC Greater Boston makes every effort to offer financial assistance to campers in need. For more information, or a confidential conversation, please contact us. Applications are due February 1.

Financial aid applications must be made online before February 1, at which time all submitted requests will be reviewed. Requests made after February 1 will be reviewed individually and are dependent upon funds remaining. Awards are not guaranteed year to year or for weeks added after February 1. If you are unable to accept the award, you must submit a written request to either reduce enrollment or withdraw. You must submit this request within two weeks of award notification in order to receive a refund of any deposit(s) connected to the withdrawal.

Additional weeks may be added after the deadline has passed, however, there is no guarantee that the aid will be the same. Financial aid is not transferable between camps.

Campers with Special Needs

Camp Kaleidoscope’s program is designed to be fully inclusive. Campers with special needs participate in all activities and are fully integrated into their age group with their peers. Where necessary, camp may require and help coordinate an Advocate Counselor to provide additional support within the bunk to ensure all campers are fully included. Our Inclusion Coordinator works with our Camp Leadership Team, Camp Counselors, and families to design and facilitate an inclusive environment for each camper. As each camper’s needs are different, the inclusion process and supports provided may differ. Inclusion support can include one or more of the following interventions:   

o    Additional forms, intake calls, and/or meetings with support staff (teachers, aids, other) as part of registration to gather additional information to ensure we are set up for success prior to summer 

o    Check-ins with campers and/or family members as needed  

o    Visual schedules, sensory breaks, and/or other tools  

For more information, email kaleidoscope@jccgb.org.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Attendance & Extended Day

Absence: If your child will be out for the day, please email the camp office at kaleidoscope@jccgb.org or call 617.558.6523.

Pick-Up Policy: Campers will be released to parents/guardians or those listed on your registration form. If your camper will be picked up from camp by anyone else, please let us know. Dashboard cards will be mailed to you to help us recognize your car. Additional cards are available at camp.

Extended Day and Early Drop-Off: Available by the week. Please sign up within your CampInTouch account. We regret that there is no extended day on the last day of camp, August 18.

Drop-Off

Morning drop-off is 8:45–9:00am. Cars drive through the loop, dropping off in designated areas.

Early drop-off is 8–8:45am. Park in the lot and escort your camper or pull up to the drop-off area by the theater, as instructed.

Pick-Up

  • Pickup is at 4:00pm. Be patient – we have a lot of cars driving through. Please do not arrive earlier than 3:50pm. You may park in the lot and walk over, or join the pick-up line.
  • Parents pull up to the curb next to the sidewalk. Campers should not walk through traffic to enter cars. Please follow our staff’s directions to ensure safety at pickup.
  • Dashboard cards will be mailed. Campers are released to drivers with a card; drivers without a card may be asked for ID. Notify the office in advance if your child is going home with someone not on your dismissal list.
  • Extended day is 4-6pm. Park in the lot and walk into the building to meet your child.

Join the Camp Kaleidoscope Team

Coming Soon: Camp Kaleidoscope will be accepting applications for the summer season, 2025. Please use the link below to apply. Preference will be given to those who are able to work all 8 weeks.

Counselor playing with her campers.

Meet the Team

Photo of Matt Steinberg.

Matt Steinberg

Director, Leventhal-Sidman Camps

With over a decade of youth, teen, and camp experience, Matt started his career as a Camp Counselor and Specialist. Matt has developed a variety of innovative and meaningful programs across camping, the arts, sciences, sports, and community engagement. Matt has facilitated Israeli Innovation STEM programming, Outdoor Adventure, BBYO youth groups and teen leadership development programs, sports leagues, young professional networking events, and the annual March of the Living Holocaust education trip to Poland and Israel. With a focus on child development and camper experience, Matt keeps beloved camp traditions strong while introducing exciting activities that build new skills and interests, creating a fun culture where everyone has a chance to shine and build confidence. Matt studied Philosophy and Developmental Psychology at Miami University in Oxford, OH and holds a Master in Business Administration from The Ohio State University.

Taaron Pitino Headshot.

Taaron Pitino

Assistant Director, Camp Kaleidoscope

Taaron brings extensive experience in teaching, therapy, and management to her role at Camp Kaleidoscope. She has been a part of the team since 2011 and has served as assistant director since 2012. Her background includes serving as lead teacher in both integrated and special needs pre-school classrooms, working in private practice as a Greenspan developmental therapist, and managing retail operations. She holds a bachelor’s in English and Jewish studies and a master’s in education and special education, both from Boston University.

Contact Taaron:  kaleidoscope@jccgb.org  617.558.6523

Support Camp Kaleidoscope

Help leave a lasting impact on the thousands of children who participate in JCC Greater Boston’s camping programs during the summer and year-round.

Get in Touch

JCC Camp Kaleidoscope
Leventhal-Sidman JCC
333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459
617.558.6523
kaleidoscope@jccgb.org

We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our website. By closing this banner or interacting with our site, you acknowledge and agree to our Privacy Policy