Our families come from a wide spectrum of Jewish observance including inter-faith families, families that do not belong to synagogues, day school families and everything in-between. We believe our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Sprout Brooklyn is a community where all children and their families feel welcome and included regardless of their prior Jewish experiences or education.
Approximately 85% of our campers are not Hebrew speakers so your child will be in good company. In addition to the English speaking staff members, we have many American and Israeli counselors mixed in the groups who speak Hebrew throughout the day. Two or three days a week, campers go to a Hebrew activity period where they play games and sing songs in Hebrew. Hebrew is infused into all areas of our camp program such as our group names, activity names, songs and chants. We make sure that Hebrew is accessible to every camper regardless of their familiarity with Hebrew. You will be amazed at how much Hebrew your child will bring home each night!
השפה העברית מהווה חלק מרכזי בתכנית הקייטנה. צוות הקייטנה כולל שליחים ישראלים יוצאי צבא ובני/בנות שנת שירות, בכל קבוצה יש מדריך דובר עברית שמדבר עברית בלבד לאורך כל היום, והמדריכים המקצועיים שלנו כוללים מילים ומושגים בעברית במהלך הפעילויות השונות. כמו כן, אנחנו משתמשים בשפה עברית בפעילות היום- יומית בקייטנה, כמו השימוש בשמות של חיות בעברית כשמות הקבוצות, ושימוש בעברית לשמות הפעילויות השונות. בנוסף לכך, כל קבוצה לוקחת חלק במפגשי ‘עברית ביחד’ 3-4 פעמים בשבוע, בהם החניכים משחקים משחקים ושרים שירים בעברית. באותו זמן, ילדים המדברים עברית שוטפת ייקחו חלק בפעילויות עברית מאתגרות יותר, בהן החניכים לא רק יחשפו לעברית, אלא המדריכים יעודדו אותם לנהל שיחות שלמות בעברית.
Sprout Brooklyn is Kosher and nut-free. Parents must provide meat-free lunches. Lunches are not refrigerated, but are kept in your child’s air-conditioned room. We provide two Kosher snacks daily. Your tuition includes a Kosher pizza lunch on Fridays.
Campers are grouped together with campers in their same grade. Each group is between 14-15 campers depending on the session. Each group has a minimum of 3 counselors that are with them all times in addition to our large senior staff team and wonderful activity specialists.
We have an onsite Health Director to attend to all of our campers health needs. In addition, several members of the leadership team are certified in CPR. Any time campers are off-site, they are accompanied by a staff member certified in CPR.
Yes. Many of our parents are anxious about putting their child on a bus since they haven’t done so before. We find that the bus ride is often a highlight of the day for our younger campers because it makes them feel like a “big kid.” Each bus has at least two bus counselors that are responsible for the well-being of our campers and makes sure that the bus ride is as much fun as all the activities at Sprout Brooklyn. All the bus seats have seat belts and in accordance with New York State law, we provide booster seats for all of our 3 year old campers.
Unfortunately, we do not offer onsite after care. Occasionally, we can connect you with a Sprout Brooklyn staff member who can accompany your child home and care for your child until you arrive. Families arrange all details independently. Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee a placement. If you would like to request after care please send an email to info@sproutbrooklyn.org.
During the summer, parents receive regular emails that include a summary of the days’ activities and important announcements. Camper groups are overseen by Unit Heads who will be your point of contact for the summer. We pride ourselves on our responsiveness and Unit Heads return all emails and calls before they leave camp in the evening. Additionally, our Camp Directors and Social Worker are always available for questions or concerns.
Stay tuned for more information about swimming in 2024. Contact
us to learn more!
In prior summers prior to the on-going COVID pandemic, Our campers swam at the Red Hook Pool which is within walking distance of camp. We have our own cordoned off section of the pool that is designated exclusively for Sprout Brooklyn campers. All campers spend 30 minutes receiving swim instruction and 30 minutes at the kiddie pool where they can splash around, go in the sprinklers and play games. In addition to the Red Hook Pool lifeguards we also have our own lifeguards at both the large pool and the kiddie pool. Our Aquatics Director oversees the swim program and hand picks our lifeguards and swim instructors. Our swim instructors all have a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification and experience teaching children. Campers are evaluated and split into one of four groups based on their swimming level.
Past field trips have included visiting a trampoline park, mini-golf, kayaking, hiking in the South Mountain Reservation and visiting a local chocolate factory. A special experience each summer is when our 4th & 5th graders take an overnight trip to visit our sister sleep-away camp in upstate New York! Campers entering 3rd, 4th and 5th grades go on a field trip each session.
We have at least one special event every week. Previous special events include a Carnival, the Tzofim Friendship Caravan, Maccabiah (Color War), Circus Workshops, Magicians, Acrobats and Concerts.
Young Judaea
