Campus Life
Summer Programs

Camp Cooper

Camp Cooper is designed to spark the imagination and engage the intellect while offering an equally important dose of fun and physical activity. The hallmarks of Camp Cooper include hands-on and collaborative educational activities, a wide variety of games and play, and small camp groups led by fun and caring counselors.

Camp Cooper Activities

Cooper Connections: Teacher-led academic units reflecting their interests and passions

Counselor Guided Free-Choice Activity: Students may choose from among many activities led by our college-age counselors reflecting their personal interests and passions.

A.M. Alternative Sessions: Half-day morning alternative sessions offered on a wide variety of topics such as chess, drama, STEM, and sports activities. Students in these offerings join camp peers at the lunch period and enjoy the reminder of the Camp Cooper day.

Daily Schedule & Fees (2023)

Price: $240 (Week 1) or $295 (Week 2,3,4,5) plus any A.M. Alternative Sessions and/or Before/After-Camp Care

7:30-8:30 Before-Camp Care ($8 per morning)
8:30-9:00 Arrive at Camp
OPTION 1 ($240 Week 1; $295 Weeks 2,3,4,5) OPTION 2 ($240/$295 plus AM Alternative session fee)
 9:00-10:00   Cooper Connections  9:00-12:00   A.M. Alternative Sessions (M-Th)
10:00-11:00 Cooper Connections
11:00-12:00 Counselor Guided Free-Choice Activity
12:00-1:00 Lunch (students bring Monday - Thursday; Friday lunch is provided)
1:00-3:30 Afternoon Activities (Included)
3:30-5:30 After Camp Care ($15 per afternoon)


AM Alternatives

List of 14 items.

  • Ace Summer Camps: Dance Camp - Week 3

    Fee $70   ·    Rising K-2nd Grades
    Dance camp will be available to boys and girls in grades Kindergarten through second grade. Campers will be taught various dance styles (jazz, hip hop, lyrical) and will learn and review technical dance elements, learn choreography in a variety of styles, participate in dance crafts and the grand finale will be a performance for all parents on Thursday afternoon. Plan to wear comfortable attire that you can move in. Dance shoes are not mandatory and prior dance experience is not necessary as the campers will be divided into groups based on experience level.
     

  • Ace Summer Camps: Dragon Ninja Warrior Camp · Weeks 2 & 4

    Fee $85   ·     Rising 3rd-5th Grades
    You’ve seen the world-wide sensation known as American Ninja Warrior, now it is your turn to take part! This summer let your Ninja skills come alive and be part of the Dragon Ninja Warrior Camp! Each day campers will test their Ninja skills through a variety of physical and mental challenges. Campers will learn new ways to push themselves in a safe, engaging and fun environment; campers will start as kids but leave as Ninjas! And remember past Ninjas, you can use this camp to advance to become a level 2 Ninja! So, sign up now, spots will go fast; we can’t wait to see you!
  • Ace Summer Camps: Superheroes Camp - Week 4

    Fee $70    ·     Rising K-2nd Grades
    Superheroes Camp with ACE Summer Camps
    Week 4 (Mon. 6/20 - Thurs. 6/23)   ·   Fee $85   ·   (K-2)
     
    Superheroes!!!! Assemble!!!   ACE Sports camps invites your little Superhero to a week of fun and adventure as campers will come to camp as kids but leave as superheroes! Each day campers will do a variety of activities focused on living out their Superhero dreams.  Campers will work to create their own Superhero, equipped with a backstory, powers and more! By the end of the week your camper will be your greatest hero ready to protect the world from villains of any type.  Sign up now as spots will go quickly; we hope to see you there, heroes!  
  • Ace Summer Camps: Sports Extravaganza · Weeks 3 & 5

    Fee $85    ·    Rising K-2nd Grades
    Come One, Come All, it’s time to play and have a ball! This summer come out and take part in the Sports Extravaganza Camp! Each day kids will play a variety of games, compete again their fellow campers, and have a ton of fun! Campers will be able to burn off that excess energy in a safe and exciting atmosphere, gaining both physical and mental skills that will keep them sharp and ready for the next sporting season and school year. So, if you want to play games, have fun and better enjoy your summer, then get on out to Sports Extravaganza Camp, we can’t wait to see you.
  • Art Immersion Camp: Your World Through Art · Weeks 4 & 5

    Fee $70    ·    Rising 3rd-5th Grades
    For ages, artists have allowed us a glimpse into their world through their art. This course will encourage our budding artists to do the same – explore and express the world around them. Using a variety of media, our artists will explore multiple themes – bugs, birds, fruits & vegetables, and so much more. Join us for a fun-filled week of exploration and expression.
  • Camp eSTEAAM: From A to Z (Aquariums to Zoos) · Week 5

    Fee $85    ·    Rising K-2nd Grades
    Camp eSTEAAM is a high-energy, hands-on summer program that focuses on the whole child. With a solid foundation in traditional STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concepts, Camp eSTEAAM also encourages physical activity as students connect their classroom learning to the world around them, building confidence in their ability to impact the world they live in, while offering deep technology engagement and significant exposure to language and music.

    Did you know? There are five major types of biomes on earth: aquatic, grassland, forest, desert, and tundra (though some of these biomes can be further divided into more specific categories).
    In "From A to Z (Aquariums to Zoos)", students will design, build, and decorate various biomes for their favorite animals using natural and synthetic sources as we create the ultimate biosphere! We'll take adventures through jungles, oceans, and deserts as we learn about the varied environments on earth and choose the perfect habitat for all of our (plastic) creatures. As a grand finale, we'll put on a show to highlight all we know!
  • Camp eSTEAAM: The (Weird) Science of Slime · Week 2

    Fee $85    ·    Rising K-2nd Grades
    Camp eSTEAAM is a high-energy, hands-on summer program that focuses on the whole child. With a solid foundation in traditional STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concepts, Camp eSTEAAM also encourages physical ACTIVITY as students connect their classroom learning to the world around them, building confidence in their ability to impact the world they live in, while offering deep technology engagement and significant exposure to language and music.
     
    Did you know? Slime is not a solid or a liquid; it's what we call a non-Newtonian fluid. It defies Newton’s Laws on how a material should act under pressure! 
    In "The (Weird) Science of Slime", students will relive the history of slime, explore the atoms, molecules, and overall chemistry of slime, and even learn how to make slime useful for cleaning as they iterate to create the perfect fluffy slime, sensory slime, and galaxy slime using the scientific method. Depending on preferences for malleability, texture, etc., students will experiment with ratios of ingredients to create the ultimate recipe. (Don't worry parents...all slime is quality-controlled to reduce "ickiness" and will be packaged and sealed tightly before leaving campus.)
  • Golf Camp with Sarina Eckhardt · Weeks 3 & 5

    Fee $75    ·    Rising 3rd-5th Grades
    Come tee up with Coach Eckhardt -  She brings the golf course to you!  Beginner and intermediate players will have a blast building their golf skills through fun games and activities while learning rules and etiquette, scoring and proper setup.  She has 10+ years of experience in coaching golf to all ages.  Golf is a game for life, come join the FUN.   
  • Junior Tennis Camp with Coach Del Rio · Week 1 (Tues-Thurs)

    Fee $45  ·  Rising K-2nd Grades
    This camp teaches the fundamental skills of tennis. Players will learn techniques necessary for stroke production, with a strong emphasis on hand-eye coordination, fitness, and skill development. Fun games and drills are used to introduce the game of tennis. Students may bring their own rackets with their names on them. All participants should wear hats, sunscreen, and non-marking rubber-soled shoes.
  • Junior Tennis Camp with Coach Del Rio · Week 2

    Fee $70  ·  Rising 3rd-5th Grades
    This camp teaches the fundamental skills of tennis. Players will learn techniques necessary for stroke production, with a strong emphasis on hand-eye coordination, fitness, and skill development. Fun games and drills are used to introduce the game of tennis. Students may bring their own rackets with their names on them. All participants should wear hats, sunscreen, and non-marking rubber-soled shoes.
  • The Knight School: Chess Camp · Weeks 1 (Tues-Thurs) & 4

    Fee $55/$85  ·  Rising 1st-5th Grades
    The Knight School is the exciting national chess program that has finally perfected the kid-oriented, super-fun chess class! We are very excited to announce that The Knight School will be coming to The John Cooper School for summer camp this year! Our summer programs are the perfect way for kids of all levels (from brand new beginners through highly advanced players) to have a highly developmental experience that will be the highlight of their summer!

    The Knight School invites summer campers to come join the fun as kids learn to love learning, learn that they are unspeakably smart, and learn how to absolutely demolish their parents in chess! Learn more at www.theknightschool.com, or call and chat with our National Director, Dr. Brooks, at 205-746-4952.
  • The Knight School: Chess Camp · Week 2

    Fee $85  ·  Rising Kindergarten
    The Knight School is the exciting national chess program that has finally perfected the kid-oriented, super-fun chess class! We are very excited to announce that The Knight School will be coming to The John Cooper School for summer camp this year! Our summer programs are the perfect way for kids of all levels (from brand new beginners through highly advanced players) to have a highly developmental experience that will be the highlight of their summer!

    The Knight School invites summer campers to come join the fun as kids learn to love learning, learn that they are unspeakably smart, and learn how to absolutely demolish their parents in chess! Learn more at www.theknightschool.com, or call and chat with our National Director, Dr. Brooks, at (205) 746-4952.
  • Visualizing Big Ideas in Mathematics with Amy Jackson · Week 1

    Fee $55  ·  Rising 4th-5th Grades
    Visualize, play and investigate the world of math! We will examine a range of mathematical concepts by exploring them visually while incorporating the practices of curiosity, multiplicity, and productive struggle. Student mathematicians set aside abstract calculations and create their own visual representations to develop a deeper understanding of the “Why” of maths. Concepts will include number sense, patterns in mathematics, shapes, geometry and data science.
  • Young Performer Studio: Drama Camp · Weeks 1 & 4

    Fee $85  ·  Rising 3rd-5th Grades
    Cooper Drama Camp participants will engage in a wide range of acting and storytelling activities, each designed to teach students improvisational, ensemble, and speech skills. Students will develop performance techniques that will follow them through all walks of life. Most importantly though, Drama Camp students will have a ball!!

Calendar

Week 1:  May 30 - June 2
Week 2:  June 5 - June 9
Week 3:  June 12 - June 16
Week 4:  June 19 - June 23
Week 5:  June 26 - June 30

Early Bird Discount

Early Bird Discount: Enjoy a $25 discount per camp session if registered before April 1.

Multi-week Discount: Register any camper for 3 or more sessions and receive $25 off each session. Enter discount code Multi to receive this discount.

CONTACT US

Jay Woodruff

Director of Auxiliary Programs
jwoodruff@johncooper.org

281-367-0900 ext. 2515

From Curiosity to Wisdom
The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. Our mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifetime learners.

The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.