Frequently Asked Questions

q: Where is camp?
a: Summer camp will be held at the John F. Kennedy school in Somerville. This school is located at 5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA, 02144. Vacation week camps are being held at Eitz Chayin in Cambridgeport which is located at 136 Magazine Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138.


q: Where do I send my deposit and application?
a: Camp Kaleidoscope
256 Brookline Street, #2
Cambridge, MA, 02139


q: How do I sign up?
a: You can sign up using our online enrollment form here . If that doesn't work, you can print out a paper application, available here and mail it to the above address. Online applications are easier for us to process. Either way you will need to mail us a deposit ($50/session), and a completed health form (available here ).


q: What sessions still have space?
a: (Answered 6/13/08) Sessions 1, 3, and 4 are closed. These are the weeks of June 23 - 27, July 7 - 11, and July 14 - 18. All other weeks still have room, but are filling up.


q: What is the age range of kids at camp?
a: 6 - 12 years old. Kids that are a little bit outside of that range are welcome too.


q: Do you accept vouchers?
a: Yes, we do! Please get in touch with the Child Care Resource Center if you'd like to use a voucher to pay for camp.


q: I'm interested in financial aid. How does that work?
a: We have an informal financial aid process. We ask for something in writing (email is fine) with the following information:

* Number of adults and children in the family
* Total family income
* A range of prices that you feel is affordable for your family.

We then look at the information you sent us and try to find a fair price that fits in your affordability range. You can email this directly to nagle at mit dot edu or mail it in to our mailing address listed above.


q: How many staff members will there be?
a: We will have 1 counselor for every 5 campers. As we plan to have 50-60 campers per week, we'll have 10-12 counselors. We have posted some bios for new counselors and will continue to do so as we approach summer!


q: Will the kids have time to play outside?
a: Yes! It's really important that kids have ample time to run around and play outside. In general, kids are allowed to go outside to the park whenever they want to - they can always ask a counselor to go out with them. We also play games outside, do projects outside, and take weekly swimming trips.


q: Where do we go swimming?
a: Currently we use the McCrehan pool in Alewife. We usually get there right when it opens at 11 a.m. when it's the emptiest. We also take trips to the beach.


q: Where do we go on field trips?
a: Our field trips take place every Friday, and we go to places like the Science Museum, the Children's Museum, and the Aquarium. We encourage kids to come up with ideas for field trips as well, and also encourage them to figure out as a group where they'd really like to go.


q: How is the safety of the facility?
a: Good. The Kennedy School is a naturally secure site, being a public school. The facility includes a gymnasiuum, cafeteria, auditorium, basketball courts, and playgrounds all on-site. We have 5 large classrooms and access to a computer lab and space for cooking. All of these facilities being at the school means that we'll have a wealth of resources for campers, and that kids will be able to cess all of this within the school's compound, making camp as a whole a very safe and secure space.