Many classes are open to the public! Some classes are open ONLY to current or incoming (accepted) St. Margaret's students. Please see each program description for more details.
Yes! There are certain requirements and prerequisites for attending Summer at St. Margaret's.
Students must be fluent in English and able to communicate with teachers, peers and administrators.
Families must familiarize themselves with the school's Mission and Core Values, found HERE and cognizant that the school's mission and core values drive all programming, both during the school and Summer at St. Margaret's.
Registration opens at 7:00 a.m. on February 7 for Early, Lower and Middle School
Registration opens at 7:00 a.m. on April 18 for Upper School
Registration for each camp/class closes one week prior to the first day of the program.
This allows ample time for administrators and teachers to plan prior to the first day of camp.
Please do not wait until the last minute to register for a camp/class as registration may be closed and no exceptions will be made.
Prior to May 1, refunds will be issued as outlined below, for any classes you want to cancel or drop for any reason.
Early, Lower and Middle School programs: a refund will be issued, minus $100, for any classes/camps you cancel/drop.
Upper School Academic classes: a refund will be issued, minus $300, for any classes you cancel/drop.
Upper School Athletic camps: a refund will be issued, minus $100, for any camps you cancel/drop.
To request to cancel/drop a class/camp, email Eva Kammerer at [email protected]
After May 1, no refunds will be issued!
No refunds, prorates or credits will be given for any missed classes.
A full refund will be issued for any classes/camps canceled by Summer at St. Margaret's for any reason.
Grades listed refer to the grade your child will be entering in the Fall of 2024. For example, a Gear Up Grade 4 is for children going into Grade 4 in August/September 2024.
If a camp or class is full, you may place your child on a wait list free of charge. Wait lists are on a first come, first serve basis and you will receive an email if a spot opens. If you still want the spot, payment is due upon receipt of the invoice, and we ask that you inform us as soon as possible if you decline the spot so we can move to the next family on the waitlist.
Early School drop off and pick up is in the Early School building. Parents MUST sign their child in and out every day per state licensing. Parking is in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) lot.
Lower and Middle School drop off and pick up is at the La Novia curb at the front of the school. Enter the drop-off area via the main entrance to the La Novia parking lot. Pull all the way forward in your lane before allowing your child(ren) to exit the vehicle. Lower School students are expected to be able to unbuckle themselves and open their own doors. Lower and Middle school students will walk directly to Chalmers Field to find their camp sign.
Teachers and administrators will be curbside ready to welcome all campers and ensure that they know how to get to their camp for the first several days each week.
Parent Walk-in for LS and MS is available but you must park off-campus in the Calle Arroyo lot on the corner of La Novia and Calle Arroyo and enter through the pedestrian gate on La Novia. Please do not risk walking through the vehicle exit at any time. Once on campus, proceed to Chalmers Field and locate the camp sign.
Upper School drop off is at the La Novia curb unless students drive themselves. Student drivers must park in the designated lot behind the Middle School.
The Health Office, staffed by a Registered Nurse, is located behind the Fountain Courtyard and is open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during summer programs.
Students who are ill, injured, or have a medical concern are seen by the school nurse. Parents are notified of the visit and receive instructions if a student needs further medical attention such as referral to their physician or hospital.
If your child has symptom(s) of fever > 100.4 F, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, headache, fatigue, muscle or body aches, cough, difficulty breathing, or loss of taste or smell, keep them home.
Your child may return to camp once they have met one of the following criteria: symptoms are improving and child is feeling better and can meaningfully participate in camp activities.
If your child has a fever, then they may return to camp once fever free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medications.
When prescribed antibiotics for illness, students must be on antibiotics for a full 24 hours before returning to camp.
Students with undiagnosed rashes, blisters, or draining/pink eye(s) should stay home and are not allowed on campus for the duration of the symptoms, or can return with a physician’s clearance note.
If your child is NOT a St. Margaret’s student, you need to complete the medical information requested as part of your camper’s registration. Please make sure to include any pertinent medical information, such as allergies, asthma, etc. and emergency contact information.
If your child will be attending St. Margaret’s for the 2024-2025 school year (current/returning or incoming/accepted student), update and complete the medical information in the school's Magnus Health online system PRIOR to your student participating in summer programs.
For more details on the Magnus Health system requirements, please refer to the 2024-25 Start of School Guide on the mySMES parent portal, which will go live in early May. Please email [email protected] or call 949-276-5796 with any questions regarding medical requirements for summer programs.
St. Margaret's is a peanut free campus and the Early School is entirely nut free.
Apply sunscreen to your camper every day before camp. Camp staff will not apply sunscreen but if your camper is able to do so, they can reapply it themselves (exception Early School).
Campers will be given plenty of time to rest in the shade. Frequent water breaks and cool-off periods will be incorporated into the daily schedule.
Pack a lunch, snack and water bottle Monday through Thursday and order Hot Lunch for Fridays. If you do not want to order lunch on Fridays, pack a lunch.
Lunch is available for pre-order for Fridays during the summer (except Friday, July 5) for campers in Kindergarten to grade 12 (not for our Early School campers). To pre-order lunch, visit the "Hot Lunch" tab at the top of this page.
Upper School students may leave campus, time permitting, to get lunch or snack.
Middle School and Lower School students must remain on campus at all times.
Water refill stations are available all around campus and students will be reminded to refill their water bottle throughout the day. Be sure to include a lunch and snack that your young child is able to open and manage independently.
Extended Day is available Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and until 4:30 p.m. on Fridays, for students in Kindergarten through Grade 8.
The weekly rate for Extended Day is $100. Register for Extended Day on the Lower and Middle School Exploration Camp OR Gear Up's section.
Extended Day is not available for Early School or Upper School.
Morning care is offered weekly from 7:30 a.m. until camp starts, to those students in an a.m. (morning) camp.
Students are supervised by qualified, trained and screened St. Margaret's teachers and/or members of the Professional Community at all times.
Prior to camp starting, be sure to talk with your child about the fun they will have at camp! The morning of camp, remind your child which camp they will be attending. This makes for a smooth transition from car to camp!
If you are new to St. Margaret's, and want to see campus prior to camp, please contact Eva Kammerer, Interim Director of Extension Programs & Summer at St. Margaret's to set up a tour.
Financial support for Summer at St. Margaret's is offered to St. Margaret's students who received financial support in 2023-2024. To apply for summer school financial support, please email the following information to Melissa Norwood at [email protected]:
Student name
Grade
Class(es) you would like financial support for
If you are are awarded financial support, you will receive a code to enter at registration. Do not register for classes until you have received your award amount and discount code.
If you have any questions about this process, please email Melissa Norwood, Accounts Receivable Specialist at [email protected] for more information.
General questions: Eva Kammerer, Interim Director of Extension Programs & Summer at St. Margaret’s at [email protected]
Early School Camps: Sharon Benedetto, Early School Summer Site Supervisor at [email protected]
Lower and Middle School Exploration Camps & Gear Up’s: David Beshk, Assistant Director of K-8 Exploration & Gear Up's at [email protected]
Upper School Academic Classes: Denise Karlsen, Upper School Registrar at [email protected]
Upper School Athletic Camps: Lori Fava, Director of Athletic Operations at [email protected]
Financial Aid: Melissa Norwood, Accounts Receivable Specialist at [email protected]
Health Office: [email protected]
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
EVA KAMMERER
Interim Director of Extension Programs & Summer at St. Margaret's
949-661-0108 ext. 1419 | [email protected]
AN INDEPENDENT PRESCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 12 COLLEGE-PREPARATORY DAY SCHOOL IN ORANGE COUNTY.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
31641 La Novia Avenue
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949.661.0108
[email protected]