Philadelphia families can access ESF Camps’ award-winning summer programs at two locations: Friends Select School in Center City and Norwood-Fontbonne Academy in Chestnut Hill.

“We had a number of families over the last 30 years coming from Center City and different parts of Philadelphia that were always saying, ‘Would you ever consider somewhere close to Center City Philadelphia?'” explains Michael Rouse, co-owner of ESF Camps.

The Aspen Institute ranks ESF as the number one camp program nationally. The organization serves campers ages 3 to 16 across 12 locations in six states. See the many other accolades ESF Camps & Experiences have earned over the years.

The MaxJoy Philosophy

ESF’s guiding principle centers on what Rouse calls “MaxJoy” — a framework designed to boost confidence, deepen friendships, help children learn new skills, and ignite positivity.

“ESF is a place where safety is felt, friendships flourish, belonging is celebrated, and skills soar,” Rouse explains. The philosophy emphasizes healthy challenges and progress over perfection. “It’s not a ribbon for everyone. It’s an opportunity where they can earn things and they can grow as a result of that.”

The camp incorporates character development through daily traditions like pep rallies, dance contests, and what ESF calls “catching greatness” — celebrating campers when they demonstrate growth and effort.

Friends Select: Center City’s Summer Campus

ESF launched at Friends Select School in 2024. The partnership formed when Michael Gary, head of Friends Select, reached out after seeing ESF’s work in Hartford, Connecticut.

“It was like love at first sight,” Rouse recalls. “He loved our philosophy.”

The campus features an indoor pool, rooftop outdoor fields, STEM labs, and studios — all at 17th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The location offers unique advantages for city families with easy drop-off access and proximity to museums and cultural institutions.

“It allows us to do everything that we are able to do at all of our ESF sites right there in Center City,” Rouse notes.

Norwood-Fontbonne: ESF’s Chestnut Hill Home

While Friends Select serves as ESF’s Center City location, Norwood-Fontbonne Academy in Chestnut Hill has been part of the ESF family for 36 years. The campus offers a more suburban feel with spacious grounds while remaining within city limits.

As one of ESF’s first sites with deep community roots and a strong alumni base, the location consistently sells out each year. Debbie Russo, who was recommended by the school’s principal 36 years ago, still works with ESF today. “I hired her and she still works with us today,” Rouse says. Debbie is a key member of the leadership team, designing camp programming. She still has an intimate connection supporting the Norwood-Fontbonne community to thrive each and every summer.

All-Adult Staff and Safety Excellence

ESF maintains one of the lowest staff-to-camper ratios in the region with an entirely adult team. Staff members are teachers, graduate or undergraduate students studying education, psychology, nursing, or therapy fields. Every staff member completes 20 hours of training before summer begins.

“All of our staff are adults,” Rouse emphasizes. “We have an internship program with about 15 universities.”

Programs for Every Age and Interest

ESF offers traditional day camps for preschool aged children through elementary and middle school students. Multi-Sports Camp welcomes rising first through ninth graders with exposure to various sports and activities. For families whose children thrive with focused training in a single sport, ESF also offers specialty sports camps including comprehensive intensive programs with the Phillies and 76ers. The key is giving children options that match their interests and developmental readiness.

“We really are trying to give campers that platform where they can go a mile wide or a mile deep in an area of focus,” Rouse explains.

For high school students, ESF runs intensive pre-college programs at the University of Pennsylvania. The five-week pre-med program accepts 104 students from around the world through an application process. “It’s the only program of its kind throughout the world when it comes to this pre-med program for high school students,” Rouse says.

The engineering and computer science programs serves approximately 300 175 students globally. All ESFBoth programs provide what Rouse calls tools for a camper’s “tool belt”—skills they’ll use throughout their lives.

For campers in Kindergarten through 7th grade STEAM camps combine science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through partnerships with organizations like The Franklin Institute. 

Dream Camp Foundation

The ESF Dream Camp Foundation, formalized 30 years ago, provides 300+ to 400 scholarships annually. The Foundation operates through business contributions and partnerships with other organizations.

Rouse reflects, “From day one of starting ESF when I started the camps and extended those first two scholarships, I realized how important it was to build an inclusive camp community – I saw first-hand how impactful it was to every camper.” 

Dream Camp also provides opportunities for ESF alumni to return as mentors and counselors, creating meaningful service experiences for high school students building college applications.

Inclusion and Support

ESF has maintained inclusion programs for children with additional needs at all locations since 1982. Rouse’s sister Christine, who has cerebral palsy, was one of the first campers.

Each child receives an individual assessment to ensure the right match, with support provided when needed. “What makes us different makes us beautiful,” Rouse attributes to his sister’s famous saying that has driven says of ESF’s disability awareness program, which helps young campers learn to communicate and understand differences.

Christine went on to create Acting Without Boundaries (AWB), a free year-round theater program for people with disabilities now in its 21st year.

Two Great Philadelphia Options

Philadelphia families have two excellent options for accessing ESF’s programming. Friends Select School offers a dynamic urban campus in Center City, while Norwood-Fontbonne Academy provides a spacious suburban-style setting in Chestnut Hill.

Both locations deliver the same high-quality ESF experience with all-adult staff, low ratios, swimming, diverse activities, and the MaxJoy philosophy that has made ESF a top-ranked program for 43 years.

The average ESF camper stays with the program for eight to nine years, growing from day camp through specialty programs and eventually pre-college experiences. “We want to give them the tools necessary to be able to be successful in the world,” Rouse explains.

Photos courtesy of ESF Camps & Programs, as seen in the Camp Guide. 

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