Campers should be registered for the grade they will enter in Fall 2026.

• Pre-K campers must be 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2026 to participate in Pre-K level camps.
• Mini Cougar (PDO summer camps) should register based on their birthdate. Please visit the Mini Cougar Camp page for specific details.

Yes! We are excited to include various water activities, including swim days at Semones YMCA (dependent on grade level) and water play on campus for the youngest cougars!

Further details are included in the camp descriptions on the registration page.

• Pre-K campers must be potty-trained to participate in Camp Cougar and specialty camps.
• Any 3 year old participating in specialty camps for those aged 3-5 must be potty trained.

We have updated our camp structure to offer only full-day options for Camp Cougar registrants. While you can still sign your camper up for both a morning and afternoon specialty camp, we are no longer able to accommodate half-day Camp Cougar requests (formerly GSES Day Camps). Our school-run day camps have been upgraded to provide a full-day, immersive experience.

You will receive an email each Friday before the camp week begins. This email will provide you with detailed instructions on drop-off/pick-up locations, the check-in process, and what campers need to bring with them. 

Pick-Up: We have two signs to help direct you to the correct location each in a different color. 

• Mini Cougar camps (PDO): White Sign
• All other GSES Summer Program camps (Pre-K - 8th): Red Sign

Early Bird Care: Early Bird drop off begins at 8 a.m.  At 9 a.m. campers will join their morning camps. Please walk your child up for check-in upon arrival on the first day each week.

Extended Care: If your child is registered for Extended Care, they will be escorted safely at the conclusion of their afternoon camp. After-care is available until 5 p.m. 

Pick up after 5 p.m. will result in an additional charge of $5.00 per minute, per child to your credit card on file.

Drop-off will begin 10 minutes before camp begins, EXCEPT on the first day of camp. Check-in for the first day of camp will begin at 8:45 a.m. each week.

You may drive through the carpool line (remain in your vehicle), and our staff will get your camper safely to the check-in tables. If your camper needs help checking themself in, or if your camper has medications, you must park and walk up to check in your camper on the first day of camp.

More information will be included in the welcome-to-camp email sent the week before camp begins. 

• During Weeks 2-10, campers will have an outdoor snack and play break during all morning and afternoon sessions. A nut-free snack will be provided free of charge, but you are welcome to pack your own. 
• Snacks will not be provided Week 1 (Football, Cheer, and Coach Blount Day camps). You must pack a snack for your child if they require one.

If your child is registered to stay all day, please send a lunch with them. We do not provide lunches for campers.

Please remember that we are a nut-sensitive environment, and be mindful when you are packing lunches. We will have lunch and recess daily from 12-1 p.m. 

This does not apply to campers coming for only part of the day. Afternoon specialty campers should eat at home before they arrive. And morning specialty campers will be sent home before lunch. 

Yes, campers should bring a water bottle with their name on it. We have refilling stations around campus, as needed.

If your child has attended a morning specialty camp, your child will eat lunch with the Camp Cougar participants before moving on to their afternoon specialty camp.

We understand plans change, especially in the summer. As such, we offer the following refunds based on request timing:

• The non-refundable enrollment fee of $50 per camp will be retained for all canceled registrations. If a camp is canceled by GSES due to low enrollment or unforseen circumstaces, all fees will be refunded.
• Cancellation requests made prior to May 1, 2026: All camp fees, less the $50 non-refundable enrollment fee, will be refunded.
• Cancellation requests made on or after May 1, 2026, are not eligible for any refund.
• Registrations made on or after May 1, 2026, are not eligible for any refund. 

Please email summer@gsesdallas.org with any refund requests.