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Did you love the camp(s) your child(ren) attended this summer?
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Anonymous
| My 4 YO son absolutely loved Norwood. It had so much energy. His main "teacher" was a 30 something with 4 kids of her own, but he also had 2 counselors in his class who were high school kids. The ratio was 5 to 1. I think the mix is great. He loved the high schoolers (boys and girls). |
Anonymous
|
Hi,
I'm the OP. I'm so excited that this thread is still going strong a year later! 
I'm wondering if anyone has input on Camp Invention at NPS in DC or at CCES in MoCo. Also, any input on a great program in or near Bethesda /North Bethesda area that has swimming for boys but is not overtly "macho" in a Landon type way? My son is a late swimmer (he's 7) and despite many lessons since toddlerhood has never taken to swimming. He doesn't need to love it, but I need to know that he is safe playing in the surf at the beach. I'd like to find a well rounded program that includes swimming and also some science, arts and crafts, singing, etc. Examples of what he likes are St. Columba's (but no swimming) and Audobon Society (but no swimming). Ideas? Lynn |
Anonymous
|
Lynn,
Green Acres fits exactly what you need--we absolutely love it. But it is for 6 weeks (no partial weeks) and isn't cheap. And for the younger grades is difficult to get a spot. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Our two kids had a WONDERFUL experience at Potomac School's "Panther camps" this summer. |
Anonymous
I'd suggest checking out ESF (at Georgetown Prep)-- sounds very much like what you are looking for. |
Anonymous
| Bullis Bulldog Day Camp was a poor experience for my son - investage this camp before enrolling even though it is a "brand" name I had a very poor experience. I wish that I had known that the counselors were high school students who were not trained to take care of young children (in my opinion) AND no full-time professional work experience working with young children. Other camps that I had my old daughter take had professional teachers leading the camps with very young children ( I had positive experiences with the Sidwell and Holton Arms.) Avoid Bullis!!! |
Anonymous
| Our two kids absolutely loved Congressional Camp this summer! |
Anonymous
| My nine year old had a great first sleepaway camp experience at Camp Hidden Meadows in West Virginia. Lots of activities, great counselors, etc. The first thing he said to me when we picked him up was "can I come for two weeks next year?" |
Anonymous
Yes. I would not recommend it. It is run by an overgrown child, his groupies, and a bunch of high school students. |
Anonymous
I just checked out his website. He gives his age as 20. Is that right? I thought the camp was in business for a long time. |
Anonymous
|
I'm posting this in the hope that an administrator from Madeira / Camp Greenway will read it. It's a beautiful campus and the closest thing to sleep-away camp there is without being sleep-away. DC loved the activities but didn't make a single friend -- which is the reason we enrolled in the first place.
Some advice: 1. Pass out the rosters for the campers -- the same way that our schools do -- so that playdates can be arranged. 2. Find a way to have the parents meet each other. 3. Improve communications with parents. Give earlier and more specific warning about theme days. Emails the night before telling us to find funny outfits or props are not appreciated. 4. Don't put the kindergarten-aged kids on the far side of a gym (filled with shrieking excited big kids) -- and then expect them to walk across that big space without a parent or at least a counselor. These little kids are often not used to entering buildings by themselves. Take a look at how local schools handle the arrivals of young kids, and learn. |
Anonymous
|
Another recommendation for Valley Mill, we've done lots of different camps over the years, and nothing comes close. My son comes home dirty and exhausted with a big smile on his face.
I'd love some ideas for less expensive options for the rest of the summer -- I can't do 9 weeks of Valley Mill due to budget constraints. I was thinking of trying Theater Lab, anyone love that? Other suggestions? |
Anonymous
|
Norwood is wonderful for children who are still shy. The camp counselor to child ratio is high. The counselors are trained in the Norwood teaching philosophy. They keep parents updated on activities through blogs daily and weekly blogs, have a parents open house - it keeps us very informed. Counselors responsive and available by phone and email. Nurse very communicative. Very comfortable with safety and children being watched. The pre summer director is very nice, and gives tours even outside scheduled tour. Nice shaded playgrounds for the younger ones and open fields and other playgrounds for other kids. Big gym, out door pool, big art studio.
The only issues were that the director gets very stressed out during carpool (her own admission) and can't be calm with parents when children in waiting lines and carpools that don't match up; counselors could be more proactive about connecting children who don't know other campers from regular school; and my daughter didn't like the swim lessons so much or the cold, dirty locker room floor she had to thread on with bare feet but that is her own particular hang up. They do require 2-3 campers in carpool but give lists in advance. |
Anonymous
| PP, Are you sure you are not describing Green Acres, not Norwood? |
Anonymous
| Norwood has a pool? |