2023 summer camp reviews

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid was disappointed in TIC camp. They didn't do much tech at all, and for the price, that's disappointing. They didnt have enough tech supplies to go around yet sold themselves as a tech camp.

That's really disappointing. Which tech did your kid do?

I am not PP but my kid did digital music the last session of TIC and I don't disagree with the sentiment. He liked robotics last year much better. That said, he had a great time at TIC again... and I was really nervous going in because two friends he did it with last year were not going this year so he was on his own. So I count it as a win even if the tech elements weren't fantastic.

DS is neurotypical but while I wouldn't say he struggles to make friends, he tends to not make much effort to invest in relationships that he knows are short term (this is foreign to me... I want to be friends with everyone... I think it's partly an introvert/extrovert thing). We went to the open house on the last day and I was impressed with the relationships he'd built with other campers and counselors, and the general camp spirit. They do some Color Wars type competition and it seemed like the kids got really into it. He'll likely go back next year and he's talking about being a counselor there when he's old enough.

I had a kid in TIC robotics at the VA site and he had a good time. I didn't hear any complaints about the tech portion, but will note that he was at the bottom of his age bracket. I agree that the kids all seemed very happy and excited at the open house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid was disappointed in TIC camp. They didn't do much tech at all, and for the price, that's disappointing. They didnt have enough tech supplies to go around yet sold themselves as a tech camp.

That's really disappointing. Which tech did your kid do?

I am not PP but my kid did digital music the last session of TIC and I don't disagree with the sentiment. He liked robotics last year much better. That said, he had a great time at TIC again... and I was really nervous going in because two friends he did it with last year were not going this year so he was on his own. So I count it as a win even if the tech elements weren't fantastic.

DS is neurotypical but while I wouldn't say he struggles to make friends, he tends to not make much effort to invest in relationships that he knows are short term (this is foreign to me... I want to be friends with everyone... I think it's partly an introvert/extrovert thing). We went to the open house on the last day and I was impressed with the relationships he'd built with other campers and counselors, and the general camp spirit. They do some Color Wars type competition and it seemed like the kids got really into it. He'll likely go back next year and he's talking about being a counselor there when he's old enough.

I had a kid in TIC robotics at the VA site and he had a good time. I didn't hear any complaints about the tech portion, but will note that he was at the bottom of his age bracket. I agree that the kids all seemed very happy and excited at the open house.

I'm the PP you quoted. My DS was also at the VA site. I forgot to mention that.

[Anonymous]

Just finished five weeks at Baroody Camp (Grace Episcopal location). My 6 yo enjoyed it. It seems well organized and the staff are friendly. The playground is in the shade, which is a huge plus too.

Surprisingly many parents I talked to didn't know Baroody runs summer camps, even though they are a big vendor of after school enrichment in NoVA area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids had a great experience at Lowell this year. I thought they were aging out and this would be our last year, but they want to go back. Great news for my convenience, not so much for my pocketbook.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was anyone at smithsonian camp this year? Would love some reviews

My kid’s doing a week now. Last summer it was her favorite camp which is why we signed up again. It’s less great this year, but I think that’s because the CITs assigned to my kid’s group spend more time flirting with each other than doing things with the kids.

[Anonymous]

Good reviews of Fish & Explore's "Paddle & Explore" kayaking camp for 10-14 year olds. We signed up through Arlington county but they do their own camps.

Also good reviews of girl sccout sleepaway camp (May Flather), and Sportrock Alexandria's Indoor Base camp. DD really loves the 2 week Creative Arts camp through Arlington County but it's a little rigid and it feels like a lot of other kids/families don't like it.

Rising 3rd grade son really ikes Pentagon MMA's camp in S. Arlington but I personally think more than 3-4 weeks would get old (we did 3). Bonus is that they run 8:00-5:00 for no extra fees.

[Anonymous]

My six year hopped off the bus from Bretton woods everyday BEAMING. The day camp is great bc of the swim lessons but I was also hearing about their parallel adventure camp which we’ll probably try for next summer

[Anonymous]

I must give a shout out to CASA at Sheridan school. It was the only camp that has worked for my SN kid (ADHD, mood issues)--likely because of the presence of adult counselors in addition to the typical younger ones. Very flexible and responsive leadership/admins.

[Anonymous]

Fairfax Collegiate - my kids were intensely objecting to the notion of them being signed up for math and writing courses, but they wound up having a really good time, and I think got something out of it.

However, there was NO outdoor recess. All time indoors. Also -- and possibly all of this was the venue (a synagogue) -- there were a lot of restrictions on food. No meat (due to Kosher rules), no peanut butter.

It was overall a good experience, I would definitely use them again, but I would be more inclined to half days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was anyone at smithsonian camp this year? Would love some reviews

My kid’s doing a week now. Last summer it was her favorite camp which is why we signed up again. It’s less great this year, but I think that’s because the CITs assigned to my kid’s group spend more time flirting with each other than doing things with the kids.

My kid did 2 sessions at Smithsonian Camp this summer and really enjoyed both. We plan to do it again next summer.

[Anonymous]

6 yo loved Columbus Club (KOC) camp and Camp kids place. 8 yo also loved camp kids place and Washington sailing camp. Both did Calleva but seemed kind of ehh about it but they loved it in previous years. 8 yo said white water rafting had no current and 6 yo said they didn’t do as much this year (no “cliff” jumping).

[Anonymous]

Third the great summer camp experience at Burgundy Farm!

This year and last we also enjoyed AWLA, Encore Stage & Studio, Baroody, Art League, St. James, Little Theater of Alexandria, SSSAS, Natural Leaders, and Camp Winkler.

We have three kids with different interests and some overlap!

[Anonymous]

My sporty son and his friends (all in middle school) loved Coach Wootten's basketball sleep-away camp! It was a bargain at under $600 (5 days, 4 nights including food), slightly more than I paid for over-crowded "boring" camps hosted by Arlington county.

But we heard the Wootten day camp at St James is so-so and over-crowded.

[Anonymous]

How is the Calleva camp on the VA side that is located at the Madeira school?

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts on Sidwell Summer camp or Lowell summer camp?