Did you love the camp(s) your child(ren) attended this summer?

[Anonymous]

Levine was awesome. We went in Westover. Did that two summers, but now he's too old. It is especially good if the parents aren't musical (it is great for music appreciation, which isn't something I can really provide).

We were not in love with Greenway - for all that money, it should have been better. My kid said it was fun, but doesn't want to go back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was not in love with Barrie Day Camp for my 6-year-old. I found the counselors to be too young, inexperienced and punitive. There was very little communication with parents and I had to make repeated calls to get to the bottom of a situation where my daughter was being physically bullied by one of the boys her her group. I also thought that the bus ride did not have enough supervision so there was some bullying--physical and psychological--that she found hard to handle on her own. She's normally a very extroverted, competent kid, but it was asking a lot of her to navigate full days with only a couple of 15-year-olds to provide guidance/support. She could do it, but it was a strain and the counselors weren't always the best influence. Some, of course, were great--but overall I didn't think it was the most positive experience.

My daughter loved the range of activities, but that doesn't compensate for the lack of experienced, adult supervision or communication.

So interesting you felt this way ... I attended Barrie camp 20-some years ago and felt the same way. Despite all the cool activities, was really unhappy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend WIS for very young children. It's a madhouse.

I'd have to disagree with this. My 4 year old attended WIS summer camp this year and loved it!

[Anonymous]

Stone Ridge in Bethesda. Very well organized and well staffed. Good value for the money. My son was in the half day 4 year old program and loved it. we plan on going back next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend WIS for very young children. It's a madhouse.

I'd have to disagree with this. My 4 year old attended WIS summer camp this year and loved it!

While this is second hand, my neighbors children went to WIS summer camp and cried every day. They were miserable. I was a little surprised but not too much because it is a very different environment for many children.

[Anonymous]

Did Beauvoir last summer and it was okay. Not great, not horrible. Okay. My DD was not in love with it and we will not do it again!

[Anonymous]

Our friends loved Barrie last summer for their rising 1st grader.

Anyone know anything about Evergreen or the JCC in Rockville? Also, what about Green Acres?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend WIS for very young children. It's a madhouse.

I'd have to disagree with this. My 4 year old attended WIS summer camp this year and loved it!

My three-year-old attended. Her teachers were terrible and barely even said hello to the children in the morning (they were not affiliated with WIS during the regular school year). And the playground was really chaotic and crowded with a mix of older and younger kids. No one knew my child's name on the playground - there was one aide watching dozens of kids. My child was scared of the older kids.

I guess I felt that no one really cared about my child there, which was sad because she was only three at the time and it was her first introduction to camp.

I wouldn't recommend it. And it doesn't have a great reputation in the neighborhood. I've heard raves about St. Patrick's and NPS' and Little Folks' camps. We'll try one of those next year.

[Anonymous]

My 3yo hated WIS camp. And the swimming lessons had a terrible adult to kid ratio. I went on the first day of lessons to check it out...and ended up in the pool with two kids hanging on to me. We pulled DD out after that. This was a few years ago, but definitely ask questions and see for yourself when it comes to the swimming. Other camps my kids have tried over the years...
Levine: Better for older kids ready for an instrument.
Beauvoir: Good overall for little ones. Excellent swimming instruction.
Holton and Sidwell: Great programs for older kids with many, many choices.
HeadFirst: Excellent staff and program, somewhat crowded.
Imagination Stage: DD's favorite.
NCRC: Low-key and fun for preschoolers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 3yo hated WIS camp. And the swimming lessons had a terrible adult to kid ratio. I went on the first day of lessons to check it out...and ended up in the pool with two kids hanging on to me. We pulled DD out after that. This was a few years ago, but definitely ask questions and see for yourself when it comes to the swimming. Other camps my kids have tried over the years...
Levine: Better for older kids ready for an instrument.
Beauvoir: Good overall for little ones. Excellent swimming instruction.
Holton and Sidwell: Great programs for older kids with many, many choices.
HeadFirst: Excellent staff and program, somewhat crowded.
Imagination Stage: DD's favorite.
NCRC: Low-key and fun for preschoolers.

Could you please give more information about Holton, if you have time? We're thinking of it for a 6-year-old boy. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend WIS for very young children. It's a madhouse.

I'd have to disagree with this. My 4 year old attended WIS summer camp this year and loved it!

My three-year-old attended. Her teachers were terrible and barely even said hello to the children in the morning (they were not affiliated with WIS during the regular school year). And the playground was really chaotic and crowded with a mix of older and younger kids. No one knew my child's name on the playground - there was one aide watching dozens of kids. My child was scared of the older kids.

I guess I felt that no one really cared about my child there, which was sad because she was only three at the time and it was her first introduction to camp.

I wouldn't recommend it. And it doesn't have a great reputation in the neighborhood. I've heard raves about St. Patrick's and NPS' and Little Folks' camps. We'll try one of those next year.

My nephew attended WIS and HATED IT. He was 7 or 8. The "teenage" counselor played dodgeball with the kids and was throwing the ball at their faces. My nephew was hit in the face and was told... "suck it up, this is a man's game!" Needless to say my sister almost went to jail over that whole thing. It was so upsetting. I hated that camp as did everyone in my family. My nephew was miserable and my sister pulled him early.

[Anonymous]

My DD attended a MathTree camp for two weeks and it was horrific. She cried every day and NO ONE told us.

[Anonymous]

Did anybody's kids LIKE their camp? A lot of negative experiences, that is too bad!

[Anonymous]

I'm interested in the following camps and wonder if anyone has experience - good or bad - for a 5 1/2 year old boy -

Landon Camp
Concord Hill Camp
St Patricks Camp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD attended a MathTree camp for two weeks and it was horrific. She cried every day and NO ONE told us.

How old was your DD? After you found out, did she tell you what she disliked about it? We were thinking of this for our DS8. He really likes math and has a real facility for it. His teacher recommended MathTree as a good enrichment camp, but we hadn't heard anything about it from anyone who attended. Could you please describe what made her unhappy with it?