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

[Anonymous]

This Summer, my 8 year old daughter has been alternating taking French camp at Alliance Fraincaise in DC ( for three weeks) and a soccer camp run by Kids Pro Soccer at the St. john's College in DC for three weeks. She is very hard to please, and I was fearing putting her into a sport camp, but she is absolutely into it and even asked for more weeks, so that was a success.

[Anonymous]

My kids (and I) hated Beauvoir Camp, but absolutely loved Landon Camp. This was when they were going into first (daughter) and second grade (son). Landon was much more of a traditional summer camp - swimming, archery, sports, friendship bracelets, rah rah fun, etc. Beauvoir was very structured when the kids were in class. One day at pickup ( and the carpool line was awful - 30 minutes wait), my son's camp teacher told me that he was a violent child b/c he had flicked his towel at some kids while at the pool. Another time that summer a friend of mine found my daughter wandering around the Beauvoir halls trying to find her way to class after drop-off - no one walked her to class and she was only 6 and it was the second day of camp.

Other camps we have tried: St. Patrick's - children enjoyed it, lots of art, great swimming instruction, fun projects - baking, etc. (a good camp for younger kids); Calleva - fun, but the kids didn't ask to go back, some bullies on the bus; Headfirst - well run, good instruction, nice counselors who help all kids feel important and included; Sidwell golf and tennis - my don and daughter have done this camp for several years - this year seemed less organized and was the first time my kids said they didn't want to do it again.

[Anonymous]

PP, how many years ago was your experience at Beauvoir? Potomac School Camp lost my son on the wrong bus about 5 years ago, but I eventually got over it.

[Anonymous]

For swimming, try St. Albans swim camp.
For basketball, Headfirst or St. John's High School College
For soccer, Mohan Telfer's camp at Maret (certain weeks are for travel players)

[Anonymous]

For base/softball? RED SOX CAMP AT NORWOOD. Go Red Sox. The campers get to meet Dustin Pedroia. How cool is that?

[Anonymous]

Would not recommend Digital Media Academy as my seven year old was the victim of bullying there. It was such a small class that you would think the instructors and directors would have been quick to put a stop to it but that never happened. He has mild sensory issues so I think he appeared different enough from the other kids. He was also the youngest and smallest child in the class and this made for a perfect target too I suppose. We are currently struggling to have them intervene aggressively to help our child feel safe there. In the science and engineering camp they taught the children how to build a rocket using a soda bottle, assemble a solar power car, etc..He did these when he was five years old yet the average age of the child in that class was around ten. So too simplistic and not challenging enough for any bright kid also.

[Anonymous]

When you staet looking for overnight camps, Rim Rock (all girls) is great. Both DDs have loved it. Horses, canoeing, swimming, art, drama, archery, tennis, rock wall, and all the basic camp songs, etc. Girls choose their schedules and favorite activities. Counselors are consistently wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would not recommend Digital Media Academy as my seven year old was the victim of bullying there. It was such a small class that you would think the instructors and directors would have been quick to put a stop to it but that never happened. He has mild sensory issues so I think he appeared different enough from the other kids. He was also the youngest and smallest child in the class and this made for a perfect target too I suppose. We are currently struggling to have them intervene aggressively to help our child feel safe there. In the science and engineering camp they taught the children how to build a rocket using a soda bottle, assemble a solar power car, etc..He did these when he was five years old yet the average age of the child in that class was around ten. So too simplistic and not challenging enough for any bright kid also.

I'm sorry for your son's experience. Thanks for posting about this as we considered this camp this summer. (I am guessing you're referring to the camp at the GWU location.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would not recommend Digital Media Academy as my seven year old was the victim of bullying there. It was such a small class that you would think the instructors and directors would have been quick to put a stop to it but that never happened. He has mild sensory issues so I think he appeared different enough from the other kids. He was also the youngest and smallest child in the class and this made for a perfect target too I suppose. We are currently struggling to have them intervene aggressively to help our child feel safe there. In the science and engineering camp they taught the children how to build a rocket using a soda bottle, assemble a solar power car, etc..He did these when he was five years old yet the average age of the child in that class was around ten. So too simplistic and not challenging enough for any bright kid also.

I'm sorry for your son's experience. Thanks for posting about this as we considered this camp this summer. (I am guessing you're referring to the camp at the GWU location.)

Thank you. Yes it's the GWU location. We drove all the way from Great Falls to this location. What a disappointment. They looked so terrific on their web site and on the outside. But it's sort of the emperor has no clothes situation.

[Anonymous]

Today was our first day this summer at Congressional and drop off was wonderful. The staff were incredibly welcoming and the campus is lovely. It is extremely well organized. I can't wait to pick the kids up and hear about their days.

[Anonymous]

We just finished a two week session at Camp Achva (JCCNV) and it was fantastic. My little one was in the general camp and did a million great things like art and science, and my older one did a couple of specialty camps that he loved. Plus, he got to swim every day, which is not something most specialty camps offer. Definitely a camp we'll return to.

[Anonymous]

My daughter had a fabulous first day at Acting For Young People's camp at George Mason. Drop-off and pick-up are nuts, but I can live with that if it means that she literally runs into my room at 7am, fully dressed and demanding to know how much longer until we leave for camp.

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Anonymous]

Any comments on Sidwell tennis camps?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If so, please share the name/location of the camp, ages it is best for, and what you loved about it. Hoping to get good ideas for next year while the information is still fresh in everyone's minds. Thanks!

bumping up for summer 2012