Summer Camp at St. Columba's

[Anonymous]

Does anyone on have experience with the summer camp at St. Columba's in the AU area? Our dd is starting school at St. Columba's in the fall, and we're thinking of signing her up for camp there so she can get used to the place, maybe meet some friends, etc, before school starts. (We're moving to the area from out of town -- don't know anyone in DC.) We're jewish, though, and I noticed that the church runs the camp, rather than the nursery school running it. I'm wondering if it is Christian-oriented or religious in any way.

Any info about the camp -- not just the religious question -- would be greatly appreciated. tia

[Anonymous]

It is Christian oriented, but not overtly. They are full for most levels, but give a call! It is a GREAT camp (hence, there never being any room)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is Christian oriented, but not overtly. They are full for most levels, but give a call! It is a GREAT camp (hence, there never being any room)

OP: Thx so much. Christian as in "it's important to be a good neighbor and a good friend" or Christian as in "jesus christ is your savior"?

[Anonymous]

We're atheists and our kids went there and loved it. It's not religious at all. The camp director is (or used to be when my kids went there) the fabulous Mr. Welsh, who's a kindergarten teacher at Murch. He's absolutely wondeful and so are the counselors. And now I can't get that darn camp song out of my head!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're atheists and our kids went there and loved it. It's not religious at all. The camp director is (or used to be when my kids went there) the fabulous Mr. Welsh, who's a kindergarten teacher at Murch. He's absolutely wondeful and so are the counselors. And now I can't get that darn camp song out of my head!

OP: Soooo helpful. Thx!

[Anonymous]

I emailed a month ago since DD is also starting in the fall ... they were full for 3s then if that's your age group.

[Anonymous]

What are the ages and length of day for the camp?

[Anonymous]

FYI--I did not find that alot of St. Columba's students went to the camp. More St. C's kids go to Teddy Bear Camp, where several of the teachers from St. C's work. Teddy Bear is held at St. Alban's.

St. Columba's Camp doesn't have any St. C's teachers as far as I know--they have alot of TAs from Murch, and perhaps Janney. We sent our DC there last summer and were underwhelmed. He went to a variety of camps and liked St. C's the least. In particular, he did not find the counselors to be very engaging(my translation)--said they just sat on the playground and watched the kids. I have heard great things about Tim Welsh, however, in my exposure to him, he did not seem that engaged with the campers (perhaps just those outside his immediate group), but after the whole time, he never knew my kid's name. FWIW, my son asked not to go back there this summer. By contrast, he loved Teddy Bear Camp.

I doubt there is a strong Jesus is your saviour component to the atmosphere--more like a PP stated--treat your neighbor as yourself sort of thing.

[Anonymous]

Grew up going to that church and got married there 11 years ago. Fabulous, liberal, and just nice people. Sorry not familiar with their camp but if the St. C's identity permeats then I'm sure it's great.