St. James Summer Camps

[Anonymous]

Thinking about enrolling my 10yo in the adventure and gaming and swimming camp at the St. James. There are some mixed reviews but can anyone share their experiences? Also if anyones kid got the lunch plan, would like to know what are the meals?

My son went to a birthday party there a few months ago and was obsessed!

[Anonymous]

What on earth is "the St. James"?

[Anonymous]

For the pp:
https://www.thestjames.com/

[Anonymous]

My 12yo did the summer camps and was not impressed. Big herds of kids lightly watched by teens. I wish it had been better but we are not going back.

[Anonymous]

there are so many excellent camps, why would you go to what is essentially a creche for a private health club?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 12yo did the summer camps and was not impressed. Big herds of kids lightly watched by teens. I wish it had been better but we are not going back.

Yeah a lot of complaints like this about their camps last year on my local FB page.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:there are so many excellent camps, why would you go to what is essentially a creche for a private health club?

They have fantastic indoor sports facilities, which is nice when it’s 95 degrees and 90% humidity outside. My kid hit a week like this for outdoor sports camp last summer and was pretty miserable. Disappointing to hear the level of instruction is poor.

[Anonymous]

All drills, no fun. Turned DC off a sport that was a great fit. Looking elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

there are so many excellent camps, why would you go to what is essentially a creche for a private health club?

My kid is older and wants to do some sports day camps. He is old enough that he could probably work out at some private health clubs (don't know about the St. James' rules, our gym is 13 and up with a parent).

[Anonymous]

I wasn't impressed, and my kids have no interest in returning. i think it might only be ok for older, much more independent kids. mine were 9 and 7 and normally totally fine. Drop off was particularly overwhelming cause of huge crowds of kids just sitting, waiting. Very little interaction with the staff/counselors etc.

[Anonymous]

My kids love adventure and gaming. They went for the December break camp and said the format was much better - more structure and rotation among activities. We don't do the meals because they are insanely expensive but I bet they are pretty good. Agree the drop-off is chaotic, but as long as your kids know the plan for pick-up, it doesn't seem to bother mine.

[Anonymous]

Adding the swimming camp was INTENSE - it's not a "learn to swim" situation but really more like a swim team practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Adding the swimming camp was INTENSE - it's not a "learn to swim" situation but really more like a swim team practice.

Would love to hear details on any other sports camps in Fairfax County that are "intense."

I have an 11yo who would love that!

[Anonymous]

Don't do it. I signed my son up for the camp on June 2. Today (only 2 weeks later), I realized we had a conflict and called to cancel. However, because I didn't cancel before May 15, I got no refund, no partial refund, no camp credit. Nothing. I tried to talk to a supervisor, because I signed up after May 15 -- how could I cancel before May 15? The camp was over a month away (late July). They offer absolutely no assistance. My son hated their basketball camp last summer, but I was going to give it another try -- especially their basketball programs. But after this debacle and insistence that I needed to cancel my registration before I even made it -- we are no longer going there ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't do it. I signed my son up for the camp on June 2. Today (only 2 weeks later), I realized we had a conflict and called to cancel. However, because I didn't cancel before May 15, I got no refund, no partial refund, no camp credit. Nothing. I tried to talk to a supervisor, because I signed up after May 15 -- how could I cancel before May 15? The camp was over a month away (late July). They offer absolutely no assistance. My son hated their basketball camp last summer, but I was going to give it another try -- especially their basketball programs. But after this debacle and insistence that I needed to cancel my registration before I even made it -- we are no longer going there ever.

They had to hire staff and potentially turn other kids away, so I understand not just giving you your money back. If you found another kid to go in your kid's place, would they let you transfer the enrollment? That seems reasonable.