2016 Summer Camp Recommendations and Reviews

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it really hard to believe that all the good camps are in MD or DC (plus I suppose Camp congressional although that's crazy expensive) if you want them outside and not only doing county-run camps.

Are there NO good outdoorsy private camps in Fairfax county??

We've liked both The Langley School and Madiera's Greenway. Not exactly cheap though. Our private pool club also runs a tennis camp.

[Anonymous]

10:55 - Creative Arts Camp @ Madison Rec Center. Don't tell anyone! lol. 5-8 year olds attend the camp at Madison, which is held in 4 2-week sessions. 9-12 year olds can do the same camp at Fairlington rec.

Hours are 8-3 with extended day 3-6, and camp plus extended day is just over $600 for the two weeks, which is really good. You generally do need to sign up as soon as registration opens in February - this one fills up.

Yes, the camps for the youngest kids are mostly partial day. But some camps even for older kids are partial day; I think some SAHMs and people with nannies will book a partial day camp and then spend the rest of the day at the pool or whatever.

[Anonymous]

My elementary school boy loved Adventure Theater's Musical Camp and my soon to be MSer loved Filmmaking Camp at Imagination Stage. I am impressed with the professional quality of the instruction in both camps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it really hard to believe that all the good camps are in MD or DC (plus I suppose Camp congressional although that's crazy expensive) if you want them outside and not only doing county-run camps.

Are there NO good outdoorsy private camps in Fairfax county??

We are in Fairfax County and wanted a day camp akin to what DH and I had growing up in NY - lots of outdoors time, sports, swimming, arts and crafts, etc. We wound up going with Congo Camp. Yes, it's expensive. But apparently lots of other folks come to the same conclusion, given how many kids attend each session.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LOVING Summer Horizons camp at NPS (National Presbyterian School) in Tenleytown for Kindergarten. All staff knew DD's name after the first day and she has come home begging to have her counselors and CITs babysit her. The facility is really nice (including huge, fully-stocked classrooms and a great playground), they're super-organized, and have had fun activities every week (moon bounces, STEM specials, dress-up days, field trips, etc.). They walk to AU for swim lessons and I like that I get a written report about how the lessons are going. Highly recommend!

+1 our rising first grade son absolutely loves this camp. It is really a gem. He loves the teachers/counselors and doesn't want to leave at the end of the day. It is the perfect blend of structure, learning, play and fun! It is amazing.

[Anonymous]

7 yo DS had a great first week at Valley Mill and 5 yo DS loved Roundhouse Theatre Camp.

[Anonymous]

My kids gave 2 thumbs up to Summer Edge Brain Camp at McLean School. They LOVED it, especially our 8 year old. The mornings are spent reviewing math, reading, and writing. Afternoons are spent doing science, art, cooking, and sports. They want to return next summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10:55 - Creative Arts Camp @ Madison Rec Center. Don't tell anyone! lol. 5-8 year olds attend the camp at Madison, which is held in 4 2-week sessions. 9-12 year olds can do the same camp at Fairlington rec.

Hours are 8-3 with extended day 3-6, and camp plus extended day is just over $600 for the two weeks, which is really good. You generally do need to sign up as soon as registration opens in February - this one fills up.

Yes, the camps for the youngest kids are mostly partial day. But some camps even for older kids are partial day; I think some SAHMs and people with nannies will book a partial day camp and then spend the rest of the day at the pool or whatever.

Thank you, and thanks to all the posters for sharing. My DD had a great summer but as she gets older (5 next spring!) I'm seeing all these great options for her. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids gave 2 thumbs up to Summer Edge Brain Camp at McLean School. They LOVED it, especially our 8 year old. The mornings are spent reviewing math, reading, and writing. Afternoons are spent doing science, art, cooking, and sports. They want to return next summer.

We looked at this and it sounded great, but I was worried about potential disruptive behavior from some of the kids - because a person I spoke to at the school said slightly cryptically "we get all different kinds of kids"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids gave 2 thumbs up to Summer Edge Brain Camp at McLean School. They LOVED it, especially our 8 year old. The mornings are spent reviewing math, reading, and writing. Afternoons are spent doing science, art, cooking, and sports. They want to return next summer.

We looked at this and it sounded great, but I was worried about potential disruptive behavior from some of the kids - because a person I spoke to at the school said slightly cryptically "we get all different kinds of kids"

And that made you take a pass on the camp? Wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids gave 2 thumbs up to Summer Edge Brain Camp at McLean School. They LOVED it, especially our 8 year old. The mornings are spent reviewing math, reading, and writing. Afternoons are spent doing science, art, cooking, and sports. They want to return next summer.

We looked at this and it sounded great, but I was worried about potential disruptive behavior from some of the kids - because a person I spoke to at the school said slightly cryptically "we get all different kinds of kids"

And that made you take a pass on the camp? Wow.

Yes, I don't want my kids taking part in any camp which is FULL of people who are out of control. If that's what you're looking for in a camp for your monkey, that's fine.

[Anonymous]

We looked at this and it sounded great, but I was worried about potential disruptive behavior from some of the kids - because a person I spoke to at the school said slightly cryptically "we get all different kinds of kids"

And that made you take a pass on the camp? Wow.

Yes, I don't want my kids taking part in any camp which is FULL of people who are out of control. If that's what you're looking for in a camp for your monkey, that's fine.

Oh my goodness. McLean is a school for children with mild to moderate learning differences, so yes, they get all different types of kids. I don't know why you would assume, based on that, that the camp is "FULL of people who are out of control." Please, do take a pass on the camp so that the rest of us can continue to enjoy it without your negativity.

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend the WIS Spanish summer camp. Awesome, caring, personable staff; excellent facilities and curriculum, overall fantastic program. My DC looked forward to camp everyday and came home exhausted after a full day of activities 8-3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

We looked at this and it sounded great, but I was worried about potential disruptive behavior from some of the kids - because a person I spoke to at the school said slightly cryptically "we get all different kinds of kids"

And that made you take a pass on the camp? Wow.

Yes, I don't want my kids taking part in any camp which is FULL of people who are out of control. If that's what you're looking for in a camp for your monkey, that's fine.

Oh my goodness. McLean is a school for children with mild to moderate learning differences, so yes, they get all different types of kids. I don't know why you would assume, based on that, that the camp is "FULL of people who are out of control." Please, do take a pass on the camp so that the rest of us can continue to enjoy it without your negativity.

Are all the kids out of control? or not? (genuine question!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another happy Burgundy Farm camper here. My daughter is 4 and has seemed to have the best time. When I asked her if there were any special friends she wanted to try to have playdates with in the fall, she named her head counselor! They have been very warm and caring all summer long.

You got lucky. My 5 year old had a horrible experience at Burgundy. My sweet quiet exceptionally well behaved boy left behind his water bottle in the classroom as the counselors rushed him out the door to dump them at car line. It was 100 degrees, his face red, and sweaty, he asked the girl assigned to his group of he could get his bottle. She told him to shut up and just get it the next day. One morning he asked me to please remember to pack a fork in his lunch because he didn't like eating pasta salad with his hands. I said when have you ever eaten with your hands? He goes, yesterday you didn't put a fork in and I asked my counselor if she could please get me a fork, she told me to be quiet, there's no forks here, and eat with my hands. I brought this up to another counselor, who profusely apologized and told me that is absolutely not the case, they have plenty of disposable utensils for use by campers, but you need to walk over to another building to get them.