2012 Summer Camps Reviews and Recommendations (rebuilt)

[Anonymous]

I had similar issues last summer at Mad Science camp. My son loved it (we did the robotics camp), but I didn't sign up again because of the experience last year and my concerns with staff and supervision.

My son did the TIC camp in Virginia first session this summer. He absolutely LOVED it, and as PP noted, staff did an outstanding job communicating during power outages, etc.

[Anonymous]

Another camp in the area is Writopia Lab DC. They are an award-winning non-profit organization that holds creative writing workshops for kids ages 8-18. They offer weekly after-school and weekend workshops throughout the school year, and week-long workshops during school breaks and throughout the summer. They are situated in three convenient locations: NW Washington (Tenleytown) and Alexandria, VA, and Rockville, MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another camp in the area is Writopia Lab DC. They are an award-winning non-profit organization that holds creative writing workshops for kids ages 8-18. They offer weekly after-school and weekend workshops throughout the school year, and week-long workshops during school breaks and throughout the summer. They are situated in three convenient locations: NW Washington (Tenleytown) and Alexandria, VA, and Rockville, MD.

This sounds like the camp describing itself. Nothing about how the poster's kid liked the camp. . . .

[Anonymous]

Stone Ridge Summer Camp

My 9 year old son is finishing up the sports academy camp this week and he has loved it. Organized sports activities, fun games, and daily pool time.

My 6 year old daughter has also loved camp at Stone Ridge. She was in the mighty gator 6 year old day camp.....arts and crafts, games, water play, good ole summer fun.

The camp is well organized. The counselors are enthusiastic and nurturing. We have been very happy with this camp experience and would recommend it to other families for next summer.

[Anonymous]

Love the Zoo camps, like the PP I hate the long pickup lines. So many other camps have more efficient systems - walkie talkies and runners to keep the lines moving - I don't know why the zoo can't do more to improve the process.

We also have had a great experience this year as every year at the Audubon Naturalist Society. Amazing counselors and a great vibe. They kept the camp open despite the power loss (with a generator) and notified us in advance, which seemed very thoughtful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mad Science has been a hit with my son. I'm not impressed with the counselors and have some complaints about them from the parent perspective, but he's been very happy.

My kids will start in 2 weeks. Can you elaborate a bit on your concerns?

Nothing major, just some minor annoyances (again from a parent perspective, not a kid's): there was no one around to tell us where to go the first day, and when we found the room the counselor starting complaining that the other person hadn't shown up -- really complaining, as if I were responsible for that, or could make him/her magically appear; on the second day she was very upset that we arrived at 8:45, saying we weren't supposed to come until 8:50, and then each day, when we arrived after 8:50, complained to me about how everyone else was showing up too early, again as if I were to do something about it; and finally another parent and I had to spend almost 30 minutes searching for them one afternoon (at late pickup) when they were not in the room and had left no indication of where they'd gone. No one in the school had any idea, we had cleaning staff and administrators searching everywhere.

Again, my son enjoyed it a lot.

Thanks for the explanation. I appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had similar issues last summer at Mad Science camp. My son loved it (we did the robotics camp), but I didn't sign up again because of the experience last year and my concerns with staff and supervision.

My son did the TIC camp in Virginia first session this summer. He absolutely LOVED it, and as PP noted, staff did an outstanding job communicating during power outages, etc.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I am not the PP, but my daughter did Writopia for a week and LOVED it. She was one of 3 in her group with an award winning playwright as an instructor. It was a great experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not the PP, but my daughter did Writopia for a week and LOVED it. She was one of 3 in her group with an award winning playwright as an instructor. It was a great experience.

How old was your DD and how old were the other kids? I am considering it for my 8 yr old but am feeling she might be too young.

[Anonymous]

My rising kindergartener loved Green Acres. She liked all the swimmin (1-2 times a day) and liked the variety of activities (and that she could choose for herself). We also liked that it was one six-week session, so consistent campers and counselors.

[Anonymous]

To the mother concerned that Writopia may be too young for her 8 year-old daughter -- Never fear! We love writing with 8 year-olds, and we really empower them to tell their own stories (even typing them up on laptops!) We have assistants that help with technology and instructors guide them throughout the whole process. Feel free to give me a call if you'd like to discuss, as I'm happy to chat: 202-629-9510.

Oh, and apologies for a post earlier in this chain from one of our interns, who was indeed promoting our workshops but didn't realize that this is a forum to discuss and answer questions, and not to "pitch."

Thanks for all the DCUM support!
best,
Kathy
Writopia DC Director
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

DC did a half day week-long Digital Kidz camp (Robotics Green City Challenge) at a Fairfax County RECenter. DC had a good time, but the robotics work was more introductory and not very challenging. DC was a little frustrated; compared to other robotics programs that DC already attended, the Digital Kidz camp was more basic.

So if you are looking for a basic robotics camp it would probably work well. We will not return.

[Anonymous]

This year, Burgundy Farm Summer Day camp in Alexandria was very good. My DD also really liked the Summer Enrichment Program at UVA.

[Anonymous]

My son enjoyed the All Arts, Sciences and Technology camp run by the U of NC Greensboro over at GMU. This was his first sleep-away camp experience and he just loved staying in the dorms and spending time on the campus. He definitely wants to go back next summer!

[Anonymous]

In answer to the earlier PP's question -- my daughter is 9 and did Writopia's camp for one week. She loved it and has asked several times if she can go back for another week.