2013 Summer Camps Reviews and Recommendations

[Anonymous]

county sponsored camps

[Anonymous]

Second clear water nature center in PG.
Even possible to go from Alexandria-- if you're a stay at home and can drive...
Lower rates than the private camps

[Anonymous]

Pretty far out for DC, but my son LOVES Butler Camp in Germantown. Runs around in the woods, soccer, swimming, lots of physical activity.

[Anonymous]

My kids are going to Sandy Spring this year. They seem to enjoy it. My little one especially likes in this heat that there is a component that is inside and air-conditioned. They both like the food (and it's a plus for us that we don't have to pack lunches.) The buses are not air-conditioned and the ride can be long. I have noticed a definite improvement in their swimming abilities. SS seems to take the instructional swim seriously. For the littlest ones I think they don't run them as hard as the bigger kids, which is actually good - there is reading time and quiet time. That said, they both have said that they enjoy the all-outdoors camp better because there's more to do - even if it is hotter.

[Anonymous]

For people who can't afford tuition rates - and we can't, at least not for all nine weeks - we do a mix of vacation, a week at grandma's, MCCA (Montgomery County's afterschool program has a summer camp) which is a much under-appreciated gem, Sandy Spring (much cheaper than places like Green Acres, ESF, Bullis, etc), and MoCo Parks and Recreation (also much cheaper than the private alternatives. Also, many places do give (slight) discounts for multiple children, and it is KEY to sign up early - significant discounts for signing up in December-February time frame and not waiting until its too late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are going to Sandy Spring this year. They seem to enjoy it. My little one especially likes in this heat that there is a component that is inside and air-conditioned. They both like the food (and it's a plus for us that we don't have to pack lunches.) The buses are not air-conditioned and the ride can be long. I have noticed a definite improvement in their swimming abilities. SS seems to take the instructional swim seriously. For the littlest ones I think they don't run them as hard as the bigger kids, which is actually good - there is reading time and quiet time. That said, they both have said that they enjoy the all-outdoors camp better because there's more to do - even if it is hotter.

Thanks for posting about the camp! Do they go on the ropes course (what my DC would be most interested in). Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Re SS - the older ones may do the ropes course, but my under-9s were not able to do so.

[Anonymous]

Our kids have attended Sandy Springs the last two summers for a few weeks each. The bus ride is long and hot but the activities, counselors and activities are a huge bonus for the kids. They like being outdoors, the swimming lake is very refreshing this year and they change the special workshops each year so there is something new to look forward to. They come home hot but happy. More than I can say for some of the cheaper MoCo camps we have put them in. You can get early bird sign ups and if you've attended a previous year also get a discount which made it the same price as other places we have sent them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do people do who can't afford the tuition rates for camps like Valley Mill, Green Acres, and such?

Our DC charter school does a month long free summer program. Free to DC residents, first seats to school participants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do people do who can't afford the tuition rates for camps like Valley Mill, Green Acres, and such?

I contact each camp individually and inquire about financial aid or a discount. Some camps offer aid and/or discounts and some don't but it doesn't hurt to ask if you need help to pay.

[Anonymous]

We are doing Coach Doug challenger this week and not really loving it. For starters, the age groups are weird, my son is in the 5-8 year old age group and he is the ONLY "big" kid so he is an 8 year old with a bunch of 5 year olds. Second of all I'm constantly being told he plays "too rough. Well, this is because all the other kids ARE 5. Also, it is a ton of sitting FOR CAMP. They said it was a mix of sports and rockets but I see no sports. And you are constantly hit up for more money. A $10 check on the first day. $5 for pizza, $5 for this. And I signed him up for 2 weeks which I REALLY regret.

[Anonymous]

Coach Doug is a total rip off as well. We took a class some time ago and it was horrible on too of that they charge huge money for nothing. It was $250 for 8 classes!! The whole experience was terrible.
Guys don't do his programs. From what I heard and my own experience, it's a disaster.

[Anonymous]

Sports skills camp at Flint Hill Summer was terrific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC ICE Skate camp is the best.

https://sites.google.com/a/innercityexcellence.org/dc/camp/summer

Cabin John and Wheaton Ice Rinks also have ice-skating camps (see ParkPass.org)

[Anonymous]

my ds had another awesome week at Acting for Young People ( AFYP) through GMU. Incredibly professional and wonderful staff!