Are you returning or not returning to the same camp next year and why?

[Anonymous]

We will do sleepaway at Catoctin again. Kids loved it. Came home dirty and happy after two weeks. It isn't too far or too expensive and kids and counsellors all seem to have their heads on straight. I love the no tech and that everyone pitches in with chores and meals.

[Anonymous]

We did Steve and Kate's, Sidwell Soccer, Burgundy Farms and CHAW.

Surprisingly, CHAW was the fave for my active K boy. The quality of the staff and overall environment really won him over. He made friends, had fun, and was excited to go every day.

We would go back to Sidwell, Burgundy and Steve & Kate's as well. Of these three markedly different programs, probably Burgundy was the best fit/mixture of outdoor activities, swimming, and nurturing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not returning because of the cost. I thought it would be worth it because they said they would give DC daily swim lessons. Everyday I ask about swimming lessons, the response is "Not today". Going to try a swimming camp next summer, but need recommendations.

Valley Mill, even though this year I'm going to have to seriously save up to give my son another full summer. It fed his spirit in a way that I found glorious. He'd come home filthy every single day, with a HUGE smile on his face. He. Loved. It. And I loved giving him all of that time to work his body.

We had two summers of horror. He's a really big kid and each of the past two summers, he met up with serious bullies. The kind who hit and punch. He never should have been exposed to that, but since they were in DC and since I had gone to similar camps (as did a number of kids from his school), I never ever thought anything like that would happen. So, I gave him a place where he could be his lumbering self without any fear of violent confrontation. DD spent the summer at a YMCA-sponsored camp in the city and did very well with the more academic program (with complementary enrichment). Each according to their needs, I suppose.

Bruce, from Valley Mill, was the one to show us around the camp. I saw how he really connected with my son's interest in the natural world, and it was done! Hell, we live in a typical DC rowhouse with a bricked-in backyard. It was wonderful to see him counting bugs and naming the trees!! He followed his interests and competed against his own limitations with rock climbing and swimming, hiking, and all the rest. DS doesn't enjoy the confrontation of competitive sports. I only learned this by watching how he took hold of these other activities this summer.

We're lifers at Valley Mill, for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not returning because of the cost. I thought it would be worth it because they said they would give DC daily swim lessons. Everyday I ask about swimming lessons, the response is "Not today". Going to try a swimming camp next summer, but need recommendations.

Valley Mill, even though this year I'm going to have to seriously save up to give my son another full summer. It fed his spirit in a way that I found glorious. He'd come home filthy every single day, with a HUGE smile on his face. He. Loved. It. And I loved giving him all of that time to work his body.

We had two summers of horror. He's a really big kid and each of the past two summers, he met up with serious bullies. The kind who hit and punch. He never should have been exposed to that, but since they were in DC and since I had gone to similar camps (as did a number of kids from his school), I never ever thought anything like that would happen. So, I gave him a place where he could be his lumbering self without any fear of violent confrontation. DD spent the summer at a YMCA-sponsored camp in the city and did very well with the more academic program (with complementary enrichment). Each according to their needs, I suppose.

Bruce, from Valley Mill, was the one to show us around the camp. I saw how he really connected with my son's interest in the natural world, and it was done! Hell, we live in a typical DC rowhouse with a bricked-in backyard. It was wonderful to see him counting bugs and naming the trees!! He followed his interests and competed against his own limitations with rock climbing and swimming, hiking, and all the rest. DS doesn't enjoy the confrontation of competitive sports. I only learned this by watching how he took hold of these other activities this summer.

We're lifers at Valley Mill, for sure.

Well I'm sold. You should contact them and ask if they want this as a "testimonial" for their website. Nicely written.

[Anonymous]

Our kids loved Valley Mill, but moved on to sleepaway camp.

[Anonymous]

Will absolutely do Calleva again. Will also return to Sidwell Explorer day camp as well as Voyagers. All of these camps are exceptionally run and the kids have so much fun!

[Anonymous]

Our kids were not huge fans of valley mill. There was a lot of bitching last year about how cold the pool was. I would gladly have traded places with them...

[Anonymous]

My kids love Pinecrest Summer Paviliion so we will try that again next year. Lots of options and my DS pretty much lives for water day.

[Anonymous]

A plug from my 9 YO for Calleva.

Me: You have done a whole bunch of different camps, what is your favorite? Are there any we need to do again next year?

DC: Calleva!

Me: What is so great about Calleva?

DC: The camp makes it really easy for you to make friends.

[Anonymous]

Camp Fairfax - GSNC camp at Lake Fairfax. All outdoors, DD had a blast and it was soooo cheap.

[Anonymous]

Not returning to Imagination Stage, at least until DD is a bit older. Preschool/K class there was a letdown.

[Anonymous]

No way, Jose. Any camps by Katydid are a disaster. Tried them again this year, they've gone ever worse. So disorganized, very inexperienced staff.

[Anonymous]

Will not do Summer Fun in Falls Church City again. Totally unsufficient supervision. Might be ok for older elementary, but definitely not for younger. I think the before and after care counselors were just there so someone could call 911 if there was an emergency. They paid ZERO attention to the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not returning because of the cost. I thought it would be worth it because they said they would give DC daily swim lessons. Everyday I ask about swimming lessons, the response is "Not today". Going to try a swimming camp next summer, but need recommendations.

My 6 yo DD had fun at aquatics camp at the BCC Y. She couldn't swim when she started and by the end of the 2 weeks of camp could swim the length of the pool. They went in the water 3 times/day. Swim lessons one of the times, games & free swim the other 2. We'll send her back next summer.

[Anonymous]

Sent 2 kids to Valley Mill this year for the first time. Very different ages, and it felt like a big change - we'd done years at the Zoo, Audubon and other similar camps but couldn't find a schedule that worked this time around. VM was just the best; the kids loved every minute, and like the PP they came home filthy and exhilarated every day.

I worried a lot - the VM bus times for camp were an hour earlier than their MCPS school starts! - until I went to the parents' day; it really felt like a special kingdom in the woods. My oldest sounds a lot like the PP's son - crazy big, outdoorsy but very uncomfortable with competitive sports. He was the one I was most concerned about - would he fit in (I think I posted here about it.) He loved it, as did his sports-crazed younger brother. Next summer is a done deal for us.