Chess Camp -- USA Chess. Any feedback?

[Anonymous]

I am debating signing my DS8 for one week of Chess Camp through USA chess. This year it's offered at NCS, Sidwell, St Stephens/Agnes in Alexandria, and Madiera in McLean. Does anyone have any feedback on this particular camp, or recommendations for another one in DC or NoVa?

He really enjoys Chess and has a talent for it, but is still a beginner (knows the rules, checkmates well with rook and king, but doesn't know the names of any openings, and makes impulsive, careless mistakes etc.) I've been debating between signing him up for full-day chess camp, or half a day of chess and then an afternoon of computer animation. Given the $400 per week cost, I'd prefer full-day chess, but I'm not sure if that s too much chess?

[Anonymous]

Hi, our DS took this camp last year and loved it. He did all-day chess. It is a lot of chess, but the kids all seemed to be having fun. The instructors seemed very nice and qualified. In fact, our son liked it so much last year that he asked to do three weeks of it this year. HTH.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the feedback! How old was your DS? Did you even consider the animation afternoon camp this year, or is he just doing all-day chess again?

[Anonymous]

The US Chess Center does camps and I can vouch for the instructors -- they are fabulous! (www.chessctr.org) They have lessons throughout the school year downtown and also have chess clubs in the metro area with instruction from their teachers.

[Anonymous]

12:33 again. I agree with PP--our son does the Saturday morning chess at the U.S. Chess Ctr and they are wonderful. To answer your other question, DS was 5 when he took the camp last year and is now 6. He is going ot do all-day chess again.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the US Chess Ctr information. Unfortunately their full-day camps won't work with our already-scheduled summer camps, but their prices are great and we'll look into them again next year. Thanks also for the tip about the Saturday lessons. We may try those next winter.