Opinions on JCC of Northern Virginia summer camp?

[Anonymous]

Anyone have experience with the JCC of Northern Virginia's summer camp program?

[Anonymous]

Yes. I love their camp program. They have a wide variety of camps available to choose from, starting with daycare for toddlers, to day camp for preschoolers all the way to teens. In the main camp program, the kids have daily swim lessons and 1 weekly field trip, plus crafts, other in-house activities, and an aftercare option.

For parents with special needs, there is Camp Shalom which works with a wide spectrum of social skills issues. They also have the weekly field trip and swimming time. Please be mindful that kids must bring their own lunch, and it must be dairy or pareve, because the building is Kosher. Basically they ask that you not bring meat to the building. This was not a big deal to our youngest, but our eldest is a carnivore...though it was a minor issue in light of all the positives from this camp. The camps are a bit pricier than others in the area, but well-worth it. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

My older DD (8) went to JCCNV for preschool for 3 years and continues to go to at least one camp session every summer. My younger DD is now in full time child care at JCCNV (including the summer camp sessions). We obviously like the JCC very much. They are playbased, developmentally appropriate and I like their curriculum. The kids have a good time and do niuce activities. They have lots of different camp options. The "basic" camp includes 1 or 2 field trips a week (depending on the age) and swim lessons most days.

I do think they are expensive, especially if you are not a JCC member and do not register in the early spring (there is a discount for early registration). But I think their prices are in line with the area. Adding the before and after care options makes it very expensive, but their camp day this year is 9-4 which is nice.

[Anonymous]

PP here, that should say that older DD is 8.

[Anonymous]

I know several people who sent their preschool-aged children and they were very pleased. I did know one person who was not thrilled with the program for older kids. I think the counselors her child had were young (high school or college age perhaps) and less experienced. Otherwise I have not heard any complaints about that program.

[Anonymous]

How do people afford this program?? I think more than $500 for two weeks of half-day sessions is very high.

[Anonymous]

more than $500 for two weeks of half-day sessions is very high

I'm the PP with the 8 and 3 year old.

The camp for elementary age kids is from 9-4, so not half day. Last year it was $300 a week for JCC members and then there was a discount for registering early. There is also a small sibling discount. I found it to be a little more expensive than some other camps, but within the range for the area. Even the Fairfax Park&Rec camps are not that much cheaper for equivalent coverage.

I don't know the preschool camp prices because my 3 year old is in full time care, which includes the preschool camp.