2016 Summer Camp Recommendations and Reviews

[Anonymous]

The Glen Echo Arts camps are amazing. And from what we can see each day, the Adventure Theater kids are having a great time too.

[Anonymous]

Thumbs up for Adrenline Dance Studio camps! Great coaches. DS loved it!

[Anonymous]

DD really liked Beauvoir Outward Bound program. The trips were fun but I would have liked more communication from the camp. We got no information about her two weeks of swim instruction, no photos, no nothing. Head First however sent us a weekly swimming update to let us know what she was doing well with, what she needed help with, has a blog, etc. I know our parents survived without info, but the expectation is there now.

[Anonymous]

9-year-old just started camp at Summer at WES at Washington Episcopal School after a bad experience at another camp he had outgrown. He LOVES Summer at WES! He is doing archery in the morning and science in the afternoon for this one week session. He's in aftercare and they have before care too, which is a huge help.

[Anonymous]

My children loved Adventures on the Farm at Frying Pan park. The staff has been very creative this week with the heat wave to provide a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. The younger one, who is introverted and who is not thrilled about camp in general, talked about what she did all the way home. Definitely signing up for this camp next summer. The do farm activities, arts and craft, cook/bake their afternoon snack, water play, wagon rides, and a bunch of other activities.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My kids are loving Kids After Hours Traveling Teens Program. They come home exhausted and happy every day.

My son also did a week of this this summer and loved it. He also loves the regular KAH camp and is enjoying it again this year. I just can't say enough good things about KAH. For the Travelin Teens, my 10-year old (going into 5th grade) was part of the "JV" group. The counselors paid some extra attention and kept closer hold on them than they do for the "Varsity" group. The basic KAH includes lots of activities, outside time, water play, field trips, etc. My son comes home tired and dirty pretty much every day.

How's the supervision by the camp on these field trips? I've sent my daughter on a few county camps with field trips and she reported minimal supervision (and I don't send her any more)

The kids are definitely given more independence but usually stay with their group/counselor depending on the trip. It also depends on your definition of minimal supervision, how old is your dd?

At the time of these camps where they'd do field trips, she was about 7. Trips to a lake, she said counselors were hanging out amongst themselves, kids could do/go where they wanted. This is from a 7 year old, so of course I'll take with a grain of salt. Maybe I'll attempt again when's she older.

I won't lie, county camps tend to have terrible staffing. As someone in the industry id never send my kid to a rec dept camp (worked there years ago). The group of staff for travelin teens seems to really engage with the kids. They're their counsellors but really good at being their friend without crossing the line. I'm sure when she's older you'll be more comfortable and she can actually tell you what's going on.

NP - It's great if you have lots of options, but we send our DC to a DC Parks and Recs camp and while it's true that it's hardly an "enrichment" camp, and the teenage assistant counselors are not the friendliest to the parents, my DC is safe, she's having a great time and always happy to tell us what a great day she had, the adult lead counselors are good with the kids, and the teen counselors are actually also good with the kids (just not friendly to parents as much). And obviously... you canNOT beat the price of DPR camp.

So for me, as long as my child is safe, having fun, and it's convenient and affordable, we're very very happy!

[Anonymous]

My 9 year old has really liked TIC at GDS. No complaints about going.

[Anonymous]

Camp Arena Stage was very good. My 10 year old wants to go back next summer. She did their 4 week summer block. She did mostly art electives but the projects were interesting: paper mache, decopage, string art, etc. She brought home some beautiful stuff.

[Anonymous]

My son LOVED parkour camp at Urban Evo in Alexandria. It was great for high energy kids, with some periods of free time to just run around. He thought the coaches were great. It was convenient for me because they have wifi, and I could sit and work in the little lounge area. I only wish they offered more weeks for his age and skill level.

[Anonymous]

Daughter loved Renaissance Art Center's pottery camp. Son did not have a good experience at Christ Episcopal School's camp.

[Anonymous]

My 11-year-old loved FunBots (Lego Robotics) at Holy Spirit School in Annandale. They also have a campus in McLean. TIC in McLean also a big hit.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone sent their kid to Summer Cove Camp on Braddock Rd.? Review?

[Anonymous]

Music on the Hill Camp -- it is disorganized and the owner is unnecessarily grouchy with the 4 and 5 year old set. For the price the quality is surprising.

[Anonymous]

My 4yo is loving Norwood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 11-year-old loved FunBots (Lego Robotics) at Holy Spirit School in Annandale. They also have a campus in McLean. TIC in McLean also a big hit.

Can you compare robotics at TIC with robotics elsewhere?