2019 Summer Camp Recommendations and Reviews

[Anonymous]

Starting this thread as we finalize our summer plans and look at some day camp options (that are non-sport related)....

My son did the acting classes at Studio Theatre in the fall and LOVED it. Thinking of signing him up for the summer day sessions there this year. Good teachers and good cost.

[Anonymous]

check out the 2018 recommendation page. lots of good suggestions. will have to look into some of these.

[Anonymous]

Curious which camps other have found to be the most responsive with friendly, helpful communication. We are finding a weird split between radio silence and inbox-explosions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious which camps other have found to be the most responsive with friendly, helpful communication. We are finding a weird split between radio silence and inbox-explosions.

Communication from Norwood Summer was great. After DD was signed up we received one email before the session started and another at the end of the session. Occasionally there were additional emails if something out of the ordinary was required but it was never email overload. Phone calls and emails were always promptly returned and their follow through was excellent. I was sad when DD aged out.

[Anonymous]

to answer the question about good communication levels - both Landon and Sidwell strike a good balance and their camps have all been excellent - my kids have been attending for the past 5 years.

[Anonymous]

Just finished a week of Kids Language Arts in McLean. I’d recommend for early ages (I.e., the oldest kid was 9)it’s an immersion style program heavy on the arts and crafts, not a lot of outdoor time. But, my kid did not want to leave at the end of the day and loved everything about it.

[Anonymous]

DS participated in the Nationals Baseball Camp last week and really enjoyed it. His favorite day was the trip to Nats Field. We are awaiting the pictures that were taken there by the camp.

He had a good time, had a big smile on his face when he was picked up, and he had positive things to say about the program.

As parents, we enjoyed the communication and ease of pick up and drop off.

I am not sure if he will go back next year, he enjoyed himself but was a bit overwhelmed by the all baseball all the time. He is younger and we are still working out what types of camps are his favorite. He leans towards camps that are structured but allow for free play and changing activities. He loves baseball and wanted to try the Nats Camp. It will probably be something we return to when he is a few years older if he continues to enjoy playing baseball.

[Anonymous]

We've done calleva for several years, but I was disappointed by my child's experience last week, particularly with insufficiently maintained equipment that broke frequently, culminating in not being able to do the activity at all on Friday.

[Anonymous]

I'm curious about the more classic style day camps, as opposed to the one off specialty camps. Does anyone have experience with Steve and Kate in Arlington or Arlington DPR Summerfest?

It'd be helpful if people would note what are 1/2 day camps too. Knowing a camp is wonderful but also only operates from 9-12:30 is useful info for working parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've done calleva for several years, but I was disappointed by my child's experience last week, particularly with insufficiently maintained equipment that broke frequently, culminating in not being able to do the activity at all on Friday.

We didn't have a good experience with Calleva last year and read about others who had similar problems on the 2018 list. I think they are flying by the seat of their pants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about the more classic style day camps, as opposed to the one off specialty camps. Does anyone have experience with Steve and Kate in Arlington or Arlington DPR Summerfest?

It'd be helpful if people would note what are 1/2 day camps too. Knowing a camp is wonderful but also only operates from 9-12:30 is useful info for working parents.

You need to read about the specific camps that interest you and see what their hours are, in order to answer that question fully. This site covers DC, MD, VA and beyond (when you're talking about sleep away camps) so your question is too broad here.

What I would suggest, to everyone is you find a camp for your kid close to your home. We are lucky that our children can go to a well established and varied camp for K-12 and its a 3 minute drive from our house or a 12-15 minute walk

[Anonymous]

Try Bretton Woods Adventure Camp as a Calleva alternative. They serve lunch, have bus service and an awesome pool. Canoeing, zip lines, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about the more classic style day camps, as opposed to the one off specialty camps. Does anyone have experience with Steve and Kate in Arlington or Arlington DPR Summerfest?

It'd be helpful if people would note what are 1/2 day camps too. Knowing a camp is wonderful but also only operates from 9-12:30 is useful info for working parents.

Congressional has a good day camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about the more classic style day camps, as opposed to the one off specialty camps. Does anyone have experience with Steve and Kate in Arlington or Arlington DPR Summerfest?

It'd be helpful if people would note what are 1/2 day camps too. Knowing a camp is wonderful but also only operates from 9-12:30 is useful info for working parents.

Congressional has a good day camp.

I've read a lot about bullying at Congressional - in particular on the bus. I would never send my kids there.

[Anonymous]

Big thumbs up for Steve and Kates (DC location). My kid who usually hates everything LOVES it.