Arlington Summer Camps - Advice for a mom new at the camp thing

[Anonymous]

I have a 3 year old daughter that loves music, dance, art. We'd also like to get her started in sports. She currently goes to a Montessori preschool from 8:30 - 3pm and the way that I understand the summer to work is that the weeks are divided into sessions. So, I could send her to a camp for one week and then back to Montessori for a week, etc.

Question 1: So, I'm hearing that you need to start signing up in January!? True?

Question 2: Where does everyone go to get an idea of the camps in the Arlington Area? I don't recall a catalog being out this early.

Question 3: Are there summer camps that go till 3pm? I work (from home) and need an option to give me some time to get work done. Although, it's not critical that she does longer hours as I could tell my clients that I'm not as available those weeks.

Question 4: Are there camps that any moms out there totally recommend?

Thanks in advance! : )

[Anonymous]

Is there a reason you want to do camp instead of preschool? I know it's something different, but it seems like more trouble than it's worth to me.
You don't always have to sign up in January. Enrollment for some camps doesn't even start then.
You might try to find last's year's Arlington County camp guide online to get an idea of what's available and when enrollment starts.
You could also check the Arlington Y's site, although we are out of love with the Y.

[Anonymous]

OP, yes it is true that some camps open registration in January. Many of them do not so you aren't necessarily out of luck, but if, for example, you wanted to enroll your kid in Congressional's Pony Camp, you better have registered in the first five minutes...

There is usually a camp night sponsored by Arlington County in February. Check out the county government website.

Congressional is great, by the way. www.congocamp.org. Expensive, but my kids love love love it.

[Anonymous]

Check out Levine Music Camp -- there is one at Westover Baptist and they have full-day and half-day options. The camp runs 3 weeks in two separate sessions. My kids have gone to this camp and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. Sign ups started today.

Arlington County camp guide comes out later and the camps seem to be shorter days (at least at age 3-5). We liked the Tot Camps and the gymnastics camps, but I've heard mixed reviews about many of the camps.

[Anonymous]

my kids love congressional. my first child started at age 3 and has been going for the past 5 summers. the 3 year old program has swim instruction, pony rides, science projects, extended care and lunch included. The staff is amazing and any time we run into them outside of camp they still remember my kids names and are so excited to see them. we have tried other camps but nothing in the area compares to congo camp