2012 Summer Camps Reviews and Recommendations (rebuilt)

[Anonymous]

Awful experience with Head First soccer camp--waste of money, the coaches were terrible, unexperienced youth.
The sidwell tennis camp was OK, but won't be signing up again.
We're looking for a more skills oriented soccer camp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son loved the Lego Robotics camp at Renaissance in Alexandria. The supervision is great and they have an extensive collection of Lego sets, games and of course the Robotics. I like the way that the Lego coaches treat the kids. Most of them are certified teachers or engineering graduate students. They treat the kids with respect and give them alot of attention. It is great for kids that love Lego's.

How old was your kid when he did it? I have been thinking about enrolling my kid there but the website is such a mess that made me wonder about the organization of the camp. They claim to be the "only"camp that have LEGO We Do robotics which is obviously not true. It is just so convenient to me....Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Camp Sonshine is listed as a Christian camp. Since we're Jewish, would my daughter be comfortable there? I don't know if it's a "camp with Christian Values" or a "Christian Camp" (meaning whether or not they actually do anything religious).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Camp Sonshine is listed as a Christian camp. Since we're Jewish, would my daughter be comfortable there? I don't know if it's a "camp with Christian Values" or a "Christian Camp" (meaning whether or not they actually do anything religious).

My kids go there, and we are not religious at all. I would say it is "mildly" Christian - they play Christian music (but it sounds like "popular" music) and they sing Christian songs, and many of the counselors are practicing Christians, so sometimes refer to Bible passages in their notes to the kids. I don't think that people of other religions would feel uncomfortable there - they are all about inclusiveness and do focus mostly on Christian values, rather than preaching about the specifics of Christianity.

Also, if your child is uncomfortable (for ANY reason), the counselors are very receptive to making the camp a great experience for all kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:additions I have not yet seen for the MD burbs - City of Greenbelt camps are very high quality for the money -
We also tried Ancestral Knowledge camp - also in greenbelt right off the parkway.
Several University of Maryland camps are great (sports, bugs, terp quest, gymkana) and used by many people I know.

I just wanted to add another option near UMD/Greenbelt for people looking for something on the east side of D.C. My kids' school, Friends Community School in College
Park, has revamped its program this year to offer a lot of one-week camps. I cannot personally vouch for the camp as this is the first year we're trying it. But it's quite affordable, I think: $240/week. The school is one mile inside the beltway, a 20-minute drive from Capitol Hill or Takoma Park/Silver Spring and a world away from the city on 17 acres of protected wetlands. They're in a LEED-certified green building that is in the process of expanding to add art and performance space. Camp offerings include Spanish Immersion; Harry Potter; Games; Robotics; Film-Making; Photography; Computer Quest; Gargoyles & Ghosts; Castles & Catapults; Eco-Adventure; Art; Jewelry; Drumming & Music; Puppet Theater; Writing & Math Enrichment; and Countdown to High School. Website: www.friendscommunityschool.org

[Anonymous]

WHat about lacrosse at Georgetown Prep?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Awful experience with Head First soccer camp--waste of money, the coaches were terrible, unexperienced youth.
The sidwell tennis camp was OK, but won't be signing up again.
We're looking for a more skills oriented soccer camp

What about the one at Jefferson MS. I was looking at it for my DS. They have a coupon on certikid.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend a chess camp in the District?

[Anonymous]

What about Georgetown Prep?

[Anonymous]

Camp hidden meadows, its awesome!,,

[Anonymous]

Any more feedback on CASA at Sheridan or Beauvoir? This would be for a 5-year-old, if that matters. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son loved the Lego Robotics camp at Renaissance in Alexandria. The supervision is great and they have an extensive collection of Lego sets, games and of course the Robotics. I like the way that the Lego coaches treat the kids. Most of them are certified teachers or engineering graduate students. They treat the kids with respect and give them alot of attention. It is great for kids that love Lego's.

How old was your kid when he did it? I have been thinking about enrolling my kid there but the website is such a mess that made me wonder about the organization of the camp. They claim to be the "only"camp that have LEGO We Do robotics which is obviously not true. It is just so convenient to me....Thanks!

I signed my 7YO DD for a week at the Falls Church location, and I'm curious about this as well. I agree with PP that the website was not the best...Fingers crossed that the camp is awesome!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any more feedback on CASA at Sheridan or Beauvoir? This would be for a 5-year-old, if that matters. Thanks.

Rising k'er or 1st grade? Rising K is in the little kids section, CLK. I really liked the art projects, but my kid found the number of kids overwhelming, especially at recess, and I didnt think the staff made any effort to get to know her. A more outgoing child may nit have those problems.

[Anonymous]

Center for Young Children at U.Md. is my child's favorite camp (was age 4 last summer), so she's signed up again for this summer. Great projects in each classroom -- related fieldtrips, swimming (for non-swimmers there is a 1 or 2 foot wading and splash pool). Counselors are all teachers and university students studying early childhood education. Extremely well organized program.

[Anonymous]

Last summer my child also enjoyed Glen Echo's nature camp at Living Classrooms (1 week), Sidwell Friends Travelers program (2 weeks), and Horizons Camp at Nat'l Presbyt. School (1 week). She liked Horizons Camp the best of those three. Her only problem with Glen Echo and Sidwell was the after care, where they put all the kids together from all ages. A bit too loud and chaotic for my little one. The regular camp part of the day was great though.