Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that camps are in full swing, I thought it would be helpful to start a 2025 camp review thread.

So far, we have only done Calleva, and it has not disappointed by 7 or 13 year olds. Calleva is especially good for older kids. One thing to know about Calleva is that they have camp every day, including on Juneteenth and the 4th of July. I love sending my kids on those days because DH and I get date day, as we both have them off.

Calleva is not a safe camp

Love it when the bus drivers go to Harris Teeter for beers
Or when someone gets hurt the rest of the group sits in the emergency room

Never send a kid under 12

Calleva is awesome! Bus drivers do not go buy beer or make all the kids sit in the ER. This is totally made up and laughable. Calleva is wonderful! Amazing counselors and has always been a highlight of my sons' summer.

My 6 yo so far did one week at Kids After Hours at Flora Singer. She complained that we picked her up too early one day so it seems like she had a lot of fun. It did seem like she was a bit overstimulated afterwards because she was a bit irritable in the evenings. But I call it a win that she was happy there.

+1 for Kids After Hours but at Farmland. My 5 year old loves the water slides!

My 6 yo has enjoyed the Week in the Park camp at Wheaton Sports Pavilion run by the MoCo Parks department. They did a field trip to the South Germantown Splash Park which they enjoyed and also get to take advantage of the facilities at Wheaton Regional Park like the carousel, train, adventure playground and tennis center (this year the ice rink is closed for renovations). Counselors seem very nice and on top of safety. Downside is it is 9-5 which may be tough for some working parents. We live nearby so it is very convenient and also quite affordable.

Anyone’s kid at the Shakespeare Theater camps? I’m interested to hear how they are this year.

My 6-year old is going to Bar-T Ranch for the whole summer and is really enjoying it. She goes to their aftercare program during the school year so several of the counselors and kids are familiar faces.

My 5 year old loves the culinary camp at Sidwell!

My 7yo DS is loving Beauvoir

Neighbor's DD very much enjoyed "Camp Grow" at Meadowlark.

Camp Acorn in Capitol Hill was a huge hit the two weeks we did in June. The kids did great field trips nearly daily (Smithsonian, Arboretum, Capitol grounds, splash pads, etc) but they also managed the super hot weather really well.

Whitman camp in Darnestown always a hit!

My kids are doing Camp fairfax this year. My older kid did it last year and liked it, but the format has changed. They have a homeroom of board games and crafts for several periods then have 2 or 3 times they can choose to go to an activity of sports, arts, or exploration at different times of the day. My older kid does not like it as much this year, but my younger one loves it. It sounds like it is more geared for the younger crowd IMO. I'm also disappointed they haven't been outside. I realize there was some heat and rain, but yesterday was fairly mild- still indoors all day. Might look for something else for the older kid next year.

My 6 yo so far did one week at Kids After Hours at Flora Singer. She complained that we picked her up too early one day so it seems like she had a lot of fun. It did seem like she was a bit overstimulated afterwards because she was a bit irritable in the evenings. But I call it a win that she was happy there.

Anonymous wrote:Now that camps are in full swing, I thought it would be helpful to start a 2025 camp review thread.

So far, we have only done Calleva, and it has not disappointed by 7 or 13 year olds. Calleva is especially good for older kids. One thing to know about Calleva is that they have camp every day, including on Juneteenth and the 4th of July. I love sending my kids on those days because DH and I get date day, as we both have them off.

Calleva is not a safe camp

Love it when the bus drivers go to Harris Teeter for beers
Or when someone gets hurt the rest of the group sits in the emergency room

Never send a kid under 12

MCPD Police camp for one week. Was free and my 13yo loved it. They went to the Police Academy one day and did drills like pulling a car over and entering a house where an armed suspect might be.
Also wore “ drunk goggles” and tried to drive a go kart through cones without knocking any over.
It’s good if you have a kid that might be interested in LE

Now that camps are in full swing, I thought it would be helpful to start a 2025 camp review thread.

So far, we have only done Calleva, and it has not disappointed by 7 or 13 year olds. Calleva is especially good for older kids. One thing to know about Calleva is that they have camp every day, including on Juneteenth and the 4th of July. I love sending my kids on those days because DH and I get date day, as we both have them off.