I did not think camp sonshine was horribly priced compared to non- county options. And I have had such bad experience with 1 hr county classes near us that no way would I sign DC up for an all day program unless someone I knew was vouching for a very specific one in my own area.

We have really liked the staff at MCCA (Brooke Grove) in Olney. Like PP mentioned, they go to the pool and do field trips.

PP Are the nature center camps full day? If so how do you find them?

Anonymous wrote:My kids loved Bar-T, but if you are looking for something lower priced that is also extended day - it's difficult. Our MCCA summer camp is great for the price - they go to the pool 3x a week, and they do a field trip 1x a week, with various activities and playtime during the day. I also am a big fan of the Locust Grove MoCo camps - lots of hiking, etc. That's also on the cheaper side. Valley Mills, Camp Sonshine will be out of your price range.

I think Camp Sonshine is actually cheaper than the MoCo Nature Center camps, but we adore the nature camps and find them well worth the cost.

Kids After Hours has reasonably priced camps and the cost includes before and after care which is unusal.

My kids loved Bar-T, but if you are looking for something lower priced that is also extended day - it's difficult. Our MCCA summer camp is great for the price - they go to the pool 3x a week, and they do a field trip 1x a week, with various activities and playtime during the day. I also am a big fan of the Locust Grove MoCo camps - lots of hiking, etc. That's also on the cheaper side. Valley Mills, Camp Sonshine will be out of your price range.

We hated the BAR-T camps Ranch and MS. My DC's said the camps were full of kids who were trouble makers and the teachers screamed at the kids. I was surprised given the high price point of the camps but I get the sense that many kids go to the lower priced school based camps for most of the summer and then go to Ranch and MS as an extra special reward for a couple of weeks. Having said that I have a friend who loves the camps...To each their own.
My kids love Camp Sonshine in Germantown.

Check out Kidsco camps. They are usually in schools in the areas you designated.

OP - some of the camps have close-outs dates in January. Yes, I know it is ridiculous, but it's true. After the New Years' I sit down with catalogues and online info and figure out the whole summer. Hate it.

We've also used the Rockville camps a lot over the years, and my kids have enjoyed them.

They've since aged out, but they especially liked the nature camps at Croydon Creek (but those don't offer after care - or at least didn't when my kids were young), pottery and any of the arts camps, and the outing camp for older kids (I think it starts at age 9 or 10).

10:48..my kids preferred Rockville camps to Bar-T which is surprising given the cost difference. After care is some what unstructured (games, crafts) but the camps themselves seemed generally well run and busy. My DD did pottery camp 5 years in a row...when she sadly aged out Many of the camps offer a swim at Rockville City pool on some days too.

I can handle mid-February far better than making summer choices now!


Thanks - I'll look at the Rockville camps when they're posted. The few county ones we've tried had A LOT of unstructured time playing board games/sitting around. I'm not willing to shell out the $$$ for some of the more traditional summer camps (e.g. Sandy Spring, Bar T Ranch), but would like my son to be active most of the day

Some camps give big discounts for booking and paying between now and the end of February. I find some discounts after the end of February, but not like I get when I do it early.

We have been quite happy with City of Rockville Camps. Before and Aftercare..or there is a bus in the am that will get them to whatever destination they are going to.

Is it really time to start thinking about summer already? I just got my family's Christmas plans pinned down.

Bar-T is having a black Friday type sale I think, leading me to wonder when is the right time to start researching and planning for the summer.

I"ll need full time + extended day care for a rising 2nd grader in the Rockville/derwood/olney area. Any suggestions appreciated - I've done a few MoCo programs that were lacking & his current daycare doesn't seem to add much in the summer