I think it would be too far - where would you be coming from?

Anyone who lives in DC who has their kids attend this camp? Is it too far to drive daily?

Anonymous wrote:Is there even a chance of getting a spot if you're new to the program for this coming summer?

You should be fine, particularly if you just want day camp. Some of the specialty camps fill up faster. I noticed last year they moved a lot of the specialty camps over to Sleepy Hollow (or at least the ones my DS would have been interested in). They didn't seem to fill up quite as quickly but maybe that was just my perception.

DS has gone for two years at Great Adventures (last summer as rising K), and has loved it. As a PP said, they are grouped by age, but really they're mostly running around and doing fun things. They get kiddie pool time; if you want lessons, those are separate. And you definitely have a chance of getting a spot if you're new to the program - we were two years ago, and friends started last year. Just register early, and be aware that specialty camps often fill quickly.

Is there even a chance of getting a spot if you're new to the program for this coming summer?

Swimming lessons are extra. Fromwhat I've seen they are usually grouped by age expect for weeks when they have fewer kids (4th July week for example). My experience is it really doesn't matter how advanced the activities are - it's all play and fun. The kids stay very busy and love it.

What is feedback on this camp for a rising Kindergartener? Is the Great Adventures too "basic"/young or do they split them up so that those who have completed pre-K and are going into K are in a class with peers and do more advanced activities? Does this age group get swimming lessons, or just kiddie pool time?

Pretty sure we don't want to stay with our current daycare through the summer, but this age is hard to find camps for.

The website now has the registration dates posted - 10 Feb for Congressional school students; 12 Feb for returning campers; 17 Feb for everyone else. Program information (like specialty camps) hasn't been posted yet.

DD started going when she was 3 and it is the only camp she will go to - she loves it. There are no field trips unless you sign up for the tiny tourist session (assuming your child is in Great Adventures). Really no need for field trips with the pool, ponies, swim lessons, soccer and so on. Plenty to keep them busy.

Last year it was Feb, year before it was Jan. I'm assuming it will be Feb this year. I wouldn't worry about getting shut out - some of the more popular specialized sessions fill up quickly, but there always seem to be slots in the regular day camp.

Anonymous wrote:Did you have a good experience with this summer camp? How often do they go on field trips? I'm nervous about the field trip part because DC can be a handful to manage.

My DS has done the day camp for a few years (broken down into 2-week sessions) and has never gone on a field trip through the day camp. He did a 1-week travel camp last year where they basically went somewhere new every day. He loves Congressional, definitely one of his favorites.

Did you have a good experience with this summer camp? How often do they go on field trips? I'm nervous about the field trip part because DC can be a handful to manage.

Mid Febuary last year.

Seems like it gets later every year. I feel like the first year we registered it was early January.

I have been looking at the website daily and all it says is coming soon. I know a lot of other camps are starting enrollment, so if we get shut out of Congressional, I'm not sure if there will be other options.