As someone who has used both bar-t and kidsco for aftercare, I can say that I've been happier with the counselors at kidsco. Based on that, I've always done kidsco camp rather than the school camp version of bar-t. I also think the administrative office at kidsco is easier to deal with.

See if the school currently has an aftercare program. I am the one who dislikes Ranch. While some of my friends like Ranch, I do not know of a single person who likes Bar-t school camps. If you are in Germantown and very price sensitive, check out some of the local daycares. Would any of your SAHM friends be interested in watching your kids for a few weeks?

How do you evaluate summer camps? Seem to be few online reviews, and all my mom friends are SAHMs so don't have experience with the full day camps.

For example the BarT kids camp (not ranch) and Kidsco seem essentially the same; how do I know which is better?

Can I sign up for just the first week or two to try it out and then sign up there or another camp if it's bad? Or will all the slots be full and I need to sign up for the whole summer?

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

I think they're 9-3, but they have before and after care available. The info usually comes out in January on montgomeryparks.org