Our kids did little explorers 2 summers ago at Chevy Chase Playground -- I am almost certain the same director is there. My expectations for an affordable camp were --1)are the kids safe and 2) are the kids having fun?

We spent several sessions there and the answer to both questions is yes. With DPR, you should really have fair expectations -- it is VERY affordable but if you think your child will learn to read over the summer, become a baseball star, learn to swim (unless it's an aqua camp), paint a masterpiece, then it's probably not the place for you.

My own experiences were that many people who had negative things to say usually based it on the bad experiences of their friends and never attended a DPR camp.

We did Barrie camp for two weeks last year, and found it just ok, probably not worth the price. Planning to try Sandy Spring summer camp for a couple of weeks this summer and some Montgomery County sponsored programs, like Lego camp and "let's cook" camp. Not sure if anyone has any experiences with them before? One problem is they are only half day and end at noon.

We have also done Coach Doug classes, not camps. I wasn't impressed at all. The coach we had was very abrasive, and gave one child in particular a really hard time.

I have read a lot of good things about Camp Sonshine. Just curious, how big is the religious component? We would probably avoid a very religious program.

Thanks a lot.

Regarding DPR's Little Explorer camp, I have a friend who was happy with Stoddert last summer but upset with Chevy Chase Community Center. Another friend was satisfied with Chevy Chase Playground (on Huntington St.). The Stoddert's teacher last summer happened to be very nice.

If you have SN kids, I recommend looking into county camps. I know Fairfax Parks & Rec offer leisure coaches, depending on your kids' disabilities.

Anonymous wrote:Our first summer in this area and with two kids (one with SN), I have summer camp sticker shock!

SN camps are painfully expensive. We can't afford them (I SAHM in part bc of the SN dc, but would have loved a break for a week or two, but it just isn't doable and my dc is too impaired for 'regular' camp.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any experiences with DC DPR camps. Specifically for 3 year olds.

What do you want to know? Some of them are fine, some of htem are off the chain a little. Chevy Chase fills up in 3 seconds, others take longer to fill all their slots.

What are you looking for, and what is the closest DPR facility with Little Explorers to where you want your kid to be?

Hi -I too am looking for experiences with DC DPR. We have a 5 yr old and am looking at the Little Explorer locations in CCDC - Lafayette, CC Community Center, CC Rec Center. I have heard such mixed reviews overall for the DPR camps and I guess the take away is that they vary a lot by location. If anyone has experience with these locations I would love to hear it - general experience, were kids bored, what do they do on super hot or rainy days when they are stuck inside, is there appropriate supervision to prevent bullying/fighting, were kids generally happy or not, would you do it again?

TIA!

Anonymous wrote:Any experiences with DC DPR camps. Specifically for 3 year olds.

What do you want to know? Some of them are fine, some of htem are off the chain a little. Chevy Chase fills up in 3 seconds, others take longer to fill all their slots.

What are you looking for, and what is the closest DPR facility with Little Explorers to where you want your kid to be?

PP, welcome to the area! unfortunately, prices here are higher for just about everything. cost of living in the DMV is pricey, unless you live pretty far outside of the immediate metro area and burbs.

Our first summer in this area and with two kids (one with SN), I have summer camp sticker shock!

For the parents unimpressed by Congo Camp, where are you looking for this year?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have experience with the Rockville City camps?

Yes. Some are good. The ones through the vendors, like mad science, are just like the original ones. Others are not. Had a bad experience through Coach Doug. But generally they are very good. A really good value too.

Do you recall any that were particularly good?

DD has been doing Rockville camps for years and we have yet to have a bad experience. They are a great value for what you get IMO. We've liked Science Surrounds You, Kidnetic, Way Off Broadway, Pottery, Explorers and Creative Crafts. DD also did Camp Challenger and Camp Challenger Jr. and had fun, though she's not a huge sports fan so she chose not to do them again. Have nothing but good things to say about Coach Doug.

Thanks for the feedback, this is helpful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have experience with the Rockville City camps?

Yes. Some are good. The ones through the vendors, like mad science, are just like the original ones. Others are not. Had a bad experience through Coach Doug. But generally they are very good. A really good value too.

Do you recall any that were particularly good?

DD has been doing Rockville camps for years and we have yet to have a bad experience. They are a great value for what you get IMO. We've liked Science Surrounds You, Kidnetic, Way Off Broadway, Pottery, Explorers and Creative Crafts. DD also did Camp Challenger and Camp Challenger Jr. and had fun, though she's not a huge sports fan so she chose not to do them again. Have nothing but good things to say about Coach Doug.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have experience with the Rockville City camps?

Yes. Some are good. The ones through the vendors, like mad science, are just like the original ones. Others are not. Had a bad experience through Coach Doug. But generally they are very good. A really good value too.

Do you recall any that were particularly good?

Mad science I thought was very good.

Thanks--very helpful!

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know of a useful camp directory? I'm looking for full day camps in DC.

Maybe the Our Kids summer camps list?

http://www.our-kids.com/?q=summer/summer-camps