Liz Lyons has been signing her kids up for summer camp for nine years. She did it in part because of her own positive experiences with camps when she grew up in California, she said. But she is also upfront about the pragmatic reasons. “As soon as your children get out of daycare, you have to start looking at summer camps,” she said. “You have a whole summer that you need to fill.”
But how do you choose the best camp for your child? There are so many options in the District and surrounding area, from day camps that offer a mix of activities to specialty camps focused on everything from science to Shakespeare. And then there are overnight camps, which raise their own questions about readiness and independence.
So how do you decide what your kids should do — and whether they’re ready to go overnight?
Basics
Drawing on more than a decade of experience selecting camps for her own children, Lyons says there are three key factors to consider: know your child, including both interests and capabilities; know your own summer camp expectations; and set limits, such as travel distance and cost.
To find options, Lyons asked neighborhood parents who had sent older children to camps they recommended. She also attends the DC Summer Camp Fair (dccampfair.com). “I got lots of great ideas there,” she said.
Karen Pezos, who organizes the 2025 camp fair, says January is the time to start thinking about summer camps. The DC Summer Camp Fair offers one-stop shopping for possible camp experiences and a chance to meet camp representatives and ask questions. More than 400 parents attend the free event to check out about 30 different camps. This year, while J.O. Wilson is under construction, the Camp Fair will take place Saturday, Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stuart Hobson Middle School (401 E St. NE).
Parental Expectations and Limitations
As a parent, you will have your own ideas of the ideal camp experience. Do you want your child outdoors most of the day? Do you want free time built in? Do you hope they will learn to swim, try theater, or build robots? These expectations can help you compare programs.
There are also two parental costs associated with camp: time and money. Cost is a major factor. Camps range from Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) day camps at $5–$150 per week to thousands of dollars per session for overnight specialty camps. The other consideration is time spent traveling. Lyons estimates her children have attended nearly every camp within a 40-minute radius of her home — because that is the limit of how far she is willing to travel for day camp. She is willing to travel farther for week-long sleepaway camps, she said, often carpooling with other parents.
Specialty Camps
A good place to start is determining what your child is interested in. You can ask an older child directly, but for younger children, pay attention to what activities and environments capture their interest.
Many day and overnight camps offer themed weeks, allowing kids to dive into something that keeps them engaged while helping them build skills and confidence.
A wide variety of specialty day camps are available in the District. Kids can make scientific discoveries — from chemistry and space exploration to robotics — in themed sessions at Mad Science (dc.madscience.org). They can explore dance styles for ages 7 to 15 at Momentum Dance Theatre (momentumdancetheatre.org), where campers work with experienced teachers and culminate in studio performances.
At Kids Set Sail (https://dcsail.org/youth-kss), which operates out of the Piers at Diamond Teague Park (99 Potomac Ave. SE), campers learn basic safety and sailing skills, while more experienced students focus on race techniques and navigation.
Lyons’ youngest daughter is interested in the dramatic arts. DC offers a range of theater-based specialty camps, including Arena Stage’s Camp Arena Stage (arenastage.org) and programs at The Theatre Lab ( theatrelab.org). Lyons sent her eight-year-old to Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Camp Shakespeare (shakespearetheatre.org) last summer and it got rave reviews. “They made my kid love Shakespeare, which I find both inspiring and surprising.” she said.
Offering Choice
It is important to look for a balance between structured and unstructured activities. Some children may be happiest with variety rather than a single focus for a full week.
Many day camps offer children opportunities for choice throughout the day. For instance, every week has a different theme at Adventures on the Hill (summercampdc.com). Founder April Nelson said the theme helps guide field trips and special guests, but campers have latitude. At a morning meeting, campers choose as a group which activities they will do and in what order.
Choice is also a priority at Steve and Kate’s Camp (steveandkatescamp.com), which has locations in the DMV. The goal is to create an environment where campers ages 4 to 13 can exercise choice, self-control, and curiosity. DC Director Preshia Washington said campers practice self-directed learning, choosing from activities such as sewing, baking, water play, playground time, or quiet reading.
Overnight or Not?
As children get older, many yearn for greater independence. Sleepaway summer camp can offer that sense of independence while still providing supervision and structure.
But is your child ready for sleepaway camp? The American Camp Association (ACA) says it is advisable — though not necessary — for a camper to have participated in a day camp before committing to overnight camp for a session of a week or longer. Although every child is different, an ACA spokesperson suggests that a camper can be prepared for the separation by starting with sleepovers at a grandparent’s home or with a trusted friend. “Positive overnight experiences away from home prepare a child for the joys of overnight camp,” he said.
For some teenagers, distance and independence might be what they are looking for. “Teenagers especially like to feel like they can just go hang out with their friends,” said Camp Hidden Meadows (camphiddenmeadows.com) representative Corinne Bryant.
Camp Hidden Meadows is an overnight camp for boys and girls ages 6 to 16 located in the Allegheny Highlands of West Virginia. The camp offers more than 50 activities, including horseback riding, gardening, and white-water rafting, and campers can choose what they want to participate in.
Independence is key to a successful overnight camp experience, said Mark Rainey, Associate Director of Camp Horizons (camphorizonsva.com), a sleepaway camp for kids ages 6 to 16 located in Harrisonburg, VA. Camp Horizons offers different programs, including an equestrian camp for ages 9 to 16. Campers spend up to three hours a day riding, with additional activities tailored to topics such as stable management, grooming, and preparation for horse shows.
A Unique Community
The reason most camps are successful, Rainey said, is because they offer unique experiences and relationships. Summer camp is its own culture, he said — a community where kids build friendships with peers from different places and learn independence in a supportive environment.
Camps encourage parents to reach out, ask questions, and raise concerns. “We want to do everything that we possibly can do on our end to make it right for their child,” Rainey said. Learn more about camps and get camp tips at www.acacamps.org.
With any camp you choose, verify that it’s accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). ACA’s accreditation process is an independent safety audit evaluating up to 300 standards for camp management and programming.
