Community Corner
Where Do You Send Your Kids to Summer Camp?
Whether you're looking to stay in Vienna or travel around Virginia, Patch and parents offer recommendations to keep kids of all ages busy this summer.
It might only be January, but the window of opportunity for selecting and enrolling your kids in summer programs is already wide open.
We've created a summer camp roundup — from past articles, this year's parent recommendations and a few blog posts — to help you get started.
Do you have suggestions of your own? Add them in the comments.
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1. Town of Vienna Summer Camps
Where/When: Throughout the summer. Registration is held at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE. Camps take place at various locations around town. You can also register with WebTrac online at www.viennava.gov In-town registration begins 8 a.m. Feb. 11; Out-of-town registration begins Feb. 19.
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What they offer: The Town of Vienna offers a range of camps for all ages. From the traditional type of day camp, which encompasses several activities, to sport- or activity-specific camps, like basketball, fencing, chess or dance.
Price: Varies by type of program.
Fairfax County also offers a range of summer camps here. Among Vienna Patch reader favorites is the Glee camp.
Where/When: Sessions run from June to August at the school, 204-F Mill St NE, Vienna.
What they offer: The school offers a Pre-K camp (Ages 4 to 5), a Musical Theatre and Creative Arts Camp (Ages 5 to 7, 8 to 12), A Theatre Performance Camp (Ages 8 to 17), A String Fling Camp For Violin ,Viola and Cello (Ages 4 to 5) and a Junior Counselor program. The school also offers weekly classes.
Price: From $255 to nearly $925 per session. Classes are priced based on their length.
3. Cooking Camps at Culinaria Cooking School
Where/When: Culinaria Cooking School, 110 Pleasant St NW, Vienna. There are several week-long sessions available, starting June 24 to Aug. 12. Age groups are Kids 9 -12; Teens 13 - 17.
What they offer:From their website: "Our half-day cooking camps for kids and for teens go beyond the typical summer camp fare. Campers explore international and American cuisines in programs that teach them essential cooking skills, and how to maneuver in today's modern kitchen. Plus, our enthusiastic staff helps them learn how fun cooking and entertaining can be."
Price: $325 per child, per week.
Where/When: 415 Windover Avenue NW, Vienna. Six one-week sessions starting June 25 to July 30.
What they offer: Each week is theme-based. This year's themes include Colonial America, rockin' and rollin' and sailing the high seas, among others. "Art, music, dance, science, library, and athletics are all incorporated into these weekly themes. Campers will make full use of our playgrounds, outdoor classroom, academic building, and picnic grove. We will stay cool with water play and special treats."
Price: Contact Carolyn Wood, Director of Summer Programs at cwood@greenhedges.org
Where/When: 437 Knoll St NW, Vienna. Sessions run May to August
What they offer: Twelve different camps for pre-K and school-aged children, ranging from "Wilderness 101," to "Kids Kitchen," to "Sports Smarts."
6. Pat Sommers Rock Shop Summer Camp
Where/When: Pat Sommers Rock Shop, 8455 Tyco Rd Ste R Vienna, VA. Specific dates have not been set for this year, but the camp is a two-week program.
What it offers: From its website, "Rock Shop Summer Camp is a 2 week program that is open to beginners to advanced musicians. Camp is open to drummers, vocalists, guitarists, bassists, keyboardists and song writers. Campers are put together in bands, rehearse daily with their band on professional sound equipment and on the last day of camp have a concert for family and friends. Camp runs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and campers need to bring their own lunch. There is a vending machine on site that has cold drinks and snacks for sale. The program is for kids ages 8 - 16. During the day campers will rehearse, learn basics to their instruments, song writing, and performance techniques. They will name their band and come up with a "look" for their band. The concert is held the last day of camp at 2 p.m. Campers are encouraged to invite friends and family."
Price: $899 for the two week session.
Where/When: School of Rock, 111 Center Street South, Vienna. Sessions offered at various times in June, July and August.
What it offers: From the website: "School of Rock offers one- and two-week summer music day camps for musicians of all skill levels who play electric or acoustic guitar, bass, drums, piano, keyboards or vocals. Campers will develop their musicianship and learn new skills in a creative and fun environment. Since we run the camps in our own facilities using our own equipment, and therefore don't have the expense of an outside facility, we are able to keep our camp sessions small and personalized. This allows us to give the campers a lot of personal attention, matches them up by skill, and lets them spend more time together as a band, making music and having fun."
Price: Depends on the program, but the school offers a $50 discount for those who enroll in more than one camp, and a $50 sibling discount.
Where/When: Born2Dance, 305 Maple Ave. W, Vienna. Dates have not been set for the 2013 season, but several week-long camps are offered.
What it offers: "Original themed summer dance camps for kids ages 6 to 15, with flexible schedule options."
Price: Varies by session.
9. Stratford Culinary Summer Camp
Where/When: Stratford University, 7777 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Four one-week sessions offered the weeks of July 5 through July 25; two of them are cooking camps, two are baking camps. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What it offers: "Culinary and pastry arts summer camp. This program has been very popular with children and parents alike. The campers will be bringing home what they create each day," the website says. Campers must be between 15 and 18 years old, and at least 4-foot-6.
Price: From $320 to $399, not including a $75 mandatory tool kit.
10. Academic Summer Camps for High School Students: Blogger Jamie Finch rounds up a few choices for teens who want to keep their mind sharp (and see some universities across the country) over the summer. Her roundup on summer camps for high school students is here.
Still not seeing what you're after? There's a Free Camp Forum from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 31 at Forestville Elementary School in Great Falls.
Do your kids go to summer camp? Which programs have they enjoyed most? Give your favorites a shoutout in the comments.
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