Business & Tech
Summer Camp 101: Everything You Need To Know About Local Camp Options
Everything you've ever wanted to know about summer camps.
If you see a crazed look in the eyes of parents this weekend, know that there’s a common burden on our mind: summer camp registration has opened. This means that even though frost is barely off the ground, we must look three months into the future, decide our vacation plans now, and what we are going to do with our kids for the 80 days that separate us from the next school year.
The problem is not the lack of programs available; it’s finding one that will suit your schedule, your child’s interests, your budget, and doing it before the camp fills up. The race is on, and so, to assist you with your frenzied summer camp research, here’s a list of the local businesses providing hours of fun for your little campers this summer with information directly from each camp's website:
For more day and overnight camp options reaching beyond our community, visit www.washingtonfamily.com and www.washingtonparent.com, and click the link for camps.
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Apollo Gymnastics, ages 5-12
Find out what's happening in Lake Ridge-Occoquanfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
703-580-9144
12700 Apollo Dr., Woodbridge, VA
Offering 7 one-week camps starting July 11 for kids ages 5-12. Camps will have different themes each week.
Full Day, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Cost: TBD
Half Day, 9 a.m. - noon; 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Cost: TBD
Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory, ages 5 and up
703-330-2787
9419 Battle St., Manassas, VA
Offers a wide variety of art and drama camps for children ages 5 through high school. All summer art camps are located at the Center for the Arts, 9419 Battle St., Manassas. See the listing for Pied Piper Theatre Summer Drama Camps for details about the theater productions.
Challenger Sports British Soccer Summer Camps, ages 3-14
Field locations: LRPRA soccer fields, Lake Ridge and Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center fields, Dale City
Challenger British Soccer Camps will be held June 27-July 1 and Aug. 1 - Aug. 5 on the LRPRA soccer field, on the corner of Old Bridge and Smoketown roads.
First Kicks, ages 3-4, $64
Mini Soccer 1.5 hour, ages 4-6, $84
Half Day, ages 6-14, $105
Full Day camps, ages 6-14, $215, available at the Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center, August 22-26 and August 29-September 2. Register online at www.challengersports.com.
Criswood Farm I- Summer Riding Camp, ages 8 and up
703-590-4224
5304 Hoadly Rd., Manassas, VA 20112
The goal of this camp is to give who attend all-around knowledge and experience with horses, feeding, basic first aid, saddling and bridling and grooming. Each day starts with an hour-long riding session, learning proper equitation, how to walk, halt, steer, and trot. The campers spend each day playing games that include the horses. At the end of each week, the group celebrates with a pizza party and costume class with prizes.
Every week through the summer: June 21 - Sept. 3
Hours: Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cost: $300 per week
Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center Summer Camps, ages 3-22
http://www.freedom-center.com/camps/
703-993-8513
9100 Freedom Center Blvd, Manassas, VA 20110
There are many camps offered through George Mason University at the Prince William Campus, for ages 3- 22
Camps such as theater/drama, dance, guitar, conditioning, cooking, fishing, nature, paintball, spy camp, equestrian, rock climbing, boxing, and high wire adventure ... just to name a few.
Before and after care is “built-in” for all full day camps from 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Campers will participate in supervised, self-directed, unstructured activities during, before and after care hours. No preregistration is required. Registration begins March 7
Gymboree Bubble Camp Fridays, ages 3-5
703-590-3320
Gymboreeclasses.com
14130 Noblewood Plaza, Suite 204, Woodbridge, VA 22193
Get the fun of camp without the commitment! Bubble Camp is a drop-off program for "potty independent" 3-5 year olds which offers music, art, sports, school skills, traditional games and signature Gymboree activities all in one day.
Time: Every Friday this summer from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Dates: June 3 through Aug. 26
Cost: $45 per week (includes enrollment, snacks, lunch and unlimited attendance at Open Gyms on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-7:30 p.m.)
George Mason University Summer Camps, ages 6 - 17
703-993-1056
George Mason University- Fairfax Campus
There are a ton of specialty programs for technology, sciences, broadcasting, as well as traditional music, art and theater and sports camps at the Fairfax campus.
Gymnastics World Summer Camps, ages 4 and up
703-763-3420
12384 Dillingham Sq., Woodbridge, VA
Offers week-long camps for ages 4 and up every week June 20 through Aug. 26. Full-day and half-day options. Price range is $175-$220 for full day, and $135-$175 for half day camps. Before and after care available, 6 a.m.- 8p.m.
Kids in Motion, Ages 3 - 12
www.kidsnmotion.biz
703-878-0100
3310 Noble Pond Way #101, Woodbridge, VA 22193
Stretch, exercise, play games and jump. Lots of fun. Must bring a drink and lunch. No products containing peanuts allowed. (Child does not need to be potty-trained)
Monday, June 21 - Friday, Sept. 2
Two sessions to choose from:
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. morning session or 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. afternoon session. $20 for one session per day (if more than one day). $25 for one session for just a one day camp. Siblings $5 discount. Must be brother or sister. Reservations and 50-percent deposite required in advance.
Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation- Day Camp, Ages 6-12
703-491-2154
Ridgewood Center, 12400 Oakwood Drive, Woodbridge, VA
The camp is designed to promote leadership, teamwork and fellowship. Each week the events will be built around a theme. Campers will enjoy a weekly field trip, arts and crafts, active and quiet games and pool time. Each day follows a general daily schedule of quiet games, group activities, snack, pool time, lunch, more pool time, arts and crafts. Lake Ridge Association Summer Day Camp is a licensed program through the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Social Services.
Camp Dates: June 27 - Aug. 19, Monday - Friday. Camp will be closed July 4.
Monday – Friday, Full Day - 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Half Day/ 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Summer Day Camp Fees
One Week Full Day LRPA member: $160 non member: $175
Two Week Full Day $310 $340
Eight Week Full Day $1200 $1320
One Week Half Day $80 $90
Two Week Half Day $155 $170
Eight Week Half Day $600 $660
Lake Ridge Learn to Swim Program, ages 6 months and up
http://www.lakeridgeva.com/Pools:-Hours-&-Swim-Lessons~15607~299.htm
703-491-2154 ext. 116.
Canterbury Woods Pool, 12184 Chaucer Lane, Woodbridge, VA
Oakwood Pool, 12619 Oakwood Dr., Woodbridge, VA
Red Cross classes are taught by certified instructors. Sessions last two weeks and the classes are held Monday – Thursday. Make-ups are held Friday as necessary. Sessions may be combined.
Parent/Child: 6 months through 5 years of age.
Cost: LRPRA Members: $50; Non-Members: $55
Level 1 (Water Exploration)
Cost: LRPRA Members: $60 Non-members: $65
Level 2 (Primary Skills)
Cost: LRPRA Members: $60 Non-members: $65
Level 3 (Stroke Readiness)
Cost: LRPRA Members: $60 Non-members: $65
Level 4 (Stroke Development)
Cost: LRPRA Members: $60 Non-members: $65
Level 5 (Stroke Refinement)
Cost: LRPRA Members: $60 Non-members: $65
Level 6 available upon request (Skill Proficiency)
Cost: LRPRA Members: $60 Non-members: $65
June 20 through June 30, Classes- Registration Deadline June 13
July 11- July 21 Classes- Registration Deadline July 5
Aug. 1 – Aug. 11 Classes- Registration Deadline July 25
Linda’s Ballet Workshop, Dance/ Art Camp, Ages 4-12
(703) 590-2739
12373 Dillingham Sq. Woodbridge, VA 22192
Two sessions are held in July and August. Each session is three days, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Children will be divided into groups based on their age, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Specific dates and cost have not been released yet.
Lorton Workhouse for the Arts- Summer Camps, ages 6 and up
http://reservations.workhousearts.org/Info.aspx?EventID=5
Camps for future film-makers, visual artists, actors, and musicians. Full-day and half-day camps available. Scholarships available, please inquire by emailing Caren Hearne at carenhearne@lortonarts.org
Jason Yi's Tae Kwon Do College
703-583-6766
12500 Dillingham Sq., Woodbridge, VA
Jason Yi's Tae Kwon Do College Summer Camp Program incorporates learning life skills into a daily regimen of fun and exciting activities. Each week, it will have a theme that will be both fun and educational for students. Themes include: Random Acts of Kindness, Bully Busters, Mini-Olympics, Anti-Child Abduction and Child Safety, Physical Fitness, and Bully Proof Workshop
Camps are held every week during PWCS summer vacation.
Camp hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; before and after care available- 6 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $219/week. Early registration discount available now.
Pied Piper Theatre Summer Drama Camps, ages 5 and up
703-330-2787
Locations: Center for the Arts, 9419 Battle St., Manassas;
Grace Baptist Church, 14242 Spriggs Rd., Woodbridge;
Gainesville United Methodist Church, 13710 Milestone Ct., Gainesville; Hytlon Performing Arts Center, 10900 University Blvd., Manassas; Manassas Baptist Church, 8800 Sudley Rd., Manassas.
Take the stage this summer in the Pied Piper Theatre Camps. Offered by the Center for the Arts, these camps open the world of theatre to young people. Theatre Express!, a performing arts day camp, is available for ages 8-12; Footlights and Fairy Tales provides fun for ages 5-7; and Will Shakespeare’s Excellent Adventure offers unique opportunities for youth 13-18. Additional opportunities include workshops and master classes in Stage Combat, Broadway Dance for Actors, How to Audition, Voice Training for Actors, Introduction to Italian Art Songs, Actor's Approach, Actor's Audition Master Workshop, and OnStage at the Kellar Theater.
Prince William County Park Authority, ages 2 ½ and up
http://www.pwcparks.org/Camps/tabid/552/Default.aspx
Locations: Birchdale Recreation Center, 14730 Birchdale Ave, Dale City, 703-670-9118; Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center, 13025 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge, 703-730-1051; Lake Ridge Park, 12350 Cotton Mill Dr., Woodbridge, 703-494-5564; Locust Shade Park, 4701 Locust Shade Dr, Triangle, 703-221-8579; Prince William Forest Park, 703-670-9118; Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center, 14300 Minnieville Rd, Dale City, 703 670-7112.
Offers a wide variety of summer camps: full-day, partial day, or hour-long classes for kids ages 2 ½ and up. Registration opens on March 5. Additional summer programs such as the mini-camps will be included in the Summer Class Catalog, available mid-April.
Ridgewood Barracudas Swim Team
703-494-2838 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
Ridgewood Pool, 12358 Oakwood Dr. Woodbridge, 22192
Season: May 31 – July 31, Ridgewood Pool
Coaches Evaluation for New Swimmers and Returning Take Your Mark and Little Cudas: Sunday, April 3 and Sunday, April 10 (check website for times) at Chinn Aquatic Center.
Returning swimmers registration: Thursday, April 7
Open registration and Take Your Mark/Lil Cudas registration: Sunday, April 10
