FAQs
What is Sidwell Summer?
Sidwell Summer is 15 programs, 11 weeks, 7 locations, and one great summer! We offer a variety of programs for children ages 3 ½ - 18. Our diverse array of programs offer children a fun and diverse summer experience! We offer a diverse array of programs to fit all sorts of needs. Brush up on academic skills in Summer Studies or Explorer Day Camp, explore your creative side at Bethesda Day Camp and Riverview, or get out and play at one of our sports camps! To check out the variety of programs we offer, click on “Camps and Programs.”
How can I apply?
Click on Apply Online or Download Application.
How can I get more information about Sidwell Summer?
Ask for a mailed copy of our brochure by emailing summer@sidwell.edu, call us with questions at 202-537-8133, or stop by our office!
Where is Sidwell Summer located?
We are located on the campus of Sidwell Friends School. The main campus, home to our Upper and Lower School, is located at 3825 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, 20016. Our Bethesda Day Camp is located at 5100 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814.
What is the difference between your Bethesda Day Camp and your Junior Explorers/Explorer Day Camp on the Wisconsin Ave NW DC Campus?
Bethesda Day Camp, located on our Bethesda Campus near the Bethesda Library on Edgemoor Lane, offers a fun program to children ages 3 ½ - 10. The Bethesda campus has a playground and plenty of outdoor space in which children can run around. This program consists of three, two-week sessions. The Pre-School team (for children not yet entering kindergarten) have full and half day options and remain with their home base for most of the day, and participate in special activities such as music, science, recess, and water play in sprinklers throughout each week.
The Primary and Senior teams are also grouped into home bases. Three days a week, they select activities such as puppetry, outdoor games, and mask-making (as well as other activities our teachers will come up with!). Campers also pick daily workshop activities each day. Teachers will present their activities during camp collection and children will choose each day.
On our Wisconsin Ave Campus, the Junior Explorer program is similar to the Bethesda Program. The program offers a week-by-week sign up, so the schedule is more flexible for parents who plan to take vacation during the summer. Each week, Mad Science, a special art teacher, and a music teacher will lead activities with the Juniors. The Juniors also have a special guest each week that fits in with the theme of the program. Like the Pre-School and Primary teams at Bethesda, the Juniors have outdoor water play in sprinklers, always a popular activity! The Explorer Day Camp on the Wisconsin Ave NW DC Campus offers campers in grades 2-5 workshop choices each week. Like the Junior Explorer camp, Explorer Day Camp offers week-by-week sign ups. Check out the Explorer Day Camp page for a look at our workshop choices.
Will my child go swimming?
Bethesda Day Camp
The Senior team will go swimming two days a week (either Monday / Wednesday or Tuesday / Thursday afternoon - Friday is a special event afternoon). Parents should note that this is a free-swim supervised by Bethesda Day Camp counselors and lifeguards at the pool; it is not an instructional swim. The Pre-School and Primary Teams do not go swimming; however, they do participate in outdoor water play in sprinklers each day.
Junior Explorers/Explorer Day Camp/Explorer Voyagers
Daily free swim is a workshop option for Explorer Day Campers. In the past this workshop has been extremely popular, and we cannot guarantee that every camper who signs up for swimming will be able to swim. This swim is supervised by Explorer Day Camp counselors and lifeguards at the pool. Parents should note that this is a free swim, not an instructional swim class.
Explorer Voyagers go to the pool depending on their daily field trip plans. Junior Explorers do not swim; they participate in outdoor water play in sprinklers and inflatables.
Where and when do I drop off and pick up my child?
Bethesda Day Camp
Bethesda Day Camp drop off and pick up is in the main driveway of the Lower School campus. Drop off in the morning is at 8:45am, and your child will be met by counselors and will be able to play on the playground before going to their home base. For pick up, parents can line up in the Lower School driveway for the 3:00pm pickup and are to turn off their vehicles while waiting in line. Parents can also park in the street along Edgemoor Lane, but should not block the entrance to the Lower School. Once all campers have been walked to their cars, the cars will be dismissed by a security officer. In order to ensure the safety of your child, please follow the directions of all camp staff while dropping off and picking up your child.
Wisconsin Ave NW DC Campus
Drop Off -- campers should pull into the Parking Garage off Wisconsin Avenue at Rodman St.. Enter the 3rd entrance (drop off lane) and pull up following the staff direction. Campers will meet in the courtyard. Cars can exit by looping back through the garage and out by Rodman St. or by exiting the garage at the far end and going out at the light by the Post Office (left and right turns allowed at both exits). Please do not drop off before 8:45 am however, campers need to be on time as the Voyager Bus will depart promptly. Pick Up – campers will congregate at the same location as drop off at the end of the day. As the car pulls in for pick up, the name of the camper will be collected, the car then progresses through the garage to pick up the student. Please follow the directions of the staff.
I’m a working parent. What are my options for before and after camp?
Our Early Risers and Camp ‘til Six programs offer parents more flexibility in their care. Both of these programs offer drop-in as well. Please click on “Camps and Programs” to find out more about Early Risers and Camp ‘til Six, as well as to find a drop-in form you can fax into our office. Please note, we will not allow children who do not have forms on file to drop into our camp.
Is the payment refundable?
After May 1st, payments are non-refundable.
Can I get my deposit refunded?
The deposit is non-refundable.
I’ve lost the forms I need to fill out, what should I do?
Give us a call and we will walk through how to get new forms! 202-537-8133
How do I request a change to my Explorer Day Camp schedule?
Click here for information on requesting a change to your Explorer Day Camp workshop.
Do you have any additional questions not listed here? Please email us at summer@sidwell.edu and we may use your question in our FAQ.
