FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

We have listed a number of FAQ’s below – please also refer to our General Information page.  If you have other questions or if we can provide additional information, please contact us either by e-mail (summer@sidwell.edu) or by phone at 202-537-8133.

Questions and Answers are grouped in the following topics:

Sidwell Summer Overview

What is Sidwell Summer?

Sidwell Summer is 15+ programs, 11+ weeks, 5 locations, and one great summer!   Administered by faculty and staff of Sidwell Friends School, Sidwell Summer offers a variety of programs for children ages 3 - 18. The array of programs offer children a fun and diverse summer experience to meet whatever your summer needs may be! Brush up on academic skills in Summer Studies, explore the arts, enrichment & sports in Explorer Day Camp, tap into your creative side at Kaleidoscope and Riverview, or get out and play at one of our sports camps! To check out the variety of programs we offer, click on the photo buttons at the top.

Registration And Admissions

How can I apply?

Sidwell Summer has an online application – click on the Apply Now button now to get started!  For a credit Summer Studies course, please click for the paper application. 

How can I get more information about Sidwell Summer?

All of our information is on this site – have fun exploring all the different options.  Please e-mail us at summer@sidwell.edu, call us at 202-537-8133, or stop by our office on the DC campus with any questions! We also have staff available year round to assist you with planning.

Do you offer sibling discounts?

Yes, we offer sibling discounts plus Refer a Friend and “Group of Friends” discount.

Can we visit the campus before signing up for camp?

Yes!  We have open houses that we would love for you to attend:

Summer Programs Open Houses

. If you cannot attend either of these events, we would be happy to give you a tour of our campus at another time. Please contact Sidwell Summer to set up an appointment  (summer@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8133).

Summer Studies – Is prior approval needed for courses with academic credit offered?

Students must receive approval prior to registering for courses offered for academic credit. Sidwell Friends School students must have the approval of the Academic Dean or advisor. Non-Sidwell Friends School students must have permission from their school’s Principal, Academic Dean or appropriate administrator within the school. Written approval must be submitted at the time of registration.

What if I want information for a camper sent to two different households?

Please send us an e-mail noting the camper’s name and the two households you would like information sent to.

Summer Operations, Hours, And Logistics

What are Camp hours? 

Program core hours are listed below, please check program description pages for any special hours/events.

7:30 – 8:45 am	Early Risers
8:45 – 9:00 am	Morning Arrival Time
9:00 am – 3:00 pm	Regular Camp hours (some programs offer half day programs)
9:00 am – 12:00/12:30 pm	Morning Only Programs
1:00 – 3:00 pm	Afternoon Only Programs
3:00 – 3:15 pm	Carpool/Pick Up Time
3:00 – 6:00 pm	Camp ‘til Six

Do you offer any Extended Hours Programs?

Yes.

Do you offer Transportation?

We do not offer transportation. 

How are campers divided into groups?

Depending on the program, campers are grouped by grade.

Can campers be in a group with their friends?

An important part of the Sidwell Summer experience is to make new friends and to make everyone feel a part of the community.  We cannot group campers together if they are not registered in the same program/session.  While we will make every effort to honor mutual grouping requests, we cannot guarantee them.  Requests made to group multiple campers will be carefully reviewed by the director to ensure the proper camp balance for all campers.

Where is Sidwell Summer located?

We are located on the campuses of Sidwell Friends School. The DC campus, home to our Upper and Middle Schools, is located at 3825 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, 20016.  The address for the Parking Garage entrance on the DC Campus is 3845 Wisconsin Avenue and is referenced for Pick Up and Drop Off directions. The Bethesda Campus home of our Lower School is located at 5100 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Will my child go swimming?

Swimming and water play is offered in a number of programs (Juniors, Kaleidoscope, Explorers, Tennis, Voyagers) - please see specific program pages for daily schedules.

Where and when do I drop off and pick up my child?

Our drop off and pick up procedures vary by location, please click on the location for more details:

I’ve lost the forms I need to fill out, what should I do?

There only forms that are Each program has a Forms & Health Information section, please check there to print extra copies of the forms.

How do I request a change to my Explorer Day Camp schedule? 

*Workshop Changes are available up to the close of business (4:00 PM) on the Thursday prior to the start of the camp session your camper is participating in.  Please email changes to ExplorerPrograms@gmail.com*

Lunch, Food & Snacks

Do you offer lunch and snacks?

Participants bring their own lunch Monday through Thursday.  Pizza lunch and ice cream is provided on Fridays on both campuses.  Each campus has a lunch purchase option, see details below:

DC Campus

Lunch may be purchased for $5/day and includes a sandwich board, salad selections and fresh fruit daily prepared by Sidwell’s Meriwether Godsey staff. Campers purchasing lunch may bring money, use our order form or may pre-purchase lunch using our on-line application system.

Bethesda Campus

There is not an option to purchase lunch on the Bethesda campus. Pizza lunch is served each Friday.

Snacks

We have found that due to allergies and health concerns, parents prefer to pack their own snack.  We do provide a simple snack in some of our programs (e.g., Juniors, and all Travelers) such as goldfish, graham crackers, or pretzels.  See program descriptions for specific details on snacks.  Snacks are provided in Early Risers and Camp ‘til Six.  Campers on the DC Campus may have access to vending machines on-campus during certain break times. Campers may also purchase snacks and drinks from the Fox Den Cafe on-campus between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. Items for purchase include: smoothies; espresso drinks and other cafe beverages (must be entering 10th grade to purchase caffeine drinks without parent present); baked bagels & cookies; packaged crackers, chips & candies; canned and bottled drinks. Time for this varies by program. 
Click here for the form to set up a Fox Den Camper account

What is the Fox Den Cafe? Where can I get a coffee?

The Fox Den Cafe is the coffee house located on the DC Campus. Located across from the entrance of the Upper School cafeteria, it offers enjoyable seating indoors and outside. Campers may purchase snacks and drinks from the Fox Den Cafe between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. Items for purchase include: smoothies; espresso drinks and other cafe beverages (must be grade 10 and older to purchase caffeine drinks without parent present); baked bagels & cookies; packaged crackers, chips & candies; canned and bottled drinks. Some programs will have break times in which campers may visit the Fox Den. Time for this varies by program.  Camper accounts may be set up with the Fox Den.  It is also a great place for mom or dad to get a caffeine fix in the morning after drop off or while waiting for afternoon pick up!

Refunds, Fees, And Other Payment Policies

What are the change or cancellation fees?

There are no fees to add programs! However, to make any changes to an existing registration there will be a $25 administrative fee.  (This includes switching sessions of the same program as well as switching to a different program a week for which you have already registered.)  After May 1, in addition to the $25 administrative fee, any program balance must be paid in full at the time the change is made. After May 1, tuition payments are non-refundable even if a camper switches to a program with a lower fee and the $25 administrative will also apply.

What is your refund policy?

All deposits are non-refundable.  After May 1, tuition payments are not refundable.  Changes in a camper’s schedule may result in full loss of tuition for the original program.  Tuition payments lost due to withdrawal from a program cannot be forwarded to the next year’s programs or to a sibling’s account.  Any deposit or payment lost due to withdrawal from a program will be contributed to Sidwell Summer’s Sponsorship Program.

What happens if a session, course, trip or workshop is cancelled?

Sidwell Summer reserves the right to cancel any session, course, trip or workshop offered that does not reach the minimum number of participants required or that is affected by unforeseen circumstances. The minimum number of participants required varies according to the trip, session, course or workshop. Sidwell Summer makes every attempt to give as much notice of a cancellation as possible; however, we do try to keep registrations open as it makes sense to allow for increased enrollment. There is no fee incurred for courses, trips or sessions that are cancelled due to low enrollment or other outside factors. All fees directly associated with cancelled courses, trips or sessions will be refunded. If a workshop or class within a full-day program (Summer Studies, Explorer Day Camp and ExploreStar) is cancelled, Sidwell Summer will work with families individually to find a suitable replacement for the workshop. If the schedule is adequately modified no refund is made. The $25 administrative fee does not apply to changes in schedules due to a cancelled workshop or class. If the cancellation affects the camper’s primary interest in the program, a refund may be considered.

Do you offer financial assistance?

Since its establishment in the summer of 2002, the Sidwell Summer Sponsorship Fund has helped to bring enriching, fun summer activities to families that may not otherwise be able to participate due to the cost.  Our program is funded in part by contributions from other camper families.  The objective of the Sponsorship Fund is to help as many families as possible enjoy the camp experience. Therefore, the typical sponsorship award assists families for 1-3 weeks of camp. 

Sidwell students receiving financial aid during the school year will be given priority, however, sponsorship grants may not be the same percentage of school aid.

 If you are interested in applying for sponsorship, please complete the online sponsorship application.

The 2012 Sponsorship Application will be available by January 9th, 2012.

For Summer Studies courses, financial aid may be available to Sidwell Friends School students who receive financial aid during the regular school year. A written request for aid is required. The Black Student Fund and other independent schools may also be able to provide financial aid. Please contact other organizations directly.

Other Policies

Do you have a photo policy?

Yes, we ask parents to authorize a photo release.  If a guardian wishes to decline this authorization, s/he must indicate so and submit a photograph to Sidwell Summer so that we can check photographs taken during the summer.

Is a nurse on campus during camp hours?

Yes.  We have a nurse present on each campus during the core hours of camp programs (8:30 am – 3:30 pm).  

Health Information And Mandatory Forms

When do I need to send in my health and other forms?

All forms are available at the time of registration and are due by May 31.  Forms are accepted throughout the enrollment season. If registering after May 31, forms are due within one week of registration or by the Friday before the camp begins, whichever date is sooner. Completed forms received in time are of utmost importance to insure the safety of your child at camp and to make certain your camper’s participation in camp activities is not limited.  Please check your Program page Forms & Health Information section for specific forms needed.

What if my camper needs to take medication while at camp?

A Physician’s Order Form is required for the administration of prescription and over-the-counter medications.  The Physician’s Order Form must be signed by physician as well as a parent or guardian. Any medications being sent to camp will be kept in the nurse’s office and must be in the original containers bearing the pharmacy label. Over the counter medication must also be in its original container with the original label and directions for use.  Please call the Nurse directly to help coordinate the administering of medications to your child if you think this would be helpful for your child. The nurse is available on Monday mornings and is conveniently located for parents during arrival to receive medications.

Is Sidwell Summer nut free? 

No, our camps are not nut-free, please contact our nurses with any questions or concerns (summer@sidwell.edu).

Can the nurse administer over-the-counter medication to my child?

Yes, if a camper has a completed Over-The-Counter Medication Distribution Form with both the signature of a licensed physician and the parent or guardian on file with the school nurse, over-the-counter medications may be administered.

Do you have any additional questions not listed here?
Please email us at summer@sidwell.edu or call us at 202-537-8133.