Sidwell Summer Policies

The following policies are enforced for all Sidwell Summer programs.

Payments, Discounts, Refunds and Fees

Program Payments

The balance for all programs is due by May 1. All deposits are non-refundable and payments are non-refundable after May 1. 

If applying for a program after May 1, the full balance is due at the time of registration and all payments made are non-refundable. Changes in a camper’s schedule may result in full loss of payment for the original program.  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.

Closures & Pro-Rating

Both Sidwell Summer campuses will be closed on the federal holiday for the Fourth of July holiday and no day programs will be conducted. One week sessions that occur during the week of the 4th of July federal holiday will be pro-rated. Sidwell Summer does not pro-rate for partial attendance of a program. All Sidwell Summer programs will be closed on July 4th and July 5th.

Discounts

For summer 2013 we are offering a 5% sibling discount. We are also offering an Early Bird discount for any family that registers prior to January 31st. The Early Bird discount will be $100 off each session of camp (excluding half day programs and Summer Studies courses) and will be automatically applied when you complete your registration. The Early Bird discount can only be applied to weeks that families registerer for prior to January 31st. If your family needs to change weeks after January 31st, the discount will be lost. *Note: we will not be running any Living Social deals for summer 2013.

Payment Plans

If your family needs additional time to pay your final balance with Sidwell Summer, we can work with you to establish a payment plan.  Please contact our office at the time of registration to see if we can set up a plan that meets your family’s needs.  Please note, full payment is still due by the first day of the program your child is attending.

Application Change 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 for a week for which you have already registered.) All balances are due May 1. 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, all payments are non-refundable even if a camper switches to a program with a lower fee and the $25 administrative will also apply.  All deposits are non-refundable.  Full payment for all programs is due May 1st and no refunds are available after that date. Click here for the Application Change Form.

Refunds

All deposits are non-refundable.  After May 1st, payments are non-refundable.

Releases

Mandatory Release

Any participant in any Sidwell Summer program must have the following Mandatory Release accepted by a parent or guardian during the online application. 

I authorize Sidwell Summer, when I cannot be reached, to take my child to the emergency room of the nearest hospital, at my expense.  In case of an emergency, I give my permission to Sidwell Summer to arrange for emergency medical treatment and, when neither guardian can be contacted by phone, to sign a permit on my behalf for the administration of a general anesthesia by a qualified anesthesiologist.  The hospital has my authorization to provide treatment that a physician deems necessary for the well-being of my child. I give permission for my child to be taken on field trips, off the Sidwell Friends campus and supervised by Sidwell Summer staff, whether by foot, metro, taxi, van or bus.  Except as stated above on this certificate, this individual is in good health and is capable of participating in a full program.

Photograph Release

Sidwell Summer requests parents to authorize a photograph release for each participant issuing Sidwell Friends School the right to photograph, video or record summer participants for the purpose of illustrations, publications and websites.  If a guardian wishes to decline this authorization, s/he must indicate this at the time of registration and submit a photograph of their child to Sidwell Summer so that we can check photographs taken during the summer.

Camps Operating in Maryland Releases

Maryland law requires all campers on the Bethesda Campus to have a signed authorization to be transported and participate in certain water sport activities.

Sunscreen Policy

We encourage all campers to bring their own sunscreen. We will offer reminders to re-apply over the course of the day and prior to any waterplay or swimming activities. This procedure is enforced by all programs operated by Sidwell Summer at all locations.

Pick Up and Drop Off Policies

For everyone’s safety, all children on campus during the summer regardless of age must be registered in a Sidwell Summer program in order to be on campus.

Arrival

Campers should arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the start time of a program. If a participant arrives earlier a parent or guardian must remain with the camper until 15 minutes prior to the start time. If you need to drop your child off earlier, the child must be registered in the Early Risers program, which begins at 7:30 am.

Late Arrivals:

If you arrive late, please park and escort your camper to the Sidwell Summer Office (DC: located next to the Fox Den, Bethesda: Located in the Manor House) where we will check your camper in and escort them to their program location.

Early Pick Up:

Please notify either the program director or Sidwell Summer office in advance if you plan to pick up your child early from a camp program. Campers should be picked up directly from the Sidwell Summer Office and a parent or designated adult must check them out with the camp office before leaving campus in order to ensure the safety of campers. Campers will not be permitted to wait alone or in the Parking Garage or in other pick up locations.  Note, early picks ups are not permitted after 2:00 on the DC Campus or after 2:30 on the Bethesda Campus.

Departure

Campers should be picked up within 30 minutes of any program ending.  Participants are not allowed to remain on-campus without being registered in a program. Any camper not picked up within the 30 minute window will be escorted to the Sidwell Summer office until the camper is picked up.  A fee of $50 will be applied to your account and must be paid before your child can attend any camp program. 

Please note: Campers are not taken to the Camp 'til Six program. This program is for pre-registered campers only. Campers will be in the summer office for pick-up.  Serious infractions - either based on frequency of late pick-ups or duration of any single pick-up may result in dismissal from camp program.

If the parent or guardian is running late, s/he should call appropriate campus:

Camper Absences

Please notify the Siwell Summer Office at 202-537-8133 in advance of any planned absences from the camp program. Please call the office as soon as possible should your camper be sick or unexpectedly needs to miss camp for any reason. Sidwell Summer does not pro-rate for partial attendance of a program.