General Information

The following information is provided to help families understand the Sidwell Summer registration process, our policies and to provide general information pertaining to all programs.  Please click on the topics below for all the details.  For specific program information, please refer to the program web pages where you will find many details regarding each program.  Also, please feel free to call our offices to have additional questions answered.

Registration and Admission Process

Summer Application Process

Sidwell Summer’s online application is available on December 1st.  Applications for all programs are processed on a first come, first registered basis.  We only accept online applications for most programs. You must complete a paper application for credit Summer Studies courses and if applying for one of our trips. If you need assistance navigating our online registration system, please call our office Monday- Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.  We are also available to assist families in person during these same hours. Please call in advance to schedule a time to come in.

If applying for sponsorship, please read below before completing an online application.

School Break Camp Application Process

Winter Break Camp registration is now available online!

Spring Break programs registration is available on-line.  Paper applications are available for SFS families on-site at the Lower School as well.

Deposits

A non-refundable deposit is due upon registration.  This deposit is applied to the program fees.  The deposit is $100 for each day program week and $250 for each overnight program session. Please note, this does not alter the overall fee for any program; however, it allows families who apply early in the registration season to put down a lesser deposit amount at the time of registration. All deposits are non-refundable.

Sidwell Summer Sponsorship Fund

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 and return the paper sponsorship application form. (Please do not apply online - online applicants will not be considered for sponsorship). 2011 sponsorship applications are due February 15 (first round) and April 15 (second round).

All sponsorship awards for summer 2011 have been made. Please check back in January 2012 for the sponsorship form for next summer!

 

Payment, Discounts, Refunds and Fees

Program Payments

The balance for all programs is due by May 1. Trips have additional deposits due on April 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 federal holiday will be pro-rated. Programs operating on a two week schedule will not be pro-rated. Sidwell Summer does not pro-rate for partial attendance of a program.

Discounts

Take advantage of Sidwell Summer's great discounts to help you with your summer planning! All discounts will be applied before the final balance is due on May 1.  Families can get multiple “Refer a Friend” discounts but only a single Family or Group discount. All discounts are valid through May 1st.

Refer a Friend

Any family who refers another family who subsequently signs up for a Sidwell Summer program, will receive a  5% discount off one session of one child’s camp tuition. Please note, the camper referred must be a first time registrant with Sidwell Summer.  During registration, please send us an e-mail introducing your friend (list friend’s name and your child’s name) to summer@sidwell.edu so we can apply the discount. Valid through May 1st.

‘Group of Friends’ Discount

The more the merrier at camp! If a group of five or more campers registers together for camp before May 1, all campers in the “group” will receive a 5% discount off of any camp session(s) the group is attending together. During registration, the names of all group members should be submitted by sending an e-mail to summer@sidwell.edu. Families with multiple children may list more than one camper to help comprise the group. The group must maintain a minimum of five registrants in order for discount to be applied. Valid through May 1st.

Family Discount

Any family registering two or more campers for 2010 Sidwell Summer programs will receive a 5% discount for each camper for all weeks that both siblings attend.  To receive the discount, the names of all siblings should be submitted by sending an e-mail to summer@sidwell.edu. Families applying with a group listing two or more siblings in that group receive a flat 5% discount. Families must have a minimum of two campers enrolled in Sidwell Summer programs in order for the discount to be applied. Valid through May 1st.

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 & Policies

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.

Camper Services

Camper Advocate

Sidwell Summer employs a camper advocate who works to ensure the best camp experience for your child.  Please download the Camper Advocate form here to tell us about any special needs your child may have during the camp session or alert us of any concerns (this includes health issues, food allergies, or any personal issues you feel it would be best for us to know while your child is a part of Sidwell Summer).  Contact Sidwell Summer at (202) 537-8133 to discuss. Click here for Camper Advocate Form.

Application Change Form

Adding programs is easy!  Go online and you can manage your account- add programs or make payments. If you would like to change your camper’s schedule or withdraw your child from a program for which he/she is already registered, an Application Change Form must be completed and sent to the Sidwell Summer office via fax, email or mail. Please see Application Change Fees and Refund Policy above for information regarding fees associated with changes to an existing registration. Click here for the Application Change Form.

Health

Allergies

Sidwell Summer does not provide peanut free programs. Please contact Sidwell Summer regarding any health or allergy related questions.

Important Medical Information: Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medication Policies

MD and DC Law prohibits Sidwell Summer from distributing prescriptions, over the counter medications (Advil, Benadryl, Tylenol etc), or ointments (first aid cream, antibiotic etc.) without a physicians order.  If you would like to grant permission to Sidwell Summer’s nurse to distribute over the counter medications or ointments, you must have your child’s physician complete the Over-the-Counter Medication Distribution form.

If your child is taking prescription medicines during camp hours, a Medication Authorization Order for each medication must be completed by a physician and the parent. Medication must be provided in the original pharmacy container.  These procedures are enforced for all programs operated by Sidwell Summer at all locations (DC Campus, Bethesda Campus, Riverview and Trips).

• Over the Counter Medication Distribution Form
  Physician’s signature required in order to distribute any over the counter medication to your child while at camp)
• Medication Authorization Order
  (required, with physician’s signature, if camper has medications to be administered at camp)
• Allergy Action Plan
• Asthma Action Plan
• Camper Advocate Form

Sunscreen Policy

We have Sunscreen (SPF 30 +) available and we remind campers to self-apply throughout the day. This procedure is enforced by all programs operated by Sidwell Summer at all locations (DC Campus, Bethesda Campus, Riverview and Trips).

Lunch, Food & Snacks

Lunch

Each camper is responsible to bring his/her own bag lunch and drink Monday - Thursday. Pizza and ice cream is provided for all on-campus campers each Friday. If your camper participates in an off-campus program (Community Service or Voyagers), please pack a lunch each day, including Fridays. 

Snacks

Each camper may bring his/her own snack if desired. We provide a snack for participants in the Junior Explorers, Travelers, Early Risers and Camp 'til Six programs

For more detailed information regarding lunch, snacks and food, please see the appropriate link on each program website.

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 central location for your program before joining camp activities or class to ensure that we have the proper attendance records.

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 program location on campus and a parent or designated adult must check out with the camp staff 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, for early pick up on the Bethesda campus, please arrive before 2:30 pm due to carpool.

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 is considered a late pick-up and will be escorted to the Camp ‘til Six program.  A fee of $50 (double the typical daily drop-in fee) will be applied to your account and must be paid before your child can attend any camp program. 

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