Does it seem like the days are getting longer, but the hours are getting shorter?

Too much to do and never enough time to do it all?

The flexible schedule is one of many reasons families champion the Au Pair program, but summer can be a real challenge for host parents who are working full-time. Host families know that au pairs can work no more than 10 hours per day and 45 hours per week. Once kids are out of school, an au pair’s regulation hours may not be enough time to cover all of your childcare needs.

Day camps are a great way to fill in the gaps, and there are many options in the DC area. Below is a list of camps not too far from our part of town, including full and half-day options. At posting time, all camps still had some availability. If you know of others your kids have enjoyed, please share on our private Facebook group page. Let’s work together to find options for our cluster kiddos– and make it a great summer for everyone!

• All Fired Up Junior Camp (ages 6-12) and Senior Camp (ages 12-16) (half-day and full day; weekly sessions; brochure and registration)
• Alliance Francaise (ages 5-11; weekly sessions; registration)
• Beauvoir Summer Camp (rising pre-k-rising 5th grade; half-day, full day, before and aftercare, and specialty camps; CIT program; weekly sessions; registration)
• CCBC Children’s Center’s Summer Camp (ages two-five; 9 am-1 pm; potty training NOT required; weekly sessions available; brochure and application)
• Headfirst Summer Camps- St. Albans and NCS campuses (age 3-rising 7th grade; half-day, full day, before and aftercare, and specialty camps; weekly sessions; registration)
• Lowell School’s Summer Camp (age 2.75-rising 9th grade; half-day, full day, before and aftercare, and specialty camps; CIT programs; weekly sessions; daily drop-ins available; registration)
• National Presbyterian School’s Summer Horizon’s Camp (age 3-rising 4th grade; half-day, full day, before and aftercare, and specialty camps; CIT program; weekly sessions; registration)
• Sidwell Summer Camp- DC Campus (age 3-Grade 12; half-day, full day, before and aftercare; specialty camps, weekly sessions; registration)
• Silver Stars Gymnastics Camp (ages 3.5-15; half-day, full day, before and aftercare; weekly sessions; registration)
• The National Zoo’s Summer Safari Day Camp (rising K-Grade 7; before and aftercare; weekly sessions; registration)
• Urban Adventure Squad (rising 1st grade-rising 7th grade; some aftercare; weekly sessions; registration)

For more day camp ideas, see Washington Parent’s 2017 Summer Camp Guide.