Disability Inclusion
The Department of Parks and Recreation offers inclusion-based programming.
Please find more information on our Inclusion page or contact Veronica Laughman, ADA Coordinator: [email protected].
Complete and submit the Inclusion request form.
If you are wait-listed for a camp, you will receive an automatic email notification. This email will contain a link to accept or reject the enrollment via your WebTrac account.
• If you accept the enrollment, you will be prompted to complete the registration and payment process. You will not be able to enroll without completing this step. Failure to accept or reject the request within 72 hours of receipt of the first email will result in an automatic rejection and removal from the waitlist.
• The waitlist process will close 14 days prior to the start of the camp, after which time registration is not guaranteed. Additional details on the automated waitlist process can be found here.
• To ensure that you receive waitlist emails, please be sure to verify your email address in RecTrac.
If there is a camp you would like to save but are not ready to checkout, you can add the camp to your wishlist (even if it is not currently available for registration) and then add it to your cart at a later time.
Abrakadoodle Art Camps inspire kids to reach beyond and create art that is unique to them.
Learn Now Music introduces campers to a variety of musical instruments and concepts including guitar, violin, voice and movement. Campers participate in musical games, crafts, musical listening excerpts, related projects and MORE!
Learn the fundamentals of tennis with upbeat drills and exciting games! Tennis camps emphasize working with a partner, good sportsmanship and tons of fun!
Let's sell lemonade! Young campers become "lemonade entrepreneurs" and learn how to make yummy lemonade and earn money selling it!
In Coding and Game Design with Scratch, campers will learn basic programming concepts using a simple drag-and-drop interface within the software Scratch. Our Jr. Lego Robotics class combines the exciting world of Lego with programming to manipulate and program your own personal robots. In "Coding in Minecraft", campers will learn how to program robots called “Turtles” inside the world of Minecraft.
Join us for this unique financial literacy and business camp with various daily themes: personal finance, investments, entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation.
Download the 2025 Summer Camps Quick Tips Guide
★ Checklist for Full Day Camp Programs
Registration Deadlines:
Registration for all camps closes 14 days in advance of the first day of camp.
Payments:
Partial Day and Break Camps
Payment in full is due at the time of registration.
Full Day Camps
Cancellations & Refunds:
Partial Day and Break Camps
Full Day Camps
Transfers:
Q: What is your policy on allowing parents to stay and observe camp?
A: Often parents or guardian’s presence during camp can be distracting for some children as well as staff. For this reason, we prefer parents/guardians not stay.
Q: Quick reference for Payments, Refunds and Prorating:
A: Partial Day and Break Camps
Payment in full is due at the time of registration.
Full Day Camps
A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance is due no later than 14 days prior to the start of camp. Failure to pay the balance in full by the due date may result in your child being removed from the camp. A $10.00 multi-child discount will be given to each additional child in the household who is enrolled in the same full-day camp program at the same location. For more information, please see the Parent/Guardian Handbook under the Camp Documents dropdown on this webpage.
Q: Can I purchase an extra camp T-shirt?
A: Each Full Day Camper will receive one T-Shirt per summer per registered camp location. These shirts are to be worn on field trip days. Please ask the camp manager regarding additional t-shirts for purchase.
Q: Can we switch from one camp program/location to another?
A: All fees (including deposits) are transferable with documented notice made more than 14 days prior to the start of camp (from which the transfer is requested). Transfers requested less than 14 days prior to the start of the camp (from which the transfer is being requested), will result in a forfeiture of all fees. Transfers are not guaranteed and subject to program availability.
Q: Do I have to sign up for the entire summer or can I choose specific weeks?
A: Committing to a full summer of camp is not required. Participants can choose specific camps or weeks that interest them.
Q: Do you offer Before and After extended care options? What are the fees?
A: Extended before and after care is offered for full day camp programs. The hours for extended care are 7a-9a and 5p-6p. Morning or evening extended care costs an additional $30 per week. If both morning and evening care is needed, the cost is an additional $60 per week. Registration and payment for before and aftercare is due 14 days prior to camp start date.
Q: Will campers be going on field trips this summer?
A: Yes! Full day camp programs will be offering field trips this summer and occasionally an on-site specialty program. Information regarding field trips will be communicated through the camp newsletter.
Q: Quick guide to meals at camp
A: We are unable to provide refrigeration or access to a microwave for camper’s lunches/snacks. Generally lunch is held between 11a-12noon. Meals are not provided unless there is a special event scheduled that will include food. Campers should bring 2 snacks and 2 drinks, lunch, and water bottle to full day camps each day, and 1 snack and water bottle to partial day camps.
Q: What about swimming?
A: Swimming is offered at some of our full day camps. Swim days, times, and locations will be communicated through the camp newsletter. All children in PWC Department of Parks & Recreation summer camps will need to pass a swim test before getting in the water. This will determine areas of the pool they are allowed to access and if they need a life vest. More information can be found in the Parent/Guardian Handbook under the Camp Documents dropdown on this webpage.
Q: Can we switch from one camp program/location to another?
A: All fees (including deposits) are transferable with documented notice made more than 14 days prior to the start of camp (from which the transfer is requested). Transfers requested less than 14 days prior to the start of the camp (from which the transfer is being requested), will result in a forfeiture of all fees. Transfers are not guaranteed and subject to program availability.
Q: What if my child has a disability?
A: The Department of Parks and Recreation offers inclusion-based programming. Please find more information on our Inclusion page or contact Veronica Laughman, ADA Coordinator: [email protected]. Complete and submit the Inclusion request form.
Q: If I am not registered for Before Care, how early can I drop my child off?
A: Campers who are not signed up for extended care should be dropped off between 8:45a-9:00a and picked up at 5:00p for Full-Day Camps at no extra cost.
Q: How do you handle inclement weather (heat and rain)?
A: All camp locations have inclement weather policies and Emergency Action Plans. Indoor spaces are available at all locations. In case of extreme heat, activities are modified and outdoor time is limited.
Q: I am wait-listed, what happens now?
A: If space becomes available, and your child becomes eligible for enrollment, you will be notified via email regarding the opportunity to register and provided directions on completing the registration and payment.
Q: Where can I find more information?
A: For more information regarding camp policies and procedures, please visit our Parent/Guardian Handbook under the Camp Documents dropdown on this webpage. For more information regarding our inclusion program, please visit our Disability Inclusion page.
The Department of Parks and Recreation’s Counselor in Training (CIT) Program assigns youth volunteers to summer camps at Silver Lake Regional Park (Camp Silver Lake), Locust Shade Park (Camp Wingapo), and the Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center (Blast Camp, Scamper Campers, and Afternoon Adventures). Applicants must be at least 14 by June 23, 2025.
Camp hours are 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday-Friday. Campers are aged 6-12 and participate in activities such as arts and crafts, sports, and more. CIT’s assist counselors and the camp director with daily activities such as preparing arts and crafts projects, supervising and assisting campers with activities, and serving as a good leader and role model. Scamper Campers and Afternoon Adventures are half-day camps and operate Monday-Thursday.
Volunteering as a CIT is a fun way to gain experience working with children, a sense of responsibility and leadership skills.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A C.I.T.?
A Counselor-In-Training assists the camp counselors with:
• Drop off and pick up supervision
• Planning, preparing, leading, and cleaning up of activities
• Interacting with the children
• Ensures the children’s safety at all times.
A Counselor-In-Training is a(n):
• Valuable volunteer because of the service he/she provides
• Organized volunteer who does his/her job well
• Leader who helps with the program activities
• Understanding friend to the participants
• Needed member of the camp community
• Trustworthy volunteer
• Energetic source of leadership
• Eager worker
• Reliable source of help
As you contribute your time and skills, we hope you will recognize the many benefits that are now available to you.
Through the Counselor-In-Training Program you CAN:
• Gain valuable work experience.
• Make use of your talents and abilities.
• Achieve new skills.
• Secure job references.
• Explore career possibilities.
• Improve communication skills.
• Develop a greater knowledge of working with children.
• Learn to appreciate your own abilities.
• Stimulate new friendships.
• Receive personal satisfaction by helping other people.
• Enlarge your world.
The CIT program is offered in two (2) three-week sessions throughout the summer. If selected, Counselors in Training must attend all camp dates for the session:
• Session 1 – June 23-27, June 30-July 3, and July 7-11
• Session 2 - July 14-18, July 21-25, and July 28-August 1
Individuals interested in participating as a CIT, must complete and submit an application no later than March 31, 2025. Applicants will be scheduled for an interview (held on April 23). Selection for a CIT position will be based on the application and interview. Spaces are limited for the program, and we are not able to accept every applicant. Applicants will be informed of selection no later than May 2. A maximum of two (2) CIT’s will be selected for each session at all camp locations.
Once selected, applicants will be provided with directions regarding program registration and payment for their session. The registration fee for the CIT program is $240/session. This fee includes the cost of weekly field trips and camp shirts (uniform). Payment is due after participants are selected, at the time of registration.
All CIT’s must attend a mandatory training session on June 4 along with any site-specific training session to be determined by the camp manager.
For questions regarding the CIT program, please e-mail Ryan Amato, Children’s Program Manager or call (703) 792-4016.
Mary Bockes, Recreation Senior Specialist
Camp Blast, Scamper Campers and Afternoon Adventures
Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center
(703) 792-8677
Jane England, Parks & Center Manager
Camp Silver Lake
Silver Lake Park
(703) 792-5650
Christy Mory, Recreation Specialist
Camp Wingapo
Locust Shade Park
(703) 792-8065
Thank you for the outpouring of support you and your families have shared with us. While we can't share every good comment here, we wanted to highlight a few from 2024:
"Keep doing what you're doing. Great leadership great staff and great activities".
"The drop off and pickup were super easy and I feel that my children are safe".
"Ms.Virginia is wonderful! My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her time in Ms. Virginia's class and cannot wait to return next year!"
"My child is begging to go back next summer!"
"Olivia and Joslynn are phenomenal! Every time I drop off and pick up, they greet every child BY NAME! I'm impressed with the personalization the kids get even with the large amount of kids who attend! Their positive personalities are contagious!"
"Mr. Hines and the teachers are amazing! My daughter loves the camp (she is 6) and already asked to be back next year!"
"Perfect in every way."
"Id like to recognize Thomas for being very kind and thoughtful to our daughter as she struggles with social interactions in the camp. Our daughter also especially appreciated Ms. Amaya for her kindness and caring."
"My daughter had the best time learning a new type of dance this week. She came home happy and excited every day!"
"Your Soccer and Basketball coaches are excellent."
"I always utilize Vets over the years even though Dale City Rec and Chinn are closer to home. I trust the staff here with my kiddos all the way through Pre-K to middle school age. I will continue to bring them to Vets until they age out!"
"My daughter had to wear a hard cast but the staff were great in making sure she wore her cast protector so she could still participate in water play and pool day".
"Loved the camp staff! The entire process was well organized and communication was clear."
"My kids cried when they realized this was the last week at Wingapo this summer. They aren't criers. Every day there is amazing!"
"I am very satisfied with this camp for my child with special needs. Thanks so much to the staff for their patience!"
"I have three kids enrolled, and I wish I could fill out three surveys because it was so awesome!"
"My kids got to this camp every year and love it each time! Thank you!"
Camp Counselors
Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center
Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center
James S. Long Regional Park/Gro
Historic Preservation
Silver Lake Regional Park
Lake Ridge Park
Locust Shade Park
Veterans Memorial Park
Pat White Center at Ben Lomond
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