Highlights from Summer Camp 2018
Summer Camp
Welcome to Capitol Hill Day School Summer Camp 2019!
Summer is right around the corner! Capitol Hill Day School Summer Camp consists of seven one-week sessions, each with a variety of programs for children ages 4 to 14. Session One begins on June 24, and Session Seven ends on August 9.
Here you'll find descriptions of the different sessions offered this summer, divided by grade level. You can read the 2019 Summer Camp Handbook and FAQs, meet our camp counselors, and download the health certificate that needs to be filled out by June 1, 2019. Then hit the registration button to enroll your child in CHDS Summer Camp 2019.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Njonjo Smith
Director of Auxiliary Programs
nsmith@chds.org
(202) 386-9928
2019 Summer Camp Descriptions
- Early Childhood (PreK - 1st Grade)
- Elementary Grade Camps (Grades 2 - 4)
- Middle School Camps (Grades 5 - 8)
Early Childhood (PreK - 1st Grade)
- Session 1: June 24 – 28
- Session 2: July 1 – 5 (Camp closed on July 4)
- Session 3: July 8 – 12
- Session 4: July 15 – 19
- Session 5: July 22 – 26
- Session 6: July 29 – August 2
- Session 7: August 5 – 9
Session 1: June 24 – 28
Early Childhood 1A - Rainforest Adventures
Let's go exploring! Grab your binoculars and canteen as we discover all the animals living in the rainforest at National Aquarium and National Zoo!
Instructor: Vanisha Lewis
Cost: $390
Early Childhood 1B - Yaadies of Jamaica
Wha a gwaan yaadies?! Come one, come all! Let’s get our groove on by learning about the exciting culture and practices of one of the most fun-filled Caribbean islands - JAMAICA! Are you ready to learn about the Jamaican vibes, real Jamaican cuisine, Jamaican arts and crafts, and great Jamaican musicians? If you are, then yah mon "Yaadies of Jamaica" is the camp to be!
Instructor: Aisha Smith
Cost: $390
Early Childhood 1C - Creative Exploration of Theater
Campers will work together as an ensemble to turn a popular children's book into an original theatrical production! We will create a script from one of two stories, using simple drama games and guided exploration to develop characters and rehearse the story. Students will explore all aspects of theatre as they discuss set, costume and direction while working together to design their production. Family and friends will be invited to join us on Friday afternoon, when we take our story from page to stage for the final performance of our original production!
Instructor: Shelly Work
Cost: $390
Session 2: July 1 – 5 (Camp closed on July 4)
Early Childhood 2A - Chefs On the Hill
Have fun cooking with Niomi! We will mix, stir, chop, pour, bake, decorate, and, of course, taste all week long. If you heard about the concoctions made in last year’s camp, then you know what a “treat” this camp will be! Come join the fun.
Instructor: Niomi Reed
Cost: $335
Early Childhood 2B - Upcycling Mania Camp!
Throughout this week, campers will explore unique and interesting ways to use and create with recyclable objects!
Instructor: Aisha Smith
Cost: $325
Early Childhood 2C - Science Frenzy
Welcome to the world of science! Through experiments, students will ask questions, dig deep to find answers, and most importantly, have fun while doing it! Field Trip: Maryland Science Center.
Instructor: Vanisha Lewis
Cost: $325
Session 3: July 8 – 12
Early Childhood 3A - Imitate the Masters
Campers will visit the National Gallery of Art, Hirshhorn Museum, and the National Sculpture Garden to explore the great works of Jackson Pollock, Matisse, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, and Roy Lichtenstein. Campers will then practice each Master’s technique through projects and crafts.
Instructor: Irene Kokkales
Cost: $390
Early Childhood 3B - Yoga Camp
Did you know that yoga improves physical and mental flexibility, and develops physical strength and emotional resilience? Campers will learn and practice yoga postures as well as relaxation and breath awareness. We will also explore what DC has to offer the curious young yogi! We will be inspired by some of the animals that yoga poses are named after at the National Zoo. We will go on walks and explore the beauty of nature. We will experience the serenity of a yoga studio. And we will enjoy some healthy and delicious snacks that support a yogic lifestyle.
Instructor: Kate MacDonnell
Cost: $390
Early Childhood 3C - Amazing Animals
Our week will be all about animals! We will create art projects based on animals, and explore animals in literature. We will learn about animals through trips to the Zoo, and to farms. Run, jump, scurry, and gallop along with us for an Amazing Animal Adventure!
Instructor: CHDS Staff
Cost: $390
Session 4: July 15 – 19
Early Childhood 4A - Farm to Table
Let’s go to the farm! During our visit to working farms, campers will lend a helping hand and see how sustainable agriculture works. Campers will also visit local farmer’ markets to gather fresh foods, and go to a restaurant that serves food from local sustainable sources. Campers will learn how locally sourced food changes the ways a restaurant operates. Campers will also explore the contributions farms and restaurants make to their communities to support those in need.
Instructor: CHDS Staff
Cost: $390
Early Childhood 4B - Crafty Art Creators
School’s out and it’s time for fun! Campers will let their creative genius flow and try painting murals, tie-dyeing, beadwork, and other art projects. Campers will explore and enjoy nature’s beauty at the Botanical Gardens, National Arboretum, and much more.
Instructor: CaeLa Williams
Cost: $390
Early Childhood 4C - Puppet Camp
Campers will explore different puppet making techniques and make their own puppets. Inspiration will come from a visit to a performance of the Glen Echo Puppet Company.
Instructor: CHDS Staff
Cost: $390
Session 5: July 22 – 26
Early Childhood 5A - Little Sprouts
This camp is for lovers of nature. What a great opportunity to explore the many beautiful gardens that adorn this great city of Washington, DC. Campers will get an opportunity to make sketches and paint with watercolors to capture the beauty we see as we explore the gardens. At the end of the week, we will create a scrapbook of our experience.
Instructor: Makenna Marshall
Cost: $390
Early Childhood 5B - Holiday Camp
Every day we will learn about and celebrate a different holiday – July 4th, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and a Happy Birthday celebration! We will play games, make decorations, and bake and eat treats that are associated with each holiday.
Instructor: Stacey Price
Cost: $390
Early Childhood 6C - Art Adventures
During this adventurous week, campers explore the city, including a field trip to the Air and Space Museum, to see exhibits to aid in drawing airplanes, cars, and boats! Campers will keep a daily journal to collect images, draw on location, and later create works inspired by their drawings, including clay models or paintings!
Instructor: CHDS Staff
Cost: $390
Session 6: July 29 – August 2
Early Childhood 6A - Lego Camp
If you love putting things together, then this is the perfect camp for you! Campers will construct bridges, buildings, and other wonderful creations with Legos.
Instructor: Niomi Reed
Cost: $390
Early Childhood 6B - Fitness Fun
Campers will have a blast putting their bodies in motion by doing Zumba, relays, yoga and more!
Instructor: CaeLa Williams
Cost: $390
Early Childhood 6C - Little Explorers
Campers will discover wetlands at Wildlife Preserves Center, and explore the beauty in plants and flowers at the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Campers will visit zoos, aquariums, and wildlife preserves to explore the great outdoors. Daily adventures will focus on animals, nature, and the environment. Rounding out this fun-filled schedule are games, arts and crafts, science projects, and swimming.
Instructor: CHDS Staff
Cost: $390
Session 7: August 5 – 9
Elementary Grade Camps (Grades 2 - 4)
- Session 1: June 24 – 28
- Session 2: July 1 – 5 (Camp closed on July 4)
- Session 3: July 8 – 12
- Session 4: July 15 – 19
- Session 5: July 22 – 26
- Session 6: July 29 – August 2
- Session 7: August 5 – 9
Session 1: June 24 – 28
Elementary 1D - Artist Adventures: En Plein Air
Campers will be working like the old masters outside in the landscape. They will keep a sketchbook, visit places like the National Arboretum, and conclude the week by making their own canvas painting. We will spend our afternoons cooling off with activities like bowling and swimming.
Instructor: Megan Smith
Cost: $390
Elementary 1E - Camp Bacon, Oops! I Mean Camp Baking
We won’t be eating yummy bacon, but we will discover how pie crust gets flaky, what happens if cookies are baked two minutes too long, why muffin batter is treated gently instead of stirred forcefully, and what makes a cake rise. In our week together, we will prep the ingredients, bake, visit pastry chefs’ kitchens, and have two very special guest bakers. The best part of all, we will eat our work and share it, too.
Instructor: Leslie Sinsay
Cost: $390
Session 2: July 1 – 5 (Camp closed on July 4)
Elementary 2D - Chess 4 Kids
What is the best game for teaching concentration, problem-solving and character? Chess! Educators around the world acknowledge that chess is a powerful tool for developing higher thinking skills, creativity, numerical and verbal aptitudes, and memory. If presented properly and at an early age, chess can also be used as a tool to improve social skills and build self-confidence.
Instructor: Kenneth Chieu, Khary Stockton Chess Program
Cost: $335
Elementary 2E - Super Hero Camp
Campers will explore the creatures of their imaginations. We will create drawings, 3D objects and stories, then turn those stories into a short stop action film! We will also take trips to the planetarium and the Air and Space Museum.
Instructor: Megan Smith
Cost: $325
Session 3: July 8 – 12
Elementary 3D - Wearable Art
Campers will create their own wearable works of art, based on their own designs and using original fabrics to make masks, costumes, bracelets, and tie-dye T-shirts. We will end the week doing our very own color run around camp!
Instructor: Megan Smith
Cost: $390
Elementary 3E - Tennis Camp
Whether you want to learn how to play tennis, or improve your performance, this camp is for you. Learn the fundamentals, including how to hold the racket correctly, and develop your serve, backhand, and forehand. Campers will have tennis instruction in the mornings at the Garfield Park Tennis Center, and go swimming in the afternoon at a local pool.
Instructor: Niomi Reed
Cost: $390
Session 4: July 15 – 19
Elementary 4D - Kicks 4 Kids
Campers will learn how to optimize soccer tactics such as ball control, dribbling, shooting, and passing. The Soccer Pros instructors emphasize proper technique on the field and will provide your child with fun and creative ways to play both individually and within a team environment. Instructors will conduct small-sided games, tournaments, and other fun activities.
Instructor: Khary Stockton Soccer
Cost: $390
Elementary 4E - Safari through Africa
Campers will explore the continent of Africa through art, dance, food and animals. We will visit the National Zoo to look at animals native to Africa, as well as visit the Smithsonian Museum of African Art.
Instructor: Megan Smith
Cost: $390
Session 5: July 22 – 26
Elementary 5D - Basketball Camp
Learn about and practice the fundamentals of basketball through various drills and games. Stations in the morning include ball handling, dribbling, passing, shooting, and agility. Campers will put these skills to use in small sided games and activities. In the afternoons, we’ll take trips to the pool and enjoy a day of mini golf.
Instructor: CHDS Staff
Cost: $390
Elementary 5E - Secret Spy School
Have you ever thought about becoming a secret agent? Spy school will be filled with fun activities that put spy skills and street smarts to the test. Field Trip: International Spy Museum.
Instructor: Vanisha Lewis
Cost: $390
Session 6: July 29 – August 2
Elementary 6D - Flag Football
Flag football offers opportunities for lots of fun, as well as the chance to improve individual skills and teamwork. We will work on running with the ball, throwing, catching, and the basics of defense. Lots of play plus developing valuable skills add up to a great time! In the afternoons, we will go swimming and bowling.
Instructor: Robert Robinson
Cost: $390
Elementary 6E - Plant the Future
Throughout the week, campers will learn about tree planting and visit community gardens to investigate and develop ways to sustain our local environment.
Instructor: Vanisha Lewis
Cost: $390
Session 7: August 5 – 9
Middle School Camps (Grades 5 - 8)
- Session 1: June 24 – 28
- Session 2: July 1 – 5 (Camp closed on July 4)
- Session 3: July 8 – 12
- Session 4: July 15 – 19
- Session 5: July 22 – 26
- Session 6: July 29 – August 2
- Session 7: August 5 – 9
Session 1: June 24 – 28
CANCELED: Upper 1F - Basic Sailing
Campers will set sail from Belle Haven Marina in Alexandria, VA (off of the George Washington Parkway), and learn about points of sail, navigational markers, right-of-way rules, man-overboard drills, capsizing and recovery, mooring and docking drills, and rigging on a 14’ Sunfish. After lunch, campers will enjoy outdoor activities before returning to school.
Instructor: CHDS and Belle Haven Marina Staff
Cost: $390
Upper 1G - Robotics Camp
Ready to begin exploring the wonders of the field of Robotics? This introduction to robotics will teach students through hands-on learning about the three main fields of robotics. We will use robots and various pieces that go into robots to build a solid foundation of understanding in robotics. We will have in-class exercises for an introduction to programming, the various motors that can be used, common sensors and robots on other planets.
Instructor: KSS Robotics
Cost: $450
Session 2: July 1 – 5 (Camp closed on July 4)
CANCELED: Upper 2F - Drama Camp
Campers will tap into their natural creativity through singing, dancing, and crafts. They will paint their own scenery and make their own costumes. On the last day of camp, the campers will perform for their parents.
Instructor: CaeLa Williams
Cost: $325
Upper 2G - Chess 4 Kids
What is the best game for teaching concentration, problem-solving and character? Chess! Educators around the world acknowledge that chess is a powerful tool for developing higher thinking skills, creativity, numerical and verbal aptitudes, and memory. If presented properly at an early age, chess can also be used as a tool to improve social skills and build self-confidence.
Instructor: Kenneth Chieu, Khary Stockton Chess Program
Cost: $335
Session 3: July 8 – 12
CANCELED: Upper 3F - Living Color
Campers will explore creative ways of making amazing artwork using color schemes from the color wheel. Being an artist is all about self-expression and understanding how colors evoke different emotions and feelings. Campers will travel to local art galleries and parks throughout the DC area to create and refine their skills in expressing their art using unique color choices.
Instructor: Marisa Prescod
Cost: $390
Upper 3G - Anime Camp
During this one-week anime extravaganza, campers will explore the unique world of Japanese anime. Campers will experience traditional anime foods, and different styles of anime art and music. To help inspire our inner anime-fan, campers will go to child-friendly comic stores and interact with the DC anime club, and, of course, be ready to draw and design anime.
Instructor: Makeda Edwards
Cost: $390
Session 4: July 15 – 19
Upper 4F - Kicks 4 Kids
Campers will learn how to optimize tactics such as ball control, dribbling, shooting, and passing. The Soccer Pros put emphasis on proper technique on the field, and provide your child with fun and creative ways to play both individually and within a team environment. The Soccer Pros staff will conduct small-sided games, tournaments and other fun-related activities.
Instructor: Khary Stockton Soccer
Cost: $390
Upper 4G - Game Design Lab
Game Lab is a week of unplugged gaming fun brought to you by the game experts of Capitol Hill’s Labyrinth Games & Puzzles! Campers will become mad game scientists as they explore and analyze a wide range of classic and modern strategic games, experiment with game mechanics and components, and stitch together their own Franken game! Campers will present their games to each other, and playtest the games created by their new friends. Through it all, we’ll develop important skills like patience, collaboration, and strategic and analytical thinking.
Instructor: Labyrinth Games and Puzzles
Cost: $390
Session 5: July 22 – 26
Upper 5F - Art of the East
Campers will explore and create artwork inspired by Eastern artists and cultures. We will explore the art of mandalas, textile art and beading, as well as traditional painting. We will also explore some mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga. Field Trips will include the National Arboretum and the Freer & Sackler Galleries.
Instructor: Megan Smith
Cost: $390
Upper 5G - Basketball Camp
Learn about and practice the fundamentals of basketball through various drills and games. Stations in the morning include ball handling, dribbling, passing, shooting, and agility. Campers will put these skills to use in small sided games and activities. In the afternoons, we’ll take trips to the pool and enjoy a day of mini golf.
Instructor: CHDS Staff
Cost: $390
Session 6: July 29 – August 2
Upper 6F - Flag Football
Flag football offers opportunities for lots of fun, as well as the chance to improve individual skills and teamwork. We will work on running with the ball, throwing, catching, and the basics of defense. Lots of play plus developing valuable skills add up to a great time! In the afternoons, we will go swimming and bowling.
Instructor: Robert Robinson
Cost: $390
Upper 6G - The Great Escape
Do you love a challenge? If you have ever wanted to create your own scavenger hunt or build an escape room, join us in Escape Rooms and Scavenger Hunts! Campers will have fun while challenging their critical thinking skills. At the start of the week, campers will participate in scavenger hunts and escape rooms. Next, they will learn how to build their very own escape room and craft exciting and challenging scavenger hunts. The week will culminate in the campers showing their knowledge by creating an original escape room.
Instructor: Toria Simpson
Cost: $390