Junior Day Camp

Our Junior Day Camp will excite your child’s imagination through hands-on activities in art, music and sensory play. This program gives younger children the perfect opportunity to grow their listening and transition skills, as well as practice independence within our lively camp atmosphere. Our story-based approach invites active, thoughtful play as campers fully immerse themselves in the theme of the week, from decorations to costumes to crafts. Lots of outdoor time and perennial favorites such as story time and group games round off this wonderful first-camp experience. We make the transition to summer camp easy on parents as well, with our best-in-class staff and easy carpool drop off!

See below for more information on Swim at camp!

Learn about the Headfirst Philosophy

Why We're Different

Headfirst Summer Camps embraces narrative-based programming, which makes it easier for children to receive and process information. Each week, we create a dynamic, immersive storyline based on a theme, such as oceans, dinosaurs or safari. Activities, crafts and games are tied into the theme in a way that encourages campers to tap into their imaginations and practice social emotional skills like grit and optimism. Check out our unique Super Six curriculum to learn how we help build character through story and play.

Sample Day

Below is a sample Monday schedule from the Pups Junior Day Camp group from our 2022 programming:

9:00 to 9:30	Carpool & Arrival Activities
9:30 to 10:00	Moon Bounce
10:00 to 10:20	Change / Transition
10:20 to 11:00	Swim
11:00 to 11:20	Change / Transition
11:20 to 12:00	Art
12:00 to 12:40	Lunch
12:40 to 1:30	Storytime
1:30 to 1:50	All-Camp Meeting
1:50 to 2:30	Quiet Time
2:30 to 3:00	Carpool

Notes:

• This schedule is representative of the schedule one group would follow. Each group follows a different schedule each day.
• Given the variance in schedules, lunch time is different for each group.
• Sunscreen is applied throughout the day in a scheduled manner.
• Water and Bathroom breaks are also taken throughout the day in a scheduled manner and always when needed.
• At camps in Virginia, campers are required to have 60 minutes scheduled for quiet/nap time.

Swim & Water Play

This camp includes a daily instructional swim at our Bethesda, MD and D.C. locations! It also features goals that are kid-specific, from jumping into the deep end to side breathing. Your child will be carefully supervised at all times, with a 3:1 child-to-staff ratio in the pool and swim progress reports will be sent home to parents. NOTE: During the weeks of July 31st and August 7th, the Cathedral Heights (St. Albans) pool will be under construction and we are not permitted to use it. We apologize for the impact to our curriculum.

Campers at our North Bethesda, MD and Oakton, VA locations will enjoy daily water play! Water Play is a fun way for campers to cool off in the middle of the day. The water play activity will vary throughout the week, but will always be a fun and active way for campers to cool down from the summer heat.