Camp · Community/Rec Center · Ages 3–17
Directory · United States · Washington DC · Washington
▌ Community/Rec Center · Ages 3–17

DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps

Washington Parks and Recreation

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation offers a variety of affordable summer day camps for youth across Washington D.C., focusing on recreation, education...

▌ Editor's read The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) offers numerous summer day camps for children and youth, as evidenced by their official website, dpr.dc.gov. The website lists various camp types, including specialty camps, inclusion camps, and traditional camps, catering to ages 3-17. While specific staff-to-camper ratios are not explicitly stated, the program is run by a municipal parks department, suggesting a focus on community service and accessibility. The website indicates that registration typically opens in February for the summer season. Google reviews for 'DC Department of Parks and Recreation' generally show a rating of around 3.9 stars from over 1,000 reviews, with comments often praising the variety of programs and facilities, though some mention administrative challenges. The DPR's social media handles, @dcdpr on Instagram and DCDPR on Facebook, are linked from their main website. No ACA accreditation was found, which is common for municipal programs. The camp program is clearly a day camp model, with no indication of overnight options.
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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized
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Who thrives here Ages 3–17

DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right community/rec center fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
Not listed
Operator
Municipal parks department
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Community/Rec Center
  • Ages: 3–17
  • Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Address: 1250 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
  • Phone: (202) 673-7647
  • Cost notes: USD. See individual program listings for specific pricing.

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps

What ages does DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps accept?
DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps is open to children ages 3–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps cost?
DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. USD. See individual program listings for specific pricing. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
What are DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps's hours?
DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps runs 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps?
DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps is operated by the local parks department. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps provide lunch?
DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps compare to other community/rec center camps in Washington?
DC Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Camps is one of 5 community/rec center camps in Washington that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

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