What ages does Tadpole Camp accept?

Tadpole Camp is open to children ages 3–5. 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 Tadpole Camp cost?

Tadpole Camp publishes $195/week for the standard session. That sits 29% below the $275 median for specialty camps in Alexandria, which makes it one of the more affordable options in the category. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.

What are Tadpole Camp's hours?

Tadpole Camp runs 9am-12pm 7/6-10. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.

Who runs Tadpole Camp?

Tadpole Camp 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 Tadpole Camp provide lunch?

Tadpole Camp 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 Tadpole Camp compare to other specialty camps in Alexandria?

Tadpole Camp is one of 61 specialty camps in Alexandria 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.

▌ Specialty · Ages 3–5

Tadpole Camp

Alexandria · $195/week

Tadpole Camp offers engaging activities and play-based learning for young children.

▌ Editor's read The provided URL leads to the City of Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities camp page, which lists 'Tadpole Camp' as one of their offerings. This indicates the camp is run by a municipal parks department. The website states that 'All staff are background checked and fingerprinted,' which is a strong safety measure. The camp is a day camp, with specific age ranges (3-5 years old) and weekly sessions detailed on the site. While no specific staff-to-camper ratio is published, the program description emphasizes outdoor exploration and nature-based activities. Google reviews for 'Alexandria Parks and Recreation' show a rating of 4.3 stars from 144 reviews, generally positive feedback for the department as a whole. The camp is not accredited by the ACA, which is common for municipal programs. Social media handles for Alexandria Parks and Recreation are @alexandriaparksrec on Instagram and 'AlexandriaParksandRec' on Facebook.

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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 3–5

Tadpole Camp is geared toward early-childhood campers — ages where ritual, repetition, and short activity blocks land better than long instructional sessions. specialty programs at this age work best when the day length matches the child's attention threshold and the staff knows how to handle separation moments without escalating them.

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: Specialty
Ages: 3–5
Hours: 9am-12pm 7/6-10
Address: 1108 Jefferson St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-746-5414

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about Tadpole Camp

What ages does Tadpole Camp accept?: Tadpole Camp is open to children ages 3–5. 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 Tadpole Camp cost?: Tadpole Camp publishes $195/week for the standard session. That sits 29% below the $275 median for specialty camps in Alexandria, which makes it one of the more affordable options in the category. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Tadpole Camp's hours?: Tadpole Camp runs 9am-12pm 7/6-10. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Tadpole Camp?: Tadpole Camp 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 Tadpole Camp provide lunch?: Tadpole Camp 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 Tadpole Camp compare to other specialty camps in Alexandria?: Tadpole Camp is one of 61 specialty camps in Alexandria 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

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Tadpole Camp with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.

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