⚪️ALLERGIES

Whitman Summer Camp is not a nut-free camp, but we do our best to accommodate campers with allergies.

• All campers are encouraged not to bring foods containing nuts.

• During lunch and snack, a nut-free table is available for campers eating nut-free items.

• All snacks provided by camp are nut-free and approved by our Camp Nurse.

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🎒BACKPACKS

Each camper should bring a labeled backpack containing:

• Lunch (not refrigerated — please plan accordingly)

• Water bottle

• Extra set of clothes

• Towel

• Bathing suit

• Bug spray*

• Sunscreen*

• Creek shoes (old shoes that can get wet) for hikes to the stream (these can stay at camp all week)

*See “Bug Spray” and “Sunscreen” sections for details.

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🐞 BUG SPRAY

If you want your campers to bring their own bug spray, please pack bug-repellent wipes or spray in a labeled bag with a signed note stating:

“Whitman Camp staff may apply bug repellent as needed.”

This can be kept in your camper’s backpack for daily use.

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⏰ CAMP HOURS

Camp Day: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Drop-Off: 8:45 - 9:00 AM

• Activities begin promptly at 9:00.

• Doors close at 9:00; late arrivals must enter through the Camp Office.

• Please ring the Camp Doorbell on the white wooden stand — not the school doorbell.

Pick-Up: 3:00 – 3:30 PM

• Campers not picked up by 3:30 will be taken to After Care and charged a late fee.

Early Pick-Up: Before 2:30 PM only.
Please call or text the Camp Office at (301) 820-8008 at least 15 minutes in advance.
We’ll have your camper ready to go and walk them to your car curbside.

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💙 CAMPER EXPECTATIONS

We believe every camper deserves to feel safe, included, and valued.
Campers are expected to:

• Be kind and respectful to others.

• Follow directions from staff.

• Participate positively in activities.

Our staff uses positive reinforcement and guidance to ensure every camper has a great day!

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🍎 CAMP SNACK BAR

The cost of a snack during Snack Time is included in tuition and also covers pizza on Fridays.

Each day, the Camp Snack Bar is open for campers to enjoy a small, nut-free snack approved by our Camp Nurse. Snack Bar participation is optional — parents may instead pack a snack from home to be eaten during Snack Time. We do our best to offer a variety of healthy, kid-friendly options, and portions are kept small to ensure balanced choices.

🍉 Summer 2026 Update:
We will no longer be providing Gatorade or Propel during Snack Time. Over the years, the limited size options, lack of healthy varieties, and frequent spills and stains have made these drinks more trouble than benefit. Campers are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle each day — we’ll continue to keep plenty of cold water available around camp.

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🌈 COLOR WAR

A camper and counselor favorite!
Throughout the week, campers compete in fun challenges to earn points for their teams. Wear your team colors on Friday to earn a point for your team.
On Fridays, Color War culminates in a camp-wide event where the weekly winner is announced.

Teams are mixed by age and gender to encourage new friendships — friend requests do not apply to Color War Teams.

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🧢 CREWS

Crews are campers’ home base for the week!

• Campers start and end each day in their Crew room by grade level. The Crew room is a space for campers to store their belongings for the day. 

• Morning Crew includes attendance, daily announcements, and community-building games.

• Afternoon Crew is for packing up and waiting for carpool.

Friend requests are considered within grade level — we do our best to pair campers with their #1 friend while keeping balance across Crews.​

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🚗 DROP-OFF & PICK-UP

Please plan to pull up curbside at the school carpool circle for drop-off and pick-up for all camps. During drop-off and pick-up, counselors will be on duty to check your camper in and out of camp. The carpool line may seem long, BUT we promise that if all parents follow the rules :) it will move quickly.

We are asking for parents to pick up in the carpool line only. No Parent Walk-Ups. Please plan your timing accordingly. If you need to pick up your camper early, please plan to be there ahead of the carpool line and contact the Camp Office in advance.

Please do not get out of your car to put your camper's seat belt on. Instead, pull over to the parking lot to help your camper get settled.

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📱 ELECTRONICS POLICY

At Whitman Summer Camp, we believe that the best memories are made when campers are fully present and free from digital distractions. Camp is a time to step away from screens, build friendships face-to-face, and be in the moment. By leaving phones, smartwatches, and other electronics at home, campers can gain confidence, independence, and have the full camp experience. It is also important that campers are not exposed to content that is not appropriate.

To help foster this, we ask that all electronic devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, and gaming devices, stay at home — not hidden in camper backpacks. Please read the full policy here, which includes guidelines for Camp Open Road Campers.

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⏰ EXTENDED CARE

Before Care: Drop off begins at 8:00 at the front of the school. One of our Before Care Staff will meet you outside and will walk your camper into camp.

 

After Care: Pick-up ends at 5:30. Please come to the front of the school and ring our Camp Doorbell located on the white wooden sign in the lobby. DO NOT ring any of the doorbells on the lobby wall.

Campers picked up later than 5:30 will be charged a late fee. We understand things happen! If you call ahead, we offer a short grace period. Without notice, late fees of $15 per 15 minutes apply.

 

Our Before and After Care programs provide a safe and structured environment that still provides campers with the choices they have during the camp day. Campers will have active and relaxing activity options depending on their interests.

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👫 FRIENDS

Camp is always more fun with friends!

• Friend requests can be made in registration and are used for Crew placement only.

• We guarantee placement with at least one requested friend (if same grade).

• Campers can also coordinate Pick Classes to share activities. They can also be together during Lunch, Free Play, and Water Play.

We also believe that part of a great summer camp experience is meeting new friends and forming new friendships. Our camp provides a variety of camp activities and a variety of camper groupings throughout the camp day in order to encourage new friendships. 

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🧼 HAND HEALTH PRACTICES

We build time into our schedule for frequent hand washing and sanitizer use throughout the day. Sanitizer stations are located throughout camp, and extra supplies are available in every room. Campers do not need to bring their own/

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🧡 HEALTH & MEDICATIONS​

• All health forms are submitted online during registration.

  • Campers will not be allowed to carry medication or administer medication independently.ONLY exemption for carrying is for Camp Open Road campers.

  • All campers needing an epi-pen will need to fill out a special Medication Authorization Form that will need to be reviewed by our Camp Nurse.

  • Please do NOT drop off emergency meds without this form. 

  • Check the expiration date on all medications prior to the start of camp.

  • Forms can be found in your registration confirmation email. ​

  • Medication Authorization Form

  • Asthma Authorization Form

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🌦️ INCLEMENT WEATHER

Camp runs rain or shine!
We have access to indoor classrooms, APR, and gym space when outdoor activities need to be adjusted.

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🧺 LOST & FOUND

Label everything! For reals, lol!
Lost & Found items are kept at the Camp Office during the week and displayed on Fridays near carpool.
Unclaimed items are donated at the end of each session.

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🥪 LUNCH

Campers bring their own lunches (no refrigeration available).
Pizza Fridays are included in tuition — pizza from Milano’s Pizza in Germantown.
If you have food allergy concerns, you’re welcome to contact Milano’s directly to ask about their ingredients and food prep procedures.

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🤪 MESSY DAY

Every Wednesday, campers can join optional messy activities — slime, foam, shaving cream, paint, and more!
Even if your camper “isn’t sure,” please pack a change of clothes and a towel. Often, campers want to see it in action before they try it out.
Messy Day shirts are available during registration! You can also email the Camp Office if you want to add a shirt after registration.

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👩‍⚕️ NURSE

A registered nurse is on-site during all camp hours to handle medical needs, minor injuries, and medication administration.
Questions? Email whitmancampnurse@gmail.com.

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📞 OFFICE COMMUNICATION

The camp day is hectic and the Camp Office is the hub for everything. There are many times throughout the day that our camp activities require All Hands On Deck and we are not available to chat right away by phone.

• Text or email are the fastest ways to reach us. 

• If we can’t answer the phone, please leave a voicemail or text — we’ll respond quickly.

• Phone: (301) 820-8008

We also use email and use social media alerts for updates (weather, reminders, etc.).
Please keep your CampBrain contact info current.

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📸 SOCIAL MEDIA & CAMP UPDATES

At Whitman Summer Camp, we love keeping families connected to the fun, energy, and magic that happens each day!

 

We post daily photos and videos throughout each camp week on our official social media pages so parents can get a glimpse of the joy, friendships, and excitement happening across camp.

Follow us on:

• 📷 Instagram: @whitmancamp

• 👍 Facebook: Whitman Summer Camp

 

These platforms are also used year-round to:

• Share important camp updates, announcements, and registration reminders

• Highlight staff spotlights, traditions, and behind-the-scenes fun

• Celebrate our campers and community spirit

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We encourage parents to like, follow, and share our posts to help spread the Whitman Summer Camp spirit all year long!

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👕 SPECIAL DAYS AT CAMP

• Monday – Camp Swag Day: Wear your All in All Summer Shirt or wear your favorite Whitman Camp gear from any year.

• Tuesday – Spirit Day: Dress for the weekly theme to earn Color War points! Themes included in registration email.

• Wednesday – Messy Day: Optional but epic — bring a towel and a change of clothes.

• Thursday – Camp T-Shirt Day: Wear your 2026 camp shirt for the camp photo.

• Friday – Color War Day: Wear your team colors and show your camp spirit!

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🌞 SUNSCREEN

To help our camp staff protect your camper from sunburn while at camp, please do the following essential steps:

• Always apply sunscreen on your camper at home each morning

• Use a lotion that has at least 30-50% UVA/UVB protection.

• Day Campers ONLY - If requested, we will reapply sunscreen to campers before Water Activities in the afternoon. Please bring sunscreen to camp in a Ziploc bag, clearly labeled with your camper's name. Email the camp nurse if your camper needs assistance or reminders to reapply their sunscreen.

• Also consider UV-protectant sun shirts that are easy for your camper to wear and sunscreen can be applied to faces only. We don't want campers to miss the full block of Water Play.

• ***NOTE*** It takes a long time to apply sunscreen to a long line of campers. Please consider teaching your camper to independently reapply their own sunscreen prior to the start of camp.

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💦 WATER PLAY, FREE PLAY & POP-UP CLASSES

The last block of the day lets campers choose their own adventure!
Activities include:

• Giant water inflatables provided by Whitman Events Co

• Arts & crafts

• Gaga, 9-Square, field games

• Board games, bracelet-making, and dance parties

• Yoga, face painting, and dry inflatables

Campers who plan to get wet should bring a swimsuit, a towel, and a change of clothes daily.

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🩷 SAFETY & SUPERVISION

All campers are supervised by trained staff members at all times.
Our leadership team includes certified teachers and experienced camp professionals who create a safe, supportive, and fun environment.

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💚 QUESTIONS?

We’re always here to help!
📧 whitmansummercamp@gmail.com
📞 (301) 820-8008​​​​​​​​​​