Registration FAQ
What are the camp hours? When is drop-off and pick-up?
Program Hours
7:00 – 8:30 am Morning Extended Hours Program
8:30 – 8:45 am Morning Drop Off / Buses Arrive
8:45 am – 3:30 pm Regular Camp Hours
4:30 pm Buses Leave
3:30 – 6:30 pm Afternoon Extended Hours Program
Late pick up from Extended Hours will result in late fees.
Please refer to the application for further information.
Can we visit the campus before signing up for camp?
Yes! We have three open houses that we would love for you to attend:
Summer Programs Open Houses
Saturday, January 21st, 10am-noon
Saturday, March 24th, 10am-noon
Saturday, April 21st, 10am-noon
Saturday, May 5th, 10am-noon
During the open houses, tours are available and camp staff will be on hand to help you and your family with registration and any questions you might have. If you cannot attend these events, we would be happy to give you a tour of our campus at another time. Please contact the camp office at info@congocamp.org to schedule an appointment.
Do you offer any Extended Hours Programs?
Yes. Our Extended Hours Program runs from 7:00 – 8:30 am before camp and 3:30 – 6:30 pm after camp. Please see the Extended Hours Program sections of the website, brochure and application for more information.
Do you offer lunch and snacks?
Lunch and snacks are available to most of our campers. Campers in the Basketball Camp must bring their own lunches every day. Please see the Lunch and snacks sections of the website and brochure for more information.
Transportation is available in cluster stops, to limited areas in Northern Virginia. Transportation is only available before and after regular camp hours and to already established areas. You may wish to call our transportation office at (703) 533-9711, ext. 600 to be sure we service your area. Please see the Transportation sections of the website and brochure for more information.
What are the change or cancellation fees?
Changes may be made at no charge if the total number of sessions remains the same or is increased.
Administrative charges for dropping sessions (if the total number of sessions is decreased):
$100.00 for each session dropped before May 1st, 2012.
Full payment is due May 1st, 2012 and no refund are available after that date.
The deposits for each session and the registration fee ($75.00) will be forfeited if all camp sessions are cancelled.
How are campers divided into groups?
Campers in the Great Adventures through Senior divisions are placed in co-ed groups based on age and the grade they will be entering in the fall. Travel, specialty, and athletic camp programs are already designated for limited age ranges. Campers in the Basketball Camp program are grouped by age and ability.
Can campers be in a group with their friends?
Our goal at Congressional Camp is for every camper to make new friends as well as strengthen the friendships that are already in place. (On the registration site, enter your login and click on the " 2012 Health Form & Pick up Authorization", at the bottom of the page, there is a box where you can fill out your grouping requests.) Requests for campers to be placed in the same group must be made in writing and must be made by both/all parties involved. While grouping campers, every effort is made to maintain a balance of gender and new and returning campers. We cannot group campers together if they are not registered in the same program and/or division. While we will make every effort to honor mutual grouping requests, we cannot guarantee them.
Congressional Camp provides a combination of instructional and free swim to campers who are not enrolled in a specialty, travel or athletic program. For those campers enrolled in a specialty, travel or athletic program, the pool is available to them but will be used for free swim only. Congressional Camp follows the American Red Cross levels for instruction. Campers receiving swim instruction will be evaluated at the beginning of their first sessions and placed in an appropriate swim level.
Does my camper have to be tested in swimming before we apply?
No. Licensing requires that we ask for an approximate swim level to be chosen on the application, but you are not required to have any formal swim lessons and/or testing prior to attending camp.
Will my camper ride a horse/pony every day?
Campers enrolled in the Great Adventures through Primary divisions will have equestrian activities as part of their regular schedules. Due to the nature of the equestrian program, we try to get campers to that activity on an average of every other day. While we cannot always plan for weather-related cancellations, we do our best to arrange make ups for those.
Supplemental riding lessons are also available at an additional charge to enrolled campers.
Is a nurse on campus during camp hours?
Yes. During all hours of operation, a registered nurse and/or clinic aide is on campus to help safeguard children's health. We have one nurse stationed at the Great Adventures/ ECP Building and one stationed at the Main School Building for Rising 1-9th graders.
When do I need to send in my health forms?
For ALL campers, the Congressional Camp "2012 Health History Form and Pickup Authorization" must be completed in order for the registration to be considered complete. This will be available via your online account, in early March. In addition, all campers must have their most up-to-date Immunization Records on file in the Camp Office.
For campers in the Great Adventures division, the Virginia School Health Form must also be signed and dated by a physician and submitted no later than May 1st.
When do I need to send in my proof of ID documentation?
Proof of identification document must accompany the application of each new camper. If you do not wish to send the proof of identity original document in the mail, please bring it to the Camp Office. A staff member will fill out a verification form and hand the document back to you. You may also complete paperwork at one of our Open Houses, as well. This verification is due no later than May 1st.
Can my camper bring medication to camp?
Yes. Authorization forms are required for the administration of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Any medications being sent to camp will be kept in the nurse’s office and must be in their original containers bearing the pharmacy label. Over the counter medication must also be in its original container with the original label and directions for use.
Still have questions? Please email us at info@congocamp.org