Summer Programs - General Information

Starting in 2008 all applications must be submitted electronically through our on-line registration page. We start accepting applications on January 7th. Please click here to access the online registration Web site. Apply early for preferable date and time stamping. Applications are then processed in the following way:

January 7 – January 20 is our “Priority Registration Period” and applications will be processed only for current Potomac School students, returning Potomac School Summer Programs campers, children of Potomac School faculty, or siblings of any of the aforementioned groups. During this period, all other applications will be date and time stamped, but held aside until January 21 when “Open Enrollment” begins. All applications received after January 20 are treated equally regardless of priority category. (See Frequently Asked Questions for more information)

Open Enrollment begins on January 21. At this time, all remaining applications received will be processed in the order they were originally received.

*Please note that having your application in before the priority deadline does not guarantee a space.

Before You Begin
Before beginning the application process, collect the following information and have it at hand:

• The names, phone numbers, and complete addresses for two emergency contacts in addition to the parents. This is a requirement of the Virginia Department of Social Services.
• Transportation method preferences, including bus number and stop letter. Click here to see our bus routes.
• Description of any allergies or medical conditions affecting your child.
• Health insurance policy name and ID number.
• If your child is applying to Discovery Camp, be sure you have a list of activity preferences and alternates.

Step 1 - Filling Out Your Application

Beginning this year, applications for Summer Programs will be completed and submitted online only. If you have more than one child, you will need to go through the application process for each child separately. Follow the instructions to complete the application and then click “Submit” to send us your application.

If the requested program is full, our office will contact you.

Step 2 - Mailing in the Registration Fee

Once your application is submitted online, it will be dated and time-stamped to hold your child’s place in the queue. Then you must immediately print, sign, and mail us a hard copy of the application along with a check, cash or money order for the non-refundable registration fee of $85 per child. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept credit cards.

Your registration fee must be postmarked within seven days of the online registration for your child’s application to maintain its spot. If your registration fee is mailed later than seven days from the time of online registration, then it will be assigned a new place in the queue based on the date and time it arrived in our office. Send your application and registration fee, made payable to “The Potomac School Summer Programs,” to the address shown on the next page.

Step 3 - Reconfirm

Once we receive the registration fee for your application, we send a dated enrollment contract for each accepted applicant. This is a rolling process based on when we receive and process your application. As a result, each contract has a unique due date. You must reconfirm your child’s participation by returning the signed contract and 50% of total tuition by the due date printed on your contact. Tuition is refundable until April 30.

As soon as you receive your contract, be sure to:

• Check to make sure all the camps, dates, and services are correct.
• Sign and date the white copy of the enrollment contract.
• Write a check for at least half of the total tuition cost.
• Mail the white copy if the contract and your check so they arrive in our office by the due date.

Step 4 - Pay Balance

Final invoices for enrolled campers will be mailed in early April. Payment in full of the balance is due no later than April 30th.

If payment deadlines are not met, unpaid space may be released to the waiting list.

Terms and Conditions

The Potomac School Summer Programs reserves the right to dismiss, without refund, any camper or student for inappropriate or unsafe conduct. The Potomac School Summer Programs reserves the right to cancel any class, program or service for insufficient enrollment. The Potomac School Summer Programs reserves the right to use photographs or videos of campers in promotional materials unless a written request is received each year.

Registration Fee: $85 - Non Refundable

Session 1 : June 23– July 11 *No Camp on July 4th
Session 2 : July 14– August 1

Camps

Ages

Schedule

Fees

S1: 9 am – 3 pm
S2: 9 am – 3 pm

S1: 9 am-11:45 am
S2: 9 am -11:45 am

S1: 9 am – 3 pm

August Session 1: August 4– August 8
August Session 2: August 11– August 15

Parents must inform our office in writing if they need to withdraw their child from any of our programs including Extended Day.* Registration Fees are non-refundable once a camper is accepted into a program. Tuition is refunded according to the following schedule:

Withdrawal on or before April 30: All tuition except Registration Fee will be refunded.

Withdrawal after April 30: No tuition refund will be granted.

If a program is cancelled due to low enrollment, all tuition will be refunded. The registration fee will be refunded if after the cancellation, the camper is not enrolled in any other camp program.

*We accept Email as an appropriate form of writing.

The Potomac School Summer Programs offers an extensive bus transportation program at no extra cost, making our camps accessible to children throughout the Washington metro area. Bus service is available in the morning and at 3:00 pm dismissal. Our entire fleet of neighborhood and shuttle buses run on biodiesel, illustrating our commitment to model environmental stewardship.

In order to meet our traffic reduction commitments to our neighbors and Fairfax County, and to improve the quality of life on our campus, we require all campers in grades 3 and up to take the bus to camp in the morning. Parents may drive their campers three years old through 2nd grade, half-day campers, and their siblings, but all other campers must use either our neighborhood bus service or our shuttle bus service. We do not provide mid-day transportation or service for August programs. . Click here to see Transportation FAQs.

Free Neighborhood Bus Service

The Potomac School Summer Programs provides friendly, convenient, and safe round-trip bus service to neighborhoods in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. We offer 11 distinct bus routes. The Potomac School is proud of our outstanding safety record and the high standard of service provided by our transportation staff. Trained, certified commercial bus drivers conduct an orderly, safe, and enjoyable journey to and from campus.

Free Shuttle Service

We offer six convenient drop-off locations close to The Potomac School campus. The free Shuttle Bus Service is staffed with a professional bus driver who greets students, takes attendance, and accompanies students on the brief drive to campus.

Metro

Potomac buses pick up students at the Eastern Market and Union Station Metro shops.

Car

All campers may use our bus service, however, campers between age three and entering 2nd grade as well as their siblings may be driven to and from campus by their parents or authorized drivers. (Parents may designate in writing another individual to pick up their child.)

Walkers and Bicycle Riders

Students who live near The Potomac School campus are encouraged to walk or ride bikes to campus. It’s a great way to get some exercise, enjoy our amazing campus, and avoid traffic delays.

* Parents may authorize anyone to pick up their child. Please tell us in writing who is authorized to pick up your camper.

Bus Routes

District of Columbia

Virginia

Maryland

SHUTTLE STOPS

J. Gilberts (AM)/ McLean Community Center (PM)

6930 Old Dominion Dr . At the intersection of Old Dominion and 123.
Just 2 miles from Camp!
AM Pick up: 8:25 – 8:40 am (J.Gilberts)
PM Drop off: 3:08 – 3:25 pm ( McLean Community Center)

St. Luke Orthodox Church

6801 Georgetown Pike. Just 1.9 miles from The Potomac School.
AM Pick up: 8:25 – 8:40 am
PM Drop off: 3:05 – 3:20 pm

Chesterbrook Shopping Center

Near the Safeway at the intersection of Old Dominion and Kirby Dr.
Only 3 miles from Potomac!
AM Pick up: 8:25 - 8:40 am
PM Drop off: 3:12 – 3:30 pm

McLean Presbyterian Church

1020 Balls Hill Rd - At the intersection of Balls Hill Rd and Georgetown Pike.
Just 2.9 miles from Camp! Convenient to 495!
AM Pick up: 8:25– 8:40 am
PM Drop off: 3:10 – 3:25 pm

Books-A-Million (AM) / Total Beverage Shopping Center (PM)

1451 Chain Bridge Rd. In the heart of McLean. Just 2 miles from Camp!
AM Pick up: 8:30 – 8:45 am
PM Drop off: 3:08 – 3:25 pm

The Spring Hill Recreation Center

1239 Spring Hill Road . A very popular stop last year! About 5 miles from campus.
AM Pick up: 8:25 – 8:40 am
PM Pick up: 3:15 – 3:30 pm

Please note: Bus service and Shuttle Stops are not available for mid-day drop offs and pick ups, Extended Hours, or August Programs.

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