Inviting all kids ages 3 1/2 to 14 to find their sense of adventure this summer!

 

Barrie Camp is held on the 45-acre campus of Barrie School in Silver Spring MD. Facilities used for the summer camp program include:

• 25-meter Olympic outdoor swimming pool: 2 to 5 ft. deep
• Fourteen air conditioned school buildings and cottages
• A pond for canoeing and nature study
• Makerspace classroom
• Two Gymnasiums – one full-size and one half-size
• Black Box theater
• Art building, ceramics studio, and arts & crafts classroom
• State of the art computer facilities
• Outdoor amphitheater and stage for morning assembly, special events, and entertainment
• Athletic fields, including a turf field
• Archery range
• Hiking trails including access to the Matthew Henson Trail
• Three playgrounds
• Tent platforms and fire pit for overnights
• Two pavilions and innumerable shaded picnic areas

Daily Schedule

• 9 am: The day begins with Flagpole, an all-camp assembly at the amphitheater. 
• 9:30 am to 3:20 pm: Camper groups rotate through eight, 35-minute activity periods.
• 3:20 pm to 3:50 pm: Campers transition to dismissal and enjoy an end of the day popsicle!
• 3:50 pm: The camp day ends with car pick-up from 3:50 to 4:30 pm.

The schedule of daily activities changes from day to day and week to week except for set swim times. Most activities are scheduled once per week, weather permitting.

Lunch & Snacks

Lunch and the occasional free period are included in the weekly schedule. Lower campers enjoy a rest or nap period after lunch.

Campers bring bagged lunches that are kept refrigerated until lunchtime. Snacks are offered in the morning to Lower campers and to all campers in PM Supervision. Popsicles are available at the end of the day for everyone. Campers are strongly encouraged to bring a water bottle and are recommended to bring snacks.

Swim Program

Campers are scheduled for two swim periods a day, with some groups enjoying back to back periods. Campers in Specialty or Super Camps have a single swim period.

Lifeguards are fully credentialed and have demonstrated rescue competence. The number of guards on duty is determined by the number of swimmers in the pool. Typically, three guards are on duty with an equal number of counselors assigned as "lookouts."

Please note: The number of swim periods, and information below, is contingent upon local and state guidelines regarding social distancing. This information could change at any moment based on local metrics and state or CDC recommendations.

• All campers going into first grade and above are tested when they first arrive at the pool to assess skill levels and determine in which areas of the pool they may safely swim.
• Rising Pre-K and Kindergarteners are not swim tested as they have a shallow section of the pool designated for their age group.

Barrie Camp employs over 150 people each summer to execute the vast number of activities for the campers in a safe, fun environment. All staff undergo multiple reference checks and criminal background investigations. They participate in a comprehensive pre-camp training program as well as trainings throughout the summer and daily staff meetings.  Staff are trained to be patient, enthusiastic and playful, yet also understand how to manage camper safety and well­-being.

Two or three staff members are assigned to each group depending on the number of campers. The average number of campers per group is 18. Staff to camper ratios are based on American Camp Association requirements:

• Lower Camp  1:6
• Middle Camp  1:8
• Upper Camp 1:10

Camp Counselors: The camp counselors are a highlight of every camper's experience. Every group has senior counselors, who are high school graduates and college students, as well as junior counselors, who are rising juniors & seniors in high school. All counselors are trained to keep campers safe,  be mindful of individual needs, to be engaging, caring and provide encouragement and support. Campers often value the relationships with their counselors above any other aspect of camp.

Activity Specialists:  We also employ experienced specialists who have relevant college degrees or specific training, experience or certifications to lead activities.

Leadership Team: Experienced professionals with degrees in education or fields related to their roles. They are available to provide support to counselors as well as campers and their families. They ensure program quality, supervise specialists, create weekly schedules, and coordinate special event days.

Registered Nurses: Two registered nurses or a nurse and emergency medical technician (EMT) are on duty during the regular camp day. Staff trained in First Aid are on site during extended care hours.

Counselors-in-Training (CITs): CITS are staff who are rising 10th graders and are full-time volunteers assigned to assist camp counselors and activity specialists.

COVID-19 Update for Summer 2023 

With the well-being of our entire community in mind, Barrie Camp will continue to require COVID-19 vaccination for all campers for the 2023 season.

The Barrie School Vaccination Policy includes details on how medical and religious exemptions will work. 

Facial masks/coverings are optional indoors and outdoors. Campers who are exposed to someone who tests positive will be required to wear a mask when indoors for 10 days after their last date of exposure.

Should Barrie Camp experience a surge in positive cases of Covid-19, face masks may be required when indoors for a period of time. This may be required for the safety of our campers, staff, and their families.