Registration Opens on January 19!
At Madeira we experience the unexpected every day and we invite you to join us on campus to see for yourself. Whether you participate in our one-week residential program, two-week residential program, or one weekday camp program, we have options for your rising 5th-9th grader!
Track Options
Our innovative tracks guide what you will learn while at Girls First or Girls First Junior this summer. All campers will choose one of the tracks during registration. We know it can be hard to choose between such exciting tracks which is why we have an opportunity every day for individual exploration. We know our tracks are just as diverse as your interests!
Making change is important- but how and why is it done? Through the Business, Law, and Social Sciences track, campers will learn the basics of law making, understanding how the consumer for businesses is ever changing, how legislation and history impacts the world today, and more!
Campers in this track will get to hear from women with careers in business and law, political science, and other related fields to gain knowledge about how and why the world runs the way it does. Travel to Washington, D.C. to see where bills become laws, create businesses ideas from start to finish, learn how to plan an event using resources of a stadium or venue, and participate in a mock trial or Model UN. Build a foundation that will help you discover all the aspects of a Business, Law, and Social Sciences.
Session One (one week) Business and Law: Explore more in-depth the Business and Law side of this track. Immerse yourself in the how and why side of this track by learning about different laws and who acted to make that change!
Session Three Law and Social Science: Session three will focus on what the world has developed into what we know it as today. Looking back on history and the influence that art, politics, humanitarian movements, presidencies, wars, and others have had on the world. By creating conversations rooted in civic discourse, law and social science will prepare campers for Model UN type scenarios.
One of our most popular tracks just got more diverse! Women in Creative Arts will intersect the visual arts of watercolor, fashion design, and architecture with additions of digital marketing design and podcast making! Boost your level of creativity by challenging yourself to create something different, unique, and challenging!
In the Women in Visual and Media Arts track, you’ll explore the same mediums used to design world famous arts and how to use different textile forms to create wearable art! Campers will learn from marketing experts and take a field trip to visit artist displays at local DC museums and be inspired on how to make an idea into a piece of art- whatever that may look like for you! Develop an understanding for careers in the visual arts that will intersect passion, talent, and a love for creating!
Session One Mixed Mediums Focus: During the first session of Girls First, Creative Arts will have a focus on mixed mediums. This will include watercolor painting, air dry clay designs, acrylics, and more!
Session Three Textile Focus: During the third session of Girls First, Creative Arts will focus on the uses of textiles. This will include fabric dye, sewing and altering pieces of clothing, and more!
The world of Performing Arts is magical- and there’s nearly something for everyone! Tell a story through script writing, acting, dancing, set design, and costume design! Collaborate with other artists as they direct a piece and encourage you to make character choices that bring the audience into a world that only exists on the stage!
Spend your mornings on the Madeira campus exploring the vast world of performing arts using our stage and dance studios. Hone your craft and try something new on stage with friends or design a costume that enhances the experience. Focused field trips will bring a full circle experience with tours of professional theatres or performances! The Women in Performing Arts track is perfect for the camper who wants to dabble in all aspects of performing arts the same way a Madeira girl can.
Session One & Session Three: The curriculum will focus on finding pieces of plays that resonate with the campers for them to rehearse, direct, costume design, and perform at the end of the week.
One day you can be looking at small cells under a microscope and the next you can be building your own rollercoaster! In the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) track, campers will have the opportunity to explore all things small and large that make up the world. Have you ever wondered how electricity powers the world or how modern technology has evolved to make everyday tasks easier?
The Women in Science and Tech track is designed to offer campers a glimpse into the smallest of living organisms and will explore the greater contributions technology has had on society. By utilizing the Madeira School campus, campers will be able to study nature by just stepping off the sidewalk! Track focused fields trips will give campers the experience to learn the impacts that science has on our everyday life. From water samplings, chemistry equations, vet technology, and coding, the Science and Tech track offers a spectrum of introductory ideas to grow the curious minds of future scientists!
Session One Focus (Science and Tech): In the science and tech portion, campers will explore topics of life science such as biology, chemistry, and anatomy to help them learn how animal and human behaviors impact the world around us!
Session Three Focus (Engineering and Math): Engineering and Math will cover focuses such as physics and coding to help learn how new and advancing technology can benefit the world around us!
Session Dates and Prices
All prices will be announced at a later date
| Session | Dates |
|---|---|
| Session 1 | June 29 - July 4 |
| Session 2 | July 6 - July 18 |
| Session 3 | July 20 - July 26 |
| Session 4 (Jr) | July 28 - August 1 |
FAQs
Before registering for camp, please review our policies and procedures. We will ask you to sign off on these policies BEFORE registering your camper for camp. Most families prefer reading the policies before registering to ensure they have a thorough understanding of our operating procedures.
If your camper is participating in Girls First, Move In day is July 16th and Move Out is July 28th. More details with specific instructions will be sent to registered families as we get closer to the start of camp.
If your camper is participating in Girls First Junior, carpool runs from 8:15 am – 9:00 am every morning and from 3:15 pm – 3:45 pm every afternoon. Our carpool hours are firm and if you arrive any time after 9:00 am or 3:45 pm you will need to head to the camp office for a late drop off/pick up.
The best way to contact us is by emailing [email protected] or by calling 703-556-8234. Our camp office is open from 9 am – 3:30 pm every weekday and we will do our best to get back to you in a timely manner. Information on how to contact us when your camper is at camp will be provided closer to the start of camp.
Girls First has an extensive, detailed packing list that we will be emailing out to families in the spring.
Every day, Girls First Junior campers should bring the following items to camp:
- Bathing suit
- Towel
- Goggles
- Sneakers and socks
- Backpack
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat and/or sunglasses
Campers eat thoughtfully prepared and healthy meals in the Madeira dining hall, just like our students do! Residential campers enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day and day campers enjoy lunch. Our menus are created by our Dining team and offer variety and nutrition for most diets. If you have a specific food-related question, please contact the camp office.
Unfortunately, Girls First and The Madeira School will not be accepting applicants of those campers who will be traveling as unaccompanied minors. Due to safety reasons, those campers using transportation other than that provided guardian/host from out-of-state or international must have a parent, guardian, or host, within a two-hour driving radius of The Madeira School.
Refunds on Program Fees
- All per-camper, per-program deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable at point of sale.
- Refunds for any camp program fees paid beyond the deposit(s) may only be issued when written notice of cancellation and a request for a refund is received before May 15th. Between May 15th and May 31st, 50% of the full cost of registration will be refunded. No refunds will be issued after May 31st.
- Refund requests that come after May 31st for any reason, will not be honored. Madeira Camps does not issue rollover credits to the next season and families will forfeit all fees paid towards their program.
- Refund requests for Extended Day services must be submitted in writing at least one week prior to the start of the camp session in question.
- Administrative fees are non-refundable.
Cancellations Due to Medical or Emergency Circumstances
- In some cases, refunds may be granted after the May 31st cancellation and refund period for medical or emergency circumstances only. A written notice of cancellation with an explanation of the medical or emergency circumstances must be provided for a refund request to be considered.
- Additional documentation may be requested by the Madeira School. Partial refunds will be at the discretion of the Madeira School after reviewing the request.
Inclement Weather
- High ropes and water activities may be cancelled when weather conditions are unstable (including dangerously high heat and dangerous air quality). Alternative activities will be provided. Refunds are not given when activities are cancelled due to inclement weather.
Program Cancellation
- If any camp or session is cancelled by the Madeira School, for any reason, a full refund will be issued on all camp program fees including the non-refundable deposit. The camp administrative fee is non-refundable.
- If a program is cancelled for any reason (including, but not limited to, insufficient enrollment and staffing issues), every effort will be made to place campers in a similar program. Programs are any choice within a camp (theme choice, age group, etc.).
We will do our best to accommodate campers who change their minds before the start of camp. Please keep in mind we are unable to move campers into tracks that are full. Due to staffing levels and supplies, we are unable to accommodate changes after the first day of camp.
All campers will be provided with any supplies they need to participate in programming.
We spend time helping campers find the voice and gain invaluable communication skills in roommate conflicts. The first step is to have residential counselors and the Assistant Camp Director of Residential and Leadership meet with the campers and help each person actively listen to concerns to reach a solution. We ask parents to talk to their camper before camp about the importance of communicating with counselors and camp staff when issues arise. We take roommate issues on a case-by-case basis and will take every measure to ensure that campers feel comfortable and safe in their rooms.
Camp is about learning independence and life skills! The residential counselors will ask if anyone needs a laundry lesson, but you should encourage your camper to ask for help, too. No need to pack laundry detergent or dryer sheets as the camp supplies them. If your camper has sensitivities to scents, you are welcome to pack your own.
Most communication from the Girls First office is done electronically via email. Please ensure that you can receive messages from our email address and provide us with an alternate email if you’ve not already done so. We encourage you to save the camp number (703-556-8234) in your phone in case we need to call you.
Feel free to reach out to us anytime at [email protected] or give us a call (703-556-8234) during our business hours (9 am – 3:30 pm on weekdays). If you have a health-related question, please contact the health center at [email protected] or 703-556-8244.