Our philosophy
We run coach-led programs for school-age kids in Washington, DC — summer camp, school-closure day camps, after-school strength, Saturday nights, and birthday parties. This is not babysitting, and it is not screen time.
We believe in the importance of physical education. Kids follow a plan: organized lessons, games, free play, and real physical challenge with boundaries. Coaches run the room, effort gets celebrated, and fun is part of the design — kids come back because they want to.
Swim is our sister program, Old City Swim School. Campers swim every day.
- Organized lessons
- Activity-based free play
- Team building
- Agency & autonomy
- Risky play
- Fun
Our policies
The things parents ask about most, in plain language.
Supervision & safety
Every program is run by trained coaches who actively lead activities and manage groups. Kids are never left unsupervised. Activities are age-appropriate and coached — we believe in real physical challenge with boundaries, not eliminating movement or risk entirely.
Check-in & check-out
We use clear check-in and check-out procedures at every program, so you always know exactly where your child is and who is responsible for them. Only authorized adults may pick up.
Screens
Our programs are fully screen-free. The one exception: the movie at Kids’ Night Out.
What to bring
Athletic clothing, sneakers, and a water bottle for every program. Full-day programs need a packed lunch and snack. Each program page has its own short checklist.
The full fine print — payment, refunds, transfers, late-pickup fees, our waiver, and health practices — is published in full on our Policies page. Questions? camps@oldcityswimschool.com — a real person will write back.
Is it the right fit?
These programs are not for every kid. We look for kids who can be in a group, follow a cue, and try hard things — and who want to have fun doing it. If you’re not sure, ask. We’ll tell you honestly.