such a warm, fabulous farm! Heather and her helpers were amazing, and our trail ride was one of…read moreour vacation highlights! And the horses are so sweet and full of personality!

We had a wonderful ride with Heather and June yesterday!! We hadn't ridden in many, many years and…read morethey were so kind and made us feel so comfortable. Our horses, Boris and Smoothie, were so patient and well behaved. Heather is a true horse whisperer and a pro. We were able to observe Heather providing jump lessons to a teen and Heather was incredibly skilled, patient, and encouraging. I highly recommend Heather's team if you are considering lessons or just a trail ride.

I had a high hope for this summer camp, but I will not use them ever again. This place is not…read morereally organized. There is little to no communication. Morning drop-offs and Afternoon pick-ups are nothing but chaos. The kids working on curbside are clueless and unhelpful. They make kids watch TV on those rainy days because they have nothing else planned for them, when you pay thousands of dollars. No thanks.

I had high hopes for Congressional Camp based on rave reviews from friends, but my experience has…read morebeen extremely disappointing. On February 1st, I tried to enroll both of my children for a one-week session to see if they would enjoy it before committing further. I successfully signed up my son, but my daughter was waitlisted. Since we needed both kids in camp at the same time due to work schedules, I immediately contacted the camp for insight into whether she had a chance of getting in. It took two days to get a response, only to be told that the waitlist had 130 people and she would not be getting in. Realizing that it didn't make sense to send just one child, I immediately requested to unenroll my son. Weeks later, I finally received confirmation--along with a $200 cancellation charge! It's absurd that there was no way to place my son on a waitlist before enrolling, forcing families with multiple children into an impossible situation. This policy is unfair and completely lacks consideration for working parents. If you have more than one child, I'd strongly advise against this camp unless you're okay with paying a steep fee for a situation that's out of your control. This experience makes me question the camp's priorities--would you want to send your child somewhere that doesn't understand the basic point of camp?

The Absolute WORST camp ever!! My kid camp home with bruises and bloody nose!! The owner tried to…read morecover it up!!!! Instead of telling me. Don't send your kids here if you expect transparency and SAFETY!!!! The owner lacks INTEGRITY!!!

we had the pleasure of working with Scigenie in a workshop setting. Kids of all ages--preschool…read morethru 4th graders--were enamored with the experience. It was fun, it was educational, and it was hands on! The workers obviously loved kids, were so engaging, and were saintly on how many questions they answered. Cannot say enough good things!

This is a fabulous camp! My daughter (now 12) went for the first time last year, on her own without…read moreknowing anyone beforehand, and loved it so much she wanted to come for every session this summer. This is a great, old school outdoor camp. Kids get to choose their activities each day--they can go swimming, catch frogs, play in mud, splash in the Gunpowder River, go canoeing or hiking, etc. It is loosely structured enough that can explore, follow their own interests, and use their imaginations. There are mixed age groups and it's amazing to see how kind and supportive the older kids are to the younger kids. The counselors (mostly former campers I think) are hilarious, energetic, creative, kind. Don, a former teacher who has run the camp for over 40 years, is very thoughtful and reflective and the kids love him. This camp gives kids the space to discover their own confidence, creativity, initiative, and it's really really FUN!!!

Nature Camps is THE "nature camp". For nearly a decade, the highlight of our two daughters' summers…read morehas been attending Nature Camps. Starting with Nature Camps' "Little Feet" program, they have grown through the Day Camp and, for the first time, this past summer, "Teen Adventure". The counselors' skills in facilitating each child's personal development and ability to connect with people and the environment around them are astoundingly spectacular. I've lost count of the time I've found myself using the word "magical" to describe how Nature Camps is able to reveal, respect and develop children's best selves. Pick up and drop off at Nature Camps' rustic, wooded location in Monkton offers parents an opportunity to connect with their children and participate in fun activities like "Big Circle". (The (optional) van service from Greenspring Station and/or ad hoc carpools offers other options for families who'd prefer to reduce their own driving time.) In these ways, Nature Camps' values and opportunities outweigh the factors of cost and convenience. Our family's favorite part of each two-week session is the Family Overnight. Overnight activities include a potluck supper followed by entertainment from campers and staff as well as family and friends followed by activities like as night hikes, crafts, and singing by a campfire. The following morning, parents and younger campers are served breakfast prepared by older campers (and staff).

Great summer camp experience for my son! My son just finished his 5th year at Camp Varsity and he…read moreabsolutely loves it. He talks about it all year long and can't wait to go back. This camp is did everyone. The campers have activity packed days filled with swimming, competitions and a weekly day long special trip. My son has climbed Old Rag, swam in the Rapidan, fished and many other things. This camp is simple and fun. No cell phones. Highly recommend this camp.

Summer camp is done right at Camp Varsity. Our kids enjoy every aspect of their experience there…read more Multiple daily activities, games, crafts, hikes, stories, horse-back rides, seeing nature in all its glory and of course, playing in the lake! The staff is incredible... welcoming each week's campers and making every camper feel welcome and help to build the anticipation of endless fun. With no electronics and only "snail-mail" to keep in touch, the kids really get a chance to develop independence and build life-long friendships. Our kids are always exhausted and full of stories when we pick them up...and they never want to leave!!! The owners grew up going to CV and are committed to continuing its traditions...and enhancing the camp experience for the future. We'll always take our kids here (330 miles away by the way)! CV!!!

Holy cow! We just attended a 4 year old birthday party here and it was incredible. Everything is…read moreover the top decorated like a jungle or rain forest. They have tons of cool animals, mostly reptiles and sea animals but also some birds and an armadillo. All the employees seemed super passionate about their job, they were great with the kids, and they facilitated the party well. There was plenty of space for the kids and their families and I'd say the adults were as engaged in the activities as the kids. There was free time for the kids to look at all the exhibits, the charismatic host brought out a lizard, an armadillo, a boa, and a cayman to teach us about and let the kids touch. There was time for pizza and a dinosaur egg hunt. Everything was clean and they did a great job sanitizing between animals and doing hand washes before food.

Amazing staff! From the first hand knowledge and professionalism of/with the animals to the…read morebirthday party set up and picture taking! Simply splendid!

My child did not have a good experience at camp. I had reached out and was told someone would get…read moreback to me but they never did so I am going ahead with my review. My daughter was bullied in the camp--people putting lotion in her tampons, throwing things at her to be cruel and on and on. I had checked a couple of times to see how she was doing and if she needed to talk to me and was told it was best not to do so, that she was fine. Then I discover that she had been asking to call me and was told she could not. If she had called me, I might have been able to address the troubles and get something done to stop them. It was a bit traumatic for her and she has been talking about it for a year afterwards. I don't know why they didn't bother to follow up. But I would not send my child there again. What a giant amount of money to pay for a child to be abused by troubled kids.

My daughter went to this camp the full time she could, from 9-14, then Teen Adventure, then came…read moreback as a counselor for several years. The whole camp program helped her become the amazing woman she is now - being in community and nature for these few prized weeks a year cemented her independence and positive outlook. Working was a little more challenging, but instilled such competence and appreciation for the spiritual aspect of community. Now my youngest has been attending for several years and loves his time there, being outside and making new friends. He doesn't even complain about being without electronics for the two weeks - he's too busy to miss them!

Fully disappointed with customer service! even 1 star is a good mark for this farm, it's zero! they…read morescheduled private classes on the same time and field as group classes, as a result almost all the time you just waiting for free space. horses often is too tired to do a run. Would not recommend anyone!

We have been with Christine V, the owner, since she ran a much smaller barn. She purchased and…read moremoved Red Gate Farm to Bluemont, VA in 2017. It's a gorgeous barn with wonderful horses and ponies. Just the most gorgeous grounds and we usually have a picnic there right after lessons to take advantage of the beautiful views! I think people have to understand you may not always get to ride or show with the horse or pony that you want and that's just part of the sport, unless you actually lease the horse or pony.

Goddard has been a great experience for our child who went their prior to the pandemic, then we…read morereturned after. He will be well prepared for Kindergarten! The teachers and staff are great!

Goddard Eldersburg is the best option for daycare, before and after, and summer camp by far in the…read moreregion. The campus is top notch and the staff is top notch. Being able to know your kids are being taken care of day in and day out is a wonderful feeling!

Becky helped us to have an amazing birthday party for our kiddo. The children were enthralled to…read morelearn all about the animal friends that she brought and my daughter's entire day was made by being able to hold a bunny on her lap. Wildlife Ambassadors made it the best birthday ever. We would hands down recommend them.

Used to live in NoVa and loved this organization! Wildlife Ambassadors is the perfect mix of…read moreeducational and entertaining. Becky is a wildlife education veteran so she knows cools stuff that just captivates her audience. I've seen her entertain a dozen tiny tots to 100s of people at a big event and it's clear this is her passion! If you're looking for some amazing entertainment with the added benefit of teaching your young ones about the world around them, Wildlife Ambassadors is it! Can't recommend highly enough!! I'm bummed she's not in Atlanta!