Camp FAQs

Butler Camp enjoys a beautiful location on a 22 acre campus in Darnestown, Maryland. We are also fortunate to enjoy the beauty (and cooler temperatures!) of the trails and woods of adjoining Seneca Creek State Park.  Hiking and playing in these woods are some of the favorite pastimes of Butler Campers!

What ages does your camp accommodate?

We have programs for children ages 3 1/2 to 16.

How often do campers swim?

Campers swim daily in our pool, with the exception of Extreme Adventures, who are mostly off campus.  The two-foot shallow end allows even the youngest camper to comfortably stand and start their swimming experience.  Children are not expected to be “swimmers” when they arrive at camp.  Lifeguards and counselors will guide campers in their swimming progress to acquire basic skills and confidence in the water.

What activities are included in Outdoor Adventures? (ages 7-10)

Outdoor Adventures offers fun on both land and water.  Under the direction of our certified instructors and the individual counselors, these campers will balance their days enjoying adventure activities such as archery, canoeing, fishing, ropes course, hiking, tubing and creeking, along with arts & craft, soccer and games.  Every day will include a fun dip in the pool with a short period of swim instruction.

Do campers need to bring a lunch?

Yes.  Each camper brings a bag lunch.  Many campers use small coolers with ice packs which keep lunch and drinks satisfactorily cold for the day.  Water breaks are taken frequently throughout the day.  On Friday, campers may enjoy two complimentary pieces of pizza.

Where do campers spend their day?

Young Adventures and Backyard Explorers spend time both inside our air-conditioned classrooms and outside on campus.  Outdoor Adventurers, Vaulters, Equestrian, Young Olympians and Extreme Adventures are outside all day.  The Outdoor Adventures groups will travel to local lakes, creeks, the canal towpath and Potomac River for fishing, canoeing and water activities.  Extreme Adventure campers will travel to off campus sites on the Butler bus most days for their activities.

What is Vaulting?

Vaulting combines gymnastics and dance on a moving horse.  It’s a great way to develop coordination, balance, strength and creativity while working in harmony with a horse. “Safety first” provides the guideline for vaulting. Vaulters are taught to condition their bodies with stretching and strengthening exercises prior to vaulting. Most movements performed on the horse are first learned and practiced on a stationary “barrel”. The horse is on a lunge line controlled by a trainer from the ground. These practices help to make vaulting the safest equine sport, and safer than other activities such as playing on playground equipment or soccer.  Vaulting was brought to the United States from Germany in the late 1960s (vaulting is considered a prerequisite for serious riders in Germany). The American Vaulting Association (founded in 1966) provides oversight of the sport in the United States. For more information or to see pictures of vaulting go to www.americanvaulting.org.

What equipment is required to participate in Vaulting?

Since vaulting combines gymnastics, dance and horses, these campers will need to dress in comfortable pants that allow for movement such as sweatpants or leggings.  Footwear should be soft-soled and flexible such as ballet shoes or soft water shoes.
What equipment is required to participate in the Equestrian or the Young Olympians programs?

These equestrians need a regulation (ASTM) riding helmet and smooth-soled boots with an inch heel (inside zippers are not allowed).  You can expect to spend between $40 and $70 for a regulation riding helmet. Helmets can be purchased locally at “Everything Equestrian” in Damascus or “The Surrey” in Darnestown.

What levels of riding experience are offered at Equestrian Camp?

Our Equestrian Camp can accommodate campers at Beginner, Novice, Intermediate and Young Olympians levels.

• Beginner – An introduction to horses and riding.  Riders will learn to mount, correctly adjust their equipment and begin to work at the walk and trot, and learn basic control signals.
• Novice – Riders work to improve their position at the walk and trot and are introduced to the canter.  Work over ground poles will be introduced.  Riders at this level should be able to bridle a horse and adjust tack.
• Intermediate – Open to riders who can post to the trot independently.  Riders will practice cantering and be introduced to jumping.  There will opportunities to leave the ring for games and trail rides.
• Young Olympians – Open to riders who have the ability to compete.

How many children are with a counselor?

Backyard Explorers have up to 24 campers in their group with three counselors, while Young Adventures are in groups of up to 28 with four counselors.  Outdoor Adventures are in groups of 15 and Extreme Adventures have 13 children, each group with one counselor. Additional certified instructors join the OA & EA groups for various activities, as needed.

Vaulting on Horseback have a group of 8 children with one counselor and the Equestrian Camp and Young Olympians have 12 and 10 children, respectively, with one counselor. When the children are riding, there are 6 children with one instructor and one assistant.

What do you do on weather related “code red” days?

Activities are modified to allow less time in the sun, more time in the water and the woods.  Air conditioned inside space is available as needed.  Drinking water is important EVERY DAY and on “code red” days we are especially insistent that the children take regular water breaks.  The campers also enjoy our “water misting” system to cool off after activities throughout the camp season.

Is there transportation available?

This summer there will be bus transportation (limited seating) at a cluster stop at:

Lakelands Park Middle School (off Rt. 28 near Kentlands).

AM at 8:45 – PM at 3:30

What is Drop-In Care?

Drop-In Care is designed to provide occasional or part time care before or after camp.  Children who need care every day during a two week session should enroll in AM or PM Extended Day.  The Parent Handbook, distributed to camp families in May, will instruct families how to enroll children in Drop-In Care.

What are the financial terms and policies?

•Application Fees are non-refundable.

•All fees are due in full upon registration.

•Applications received without required information, releases and fees will be considered incomplete and will delay registration.

•Changes or substitutions to some of the activities planned and described here may occur due to unusual weather, low water levels or other unavoidable circumstances.

•Sessions many not be split.  We are unable to accept campers for partial sessions.

•There will be no refunds or adjustments for absences due to illness, vacation, etc.

•Withdrawal from session(s):

-    From January 1 to March 15: forfeiture of 50% of the session(s) fees.

-    After March 15: forfeiture of 100% of the session(s) fees.

-    These forfeitures do not apply to fees for Extended Care or Bus Transportation.

-    The Required Application Fee of $25 is non-refundable.

•Changes of a session or activity (such as a change in program, change to a different session or change in Extended Care) after January 6 will be subject to a $50 change fee.

•Persistent inappropriate or dangerous behavior or behavior that requires excessive attention from a counselor that jeopardizes the safety of the children will not be tolerated and may result in the camper’s dismissal, at the discretion of the Camp Director.

•If a camper is asked to withdraw due to behavioral or developmental issues beyond the expertise of the camp staff, Butler Camp reserves the right to retain fees for the entire session(s).

What are camp hours?

9:00AM to 3:30 PM

AM Extended Day – 7:45 AM

PM Extended Day – 5:30 PM

Happy Memories That Last a Lifetime Begin at Butler Camp!

See you this summer…..