Camp FAQs

Program Information
Camp Fees and Bus Transportation
Camp Dates, Hours & Extended Care
FAQs
Online Registration

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 off campus most days, and the Young Olympians, who swim only occasionally.  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 & crafts, soccer and games.  Every day will include a fun dip in the pool.

Do campers need to bring a snack & lunch?

Yes.  Each camper brings a bag lunch.  Many campers use small coolers with ice packs which keep food 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, Equestrians, Young Olympians and Extreme Adventures campers 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 often travel to further recreational sites, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, Harper’s Ferry, Six Flags, Greenbriar State Park, and the Monocacy River  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.  No skirts or dresses please, as these items can cause potential harm to the vaulter.  Footwear should be soft-soled and flexible such as ballet shoes or soft water shoes.

What equipment is required to participate in Equestrian and Young Olympians?

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

What levels of riding experience are offered at Equestrian Camp?

Our Equestrian Camp can accommodate campers who are occasional through advanced riders.

• 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.

What levels of riding experience are offered for Vaulting on Horseback?

• Beginner – An introduction to horses and vaulting.  Vaulters will learn beginning poses and proceed to poses of increased difficulty as they are able and their confidence develops.
• Novice – Vaulters work to acquire a larger variety of  poses, and will begin to do some at the trot or paired with another vaulter.
• Intermediate – More complex poses that require strong athleticism, coordination and core strength.  Vaulters can dismount at a trot and do poses regularly with one or two other vaulters on horseback.

How many children are with a counselor?

Backyard Explorers have up to 22 campers in their group with three counselors, while Young Adventures are in groups of up to 24 with three  counselors.  Outdoor Adventures are in groups of 15 with one counselor and Extreme Adventures have one group of 16-22 children with two counselors. Additional certified instructors join the OA & EA groups for various activities, as needed.

Vaulting on Horseback will pair a group of 10 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, and more time in the water and the woods. The Equestrian, Outdoor and Vaulting campers will use air-conditioned rooms in the afternoon, or at other times as needed, for some “cool down” time. 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?

There will be bus transportation on three routes with designated cluster stops (limited seats available) for a $50 fee per child.  If the minimum number of bus riders is not met, Butler Camp reserves the right to cancel a bus route for a session.

Route 1

• Potomac Village at Potomac Place Shopping Center (8:00 AM/4:15 PM)
• Travilah Square at Darnestown Rd (8:20 AM/3:45 PM)
• Midsummer Dr & Washingtonian Woods (8:35 AM/3:30 PM)

Route 2

• Quince Orchard HS (8:15AM/3:30 PM)
• Lakelands Park MS  (8:25 AM/3:40 PM)
• Orchard Ridge Dr & Mill Green Ave (8:35 AM/3:50PM)

Route 3

• Arora Hills Park off Skylark Rd (8:00 AM/4:15 PM)
• Giant Store Parking Lot at Henderson Corner Rd (8:15 AM/4:00  PM)
• Cedar Creek Park on Richter Farm Rd/Northwest HS (8:35 AM/3:25 PM)

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 will instruct families how to enroll children in Drop-In Care (an updated 2012 Parent Handbook will be available on our website in late May).

What are the financial terms and policies?

• Application Fees are non-refundable.

• All fees may be paid in full upon registration or contact Scott Chidakel (scott@butlerschool.org or 301-977-6600) to set up a payment plan.  Also review the information at the following link:

• Payment Plans for Butler Camp 2012

• 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, job loss, vacation, or relocation, etc.

• Withdrawal from session(s):

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

-    From January 4 to January 31: A $100 processing fee (per camper) will charged and the remaining fees refunded.

-    From February 1- March 31: forfeiture of 50% of the session(s) fees.

-    After April 1: NO refunds of session(s) fees.

-    Fees for Extended Care or Bus Transportation will  be refunded in full prior to the start of a session.

• Change to a session or program (e.g., switching from one program or session to another)  will be subject to a $50 change fee after May 1.

• 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.

• There will be NO REFUNDS if a camper is asked to withdraw due to behavioral or developmental issues.

What are camp hours?

9:00 AM to 3:15 PM

Early AM Care: 7:45-8:45 AM

Extended PM Care -3:30- 5:30 PM

“Happy Memories That Last a Lifetime Begin at Butler Camp!”

See you this summer…