2026 Summer Camp Guide Online Preview Available February 24. Registration Opens on March 3!
We are committed to providing your child/camper a safe environment along with caring and experienced camp counselors and fun-filled days. Offering specialty camps from arts to sports plus everything in between and full day traditional style summer camps with popular themes each week all for ages 3-17 at 11 locations throughout Prince William County.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation Summer Camp offerings operate with basic health and safety requirements but are exempt from licensure and have no direct oversight by the Virginia Department of Education.
If you are wait-listed for a camp, you will receive an automatic email notification. This email will contain a link to accept or reject the enrollment via your WebTrac account.
Download the 2025 Summer Camps Quick Tips Guide
★ Checklist for Full Day Camp Programs
Registration Deadlines:
Registration for all camps closes 14 days in advance of the first day of camp.
Payments:
Partial Day and Break Camps
Payment in full is due at the time of registration.
Full Day Camps
Cancellations & Refunds:
Partial Day and Break Camps
Full Day Camps
Transfers:
Q: What is your policy on allowing parents to stay and observe camp?
A: Often parents or guardian’s presence during camp can be distracting for some children as well as staff. For this reason, we prefer parents/guardians not stay.
Q: Quick reference for Payments, Refunds and Prorating:
A: Partial Day and Break Camps
Payment in full is due at the time of registration.
Full Day Camps
A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance is due no later than 14 days prior to the start of camp. Failure to pay the balance in full by the due date may result in your child being removed from the camp. A $10.00 multi-child discount will be given to each additional child in the household who is enrolled in the same full-day camp program at the same location. For more information, please see the Parent/Guardian Handbook under the Camp Documents dropdown on this webpage.
Q: Can I purchase an extra camp T-shirt?
A: Each Full Day Camper will receive one T-Shirt per summer per registered camp location. These shirts are to be worn on field trip days. Please ask the camp manager regarding additional t-shirts for purchase.
Q: Can we switch from one camp program/location to another?
A: All fees (including deposits) are transferable with documented notice made more than 14 days prior to the start of camp (from which the transfer is requested). Transfers requested less than 14 days prior to the start of the camp (from which the transfer is being requested), will result in a forfeiture of all fees. Transfers are not guaranteed and subject to program availability.
Q: Do I have to sign up for the entire summer or can I choose specific weeks?
A: Committing to a full summer of camp is not required. Participants can choose specific camps or weeks that interest them.
Q: Do you offer Before and After extended care options? What are the fees?
A: Extended before and after care is offered for full day camp programs. The hours for extended care are 7a-9a and 5p-6p. Morning extended care costs an additional $45/week, PM/evening extended care costs an additional $30 per week. If both morning and evening care is needed, the cost is an additional $75 per week. Registration and payment for before and aftercare is due 14 days prior to camp start date.
Q: Will campers be going on field trips this summer?
A: Yes! Full day camp programs will be offering field trips this summer and occasionally an on-site specialty program. Information regarding field trips will be communicated through the camp newsletter.
Q: Quick guide to meals at camp
A: We are unable to provide refrigeration or access to a microwave for camper’s lunches/snacks. Generally lunch is held between 11a-12noon. Meals are not provided unless there is a special event scheduled that will include food. Campers should bring 2 snacks and 2 drinks, lunch, and water bottle to full day camps each day, and 1 snack and water bottle to partial day camps.
Q: What about swimming?
A: Swimming is offered at some of our full day camps. Swim days, times, and locations will be communicated through the camp newsletter. All children in PWC Department of Parks & Recreation summer camps will need to pass a swim test before getting in the water. This will determine areas of the pool they are allowed to access and if they need a life vest. More information can be found in the Parent/Guardian Handbook under the Camp Documents dropdown on this webpage.
Q: Can we switch from one camp program/location to another?
A: All fees (including deposits) are transferable with documented notice made more than 14 days prior to the start of camp (from which the transfer is requested). Transfers requested less than 14 days prior to the start of the camp (from which the transfer is being requested), will result in a forfeiture of all fees. Transfers are not guaranteed and subject to program availability.
Q: What if my child has a disability?
A: The Department of Parks and Recreation offers inclusion based programming. Please find more information on our Inclusion page or contact Veronica Laughman, ADA Coordinator: [email protected]. Complete and submit the Inclusion request form.
Q: If I am not registered for Before Care, how early can I drop my child off?
A: Campers who are not signed up for extended care should be dropped off between 8:45a-9:00a and picked up at 5:00p for Full-Day Camps at no extra cost.
Q: How do you handle inclement weather (heat and rain)?
A: All camp locations have inclement weather policies and Emergency Action Plans. Indoor spaces are available at all locations. In case of extreme heat, activities are modified and outdoor time is limited.
Q: I am wait-listed, what happens now?
A: If space becomes available, and your child becomes eligible for enrollment, you will be notified via email regarding the opportunity to register and provided directions on completing the registration and payment.
Q: Where can I find more information?
A: For more information regarding camp policies and procedures, please visit our Parent/Guardian Handbook under the Camp Documents dropdown on this webpage. For more information regarding our inclusion program, please visit our Disability Inclusion page.
Prince William County's Department of Parks and Recreation’s Counselor in Training (CIT) program assigns youth volunteers to summer camps at Silver Lake Regional Park (Camp Silver Lake) and Locust Shade Park (Camp Wingapo). Applicants must be at least 14 years old by June 15, 2026.
Camp hours are 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday-Friday. Campers are aged 6-12 and participate in activities such as arts and crafts, sports, and more. CITs assist counselors and the camp director with daily activities such as preparing arts and crafts projects, supervising and assisting campers with activities, and serving as a good leader and role model. Volunteering as a CIT is a fun way to gain experience working with children, a sense of responsibility and leadership skills.
What Does it Mean to be a C.I.T.?
A Counselor-In-Training assists the camp counselors with:
A Counselor-In-Training is a(n):
As you contribute your time and skills, we hope you will recognize the many benefits that are now available to you.
Through the Counselor-In-Training Program you CAN:
The CIT program is offered in two (2) three-week sessions throughout the summer. If selected, Counselors in Training must attend all camp dates for the session:
Individuals interested in participating as a CIT, must complete and submit an application no later than April 3, 2026.
Applicants will be scheduled for an interview (held on April 15). Selection for a CIT position will be based on the application and interview. Spaces are limited for the program, and we are not able to accept every applicant. Applicants will be informed of selection no later than May 1. A maximum of two (2) CITs will be selected for each session at each camp location.
Once selected, applicants will be provided with directions regarding program registration and payment for their session. The registration fee for the CIT program is $240/session. This fee includes the cost of weekly field trips and camp shirts (uniform). Payment is due after participants are selected, at the time of registration.
All CITs must attend a mandatory training session on June 4 along with any site-specific training session to be determined by the camp manager.
For questions regarding the CIT program, please e-mail Ryan Amato, Children’s Program Manager or call (703) 792-4016.
Jane England, Parks & Center Manager
Camp Silver Lake
Silver Lake Regional Park
(703) 792-5650
Christy Mory, Recreation Specialist
Camp Wingapo
Locust Shade Park
(703) 792-8065
Thank you for the outpouring of support you and your families have shared with us. While we can't share every good comment here, we wanted to highlight a few:
Very happy with the camp, the people, everything!
Always so very happy to hear the stories they share when they get home. Love it!The counselors have been attentive and professional. They have made camp fun for my children.
Returning Camper - We LOVE Chinn!
The entire process was very well organized.
Love this camp. Registration is competitive but just hoping each summer we can get into the camps because they are amazing!
Staff are fantastic. Go above and beyond for the campers. Great work!
The Camp Wingapo crew is truly the best in all the camps I've sent my kids in both PWC and Fairfax.
The accomodations/ modifications for activities exceed my expectations every time. We have been with Prince William Parks and Rec summer camps since my boys were little. We've done half day most years and this was first year I was able to use full day option camps and it was great
I've noticed how counselors are calling my daughter by name at drop off on her 2nd and 3rd day.
We have been attending for 4 years!
Counselors are THE BEST! My daughter loves every day of camp because of how amazing the counselors are and how much effort goes into each day to make it so great!
Thank you for the inclusion process and special needs accommodations ahead of time. I really appreciate the effort your camps put into creating a welcoming environment for all participants
Repeat campers for years
THANK YOU for providing a great summer experience for my kids!
My child has loved the camp experience at Chinn for several years and each year repeatedly asks to return to this camp specifically because of the fun she has. She loves the staff, activities and other campers. She is going to be sad to age out.
Both classes for the 3 year olds and for the 4-5 year olds were superb! The teachers were both excellent! As a retired special educator I really appreciate all their consistency and enthusiasm! I highly recommend your program to everyone. Bodhi and Remy were very excited ever day to go to camp! Thank you for everything!
|
Image
email: [email protected] |