Programs and Schedule
*Please note, ALL campers are invited to join in for the dress-up days if they wish!
The Camp Day (8:30am-4:00pm):
At Burgundy, the camp day is very busy. All campers swim daily in our outdoor, saltwater pool. Age appropriate and thematic activities, recess and play, outdoor exploration and camp wide community events make up the camp day at Burgundy. Campers spend time with their camp groups working on projects and activities, enjoying recess and playtime, exploring our beautiful 26-acre outdoor campus, and having the chance to spend time with friends, both old and new.
Camper Supervision Ratios: Required minimum ratios (staff does not include CIT’s):
3-5 years – 1:6
6-8 years – 1:8
9-15 years – 1:10
LOWER DIVISION Rising JK – 2nd Grades, Ages 3.5 (potty trained) – 7:
Lower Division Camp Groups
Bunnies – Rising JK/Ages 3.5 – 4.5
Ducks – Rising JK/Ages 3.5 – 4.5
Chipmunks – Rising K/Ages 4.5 – 5.5
Foxes – Rising K/Ages 4.5 – 5.5
Raccoons – Rising 1st/Ages 5.5 – 6.5
Dinos – Rising 1st/Ages 5.5 – 6.5
Hawks – Rising 2nd/Ages 6.5 – 7.75
Eagles – Rising 2nd/Ages 6.5 – 7.75
Lower Division Schedule:
8am-8:30am – Arrival
8:30am-4pm – Camp Day
4pm-4:30pm – Dismissal
Our Lower Division campers’ days are spent doing themed activities that focus on art and crafts, science, sports and games, and music and dramatic play. In addition to these activities, they have snack and lunch, recess time, down time (nap time for our youngest campers, a short rest time for our older campers), as well as unstructured time where the campers can decide what they would like to do, whether that is going for a nature walk, building a fort in the woods, visiting the barnyard, or having some quiet time to relax with friends. The sessions and weekly themes for this summer are:
*Please note, ALL campers are invited to join in for the dress-up days if they wish!
Session 1 June 17-28:
Week 1 – June 17-21
*No camp on Wednesday, June 19
Camp Theme: Sci Fi Sensation
Dress up Friday: Dress like a Sci Fi Character
Science fiction becomes reality at Burgundy this summer during this fantasy camp! Robots, rockets, and far away realms surround us as we explore the final frontier. If you have ever looked up at the stars or into the future and wondered what it might be like this camp is for you. Everyday will be an adventure as we bend time and space during this week of limitless possibilities!
Week 2 – June 24-28
Camp Theme: Witches and Wizards!
Dress up Friday: Dress like your Favorite Witch/Wizard
Something magical is happening at Burgundy! Grab your wand, bring your cauldron, and get ready to cast off into a world of magic and mystery! Witches and wizards will create powerful potions, learn about magical creatures, and weave spells of wonder. Abracadabra!
Session 2 July 1-12:
Week 1 – July 1-5
*No camp on Thursday, July 4 AND Friday, July 5
Camp Theme: Camp Camelot!
Dress up Friday: Dress like a King/Queen/Knight/Dragon?
Pull up a chair at the Round Table and join the brave Knights of Burgundy! Journey back to a medieval time of helpful heroes, magical creatures, dangerous dragons, cunning Queens, and endless adventure. If you enjoy the legendary tales of the time of kings and castles this camp is “joust” what you need!
Week 2 – July 8-12
Camp Theme: Wild, Wild, West!
Dress up Friday: Cowboys and Cowgirls! *Toy weapons are not allowed at Burgundy!
Home, home on the range! Dust off your boots and put on your hat as we step back into the wild, wild west! Saddle up your own stick horse and practice your rope skills on a cattle drive! During this week of camp you will join the gold rush to pan for gold, sing some cowboy songs and learn how to line dance, and visit the adjacent Burgundy Stables to learn all about horses! Giddyup!
Session 3 July 15-26:
Week 1 – July 15-19
Camp Theme: Burgundy Olympics!
Dress up Friday: God/Goddess/Mythological Creature
Get ready to Greek-out at Burgundy this summer! During this heavenly week of camp we will become Poseidon at the pool, Athena in the art room, and Pericles on the playground, and we will have an adventure to rival that of Odysseus! Become more than mortal this week as we ascend to the heavens to mingle with the Gods and Goddesses and learn the legends that they lived!
Week 2 – July 22-26
Camp Theme: Carnival and Circus
Dress up Friday: Tie-dye Friday!
It’s the greatest show at Burgundy! Enjoy the colorful sights and sounds of a carnival atmosphere all week long as you play a variety of carnival games, create your own circus poster, and participate in the longtime camp tradition of Tie-dye Friday!
Session 4 July 29 – August 9:
Week 1 – July 29-August 2
Camp Theme: Burgundy’s Got Talent
Dress up Friday: Dress like a Movie/Rock Star!
We got talent, yes we do, we got talent, how ‘bout you? We know you do and this is the week to show it off! The highlight of this camp is the annual camper led Burgundy talent show: Burgundy’s Got Talent! Campers can choose to participate in the talent show on Friday, or just have fun showing off their talents all week to their campmates. The spotlight is on, time to shine!
Week 2 – August 5-9
Camp Theme: Summertime Superheroes
Dress up Friday: Dress like your favorite Superhero!
Superheroes assemble! This camp is all about finding the superhero inside you! Create, design, and become your own unique superhero and join the Brave Burgundy Buddies – a super team dedicated to creating fun for all campers! Not even kryptonite can keep this camp down!
MIDDLE DIVISION Rising 1st-3rd/Ages 6-8:
The Middle Division is designed for camper’s who are rising 1st-3rd grades (ages 6-8) that, while they have enjoyed their Lower Division camp experience, may be ready to explore what Upper Division camp is like. This transitional camp division allows more choice to our oldest Lower Division campers who would like a bit more say in what they do during the camp day. Now, with the Middle Division, we have opened up all of the half-day camp programs that make the Upper Division so exciting to these campers. Campers who choose the Middle Division can “build their own session of camp” by selecting from a wide variety of half-day programs (campers pick a pairing of an AM camp AND a PM camp each session to create their full day of camp) to create their own camp experience. All afternoon camps in the Middle Division include daily swim instruction in Burgundy’s own outdoor, saltwater pool. The morning camps do not have a swim component, ensuring that campers swim once per day. Campers eat their lunch with their AM program and then rotate to their PM program.
This year all campers were able to pick from any of the PM camps offered to match with their AM camp. Counselors know which campers are going where in the afternoon and supervise the transition time.
Middle Division AM/PM Schedule:
8am-8:30am – Arrival
8:30am-12pm – Morning Camp
12pm-12:30pm – Lunch, with morning camp group
12:30pm-4pm – Afternoon Camp (swim time included)
4pm-4:30pm – Dismissal
The Middle Division also has one full day camp: Alexandria Children’s Theatre. This full day Middle Division camp swims daily as well. They also enjoy recess and time to explore the campus while focusing on their curriculum.
Middle Division Full Day Schedule:
8am-8:30am – Arrival
8:30am-4pm – Camp Day
4pm-4:30pm – Dismissal
UPPER DIVISION Rising 4th-6th/Ages 9-12:
Upper Division campers, whether in our half-day programs or full day programs, will enjoy a busy schedule as well. Between daily swim, recess, and themed programming, they will move through their camp day from one engaging activity to another. Campers participating in our half-day camps must pick a pairing of an AM camp and a PM camp to create their full day of camp. Campers will have their lunch with their AM program before rotating to their PM program.
This year all campers were able to pick from any of the PM camps offered to match with their AM camp. Counselors know which campers are going where in the afternoon and supervise the transition time.
Upper Division AM/PM Schedule:
8am-8:30am – Arrival
8:30am-12pm – Morning Camp
12pm-12:30pm – Lunch, with morning camp group
12:30pm-4pm – Afternoon Camp (swim time included)
4pm-4:30pm – Dismissal
Full day Upper Division camps swim daily as well and enjoy recess and time to explore the campus while focusing on their curriculum. The Upper Division full day camps are:
-Burgundy Outdoors
-MakerSpace Magic
-Alexandria Children’s Theatre
-Burgundy Horsemanship Camp
Upper Division Full Day Schedule:
8am-8:30am – Arrival
8:30am-4pm – Camp Day
4pm-4:30pm – Dismissal
Even though our camps have such busy schedules, we still find time to focus on unstructured play, which we believe is very important to children, and an important part of any camp experience. Playtime allows the campers to drive the activities and have a chance to be creative and active at the same time. This is encouraged throughout our campus, and all camps are given ample time to play.
Our counselors will carefully guide campers through their day, lead them in their activities, oversee their health and general wellbeing, and make sure that they have everything they need to be successful. You will find our staff caring and attentive, quickly forming strong bonds with all of our campers. Your children should feel comfortable approaching Counselors with any questions or concerns. Counselors are supported by the camp administration in all areas of the summer program, and are routinely observed to ensure the best quality service we can provide.
WHAT TO BRING TO CAMP:
To make sure your camper is prepared for the summer, please read through this list of what to bring carefully. It is strongly recommended that your campers name be labeled on any item they bring to camp!
- Water bottle
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Goggles (OPTIONAL)
- Swim shirt (OPTIONAL)
- Pool shoes (OPTIONAL)
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray – can be sent in or applied at home before camp (or both)
- Hat
- Sunglasses (OPTIONAL)
- Extra change of clothes in a Ziplock bag (just in case!)
- An AM snack that does not require refrigeration or heating (nut free!) *If your camper participates in After Camp Care or Summer Enrichment they will want to pack a PM snack as well!
- A lunch that does not require refrigeration or heating (nut free!) *Please make sure that your campers name and the date are on their lunch!!
- Backpack or bag to keep everything in
- Separate bag for swim gear
- 2-3 face masks that fit tight and snug (OPTIONAL)
- 1 Ziplock, or other appropriate bag, for the clean extra mask (OPTIONAL)
- 1 Ziplock, or other appropriate bag, for the dirty used mask (OPTIONAL)
- A smile!
- Your sense of adventure!
Towels and swimsuits will be sent home every day for washing. Counselors will allow time, as best they can according to their schedules, for campers to be outside after swimming to “air dry” so they will not have to pack soaking wet swim gear to take home.
We suggest that campers come dressed for active play. Shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers are ideal. Sandals can be dangerous and difficult to move in and are not recommended. Please label all items that your camper brings to camp. Please do not send valuables to camp with your children. BFSDC cannot assume responsibility for any lost items.
Please label any item you send to camp with your camper. Camp staff will do their best to return lost items to the correct camper, and this process is made much easier if items are labeled.
WHAT NOT TO BRING TO CAMP:
These items are prohibited and possession of any of these items will have potential consequences, including dismissal from the camp. Campers should never bring the following items to camp at any time:
- Weapons of any kind (including toys that look like weapons!)
- Drugs, alcohol, or tobacco (prescription medications must be turned into the camp nurse with a completed Medicine Authorization Form)
- Pets or animals
- Personal sports equipment that may relate to camp activities; the camp will provide all equipment needed
- Games, toys, electronics, collections, anything of great financial or personal value
Burgundy also discourages campers from bringing toys, collections, or technology to camp. Our busy days and outdoor focus are not conducive to these items and they run the risk of being damaged or lost. Campers are asked to leave these items at home.
*Our youngest campers, the Bunnies and Ducks, who still have a proper nap time in the afternoon, may bring a stuffed cuddle toy, or “stuffie”, if it helps them sleep at naptime.
SNACK and LUNCH (10am and 12-1pm):
Please note: Burgundy is a nut free campus! We ask that parents and campers respect this policy and not send any nut or nut products, or products processed in a facility that contains nuts, with their campers. If you choose to send soy butter, sunflower seed butter, or something similar, please also include a note indicating which product you are using. Counselors will check lunches and sometimes it is hard to distinguish between peanut butter and soy butter or other safe substitutes. Burgundy also stresses healthy foods and snacks. We discourage sending sodas and soft drinks with your camper’s lunch, but rather juices and/or water.
*Please be sure that all lunch boxes are labeled with your child’s name and the current date as this is required by the Virginia State Health Department.
SNACK:
All Burgundy campers need to bring a snack from home every day. Every camp will have a snack time around 10am (this time may vary according to your camper’s schedule). Campers will be physically distanced and outside during snack as much as weather allows.
*If your camper participates in After Camp Care or Summer Enrichments they will want to pack a PM snack as well!
LUNCH:
All Burgundy campers need to bring a lunch every day that does not require refrigeration or heating. Lunch will take place between 11:30am and 12:30pm, depending on each camp’s individual schedule. Campers will be physically distanced and outside during lunch as much as weather allows. Counselors will try their best to make sure that campers eat their lunch each day, and will leave any uneaten food (within reason) in the lunch box so that parents can see what is being eaten and what is not. If we notice any issues with the eating habits of a camper, specifically not eating, we will contact the parent to let them know.
*We do not allow campers or counselors to share food.