FAQs

Camp Horizons is a co-ed, overnight summer camp for ages 6–16, offering one- and two-week sessions. With more than 50 activities—from horseback riding and swimming to creative arts and outdoor adventure—campers explore their interests, challenge themselves, and make lifelong friends.

We are proudly independent and inclusive: not affiliated with any political or religious group, and welcoming campers and staff from around the world. Everything we do is guided by our four pillars: Safety, Community, Growth, and Fun. From the moment we say “Welcome Home” at check-in, campers know they are in a place where they belong and can always return.

Camp Horizons is a co-ed, overnight summer camp for ages 6–16, offering one- and two-week sessions. With more than 50 activities—from horseback riding and swimming to creative arts and outdoor adventure—campers explore their interests, challenge themselves, and make lifelong friends.

We are proudly independent and inclusive: not affiliated with any political or religious group, and welcoming campers and staff from around the world. Everything we do is guided by our four pillars: Safety, Community, Growth, and Fun. From the moment we say “Welcome Home” at check-in, campers know they are in a place where they belong and can always return.

Activities: Each day, campers enjoy four activities from our six program areas: Aquatics, Equestrian, Outdoors, Performing Arts, Sports, and Creative Arts.

• Discover (ages 6–8): Campers rotate through activities in small groups with a counselor.
• Journey & Explorer (ages 9–16): Campers select activities before arriving, and older campers (12–16) can join offsite trips like caving, canoeing, and tubing.
  Evenings bring all-camp fun such as Talent Shows, Capture the Flag, and International Night. Campers staying two weeks pick new activities for their second week.

Camper Life: Campers live in villages by age and gender, with counselors in every cabin. Villages eat meals together, rest during “horizontal time,” and wind down each evening as a group. Each village has a Village Coordinator, and each program has a Program Coordinator focused on camper safety, inclusion, and fun.

Our staff come from across the U.S. and around the world—typically ages 18–25—and many are former campers themselves. Most study or work in education and youth development.

Every staff member completes a detailed application, interview, and local, state, and federal background checks. International staff are also vetted through trusted partner agencies. Before campers arrive, our team participates in intensive training to prepare them to create a safe, welcoming, and memorable summer.

We’re supported year-round by a dedicated team of directors, customer service staff, and facilities professionals who keep Camp Horizons thriving.

Our dining team provides kid-friendly, healthy meals designed with camper feedback in mind. Options include:

• Vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free meals (selected at registration)
• A full salad and sandwich bar at lunch and dinner
• Milk choices: 2%, oat, and soy
• Produce sourced sustainably and grown at camp when possible

Meals are family-style for Discover & Journey campers in the Main Dining Hall, with counselors leading conversation at each table. Explorer campers enjoy a buffet-style dining experience in the Explorer Dining Hall. On opening day, our staff meet with campers who have dietary needs to ensure they’re fully supported

Yes! Our store, the Swap Shop, is open daily during free swim. Campers can buy snacks, drinks, apparel, and fun camp gear. We suggest sending $30–50 per week depending on your camper’s interests. Swap Shop is also open on Opening and Closing Days for parents to shop with their camper.

Want to shop outside of camp? We have an online store here.

All medications must be turned in to our Camper Care Center at check-in. Medications (except inhalers and EpiPens) are stored securely and dispensed only by authorized staff.

We stock common over-the-counter items, though you are welcome to bring specific ones your camper needs. Prescriptions are followed exactly as written by the physician, and each dose is logged and initialed by campers. All medications are returned at check-out.

For the health of our camp community, all staff and campers must be vaccinated against:

• DTaP
• MMR
• Polio
• Chicken Pox

We do not accept exemptions from these requirements.

We want every child to succeed at camp, so we encourage families to consider our Essential Eligibility Criteria (based on ACA recommendations). Campers should be able to:

• Manage their own hygiene (showering, brushing hair/teeth, etc.)
• Live cooperatively in a group and share a cabin with 8–10 others
• Express needs and feelings without becoming physical
• Handle busy, sometimes loud environments
• Spend at least one night away from home successfully
• If your camper takes medication for mood or focus, please keep them on it while at camp. We also ask all campers to follow our Community Agreement.

If you’re unsure, we’d love to talk with you—please reach out!

Yes! We offer several Open Houses each spring, and we’re happy to arrange private tours if the listed dates don’t work for your family. You can also watch our Virtual Open House online.

Our staff attend camp fairs across Virginia and Maryland—another great way to meet us and learn about camp closer to home.

Check out our events page to see our Open House, Community Events, and Camp Fairs

During sessions, however, we discourage parent visits since they can disrupt the camp experience and sometimes spark homesickness. If you feel a visit is necessary, please contact us to discuss.

We know being away from home can be a big step—for campers and parents! We make communication simple:

• Letters: Drop off pre-written notes at check-in, or send snail mail during the session.
• Emails: Parents can send messages through the Parent Dashboard; we print and deliver them daily. Campers reply on special “email sheets” that are scanned and sent to you once a day.
• Photos: Daily uploads to the Parent Dashboard let you see the fun your camper is having.

Registration is easy—click “Register Now” at the top right of our website to create a family profile. Our office team is also happy to help by phone if you prefer.

Tuition varies by program (one- vs. two-week sessions, traditional vs. specialty). Visit our Dates & Fees page for full details, including available discounts.

• Discounts
• Payment Plan
• Referral Program
• Camperships

Please visit our Packing for Camp Page for a full packing list

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