At Madeira we experience the unexpected every day and we invite you to join us on campus to see for yourself. Whether you participate in our two-week residential program for rising 6th – 9th graders or our one-week day program for rising 5th – 8th graders, you are sure to learn something new at Girls First this summer.
Registration opens on January 15th at 12:30 pm EST.
Track Options
Our innovative tracks guide what you will learn while at Girls First or Girls First Junior this summer. All campers will choose one of the tracks during registration. We know it can be hard to choose between such exciting tracks which is why we have an opportunity every day for individual exploration. We know our tracks are just as diverse as your interests!
One day you can be looking at small cells under a microscope, and the next you can be learning about the vast star systems of space! In the Science and Tech track, campers will have the opportunity to explore all things small and large that make up the world. Have you ever wondered how electricity powers the world or how modern technology has evolved to make everyday tasks easier?
The Women in Science and Tech track is designed to offer campers a glimpse into the smallest of living organisms and will explore the greater contributions technology has had on society. By utilizing the Madeira School campus, campers will be able to study nature by just stepping off the sidewalk! Fields trips to places such as the Smithsonian Zoo will give campers the experience to see animals and learn the impacts the world has on some of the worlds interesting creatures! From water samplings, chemistry equations, vet technology, and coding, the Science and Tech track offers a spectrum of introductory ideas to grow the curious minds of future scientists!
Gravity, mass, and velocity, oh my! The Women in Engineering and Math track will have a hands-on experience like no other! In the Women in Engineering and Math track, you will have the opportunity to imagine, construct, and test an original idea alongside other campers!
The Women in Engineering and Math track is designed to really reinvent the way you think and to look at everyday concepts from new perspectives. You will spend your mornings at Girls First learning about what it takes to design and build a building from the ground up, why bridges work, and what a Rube Goldberg machine is. With possible trips to the Spy Museum or Air and Space Museum, you will find out how engineers and mathematicians are contributing to today’s world! Whether it’s designing your own rollercoaster or planning the ins and outs of constructing a building using blueprints, you will surely be hands in for the Engineering and Math track!
Making change is important- but how is it done? Through the Business and Law track, you will learn the basics of law making, understanding how the consumer for businesses is ever changing, and what a profession in each of these fields can look like!
Campers in this track will get to hear from women with careers in business and law while taking advantage of the multitude of opportunities the Madeira School offers. Travel to Washington, D.C. to see where bills become laws, create businesses ideas from start to finish, learn how to plan an event using resources of a stadium or venue, and participate in a mock trial. Build a foundation that will help you discover all the aspects of a business, how bills become laws, and everything in between!
Do you find yourself asking the questions how, why, what, or who, when it comes to worldly news or even in your smaller communities? How does an idea turn into a law affecting change? Why do we follow certain rules or processes? What does it take to make an impact on a social issue? Who is responsible for life-changing events?
In the Women in Social Sciences track you will split your time between using your creative brain to craft something new and using your logical brain to solve problems. You might visit Capitol Hill and learn how people advocate for change to lawmakers one day and learn about Model UN the next. This track is perfect for the camper who wants to try a little bit of everything. Whether it’s anthropology, political science, or sociology, this track will highlight the differences of human behaviors through different lenses for a worldly perspective.
One of our most popular tracks, just got more diverse! Women in Visual and Media Arts will intersect the visual arts of watercolor, fashion design, and architecture with additions of digital marketing design and podcast making! Boost your level of creativity by challenging yourself to create something different, unique, and challenging!
In the Women in Visual and Media Arts track, you’ll explore the mediums of water coloring in nature, learning sewing techniques to design your own piece of clothing, and even learn Photoshop to make digital marketing in collaboration with another track! You’ll learn through marketing experts or take a field trip to visit artist displays at local DC museums and be inspired on how to make an idea into a piece of art- whatever that may look like for you! Develop an understanding for careers in the visual arts that will intersect passion, talent, and a love for creating!
The world of Performing Arts is magical- and there’s nearly something for everyone! Tell a story through script writing, acting, dancing, set design, and costume design! Collaborate with other artists as they direct a piece and encourage you to make character choices that bring the audience into a world that only exists on the stage!
Spend your mornings on the Madeira campus exploring the vast world of performing arts using our stage and dance studios. Hone your craft and try something new on stage with friends or design a costume that enhances the experience. You may tour the Kennedy Center or see a local theatre perform an age-appropriate show! The Women in Performing Arts track is perfect for the camper who wants to dabble in all aspects of performing arts the same way a Madeira girl can.
FAQs
Before registering for camp, please review our policies and procedures. We will ask you to sign off on these policies BEFORE registering your camper for camp. Most families prefer reading the policies before registering to ensure they have a thorough understanding of our operating procedures.
If your camper is participating in Girls First, Move In day is July 16th and Move Out is July 28th. More details with specific instructions will be sent to registered families as we get closer to the start of camp.
If your camper is participating in Girls First Junior, carpool runs from 8:15 am – 9:00 am every morning and from 3:15 pm – 3:45 pm every afternoon. Our carpool hours are firm and if you arrive any time after 9:00 am or 3:45 pm you will need to head to the camp office for a late drop off/pick up.
The best way to contact us is by emailing [email protected] or by calling 703-556-8234. Our camp office is open from 9 am – 3:30 pm every weekday and we will do our best to get back to you in a timely manner. Information on how to contact us when your camper is at camp will be provided closer to the start of camp.
Girls First has an extensive, detailed packing list that we will be emailing out to families in the spring.
Every day, Girls First Junior campers should bring the following items to camp:
- Bathing suit
- Towel
- Goggles
- Sneakers and socks
- Backpack
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat and/or sunglasses
Campers eat thoughtfully prepared and healthy meals in the Madeira dining hall, just like our students do! Residential campers enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day and day campers enjoy lunch. Our menus are created by our Dining team and offer variety and nutrition for most diets. If you have a specific food-related question, please contact the camp office.
Madeira Camps value the health and safety of all campers and employees. As the Madeira School continues to navigate the impacts of COVID-19, we continue to update our protocols and practices. We are not requiring vaccination against COVID-19 for Summer 2024.
Any camper who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days regardless of symptoms. Day 0 is the day testing. So long as their symptoms are dissipating and they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours, campers can return to camp on Day 6. However, we advise wearing a mask when inside through Day 10. If you test negative but are still experiencing COVID-like symptoms, monitor symptoms and retest in 48 hours.
Refunds on Program Fees
- All per-camper, per-program deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable at point of sale.
- Refunds for any camp program fees paid beyond the deposit(s) may only be issued when written notice of cancellation and a request for a refund is received before May 15th. Between May 15th and May 31st, 50% of the full cost of registration will be refunded. No refunds will be issued after May 31st.
- Refund requests that come after May 31st for any reason, will not be honored. Madeira Camps does not issue rollover credits to the next season and families will forfeit all fees paid towards their program.
- Refund requests for Extended Day services must be submitted in writing at least one week prior to the start of the camp session in question.
- Administrative fees are non-refundable.
Cancellations Due to Medical or Emergency Circumstances
- In some cases, refunds may be granted after the May 31st cancellation and refund period for medical or emergency circumstances only. A written notice of cancellation with an explanation of the medical or emergency circumstances must be provided for a refund request to be considered.
- Additional documentation may be requested by the Madeira School. Partial refunds will be at the discretion of the Madeira School after reviewing the request.
Inclement Weather
- High ropes and water activities may be cancelled when weather conditions are unstable (including dangerously high heat and dangerous air quality). Alternative activities will be provided. Refunds are not given when activities are cancelled due to inclement weather.
Program Cancellation
- If any camp or session is cancelled by the Madeira School, for any reason, a full refund will be issued on all camp program fees including the non-refundable deposit. The camp administrative fee is non-refundable.
- If a program is cancelled for any reason (including, but not limited to, insufficient enrollment and staffing issues), every effort will be made to place campers in a similar program. Programs are any choice within a camp (theme choice, age group, etc.).
We will do our best to accommodate campers who change their minds before the start of camp. Please keep in mind we are unable to move campers into tracks that are full. Due to staffing levels and supplies, we are unable to accommodate changes after the first day of camp.
All campers will be provided with any supplies they need to participate in programming.
We spend time helping campers find the voice and gain invaluable communication skills in roommate conflicts. The first step is to have residential counselors and the Assistant Camp Director of Residential and Leadership meet with the campers and help each person actively listen to concerns to reach a solution. We ask parents to talk to their camper before camp about the importance of communicating with counselors and camp staff when issues arise. We take roommate issues on a case-by-case basis and will take every measure to ensure that campers feel comfortable and safe in their rooms.
Camp is about learning independence and life skills! The residential counselors will ask if anyone needs a laundry lesson, but you should encourage your camper to ask for help, too. No need to pack laundry detergent or dryer sheets as the camp supplies them. If your camper has sensitivities to scents, you are welcome to pack your own.
Most communication from the Girls First office is done electronically via email. Please ensure that you can receive messages from our email address and provide us with an alternate email if you’ve not already done so. We encourage you to save the camp number (703-556-8234) in your phone in case we need to call you.
Feel free to reach out to us anytime at [email protected] or give us a call (703-556-8234) during our business hours (9 am – 3:30 pm on weekdays). If you have a health-related question, please contact the health center at [email protected] or 703-556-8244.