Summer Camp: Kindergarten & Preschool

Kindergarten Camp

Session 1: June 24th – July 5th … Tell Me a Story COST: $1015 

What makes a good story? In this first camp session we’ll explore that question, looking at the importance of storytelling in many cultures. We’ll plot out our own stories and maybe even act them out! Along the way we’ll engage our imaginations and find inspiration around the Mall to become tellers of tales. The session will culminate in our own book of stories! [Please note – SEEC will be closed on Thursday, July 4th.] 

Session 2: July 8th – July 19th … I Like to Be Under the Sea COST: $1015 

Join us as we dive into the deep blue sea and explore the world’s oceans!  In this session, campers will become one with the water, channeling their inner marine creature and learning all about the ocean habitat. As we explore together campers will dive to the ocean floor to learn all that’s under water & how we can protect this incredible world below the surface. It’s sure to be a splashing good time!  

Session 3: July 22nd – August 2nd … Movin’ & Groovin’ COST: $1015  

In this third summer session our campers will really be on the go, as they explore the many ways of movin’ and groovin’! We’ll focus on creative ways we can move our body and how movement can inspire and become art.  We’ll be moving to music, exploring dance, and even using our bodies to create tableaus.  The fun will flow throughout this camp session as we bring out the creative side of movement! 

Session 4: August 5th – August 16th … Transform Yourself! COST: $1015 

As we close out our last summer session, we’re thinking about transformation, both literally and figuratively! In this session, we’ll embark on a journey that includes Autobots & Decepticons as we learn more about robotics. Our exploration will include both real & pretend, and we’ll become engineers imagining and building our own creations. We’ll focus on how they can change into something new, just as our campers will, as they head off to a new grade and new school! 

Preschool Camp

Session 1: June 24th – July 5thDragons and Fairies and Mermaids, Oh My! COST: $$953.87

Hear ye! Hear ye! Royal subjects of the Kingdom of SEEC – news has spread of sightings of dragons, fairies, and mermaids! We are looking for brave volunteers to explore the kingdom far and wide to learn more about these mythical creatures. Once we know more about these creatures, we will work together to build an inclusive and welcoming kingdom for all creatures to live! In this session, students will work on their empathy, conflict-resolution, and friendship making skills while learning about mythical creatures and the legends that surround them. [Please note – SEEC will be closed on Thursday, July 4th.]

Session 2: July 8th – July 19thRad Scientists COST: $953.87

Let’s get messy with silly, sloppy science experiments! We will explore how weird, surprising, and fun chemical reactions can be. We will use materials we find in our homes and communities to learn about the world around us. We will write secret messages with invisible ink, create eruptions, brew up slime, and more, all in the name of science! 

Session 3: July 22nd – August 2nd … SEEC Summer Olympics! COST: $953.87  

It’s time for the 2024 SEEC Summer Olympics! Like the countries of the world, we’ll come together to learn about Olympic traditions and their historical significance, explore the different sporting events, and celebrate athletes from around the globe. We’ll dive deep into determination, run with the concept of perseverance, and jump into the idea of teamwork. Let the games begin! 

Session 4: August 5th – August 16thPirates, Ahoy! COST: $953.87

Ahoy, landlubbers! Are you ready for a pirate adventure? During this session, we will follow an ancient map filled with clues to discover buried treasure. But first, we must assemble a crew. Are you ready to join the SEEC pirate team? Come sail away this summer on an adventure filled with mythical creatures and team building fun! 

Summer Camp Logistics

Camp Ages:

Kindergarten Camp is for rising first graders. Children should be entering first grade in the fall of 2024. Preschool Camp is for rising kindergartens. Children should be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2024.

Camp Hours: 

Kindergarten Camp: 7:30am – 6:00pm [Kindergarten camp day includes both before and after care.]  

Preschool Camp: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm, with a maximum of 9.5 hours per day. We ask that you let us know your anticipated daily schedule (e.g. 8:00 am – 4:30 pm) so that we may properly staff the center. 

Lunch: 

Lunch will be provided Monday – Thursday just like the rest of the school year, but on Fridays, children will bring their own bagged lunch for a picnic (more details to follow on what to bring and how to get your child involved in packing their own lunch). 

Splash Day: 

One day a week children will play in the sprinklers on the playground. Children will need to wear, or bring, a swimsuit, towel, extra change of clothes, water shoes, and a plastic bag to send wet clothes home in. 

Deposits:  

A $100 deposit is due at the time of registration for each requested session. The deposit will be applied to the cost of the session. Deposits are non-refundable and will not be applied to other sessions.  

Non-Smithsonian Fee:  

All families who do not have at least one parent employed by the Smithsonian will be charged a non-Smithsonian fee for each camp session. An $88.00 non-Smithsonian fee will be added to all two-week sessions. 

Financial Aid:  

Financial aid is available for families with financial need. Families receiving financial aid for the school year will continue to receive the same level of aid through the summer. 

Camp Tuition: 

Current SEEC families will be charged via SEEC’s automatic debit.  

Families enrolling in summer camp will pay camp tuition via check. The remaining camp fees due dates are: 

  • Session 1: Monday, June 24  
  • Session 2: Monday, July 8  
  • Session 3: Monday, July 22 
  • Session 4: Monday, August 5 

Paperwork: 

All paperwork including a current health and dental form (signed by your physician/dentist and dated after August 16, 2023) must be submitted to SEEC by the morning of the first day of camp. Children without current health & dental forms may not attend the program until they are completed and submitted. Paperwork will be accepted anytime in May or June. 

Please email SEECAdminTeam@si.edu with all inquires and questions about summer camps.