About
Barrie Camp offers daily activities that include Horsemanship, Swimming, canoeing, nature study, archery, and hiking. Camper groups move through a structured day that combines these activities with group time and an end-of-day popsicle.
• Ages: 3–14 years old
• Schedule: Camp days run from a 9:00 am all-camp Flagpole assembly through rotating 30-minute activity periods until 3:15 pm, followed by dismissal time and car pick-up ending at 4:30 pm.
Barrie Camp follows a daily schedule that begins at 9:00 am with Flagpole, an all-camp assembly at the amphitheater. From 9:25 am to 3:15 pm, camper groups rotate through nine 30-minute activity periods. From 3:15 pm to 3:55 pm, campers transition to dismissal and receive an end-of-the-day popsicle, and car pick-up runs from 3:55 pm to 4:30 pm.
The program’s mission states that Barrie Camp seeks to develop each child’s best qualities and emphasizes social competence and friendship, positive values and inner growth, and cognitive and physical development. The mission also states that the camp creates an environment where campers learn to work together as a team, respect and value others, develop practical life skills, expand their interests, assume responsibility, and be themselves. According to the mission, the unique character, strengths, interests, fears, and needs of each camper are respected, and campers are encouraged, but not forced, to try activities, with a goal of “finding a way of doing” with support, acceptance, and encouragement from friends and counselors.
Staff to camper ratios are based on American Camp Association requirements. Staff to camper ratios are listed as 1:6 in Lower Camp, 1:8 in Middle Camp, and 1:10 in Upper Camp. Barrie Camp employs over 150 people each summer, and each camper group typically has an average of 18 campers with two or three staff members assigned, depending on group size. Every group has senior counselors, who are high school graduates and college students, and junior counselors, who are rising juniors and seniors in high school. Counselors-in-Training (CITs) are rising 10th graders who volunteer full-time to assist camp counselors and activity specialists. Lifeguards are fully credentialed and have demonstrated rescue competence. All staff complete an interview with the year-round team, must provide multiple non-family references, and must complete a criminal background investigation before working with campers. Staff participate in a comprehensive pre-camp training program, additional trainings throughout the summer, and daily staff meetings.
The camp day includes two back-to-back swim periods for campers, with exceptions noted for Specialty or Super Camps and Seniors. All campers entering first grade and above receive a swim skills check when they first arrive at the pool. Rising Pre-K and Kindergarten campers have a shallow section of the pool designated only for their age group. Lower campers have a rest or nap period after lunch.
Campers bring bagged lunches that are kept refrigerated until lunchtime. Snacks are offered in the morning to Lower campers and to all campers in PM Supervision, and popsicles are available at the end of the day for everyone. Campers are strongly encouraged to bring a water bottle and are recommended to bring snacks.
Barrie Camp has been described as a Washington, D.C. area institution since the 1950s and offers a time-honored summer camp experience for children ages 3.5–14. The program includes a Leader-in-Training (LIT) program for rising 9th graders, who can acquire leadership skills while earning community service hours. Bus transportation is available at select stops throughout Montgomery County and Northwest Washington, D.C. The camp is described as a safe, self-contained environment with a range of traditional and new activities that make each summer unique.
The leadership team includes Dan Hayden, listed as Director of Camp and Director of Extended Day (Grades 1–8), with two contact phone numbers provided: 301.576.2818 for Camp and 301.576.2815 for Extended Day.
Parent and camper testimonials from 2024 and 2025 describe repeat attendance, positive communication from the director and staff, enjoyment of activities such as Horsemanship and Swimming, friendly counselors, a balance between indoor and outdoor activities, and campers looking forward to returning. One testimonial notes that two campers ages 6 and 8 arrived apprehensive and later reported adventure-filled days and new friends, and another describes a camper as “essentially a Barrie Camp lifer.”
Last updated January 21, 2026.
• Ages: 3–14 years old
• Schedule: Camp days run from a 9:00 am all-camp Flagpole assembly through rotating 30-minute activity periods until 3:15 pm, followed by dismissal time and car pick-up ending at 4:30 pm.
Barrie Camp follows a daily schedule that begins at 9:00 am with Flagpole, an all-camp assembly at the amphitheater. From 9:25 am to 3:15 pm, camper groups rotate through nine 30-minute activity periods. From 3:15 pm to 3:55 pm, campers transition to dismissal and receive an end-of-the-day popsicle, and car pick-up runs from 3:55 pm to 4:30 pm.
The program’s mission states that Barrie Camp seeks to develop each child’s best qualities and emphasizes social competence and friendship, positive values and inner growth, and cognitive and physical development. The mission also states that the camp creates an environment where campers learn to work together as a team, respect and value others, develop practical life skills, expand their interests, assume responsibility, and be themselves. According to the mission, the unique character, strengths, interests, fears, and needs of each camper are respected, and campers are encouraged, but not forced, to try activities, with a goal of “finding a way of doing” with support, acceptance, and encouragement from friends and counselors.
Staff to camper ratios are based on American Camp Association requirements. Staff to camper ratios are listed as 1:6 in Lower Camp, 1:8 in Middle Camp, and 1:10 in Upper Camp. Barrie Camp employs over 150 people each summer, and each camper group typically has an average of 18 campers with two or three staff members assigned, depending on group size. Every group has senior counselors, who are high school graduates and college students, and junior counselors, who are rising juniors and seniors in high school. Counselors-in-Training (CITs) are rising 10th graders who volunteer full-time to assist camp counselors and activity specialists. Lifeguards are fully credentialed and have demonstrated rescue competence. All staff complete an interview with the year-round team, must provide multiple non-family references, and must complete a criminal background investigation before working with campers. Staff participate in a comprehensive pre-camp training program, additional trainings throughout the summer, and daily staff meetings.
The camp day includes two back-to-back swim periods for campers, with exceptions noted for Specialty or Super Camps and Seniors. All campers entering first grade and above receive a swim skills check when they first arrive at the pool. Rising Pre-K and Kindergarten campers have a shallow section of the pool designated only for their age group. Lower campers have a rest or nap period after lunch.
Campers bring bagged lunches that are kept refrigerated until lunchtime. Snacks are offered in the morning to Lower campers and to all campers in PM Supervision, and popsicles are available at the end of the day for everyone. Campers are strongly encouraged to bring a water bottle and are recommended to bring snacks.
Barrie Camp has been described as a Washington, D.C. area institution since the 1950s and offers a time-honored summer camp experience for children ages 3.5–14. The program includes a Leader-in-Training (LIT) program for rising 9th graders, who can acquire leadership skills while earning community service hours. Bus transportation is available at select stops throughout Montgomery County and Northwest Washington, D.C. The camp is described as a safe, self-contained environment with a range of traditional and new activities that make each summer unique.
The leadership team includes Dan Hayden, listed as Director of Camp and Director of Extended Day (Grades 1–8), with two contact phone numbers provided: 301.576.2818 for Camp and 301.576.2815 for Extended Day.
Parent and camper testimonials from 2024 and 2025 describe repeat attendance, positive communication from the director and staff, enjoyment of activities such as Horsemanship and Swimming, friendly counselors, a balance between indoor and outdoor activities, and campers looking forward to returning. One testimonial notes that two campers ages 6 and 8 arrived apprehensive and later reported adventure-filled days and new friends, and another describes a camper as “essentially a Barrie Camp lifer.”
Last updated January 21, 2026.
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