What happens at a swimming camp?

Camps with a swim component range from a daily free-swim block at a pool to genuine instructional swimming and aquatics programs. A swim block scheduled once or twice a day, usually after a land activity. Swim tests early in the week to set depth and area limits per camper. Changing time built around the block, which eats into activity time.

How should we prepare for a swimming camp?

Two swimsuits and two towels so nothing goes on damp. A labelled waterproof bag for wet things — everything else in the backpack gets soaked otherwise. Goggles, and a swim cap for longer hair. Practise putting goggles on at home first. Tell the camp honestly what your child can do. Over-stating ability is a safety issue, not a pride one.

What should we ask before booking a swimming camp?

Is there a lifeguard on duty separate from the counsellors? How are non-swimmers identified and supervised? Is swimming instruction, or free swim?

Activity guide

Swimming camps

Camps with a swim component range from a daily free-swim block at a pool to genuine instructional swimming and aquatics programs.

Find swimming camps near you

92 camps on Campser mention swimming activities. Narrow by area and your child's age.

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What a day usually looks like

A swim block scheduled once or twice a day, usually after a land activity
Swim tests early in the week to set depth and area limits per camper
Changing time built around the block, which eats into activity time

How to prepare

Two swimsuits and two towels so nothing goes on damp.
A labelled waterproof bag for wet things — everything else in the backpack gets soaked otherwise.
Goggles, and a swim cap for longer hair. Practise putting goggles on at home first.
Tell the camp honestly what your child can do. Over-stating ability is a safety issue, not a pride one.

Worth asking before you book

Is there a lifeguard on duty separate from the counsellors?
How are non-swimmers identified and supervised?
Is swimming instruction, or free swim?

A swim test on day one can be stressful for an uncertain swimmer. Ask how it is run and prepare your child for it.

What Campser lists

92 camps mention swimming activities in their verified source text, from 31 providers.
Published prices run from $135 to $1,750.
Most are in Alexandria, VA (22), Washington, DC (12), Falls Church, VA (9), Oakton, VA (6), Silver Spring, MD (5), Bethesda, MD (5).
Last verified July 14, 2026 — see how we verify camps.

The guidance above is Campser's general advice about this kind of camp, not a claim about any listing below. Camp facts come only from each provider's own site. Coverage is Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, Bethesda, MD, Chevy Chase, MD, and nearby communities.

Beauvoir School

Beauvoir Summer Camp

School & General Day

Ages: Fireflies rising Pre-K ages 3-4; Blue Jays rising Kindergarten; Box Turtles rising 1st grade; Sea Otters rising 2nd-3rd grades; Sun Bears rising 4th-5th grades; Pathfinders rising 6th grade ages 11-12; CITs rising 7th-10th graders
Price: Prices are shared directly with registered camp families and were not visible in crawlable text
Location: Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School, 3500 Woodley Road NW, Washington, DC 20016

2026 details verified · 2026-06-29