Nationals Summer Camps

ALL Washington Nationals Summer Campers will receive:

• Major League experience for boys & girls
• Full Nationals uniform including hat, jersey, pants, socks & belt
• Professional instruction for all skill levels
• Field trip to Nationals Park on a Major League charter bus
• Opportunity to meet a Washington Nationals player
• Nationals player exclusive Q&A and training tips session
• An autographed picture of a Washington Nationals player
• A chance to participate in Baseball Skills Olympics, Home Run Derbies, and Fielding & Throwing contests
• A camp curriculum that builds character, teamwork & confidence
• For Campers entering 4 grade or higher in the fall of 2013 only: professional Video Analysis of individual baseball mechanics
• Before and after care available
• Nationals Park visit and tour, including on-field access (subject to availability based on weather)
• ALL Washington Nationals Campers will also receive a special invitation to participate in the annual on-field Camper Parade at a Camper Reunion Game during a home game at the end of the summer
• Memories that last a lifetime!

Campers will be suited up in an official Nationals Camp uniform on the Monday morning of the camp session that they attend.

We believe this is the best way to ensure campers receive a uniform that fits best for them, while also starting camp in a safe, positive, fun and organized fashion. We are confident this adjustment will get each of our campers off to a great start on Monday. Please note that the process for 5 and 6 year old campers will differ from the process for campers who are 7 years old and up.

Parents of 5 and 6 year old Nationals Campers, please click here.

Parents of Nationals Campers who are ages 7 to 13, please click here.

If there are any issues or questions regarding uniform fitting at the end of the day:
All issues or questions can be handled by our coaching staff. Parents may either request a different size after camp on Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning prior to camp.

All camps run from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Registration is $499 per child, per session. As of March 1, the tuition must be paid in full at the time of enrollment.

Morning Before Care (7:30-9 a.m.) can be added on for an additional $15 for the entire week. Extended Day Afternoon Care (3-6 p.m.) can be added on for an additional $50 for the entire week.

*Extended Care for The Potomac School session provided by The Potomac School (please see Extended Day tab for details)

Washington Nationals Camps Enrollment Team
Phone: 202-715-6683
Fax: 202-599-9575
e-mail: info@natssummercamps.com

The following are some frequently asked questions regarding our camp programs. If you cannot find the answer to your question, or would like to speak with someone in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What are the camp hours?

Camp runs from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Optional extended day programs are available before and after camp.

What does my child need to bring to camp?

• Official Washington Nationals Summer Camps uniform and cap (provided to each player on the first day of camp)
• Baseball glove
• Cleats or athletic shoes (please bring sneakers for inclement weather)
• Sunscreen and/or sun-stick
• Lunch in a well-marked lunch bag (we keep lunches in a cool area, but do not refrigerate them)
• Snack (for campers 6 and under)
• Water bottle (we provide plenty of water at all times)
• Money for Gatorades (optional: $2 per Gatorade)

Do you separate children by age and grade?

We do. All Nationals campers are appropriately separated into groups by age and grade. We also take into consideration physical strength and ability. We do our best to keep buddies together. Please understand and respect that grouping decisions are made by the Site Director and Program Director of the camp and not by the parents.

How do I enroll for a Washington Nationals Baseball Summer Camp?

Online registration is simple. Please note that all programs are one-week sessions. As of March 1, the tuition must be paid in full at the time of enrollment. Since Washington Nationals Summer Camps have very limited enrollment, we encourage you to register early.

What are Nationals Camps policies on refunds, credits and transfers?

Please see our "Policies" tab.

Do you accept "walk-up" registrations?

Due to the fact that we expect each camp week to sell out, we do not accept walk-up registrations.

Do I receive a confirmation when I register?

Once you register and pay for your camp program(s), you will receive a camp confirmation email for your records. You will not receive a confirmation telephone call or any USPS correspondence. However, you will receive an informational email the week prior to the camp week. This email will provide you with all information necessary to prepare for camp including carpool information, a list of what to bring to camp, directions and more.

Is there a camp orientation?

We do not run Nationals Camps orientation sessions. Uniforms will be handed out on the first day of camp - see "Uniforms" tab.

Do I need to complete any health forms for my child to participate?

Each camper will have to complete health forms order to participate in the Washington Nationals Summer Camps. These forms are required by both the County and the State in most of our camp locations. We will also email these forms to you in PDF format after you enroll online.

What is the camper to counselor ratio at Nationals Summer Camps?

In each Washington Nationals Baseball Summer Camp we aim to "over-staff" our programs to provide a unique environment where campers are able to benefit from individual and small group learning and instruction. For our younger campers (6 and under), our goal is to maintain a camper to counselor ratio of approximately 6:1. For older campers (7 and up), the approximate ratio is 8:1.

How do you handle inclement weather?

Regardless of weather, camp will never be canceled or rained out! If the camp encounters heavy rains or thunderstorms or if the fields are too damp to play on, we will temporarily move the programs inside. If we see lightning or hear thunder, outdoor camp programs are immediately brought inside as we take extreme precaution to ensure that attending campers are safe.

What precautions do you take to handle the summer heat?

Our entire Leadership Team and Coaching Staff are well aware that the summer heat can drain a camper throughout the day and week. Water is always available, and campers are encouraged to take water breaks approximately every 15-20 minutes. We take the heat, the humidity index and the air quality index seriously. On a daily basis, the Washington Nationals Summer Camp Director communicates with the Site Directors at each camp location to discuss the heat and air index. On extremely hot days (Code Red) and for those campers spending the majority of their time playing outdoors, participants will take mandatory and extended breaks throughout the day, an extended lunch break and plenty of water breaks.

Can Washington Nationals Summer Camps accommodate children with peanut or life-threatening allergies?

Yes. Families with children who have peanut or nut allergies can feel safe and comfortable at our summer camps. We are well aware of the dangers and concerns with allergies and take our allergy procedures and systems seriously. Upon registration (and in the morning of each camp day), our Leadership Team will take special note of the children with allergies by placing a mandatory, but inconspicuous, colored paper bracelet around the child's wrist marked with the child's name for identification purposes (in case of EpiPen use, etc). During lunch and snack breaks, we have a separate "nut free" area, taking special care not to make campers with allergies feel alienated. At the end of each eating period, we require all campers to wash their hands with soap and warm water to ensure they thoroughly clean their hands. If you have any questions about our policies, please feel free to contact the camp office anytime or see the Site Leader on location. If your child requires an EpiPen at camp, please be sure to place the EpiPen in a clear plastic bag along with a head shot photo of the child and the name of the camper printed on the bag. This bag (and any necessary instructions) should be presented to the location Site Leader upon check-in on Monday morning. The EpiPen should stay on location throughout the week and then picked up on Friday. All counselors in charge of campers with life-threatening allergies wear a first aid fanny pack at all times which contain the appropriate EpiPen(s).

No Refunds

Due to the limited enrollment and popularity of Nationals Camps programs there are no refunds, either of deposits made or payment in full. Please see below for credit and transfer policies.

Applying for a Credit - Medical Reason

For a cancellation due to a medical condition, Nationals Camps requires a signed physician note scanned to our office (info@natssummercamps.com) prior to the start date of camp. The camp registration may be transferred to either of the following:

• To another camp session in the same year that is not sold out (full credit; no additional fees)
• To any camp session the next year (85% credit of the camp tuition; no credit towards any additional fees)

Rules (for credits for medical reason)

• Credit is non-transferrable except to an (age-eligible) direct sibling
• Extended care fees can be credited (100% credit) for one year or refunded minus a 10% fee.
• Once the camp session begins, there are no refunds (full or pro-rated) or credits.

Applying for a Credit - Non-Medical Reason

For a cancellation due to a non-medical reason, Nationals Camps provides the following options (depending on the time of year):

Through March 1st:

• Transfer to another camp in the same year that is not sold out; or
• If paid in full, a partial credit for another camp date the next summer (deposit forfeited; 50% credit towards cost of next summer's camp session; no credit towards any additional fees including MLB.com fee)
• If only deposit paid, deposit is forfeited and there is no credit

March 2nd through 3 weeks prior to start date of camp session:

• Transfer to another camp in the same year that is not sold out; or
• Partial credit for another camp date the next summer (deposit forfeited; 25% credit towards cost of next summer's camp session; no credit towards any additional fees including MLB.com fee)

Within 3 weeks of start date of camp session:

• No credits allowed
• Registration only transferrable to (age-eligible) direct sibling and for same camp week

Rules (for credits for non-medical reason)

• Credit is non-transferrable except to a direct sibling
• Extended care fees can be credited (100% credit) for one year or refunded minus a 10% fee.
• Once the camp session begins, there are no refunds (full or pro-rated) or credits.
• Within 3 weeks of start date of camp, credits are not allowed (only transfers to age-eligible direct sibling for same camp week)

Reporting Illnesses & Absences Due to Illness

Nationals Camps should be notified by phone 202-715-6683 or email (info@natssummercamps.com) if a child is ill, especially if the illness is communicable. The Nationals Camps staff will post a notice of communicable illness (confidentiality is respected) to notify the parents of all children that may have been exposed. Families are still responsible for paying tuition for the day of the absence.

Disciplinary Issues

Nationals Camps staff uses the positive techniques of guidance, including logical or natural consequences applied in problem situations, redirection of children to more acceptable behavior, anticipation of and elimination of potential problems and encouragement of appropriate behavior rather than comparison, competition or criticism. Consistent and clear rules are established. Staff members encourage the children to solve the problems rather than imposing a solution. Our counselors will help children to recognize and respect one another's feelings. Counselors encourage pro-social behavior such as cooperation, helping, taking turns, and constructive verbal communication to solve problems. The goal is to help children internalize rules and become self-directed in their behavior.

Nationals Camps reserves the right to dismiss any child, at any time, due to circumstances that indicate the child's needs may no longer be met or the child is not a good fit for our program. This will occur without a refund (or portion thereof) or credit towards a future program. This will occur only after parent/staff discussion has occurred.

Sunscreen

Parents/guardians are asked to apply sunscreen to their child(ren) before they arrive each day. Staff will assist and supervise children to reapply sunscreen to children's exposed skin prior to outdoor activities. If sunscreen is needed and a child has not provided their own, the camp may provide sunscreen to be applied unless there is written notice to the contrary from a parent or guardian. Children in the program may apply sunscreen to themselves under direct supervision of a staff member. Sunscreen sent to camp must be labeled with the child's first and last name. Nationals Camps uses "Rocky Mountain" sunscreen. For more information, please see www.rmsunscreen.com.

Electronics, Toys, Trading Cards & Pins

Nationals Camps strives to provide a program free from video games, cell phones, audio players, toys and other distractions. Please do not permit your child to bring any of these items to camp as they will be busy throughout the camp day and these items also tend to get lost or misplaced when brought to camp. We also ask that these items (including trading cards, etc.) not be brought to camp on the day of our Nationals Park visit.

The Washington Nationals Baseball Summer Camps coaching staff is comprised of professional coaches with extensive experience at the youth, high school, collegiate and professional coaching ranks. We specifically target teachers and educators with outstanding backgrounds working with and motivating children. Our instructors are well versed in the fundamentals of the game and place a strong emphasis on teaching proper mechanics as the building blocks for successful baseball players.

Aside from their considerable experience on the field, our coaches are all positive motivators and teachers with goals far beyond simply teaching the game of baseball. Through our all-camper assemblies and daily individual and teamwork challenges, we strive to teach the core values of leadership, teamwork and effort over results. It is our mission that each camper has the experience of a lifetime and leaves our camps as both a stronger baseball player and a better leader off the field.

Nationals Camps Extended Day Programs
(Early drop-off and late pick-up)

Washington Nationals Camp Before Care is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. for camp families who wish to drop their children off early. Campers enrolled in Before Care will participate in a variety of well-supervised, age-appropriate activities in a relaxed environment.

The Washington Nationals Summer Camps After Care (extended day afternoon care) is designed for families who require a pick-up of their child(ren) later than 3 p.m. After Care activities begin at 3:30 p.m., after snack and juice are offered, and run until 6 p.m.

Campers in After Care will participate in fun outdoor games, more relaxing activities and some informal baseball skill work.

• Before Care is offered from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• After Care is offered from 3:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. Washington Nationals Summer Camp has an extremely strict late pick-up policy and associated penalty fees. Please pick your camper up by 6:00 p.m. to avoid extra fees.
• Before and After Care is available on a weekly and daily basis. Please enroll your camper online for weekly extended day programs. Day-to-day extended care or "walk-up" campers for extended care should complete the enrollment paperwork provided by e-mail the week prior to the start of camp. If possible, please call or email the main office at least one day ahead of time so we are able to process your daily enrollment in a more efficient manner.
• At Norwood School and St. Albans School, Before Care costs $15 for the entire week, and After Care costs $50 for the entire week. You can add extended day options during the online registration process.
• At The Potomac School, Extended Care will be operated by The Potomac School. Before Care costs $50 for the entire week, and After Care costs $175 for the entire week. You can add extended day options during the online registration process.
• Campers attending a Nationals Camp who wish to enroll in extended day, must do so through the Nationals Camps - available at the time of enrollment online