Delaware County Christian School Summer Programs: Rooted in Faith, Ready for Adventure
See why the core values and creative programming of DC Summer Programs keep kids coming back again and again.
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A weekly highlight for families at DC Summer Programs is the end-of-week photo slideshow, allowing parents to see what their kids have been up to, and campers to relive their experience and joy. “They always just have a huge smile on their face,” says Tracy Viola, whose two daughters are returning for their sixth summer this year. In speaking to parents of returning campers, it is clear why they keep coming back. From age 3-13, campers enjoy creative and varied programming facilitated by engaging counselors and a community spirit informed by the school’s core values.
“They’ve never had a bad week at camp ever,” says Barb Cournoyer, whose children began DCCS Day Camp in prekindergarten and kindergarten, and are looking forward to their third summer there. “It is literally the highlight of their year and they talk about it all year long.”
The Camps
Through the different age groups and programs the camp has to offer, every week can be a new adventure. The youngest campers (ages 3-5) attend Discover Day Camp, run through the school’s Early Childhood Center. Discover Day Camp features themed activity weeks to keep little ones on their toes. From Dino Camp to LEGO to Dynamic Dance, campers can attend weekly or experience the whole summer. In addition to themed activities, each week is full of fun games, art projects, music, pool time, nature hikes, and more.
Campers ages 6-10 move up to Explore Day Camp, which offers the largest variety of activities. Themes this summer include “Mission Impossible,” Christmas in July week, knight-themed challenges, and more. Other highlights include the Crazy Carnival and a beloved sleepover for the oldest campers, making memories that last all year long.
Alternatively, the 6-10 age group can join half-day specialty morning camps and then stay on for Explore Day Camp in the afternoon experiencing the best of both worlds. In the five weeks of Knights Sports Academy, they can learn new skills in a different sport each week, instructed by varsity level coaches from Delaware County Christian School. Campers can also spend their mornings in Excel Enrichment Programs, whose offerings range from Robotics to Creative Writing. As with all the camps, kids can choose their own adventure week-by-week depending on their interests.
The oldest campers (ages 11-13) have weeks filled with camp activities, field trips, and service opportunities at Experience Day Camp. And as campers grow up, they can stay connected to the community through the Leadership Training Program at ages 14 and 15, learning through hands-on experience in camper groups and acting as program activity assistants throughout the day—along with self-discovery through devotion and prayer.
Keeping Summer Safe
Because of its small size, flexibility, and adherence to safety measures, DC Summer Programs were able to open for Summer 2020 when so many other camps could not, with no incidences of COVID-19 all summer. While adjustments were made, such as operating in smaller cohorts and not having parents come for end-of-week festivities, what did not change was the spirit and fun of summer.
“Our kids felt safe, I felt safe, and they had a blast,” Viola tells us. “The kids did not miss a beat, even though things were different,” Cournoyer agrees.
While features like the “coolest waterslide ever” are noteworthy, what kept coming up in conversation with parents, what truly keeps DC Summer Programs thriving is the people. “The kids absolutely adore the counselors. They’re engaged, kind, positive, and happy to see you every day,” Viola says. Whether sharing their faith with campers at morning bible time, or taking them to new and exciting heights on the ropes course, the counselors at DC Summer Programs create a warm and supportive community that allows kids to build confidence, friendships, and memories to last a lifetime.
To learn more about DCCS Summer Camps, visit dccs.org/summer or email summer@dccs.org. DCCS supports the Main Line Parent Community.
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