Choosing a summer camp in the DC area can feel overwhelming — there are so many options! When in doubt, I focus on four key factors: convenience, reputation, engaging sessions, and plenty of outdoor time. Bar-T checks all these boxes and then some!
Over 60 Years of Summer Fun with Bar-T Summer Camp
Bar-T Summer Camp has been a DC favorite since 1961, when Ed Barton, a coach at Landon School, founded the original camp at Bar-T Ranch. After more than 20 years, Barton passed the torch to a young couple — former counselors who met at the camp (talk about a love story!). The rest is history.
Today, Bar-T has grown to nine locations across Montgomery and Frederick counties, offering specialty camps, after-school programs, and more — all while staying true to its mission of creating core childhood memories.
Bar-T’s Specialty Camps for Every Kid
While Bar-T is famous for its ranch, its specialty camps deserve just as much attention. Carefully curated programs ensure there’s something for every camper, no matter their passion:
- Campers who love the arts, for example, won’t just find themselves doing run of the mill arts and crafts. Sessions will dive into specific interests like oil pastels, digital photography, or mosaics.
- Athletes will find sessions for their favorite sports, whether that’s baseball, street hockey, basketball, soccer, or flag football.
- Budding scientists will delve into STEM topics including coding, cooking, weather, and more.
- Adventurers will love the Mountainside camp’s physical challenges (there’s a 700ft zip line, 50ft climbing wall, hiking trails, and much, much more) and Live Action Role Play (LARP) sessions.
- Older campers 10 and up who are looking for some variety will love Bar-T’s excursion camps that will take them off-site to local attractions including amusement parks, ropes courses, and water parks, to name a few.
The best part? Bar-T specialty campers get the full camp experience — daily pool time, zip lines, and plenty of outdoor play — along with their specialized sessions.
Unbeatable Convenience
Bar-T Summer Camp is designed to be fun for kids and easy for parents – win-win!
The daily camp program runs from 9:00 – 3:30 each day, but extended care is available from 7:00 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening to allow for maximum flexibility.
Bar-T also offers bus transportation, with 9 convenient locations in Montgomery and Frederick counties. Busses generally depart their transportation site between 8:00am and 8:45 each morning (depending on location) and usually arrive back in the afternoon between 3:45pm and 4:15pm.
Of course, families are welcome to drop off and pick up from camp as well.
Experience Bar-T!
Bar-T isn’t just a summer camp — it’s a DC institution. Generations of families have made memories here, and now it’s your turn.
- Safe, nurturing, and inclusive
- Exciting sessions and outdoor adventures
- Unmatched convenience for parents
Spots fill up fast — are you ready to join the Bar-T family? Learn more or enroll today!
