Bethesda Campus

Chess Trainers (Grades 2-5)

Chess Trainers (Grades 2-5)

  1 week sessions       9:00am - 12:00pm       $415

Checkmate!

How about a 1,500-year-old game played by kings and commoners, young and old, and boys and girls, that builds memory, concentration, and reasoning skills while you play? Learn basic moves and various strategies of chess through instruction, puzzles, group activities, and a few other surprises! Join lead instructor (and Chess Wizard!) Charlie Chess for a week of learning, playing, and fun!

Open to students with an interest in chess, students who have played once or twice, or students who don’t know the first thing about the game!


Dates, Hours, and Fees

2024 Dates
June 24 – 28
Hours
9:00am–12:00pm
Fees
$415/Week

Woodworking (Grades 3-8)

  1 week sessions       9:00am - 3:00pm       Price: $675

What do you call a piece of wood with nothing to do? Board! Well, not at this camp!

Have fun while learning the practical and timeless craft of woodworking. Your child will learn to use traditional hand tools to create a range of projects, from toolboxes to your own custom creations that can be put to use. This weekly camp is where every child learns to use their hands in a constructive and fun way.

Hey—have you heard the “under construction” joke? It’s not done yet. Because all that’s missing is you.

Skills Learned:

Techniques such as measuring, various safe and proper sawing techniques, rasping, sanding, painting, using hand drills, and hammering. Fine and gross motor skills such as using hand saws, scissors, screwdrivers, hand drills, painting, hammering, and gluing properly. Skills such as building technique, drafting and other planning techniques, prototyping, and reuse of old materials. Design processes include sketching and rendering 3D and 2D concepts, conceptualizing, experimenting, and evaluating.

Woodworking, a timeless and valuable skill, offers campers the opportunity to experience hands-on construction. Participants will learn essential techniques, how to use hand tools like drills, saws, and planes, and the importance of safety precautions. Under expert guidance, campers will create a range of wooden items, from stools to sailboats and even gravity-powered cars. Join us to understand the true potential of craftsmanship.


Dates, Hours, and Fees

2024 Dates
June 24 - 28
July 8 - 12
July 15 - 19
July 22 - 26
July 29 - August 2
August 5 - 9
Hours
Full Day 9:00am – 3:00pm
Fees
Full Week $675/Week

General Daily Schedule:

Morning introduction

Activity period—approximately 1 hour

Snack and stretch break—approximately 15 minutes, outside weather permitting

Activity period—approximately 1 hour

Lunch and Recess break—approximately 1 hour, outside weather permitting

Activity period—approximately 2 hours (included in this time can be a stretch break as needed)

Clean up, pack up, dismissal 

Playful Explorers- The Handwork Studio (Grades PK4-K)

Playful Explorers- The Handwork Studio (Grades PK4-K)

Sidwell Summer is excited to offer morning camp programs with Skills on the Hill! Camps will focus on ensuring foundational skill areas stay sharp in order to support continued learning and school preparedness for children of all ability levels.