Making Memories with Aftercare and Break Time Camp

The British International School of Washington follows a school calendar that supports academic breaks throughout the school year. Accordingly, BISW offers camps for primary students in Nursery and above during the school breaks during the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. Students who attend the camps spend time with friends and try fun activities in areas of the school such as the cafeteria, the Pre-Nursery classroom, the large playground, and the PE room. Camp leaders also take students on Walks in the Woods at Dumbarton Oaks Park on nice days. 

According to Isabelle Singer, Director of Aftercare, the students love to spend time playing with their friends and getting to know other students from other year groups with whom they usually do not interact. They also have fun with the arts and crafts projects they create and the games and snacks they enjoy during the day. 

"The daily themes for the most recent camp were Disney, pirates, outer space, 'Be an Artist,' and animals," said Ms Singer. "The students enjoyed all of the themes, but the most popular seemed to be the animal day. They loved the animal arts and crafts activities." 

The camps are part of the overall aftercare options available to students at BISW. Acorns and Oaks, the daily aftercare programme offered Monday through Friday from 3:10 PM to 6 PM during a typical term, is led by primary learning assistants and several external staff members. During aftercare, students play outside on nice days, play games in the PE room, create arts and crafts, and even try activities like baking. The older primary school students in Years 1 to 6 take aftercare in the room connected to the cafeteria and use the lower playground and PE room. For the younger students in Pre-Nursery to Reception, aftercare occurs in the Pre-Nursery classroom and playground.  

"Aftercare is a great option for families who need childcare due to work or other obligations," Ms Singer explained. "Parents can feel confident that their children are in a safe, engaging environment surrounded by friends and caring staff members." 

Get to know more about BISW's aftercare programme and camps here.