Frequently Asked Questions

Summer at Sandy Spring 2026 runs from June 29th – August 14th. Each session is weekly, and families may register for one or multiple weeks.

The camp day runs from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM, with Before Care available starting at 7:30 AM and After Care available until 6:00 PM.

Our programs are open to all children—campers do not need to attend Sandy Spring Friends School to join us. If your child benefits from accommodations, please reach out so we can help you determine if our programs would be the best fit.

We welcome campers from age 3, who are potty-trained, through rising 10th grade, offering developmentally appropriate programs for each age group

We are located on the 140-acre campus of Sandy Spring Friends School in Sandy Spring, Maryland. Our natural setting includes forests, ponds, trails, athletic fields, and adventure facilities that make each day memorable.

Our campus is more than 140 acres, giving campers plenty of space to have fun in nature!

We have a huge pond for water activities, several sports fields, fishing ponds, trails, and high ropes, all within convenient walking distance to cabins and the indoor stage and learning centers.

We offer a diverse mix of programs, including traditional day camp and specialty camps, which focus on the arts,sports, and outdoor adventures.

Campers are grouped by grade and age to ensure appropriate social, developmental, and activity-level experiences.

Younger campers follow a structured daily schedule. Older campers have the opportunity to select workshops based on their interests.

Our camp blends the best of nature, adventure, and creativity on a beautiful Quaker school campus. Campers experience a welcoming community built on S.P.I.C.E.S. values—Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship.

Our counselors and specialists are trained educators, college students, and experienced camp professionals who are passionate about creating meaningful summer experiences. All staff complete thorough background checks, reference screenings, and pre-camp training.

Ratios vary by age group, but generally range from 1:6 for our youngest campers to 1:10 for our older campers.

Yes. We have a full-time health team on campus each day to assist with medications, minor injuries, and camper wellness.

Yes. Convenient bus routes are available from Bethesda, Rockville, Fulton, Takoma Park, Colesville, Brookland, and more to come!

Bus service is available for $120 one-way or $199 round-trip per week.

Bus stop changes may be requested by email and will be approved based on space availability.

Yes. Before Care begins at 7:30 AM, and After Care runs until 6:00 PM. These programs include supervised activities and are a convenient option for working families.

Yes—space permitting, you can add Before or After Care by contacting the camp office or updating your registration account.

Yes. Campers enjoy a hot lunch each day along with two snacks provided by camp.

We are an allergy-aware camp, and all food provided by S@SS is nut-free. We take food allergies seriously and work with families to ensure camper safety.

Campers may bring food from home, and we ask that everything brought from home is nut-free.

Our on-site health team will assess the situation, provide care as needed, and contact families if a camper needs to go home or requires further attention.

Campers are reminded to apply sunscreen throughout the day and participate in regular water breaks.

Yes. All adventure programs (including climbing, archery, and ropes courses) are led by trained and certified staff following strict safety protocols.

Yes! There are always two registered nurses onsite during the camp day to help campers with everything from small cuts to allergic reactions.

We require all campers to wear life jackets in the pond. We also have certified lifeguards who are posted at the best possible vantage points to supervise all campers who are in the pond

SaSS is not designed to meet the needs of most campers with special needs. Our ability to support the needs of a specific child must fit within the scope of the specific program and the skills and abilities of our staff. Parents interested in exploring SaSS as a camp option for their child with special considerations must request a meeting with camp administration prior to enrolling their camper. The purpose of this meeting will be a discussion of best fit for the camper and SaSS’s ability to support a wonderful camp experience. If both parties agree to enroll the camper, this meeting will include the development of a written plan of understanding around any reasonable accommodations or supports to be implemented.

Registration opens online around November. Make sure to check our website for updates! Through the registration system, families can create an account, select sessions, and submit a deposit or full payment

Yes. Customizable payment plans are available to meet your family’s needs. Please contact our registrar to set up a plan that works best for you. For more information, please contact us at sass.camp@ssfs.org.

Yes. Families may apply for financial assistance by submitting a hardship letter to the Camp Director.

Please refer to our Policy Page for complete details regarding refunds and cancellations.

Campers should wear close toed shoes each day. We recommend that everything that comes to camp is labeled. Campers should bring a bag with:

• A reusable water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Dry clothes (it is encouraged for campers to come in their swimsuits)
• Extra change of clothes (especially for younger campers)
• Hat

Electronics, trading cards, and valuable personal items should not be brought to camp.

We model and reinforce respect, kindness, and inclusion, consistent with the values of Sandy Spring Friends School.

We follow a multi-level approach to discipline, giving campers the opportunity to reflect on their behavior and make positive changes. If a camper’s actions become repetitive, interfere with other campers’ enjoyment, or pose a risk to themselves or others, they may be dismissed from camp.

Families receive weekly newsletters and reminders through email, along with photo updates via our camp app.

Our main camp office is available during camp hours via phone at 301-774-7455 ext 167
and via email at sass.camp@ssfs.org.

Yes! We share daily photos through our camp app.

Welcome packets and session details are emailed in May and June.

Yes. We host a pre-camp open house where families can meet the staff, ask questions, and tour the campus.