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EXPLORATION SUMMER CAMP AT STUART-HOBSON

Your child will spend the summer playing soccer, creating art, and exploring Capitol Hill like never before! Exploration Camp is DC Way’s most unique experience – we don’t just stay on the field. Kids head out into the neighborhood to discover historic landmarks, learn real stories about Washington, DC, and create art inspired by what they see.

Each day combines soccer training, hands-on art projects, and neighborhood adventures. Kids play soccer in the morning, walk to a historic site on Capitol Hill in the afternoon, then draw or write about what they discovered. It’s movement, creativity, and exploration mixed together.

Register now and save with Early Bird pricing – spots fill up fast every year.

REGISTER NOW

Exploration Summer Camp
  • Full Week Early Bird Options
  • One Day Early Bird Options
  • Before & After Care

Full Week

9 am - 3 pm

$470

Extended Full Week

9 am - 5:30 pm

$595

First Session

9 am - 12 pm

$285

Second Session

12 pm - 3 pm

$285

Full Day

9 am - 3 pm

$110

Extended Full Day

9 am - 5:30 pm

$140

First Session

9 am - 12 pm

$75

Second Session

12 pm - 3 pm

$75

Before Care

8 am - 9 am

$15

After Care

3 pm - 5:30 pm

$30

Why Choose Exploration Camp?

  • Over a Decade of Trust: We’ve been running camps in DC since 2015, with 4,000+ kids joining our programs every year. Families come back summer after summer because their kids have a great time and we deliver what we promise.
  • One-of-a-Kind Experience: The only DC Way camp that combines soccer, art, and real neighborhood exploration.
  • Perfect Balance: Morning soccer training, afternoon adventures to historic sites, and art projects inspired by what they see.
  • Learn About DC: Kids explore landmarks, hear real stories about Washington, and see their city in a new way. It’s like a field trip every day.
  • Experienced Local Coaches & Teachers: Background-checked, First Aid trained staff who know how to keep kids safe and engaged all day.
  • Stuart-Hobson’s Beautiful Turf Fields: Located at Stuart-Hobson Middle School’s beautiful turf fields, Exploration Camp is perfect for kids who love being active, asking questions, and seeing their neighborhood in a new way.
  • Active All Day: Soccer, walking tours, art projects, and hands-on activities. Kids come home tired but excited to tell you what they discovered.
  • Ages 3-12, All Skill Levels: Whether your child is new to soccer or plays year-round, they’ll find their place at Exploration Camp.

Camp Details

Dates: June 16 – August 21 (Monday-Friday)
  • Week 1: June 16, 18, 19
  • Week 2: June 22-26
  • Week 3: June 29 – July 3
  • Week 4: July 6-10
  • Week 5: July 13-17
  • Week 6: July 20-24
  • Week 7: July 27-31
  • Week 8: August 3-7
  • Week 9: August 10-14
  • Week 10: August 17-21

Time: 8 am – 5:30 pm (before and after care available)

Ages: Boys and Girls 3-12 years old

  • For our youngest campers (ages 3-4), we ask that they be potty trained and comfortable following simple directions.

Location: Stuart-Hobson Middle School – 410 E St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Camp Director: Coach Russ

Check-in & Check-out Options:

  • Before Care Check-in: 8:00 am at Stuart-Hobson Field
  • Check-in: 9:00 am or 12:00 pm at Stuart-Hobson Field
  • Check-out: 12:00 pm or 3:00 pm at Stuart-Hobson Field
  • Extended Check-out: 5:30 pm

What to Bring: Water bottle, hat, sunblock, shin guards, cleats/sneakers, lunch, and snacks

*We are an electronics-free camp. Cell phones, tablets, and smart watches should be left at home.

Art Classes: Art & Soccer Camps are priced higher because of what’s included: classroom rental for art time and all the supplies kids need for their projects each week.

REGISTER NOW

 

A Week of Discovery & Adventure

DaysThemesActivities
Monday DC Detectives Morning soccer drills and games, followed by an afternoon walk to hidden Capitol Hill landmarks where kids solve mystery clues about their history. Art project: Draw secret symbols or create detective badges inspired by what we found.
Tuesday Engineering & Architecture Morning soccer skills and small-sided games, then explore DC monuments and buildings to learn how they were designed and built. Art project: Sketch buildings or create 3D structures with materials.
Wednesday Environmental Heroes Morning soccer tournaments, followed by a neighborhood walk learning about green spaces and environmental care. Art project: Create nature-inspired art or design posters about protecting our city.
Thursday Art Around Us Morning soccer challenges, then discover public art and murals around Capitol Hill. Kids might explore sculptures at Stanton Park or architectural details at Union Station. Art project: Create our own inspired artwork or try different art styles we saw.
Friday DC History Day Morning soccer games, followed by a walk through historic Capitol Hill learning stories about our neighborhood. Art project: Draw historical scenes or create timeline projects. End with team celebration!

 

What To Bring:

Start Each Day with Soccer

Every morning starts with soccer on Stuart-Hobson’s beautiful turf fields. Kids work on dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball control through fun drills and small-sided games where everyone gets lots of touches.

We connect soccer to the day’s exploration theme whenever we can. On Detective Day, kids might play spy-themed soccer games. On Engineering Day, they’ll build passing patterns like architects. On Environmental Day, we play outdoor tournaments celebrating nature.

The focus is on having fun, improving skills, and playing together. Whether your child is new to soccer or already loves the game, they’ll spend every morning moving, laughing, and scoring goals before heading out to explore the neighborhood.

Where We'll Explore

Stuart-Hobson’s Capitol Hill location puts us right in the heart of history. Everything we explore is within short walking distance – no buses needed, just safe neighborhood walks with our experienced coaches.

Kids might discover Stanton Park and learn about its monuments, visit the Library of Congress to see stunning architecture, explore Union Station’s grand halls, or walk to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. We find public murals and sculptures around Capitol Hill, check out green spaces to learn about the environment, and walk historic streets hearing stories about our neighborhood.

Every walk is supervised, groups stay small, and we keep it engaging with questions, challenges, and discoveries along the way. It’s exploring your own backyard, but seeing it through completely new eyes.

Registration

FRIENDS,
GAMES,
FUN…
What more could you ask for?

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Daily schedule
Daily schedule
  • Full Day

    9 am - 3 pm

  • First Session

    9 am - 12 pm

  • Second Session

    12 pm - 3 pm

  • After Care

    3 pm - 5:30 pm

9:00 - 9:15 am

Registration and Drop-Off

9:15 - 9:20 am

Morning Meeting

9:20 - 10:00 am

Warm-Up and Daily Topic Learning Activities

10:00 - 10:15 am

Snack Time

10:15 - 10:45 pm

Small-Sided Games

10:45 - 11:15 am

Large-Sided Games and Soccer Scrimmage

11:15 - 11:55 am

Fun Competitions and Awards

12:00 - 12:30 pm

Lunch

12:30 - 1:30 pm

Exploration Walk - Visit Capitol Hill landmarks and historic sites based on the day's theme

1:30 - 2:40 pm

Art Class

2:40 - 2:55 pm

Clean-Up

3:00 pm

Pick-Up

Note:

Activities vary depending on the day of the week, number of campers, and weather conditions.

9:00 - 9:15 am

Registration and Drop-Off

9:15 - 9:20 am

Morning Meeting

9:20 - 10:00 am

Warm-Up and Daily Topic Learning Activities

10:00 - 10:15 am

Snack Time

10:15 - 10:45 pm

Small-Sided Games

10:45 - 11:15 am

Large-Sided Games and Soccer Scrimmage

11:15 - 11:55 am

Fun Competitions and Awards

12:00 pm

Pick-Up

12:00 - 12:15 pm

Registration and Drop-Off

12:15 - 12:30 pm

Afternoon Meeting

12:30 - 1:30 pm

Exploration Walk - Visit Capitol Hill landmarks and historic sites based on the day's theme

1:30 - 2:40 pm

Art Class

2:40 - 2:55 pm

Clean-Up

3:00 pm

Pick-Up

3:00 - 3:15 pm

Registration and Drop-Off

3:15 - 4:00 pm

Board Games / Fun Activities / Playground

4:15 - 4:30 pm

Snack Time

4:30 - 5:00 pm

Board Games / Fun Activities / Playground

5:00 - 5:25 pm

Day Round-Up

5:30 pm

Pick-Up

Note:

Activities vary depending on the day of the week, number of campers, and weather conditions.

Give Your Child a Summer They'll Remember

Exploration Camp is DC Way’s most unique experience – your child will discover their neighborhood in a completely new way while staying active and making friends. It’s the perfect camp for curious kids who love to move, ask questions, and explore.

Spots are limited. Early bird discount available – register now and save!

Camp Information

  • We’re committed to providing a safe, positive environment for every camper.
  • All DC Way coaches and teachers are certified, background-checked, and trained in First Aid, with years of experience working with children.
  • Players should bring their own water bottle, snacks, and personal belongings each day.
  • Camp runs rain or shine – we move activities indoors if needed.
  • For weather updates and cancellations, check our Weather Updates page.

Questions? Reach out anytime at contact@dcway.com or call (571) 490-1275. We’re looking forward to a great summer with your kids!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do we offer at Exploration Camp?

Exploration Camp combines soccer, art, and Capitol Hill neighborhood adventures. Every morning starts with soccer training on Stuart-Hobson’s turf fields. Afternoons, kids walk to nearby historic sites like the Library of Congress, Union Station, Stanton Park, and the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Then they create art projects inspired by what they discovered. Each day has a different theme – from DC detectives to environmental heroes to history exploration.

Who can participate?

Ages 3-12, all skill levels welcome. For our youngest campers (ages 3-4), we ask that they be potty trained and able to follow basic instructions.

What are the camp dates?

Week 1: June 16, 18, 19

Week 2: June 22-26

Week 3: June 29 – July 3

Week 4: July 6-10

Week 5: July 13-17

Week 6: July 20-24

Week 7: July 27-31

Week 8: August 3-7

Week 9: August 10-14

Week 10: August 17-21

Who are the coaches and teachers?

All DC Way coaches and teachers are background-checked, First Aid trained, and experienced working with children. Our soccer coaches are licensed and passionate about the game, while our art and activity teachers are talented professionals who know how to engage kids creatively. They all create a positive environment where every child feels supported. We’re proud of our team – they’re the reason families keep coming back.

What are the benefits?
What is the location?

Stuart-Hobson Middle School 

What should my child bring and wear?

All players should bring a water bottle, shin guards, sneakers, cleats, a hat, sunblock, snacks, and lunch (for full-day campers). Players younger than 6 years should wear tennis or athletic shoes (cleats are not needed).

We recommend applying sunscreen and bug spray at home in the morning. Staff will help reapply sunscreen in the afternoon.

Please note: We are an electronics-free camp. Cell phones, tablets, and smart watches should be left at home.

How much does it cost?

Full Week Early Bird Options:

  • Full Week (9-3 pm): $470
  • Extended Full Week (9-5:30 pm): $595
  • First Session (9-12 pm): $285
  • Second Session (12-3 pm): $285

One Day Early Bird Options:

  • Full Day (9-3 pm): $110
  • Extended Day (9-5:30 pm): $140
  • First Session (9-12 pm): $75
  • Second Session (12-3 pm): $75

You can add a DC Way t-shirt or soccer ball to your registration for $25.

How can I register my child?

Registration is open all summer – you can join anytime! Click the button below to register online:

Registration

 

Need help with registration? Email us at contact@dcway.com or call (571) 490-1275.

If you have specific questions not addressed here or on our website, please feel free to reach out to us at