Parent Encouragement Program

Where the Focus is on Friendship

PEP’s Friendship Camp is designed with a difference. Rather than organizing the day around activities like most camps, this Camp is planned around the social interactions of the children. The Camp offers fun-filled opportunities for girls to learn specific friendship and communication skills, build leadership qualities, and grow in self-awareness and self-confidence.

The limited group size (16 girls) and the generously scheduled free choice activities allow campers to practice their new social skills while receiving individualized feedback and support from the staff. Campers help design the week's program which usually includes organized games, group challenges and special performances, music and dancing. A short phone or in-person "camper check in" with one of the camp directors and parents is offered to each camper’s parents. The camp’s focus on friendship is designed to foster healthy relationships at this Camp and beyond! Please note that this Camp program is not a therapeutic setting because of staff-child ratios.

2008 Camp Staff

Camp 1: June 23 - July 3, 2008 (9 days)

Barbara Strom Thompson is a child development specialist in private practice in Chevy Chase, MD. She enjoys working with parents and teachers, along with public speaking on family life issues. Building on her experience in running PEP’s coed Making Friends class, Barb founded the Girls Friendship Camp and looks forward to returning for her fourteenth summer.

Bekki Sims has been affiliated with PEP for over 17 years, first as a "student" and subsequently as a PEP Leader and Friendship Camp Co-Director in 2008. While parenting her three daughters, Bekki has been involved with many programs and activities focused on children and teens. Most recently, she organized Community Youth Summits held biannually at Walt Whitman High School, which brings in 80-140 speakers to conduct workshops about health and social issues of concern to teens. Because of the meaning and joy she's found working with younger people, Bekki is attending Johns Hopkins University for her Masters in Clinical Community Counseling.

Camp 2: July 7 - 11, 2008 (5 days)

Amy Lear White an early childhood and parent educator for over 21 years, will be the Co-Director of the one week Friendship Camp. Amy co-directed Friendship Camp in the summer of 2003, with Friendship Camp Founder Barbara Strom Thompson, and in 2005 and 2006 co-directed with Ruth Sorenson. She also co-directed the Boys Building Buddies Spring Break class in 2004. Amy is a longtime PEP parent and also was a PEP leader. Amy has two children, a 20 year old daughter and a son aged 19.

Ruth Sorenson is an early childhood teacher as well and has four children: 2 daughters, ages 20 and 19 and two sons, ages 16 and 13 years old. This will be Ruth’s third year as PEP’s Friendship Camp Co-Director. Ruth is also the music and movement teacher at Chevy Chase Baptist Church Nursery School.

Activities: Organized daily discussions and group challenges, arts and crafts, singing, movement, generous free time, water play, games and more -- designed to foster healthy friendship skills and leadership opportunities.

The basic necessities: Campers bring a bag lunch and drink each day. Refrigerator and bottled water on-site. Sneakers or sturdy shoes are necessary for outdoor games. Bicycle or scooter and bathing suit for water games on one day to be announced. Bring a blanket or throw for quiet times.

For parents of campers: A parent orientation on "Helping Your Child Foster Friendships" will be held at the PEP Office several weeks before the camp begins, date to be announced.

Parents are welcome to visit our Camp at 3:00 p.m. dismissal time on our "Welcome Wednesday."

Cost and Application Information: $305 for the one-week camp; $550 for the 9-day camp. Additionally, all campers must be PEP members ($50/year for a family - you can choose to join after your camp application has been accepted.) Please note that there are usually more applicants for the Camp than spaces. Returning campers and children of PEP Leaders and Board receive a preference in placement. Limited scholarships are available. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is due with the application. This deposit is immediately returned if there is not space for your child in this summer’s Camp. If your child is accepted into Camp, the deposit is non-refundable. Please make checks payable to the Parent Encouragement Program. Mastercard/Visa/Discover available. The balance of the fee (plus PEP membership if applicable) is due by May 15, 2008, if not already paid. No refunds of the balance after this date. Applications are considered as they are received; the camp directors must review each application. All camper and medical information must be updated by May 15, 2008.

For more information, contact the PEP Office at 301 929-8824 or email PEPOffice@aol.com

Click here to download a printable copy of PEP's Girls Friendship Camp Information and Application Form.