Summer at NCRC - National Child Research Center

SUMMER AT NCRC
June 15-July 31, 2026
Registration Opens at 5:30 pm on January 7, 2026

New This Year

By popular demand we are now offering SEVEN weeks of Summer at NCRC as well as a morning plus option: 8:30 AM-12:30 PM (Early Learning and Preschool Levels only). Enjoy Lunch at NCRC and get home in time to enjoy the afternoon.

We are also excited to begin offering Swim Lessons at the Cleveland Park Club for campers ages 3+.

Rooted in the school's mission and philosophy, Summer at NCRC is a play-based, developmentally appropriate learning experience for children ages 2–5. Grouped by age with half- and full-day offerings, each program encourages children to learn, explore, and play while building friendships, forging independence, cultivating confidence, investigating new ideas, and having a tremendous amount of fun.

Summer at NCRC Camp Tiers

EARLY LEARNING - RED CLASS AND VIOLET CLASS
Half-Day Program: 8:30 AM–11:30 AM
Half-Day + Program: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM

Applicants must be officially enrolled and joining NCRC as EARLY LEARNING students (Age 2 by June 15, 2026).
Summer at NCRC DOES NOT provide before or aftercare.
Programs must have at least 8 students enrolled to proceed for the summer. In the event that fewer than 8 students enroll and we are unable to host a class, efforts will be made to find alternative placements for enrolled students.

Please note: The registration for Summer at NCRC 2026 Early Learning classes will open on Monday, March 2 after acceptance letters are issued. Priority applicants interested in registering for Summer at NCRC may email Mr. Douville upon acceptance for advance registration.

RISING PRESCHOOL - GREEN CLASS AND ORANGE CLASS

Half-Day Program: 8:30 AM–11:30 AM
Half-Day + Program: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM
Full-Day Program: 8:30 AM–3:00 PM

Campers must be enrolled and rising NCRC PRESCHOOL students
Summer at NCRC DOES NOT provide before or aftercare.
For Half-Day + and Full-Day classes
- Please provide lunch from home.
For Full-Day classes
- A nap is required in the full-day program (cots are provided).
- Please send a small blanket (no larger than a bath towel) and a small "stuffy" which will be returned for washing on the last day of each camp week.

Register using the link below for Summer at NCRC 2026 Preschool classes. Indicate in the registration form whether your child will attend our half day, half day plus, or full day program. We look forward to your children joining us this summer.

register here for Rising preschool

RISING PRE-K - GOLD CLASS

Full-Day Program (only): 8:30 AM–3:00 PM

Campers must be enrolled and rising NCRC Pre-K students OR 2025–26 Pre-K graduates
Summer at NCRC DOES NOT provide before or aftercare.
Summer at NCRC will open an additional class at the PreK level if necessary
Please provide lunch from home.
A nap is required in the full-day program (cots are provided).
Please send a small blanket no larger than a bath towel and a small "stuffy" which will be returned for washing on the last day of each camp week.

Register using the link below here for Summer at NCRC 2026 Pre-K classes. We look forward to your children joining us this summer.

The Summer at NCRC Experience

ACTIVITIES & CURRICULUM

Guided by NCRC's emergent curriculum using both indoor and outdoor spaces, teachers lead children through weekly opportunities to investigate new concepts, engage with a variety of creative materials, and enjoy age-appropriate play. Each camp class follows a unique curriculum designed by our teachers based on the interest and enthusiasm of the children. These curricular investigations further encourage exploration, discovery, creativity, and much more all in a joyful, child-centered environment. Children should arrive each day in comfortable clothing, ready for both indoor and outdoor activities, which may get messy!

SUMMER AT NCRC FACULTY

Summer at NCRC programs are led by NCRC's teaching faculty, college and grad-school students specializing in Early Childhood Education (ECE), and camp counselors or volunteers from local schools, many of whom are often NCRC alums! Our dynamic teaching teams work together to create Summer at NCRC's rich curriculum, support social interactions, foster independence, and lead children through fun and meaningful experiences.

SUMMER AT NCRC SPECIALS

SWIM LESSONS WITH CLEVELAND PARK CLUB: This is a new opportunity that we are offering for our campers aged 3 or older at the Preschool and PreK levels. Interested families can sign up for weekly swim lessons through the Cleveland Park Club website. Enrolled students will be brought to Cleveland Park Club by camp staff and enjoy 30 minutes of swim instruction taught by CPC instructors. Swim lesson costs and registration can be found on the Cleveland Park Club website.

FUN FRIDAYS will once again be filled with new, surprise, in-school experiences to look forward to. These surprises may involve color, getting messy, eating delicious food, or something completely new. We can’t wait to surprise our campers each Friday with these new events and experiences. We’re absolutely sure that the children will enjoy them. Detailed information will be shared with registered families. Please do your best to keep Fun Fridays a surprise for your campers!

WATER PLAY is returning this year with some new toys to play with and more water to enjoy. The children will have two water play days a week occurring either Monday and Wednesday (or Tuesday and Thursday) depending on each camp class’ schedule. During the first week of camp, each camp class will have one day of water play either Tuesday or Thursday. Your child's classroom teachers will let you know which day that will be in the welcome letter they send to you before the start of camp. Water play is optional but the children will be outside during their scheduled water play time. On scheduled water play days please remember to send your child to camp wearing a bathing suit, towel, and with a dry change of clothes. Your child’s camp schedule will be shared with you before the beginning of camp so that you can plan accordingly.

ART INVESTIGATIONS has become a fan favorite of Summer at NCRC. Students will learn about a new and exciting artist through hands on exploration, multi-media art experiences, and with incredible individual and collaborative projects. Led by NCRC Teachers, this aspect of Summer at NCRC is unique and new every year. Come see who we learn about in 2026!

Summer at NCRC Fees & Registration

FEES & REGISTRATION
Registration opens at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Registration links will be posted here and emailed to NCRC families. Please register promptly to ensure program placement.

QUESTIONS
Please direct any questions to Patrick Douville, Directory of Auxiliary Programs, at pdouville@ncrcpreschool.org.

DEPOSIT
Registration includes a $250 deposit which is non-refundable. This deposit will be applied to your child's camp tuition.

REGISTRATION

This year there are a limited number of spaces available for Summer at NCRC. Registration will be prioritized for families who commit to 7 weeks of camp. Camp group placement will be determined by election of half- or full-day registration. As groups are formed, all efforts will be made to try to maintain a balance of gender, economic, racial, and ethnic diversity, as well as best supporting each child’s developmental needs.

Families of new students entering during 2026–27 academic school year will be invited to begin sharing their interest and commitment by registering for the summer in Spring 2026.

All new families are asked to register after they have signed and submitted their contract for the school year.
If there is a large interest from new families, names will be placed on a waitlist and will continue to be drawn from the appropriate age tier applicants until all Summer Program spots have been filled.

Deposits & Payments

DEPOSIT: The registration form requires a $250, nonrefundable deposit which may be submitted with a debit or credit card.

UPDATE YOUR FACTS ACCOUNT: All families are required to update their “incidental billing” FACTS account by April 17th, 2026. Summer tuition is billed and paid through this portion of your FACTS account. During the first week of May, an email from FACTS will be sent as notification that the incidental bill for Summer at NCRC is ready to view and of the date due. It will automatically be paid from the bank account on file with FACTS “incidental billing” on the due date. The due date will be on or around May 15th, 2026, or approximately ten days after receipt of the FACTS billing email.

Eligibility

Community Commitments

Over the course of the 7-week Summer at NCRC program, families are required to adhere to all NCRC Health Policies. In the case of illness, families are required to provide negative COVID test results or a doctor’s note clearing their child to return to school. If your child is exposed to or tests positive for COVID, please email health@ncrcpreschool.org and adhere to any guidance provided. Summer at NCRC tuition will not be refunded for days missed due to illness.

Required Student Forms

All student forms must be completed prior to the start of Summer at NCRC. Please note, there are TWO SECTIONS, both of which can be accessed in your student's Magnus account.

REQUIRED FORMS FOR ALL
Deadline - June 1, 2026
Please download, complete, and submit within your student's Magnus Health Portal
.
NCRC is licensed by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and each student must have on file all student forms required by OSSE. NCRC uses the Magnus Health Portal to capture ALL completed forms. Magnus hosts various forms requiring parent completion and also provides parents with the platform to upload all physician completed forms and immunization records. No child will be allowed to start Summer at NCRC without these forms.

Important: All current NCRC families—and those enrolled for admissions in the coming fall—must log in to Magnus Health to complete required Summer at NCRC forms. Incoming Parents will have access to Magnus in May 2026; you will receive a specific communication with Magnus log in details at that time.
REQUIRED FORMS BASED ON MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR OTHER NEEDS
Deadline: June 1, 2026
The following forms are required ONLY for children with specific medical conditions or other needs.

Important: The Action Plan forms and Medication Authorization Form MUST be completed and SIGNED by your child's physician and by you. Medications provided to the school for administration must be up to date, provided in duplicate, and in the original pharmacy packaging. The Over-the-Counter Medication Form (authorizing our application of such things as sunscreen and diaper cream) can be filled out by the parents within Magnus and is mandatory for over-the-counter application items like sunscreen and bug spray if re-application is needed during the time at NCRC.

Asthma Action Plan
Seizure Action Plan
Prescription Medication Authorization
Food Allergy & Insect Bite Action Plan

Magnus User Guide & Customer Service

Refund Policy

For families seeking enrollment cancellation for Summer at NCRC: please provide written notice to Patrick Douville, Director of Auxiliary Programs, on or before May 15, 2026. The $250 deposit is non-refundable. Any NCRC family who withdraws from the 2026–27 school year before May 15, 2026, will be eligible for a full refund of Summer at NCRC tuition, minus the $250 deposit. For any family who withdraws after May 15, 2026, placement in Summer at NCRC will be forfeited, and any tuition paid will not be eligible for refund.

Patrick Douville

Directory of Auxiliary Programs
pdouville@ncrcpreschool.org

IMPORTANT DATES
June 1, 2026
Deadline: Student Health Forms
June 15, 2026
Summer at NCRC Begins
June 19, 2026
Camp Closed - Juneteenth Holiday
July 3, 2026
Camp Closed - Independence Day Holiday
July 31, 2026
Summer at NCRC Ends