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Columbia

A fun, safe camp experience where children can learn of God’s love, form lasting friendships, and build self-confidence.

Columbia

Welcome to Camp Columbia

Camp Columbia is a gospel-centered summer day camp for rising 1st through 7th graders. Our program runs from June 22 to August 14, 2026, with each week packed full of themed projects in art, cooking, sports, science, and more.

Our goal is to provide every child with a fun and safe camp experience where they can discover God’s love, build lasting friendships, and grow in confidence. Camp tuition includes lunch, two snacks, a t-shirt, and special activities each week.

For questions, please contact us at: camp@columbia.church

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Camp Columbia

Quick details

about camp

Eligibility: Camp Columbia is open to rising 1st through 7th graders — children entering 1st through 7th grade in the fall of 2026.

Seasonal Theme: This year marks the start of an exciting new tradition at Camp Columbia — a seasonal theme that guides our devotions, activities, and creative projects each summer. Click the SCHEDULE button below to see the weekly themes.

Tuition: Weekly tuition is $400 per camper:

AFTERCARE (4-5:00PM) is also available, at a rate of $40 per week, $10 per day.

Registration: Registration for Camp Columbia 2026 opened January 5, 2026, and is completed online through our CampBrain portal. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration for each week closes two weeks before that session begins (or sooner if full).

Hours: Camp runs Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. Aftercare is available, for an additional fee, from 4:00-5:00PM

We will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of Independence Day.

Weekly Themes: Each week features a unique theme with special activities and track options that make every session a new adventure as well as a Spirit Day where campers are encouraged to dress according to the weekly theme.

Registration is Open!

 Get excited!

Frequently Asked Questions

Children and families of all faith backgrounds are welcome at Camp Columbia! Children will hear stories from the Bible, be invited to pray before meals, and learn Scripture each week. Our faith informs all our decisions and is most prominently displayed in the way we treat others.

A water bottle and closed-toed shoes! Campers are also welcome to bring a backpack or bag to keep their personal belongings. Families will be notified by the Camp Columbia Director Team if campers need to bring additional items to Camp for field trips or other activities.

Please leave electronics, cameras, expensive items, and trading cards (including Pokemon cards) at home. If any of these items are brought to Camp, they will be held onto by the Director Team until the camper’s parents arrive to pick them up that day. Campers ARE allowed to bring personal items from home like books, crafting supplies, and small toys to use during certain times of the day. Camp Columbia is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen items.

Camp Columbia provides two snacks and a lunch every day. You can find the menu for the month on the parent resource page. It is also sent out each week in the Camp Columbia parent newsletter and can be found on our site. Families are more than welcome to send their own food with their child due to allergy, dietary restriction, or preference. Please keep in mind that we are a nut-free facility, so please do not send nuts of any kind with your child to Camp.

Because camp staffing, supplies, and planning are based on confirmed enrollment, all tuition payments — whether paid in part or in full — are non-refundable once registration is submitted.

If your camper can no longer attend a registered week, you may choose one of the following options:

  1. Transfer your camper’s spot to another child on the official Camp Columbia waitlist (if space and eligibility allow).

  2. Transfer your camper’s spot to another child in your personal network who meets eligibility requirements for the same week and age group.

A $30 administrative fee applies to each transfer.
 All transfer requests must be submitted at least two weeks before the scheduled camp week begins.

We ask families to carefully review their summer schedules before registering and to only select weeks they are confident their child can attend. Once registration is complete, we are unable to offer refunds or credit toward future sessions.

If your child is placed on the Camp Columbia waitlist, and a spot becomes available, our team will contact you directly to confirm whether you would like to accept the opening.

Waitlist movement depends on cancellations and transfers, so there is no guaranteed timeline for when a space may open. Families may be contacted up until the Thursday before a session begins if an opening becomes available.

All required forms — including your camper’s Virginia School Entrance Health Form and any allergy or medical forms — must be uploaded through your CampBrain account no later than May 1, 2026.
 Submitting forms through CampBrain ensures that all  records are securely stored and accessible to our director team.

If you are unable to upload documents online, you may email them to camp@columbia.church or drop them off in person at the Columbia Church office before the deadline.

A proof of identification document (such as a birth certificate or passport) must accompany the registration of each new camper. If you do not wish to email the original document, please bring it to the office, where a staff member will verify it and immediately return it to you. Verification must also be completed by May 1, 2026.

While we will make every effort to honor mutual grouping requests, we cannot guarantee them. Our children are grouped according to their current grades and we appreciate your understanding as we try to meet all the requests.

Camp Columbia operated by Columbia Church and located at 103 West Columbia Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046, has filed the required documentation for exemption as a child day center that is operated or conducted under the auspices of a religious institution pursuant to Section 22.1-289.031 of the Code of Virginia.

Upcoming Schedule

Camp will officially begin June 22, 2026 and will go until August 14, 2026. Please note the 2026 Camp Season will consist of eight weeks.

Here’s the weekly schedule and themes:

June 22–26 — Camp Olympics
June 29–July 2 — Camp Corral (Western Week)
No camp on July 3 in observance of Independence Day
July 6–10 — Christmas in July
July 13–17 — On the Big Screen (Movie Week)
July 20–24 — Camp Confidential (Spy Week)
July 27–31 — Adventure Island (Luau Week)
August 3–7 — Not of This World (Space Week)
August 10–14 — Castles & Kingdoms (Medieval Week)

Want to be a part of camp this summer?

JOIN OUR TEAM

Camp Columbia is a ministry of Columbia Church, and together we form part of the broader church staff team to provide children with a fun, Christ-centered summer camp experience. Every week features a new theme, engaging activities, and lessons that help campers grow in faith, confidence, and community.

Are you or someone you know interested in joining our team?

If so, check out the available positions below and apply online at columbiastaff.campbrainstaff.com.

There’s a $50 bonus for each successful hired referral!

Available Positions


Program Leads (18+ years of age)

Program Leads serve as part of the Camp Columbia leadership team, providing direct oversight and support for specific areas of camp — Crafts, Recreation, or Tracks. Each Program Lead works closely with the Director Team to ensure that weekly programming runs smoothly and reflects the camp’s Christ-centered mission.

Responsibilities include:

  • Planning and facilitating activities for their assigned area (Crafts, Recreation, or Tracks).

  • Providing leadership, guidance, and encouragement to Lead Counselors and Assistant Counselors.

  • Ensuring that each week’s programming connects to the seasonal theme and camp values.

  • Assisting the Director Team in maintaining safety, organization, and positive camper engagement across all activities.

Program Leads must be at least 18 years old and have 1–2 years of college experience (or equivalent). Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential, along with prior experience working with children or youth.


Lead Counselors (18+ years of age)

Lead Counselors create a fun, safe, and Christ-centered environment for campers each week.

Responsibilities include:

  • Building a welcoming and engaging community within their cabin group.

  • Leading activities consistent with the weekly theme and their assigned area of focus.

  • Encouraging positive behavior, teamwork, and spiritual growth among campers.

Lead Counselors must be at least 18 years old and have one or more years of experience working with children.


Assistant Counselors (16+ years of age)

Assistant Counselors support Lead Counselors in maintaining an exciting, high-energy, and caring camp atmosphere.

Responsibilities include:

  • Helping lead activities, games, and group projects.
  • Building relationships with campers across multiple cabins.
  • Supporting Lead Counselors and Program Leads with supervision and transitions.

Assistant Counselors must be at least 16 years old and demonstrate a genuine desire to work with children.


Leaders in Training (LITs) (14-15 Years of age)

LITs are high school students (typically ages 14–15) who are eager to grow in leadership and service. This is a paid position designed to help students gain hands-on ministry and leadership experience while being mentored by Camp Columbia staff.

Responsibilities include:

  • Assisting counselors with setup, cleanup, and camper support.
  • Learning leadership principles through daily mentoring and practical experience.
  • Participating in team devotions and developing personal faith habits.

LITs should be enthusiastic, dependable, and eager to serve, with a willingness to learn and grow as future leaders.

Season of Employment

Summer Break: June 22, 2026 – August 14, 2026

(Must be available to work a minimum of five weeks.)

Staff Orientation

All hired staff are required to attend mandatory orientation and training sessions prior to the start of camp. Orientation covers team culture, safety procedures, child protection, faith integration, and program-specific training.

Exact orientation dates will be provided upon hiring and typically occur in early to mid-June.


  • EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: A reference and criminal background check will be conducted for each candidate (excluding LITs). Once an employment offer is extended, staff members must:

    • Complete a TB test and Child Protective Services background check within 30 days of their start date.
    • If you have completed a TB test within the past year, please provide official documentation of the result.

    Camp Columbia staff represent a wide variety of experiences and talents, but all share a foundation of love for Christ and children. Specific qualifications, and in some cases, certifications, may be required and vary by position.

  • WORK HOURS: Staff work Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.

    Some positions allow for up to nine weeks of summer employment, though this is not required for all roles. LITs may work in half-day or full-day assignments depending on age, availability, and placement.

Meet Our Team