Dad Camp 2023

I wrote about Dad Camp last year, so I wanted to share what we did this year along with some pictures.

Monday: Costco, Library, Swimming Pool

Not the most exciting start to Dad Camp, but there was a purpose to these activities. A local library has a summer reading program where you can earn Washington Nationals tickets. We visited the library specifically to pick up the voucher and then went to Costco where the kids were super excited that I bought a case of Prime, a new hydration drink. 

I had big plans to take the kids to a Nats game on Tuesday or Wednesday, but the tickets were only available for September games.

Tuesday: Renwick Gallery, White House

I wrote last year that I try to expose my kids to art and culture when I can, so we visited the Renwick Gallery, part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Unlike most Smithsonian museums, this one isn't on the Mall and is smaller and more intimate than its contemporaries. The kids' favorite was Janet Echelman's 1.8 Renwick, and they also really enjoyed Alicia Eggert's This Present Moment, and Bisa Butler's Don't Tread on Me, God Damn, Let's Go! - The Harlem Hellfighters among others.

When we finished at the Renwick, we walked by the White House

Wednesday: Visited My Brother's Family

We got the cousins together and went to a very cool park with a ninja course and baseball fields where we played a heated game of kickball

Thursday: Frisbee Golf, Meet The Teacher Day

On the 5th or 6th hole of the frisbee golf course, Luigi had a meltdown over not going first or not getting to use the new disc or something. Who knows? These tantrums happen sometimes but not generally in public. Fortunately, I don't think anyone else noticed. 

The Moose is starting middle school, so this was the first time he met his teachers. We walked from classroom to classroom trying to replicate his schedule which changes every other day. Big adjustment for him, but every other 7th grader is in the exact same position.

Friday: Luray Caverns, Route 11 Potato Chips

This was the big trip of the week. Luray Caverns is just cool. So many stalactites and stalagmites. Nature at its best.

(I don't think the ladder is natural.)

And after lunch, we visited the Route 11 Potato Chips factory. It's not that big, but they gave very generous samples and watching them make the chips was fun. 

Of course, my kids talked much more about the chip factory than the natural wonder millions of years in the making. 

Saturday: Loudoun United Soccer Game

They still haven't offered me the job of being the official team blogger, so I'm not going to expand on the game or anything else associated with the game.

It's going to take some work next year to top Dad Camp 2023!