Transportation
Summer@Potomac is pleased to offer complimentary busing for all campers! Using our fleet of buses, Potomac offers over 40 bus stops throughout the DMV area. Carpool is also available for campers entering Kindergarten and their siblings. Campers of any age who live in our neighboring community, Evermay, may choose to walk or ride a bike to camp in place of carpool or busing. Arrival and departure methods for campers are selected at the time of registration.
Busing
Morning Pick Up
Please have your camper wait at the morning bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled morning bus stop time. Campers need to be supervised at the morning bus stops and should not be left unattended. Campers must be accompanied by an adult when crossing the street. Click here to view the bus schedule.
Afternoon Pick Up
Plan to arrive at your camper’s afternoon bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled afternoon bus stop time. Campers will only be released to adults authorized during registration. Please contact the Camp Office in writing to make changes to your camper’s authorized pick up list. Authorized individuals should be prepared to show a photo ID when asked. Campers must be accompanied by an adult when crossing the street. Click here to view the bus schedule
Bus Expectations
To ensure a safe and pleasant bus ride to campus only campers and Summer@Potomac staff are allowed on the bus. Parents will be financially liable for any student-caused damage to a bus. We expect campers and families to abide by the busing rules listed below. Campers:
- Must remain seated, face forward at all times, and are not permitted to change seats once the bus/shuttle is in motion. They should only get out of their seats when instructed to do so by a driver or camp staff member.
- Belongings must be in a closed bag.
- Should not talk loudly or scream.
- Are not permitted to eat, drink or apply sunscreen and insect repellent while on the bus
- Should not sit in the driver’s seat or work the door handle.
- Should not put hands, heads, arms, or legs out of the windows or throw things inside a bus/shuttle or out of the window.
Bus Terms and Conditions
We reserve the right to cancel a scheduled bus route/shuttle stop due to low ridership. To the best of our ability, we provide timely and safe delivery of campers to and from the campus. The Potomac School and Summer Programs assumes no responsibility for campers before they enter or after they leave the bus except on School property or when on Summer@Potomac field trips.
Busing FAQs
What is the fee for busing?
Busing is complimentary!
Does my camper have to ride the bus?
In order to meet our traffic reduction commitments to our neighbors and Fairfax County, all campers in grade 1 and up need to register for bus service. Campers entering Kindergarten and their siblings riding with them, are eligible for carpool. Any campers who live in our neighboring community, Evermay, may choose to walk or ride a bike to camp in place of carpool or busing.
Can I change my bus route on a daily basis?
No. During online registration, families select either a stop. For safety reasons, that selection will be used each day. You may choose to have your child ride one bus in the morning and a different bus in the afternoon.
What if my camper wants to have a friend come over after camp?
Due to available space on each bus we ask that all campers be picked up together in carpool.
Carpool – Kindergarten and siblings only
Morning Drop Off
Morning carpool begins at 8:45 am. Staff are not available to greet campers before then. Campers are asked to remain in their vehicle until instructed by a Summer@Potomac staff member to unload. Drivers must remain in their car at all times. Please do not arrive before 8:45 am and park. During carpool please display your carpool tag on the passenger side visor of your car and have the name showing when you arrive. After your car has been unloaded please flip the visor up to indicate your car is ready to leave.
Afternoon Pick Up
Afternoon carpool begins at 2:45 pm. Drivers must remain in their car at all times. Please do not arrive before 2:45 pm and park. During carpool please display your carpool tag on the passenger side visor of your car and have the name showing when you arrive. After your car has been loaded please flip the visor up to indicate your car is ready to leave.
Rideshare
Summer@Potomac does not allow campers to arrive or depart by any rideshare or car service (Uber, Lyft, taxi, etc)
Walk/Bike
Campers that live in our local community may select to walk or bike to camp. This selection occurs during the registration process. Upon arriving on campus, campers need to check in with a staff member at the llama statue. Staff will then direct campers where to meet their group.
At the end of the day, all walkers and bike riders MUST check-out with a staff member at the llama statue before they leave campus. If the walk/bike option is chosen during online registration, campers will not be permitted to leave campus unaccompanied unless “Yes” is selected for the walk/bike waiver. An adult meeting a camper for dismissal must wait at the llama statue.
Late Arrival/Early Dismissal
Families are asked to refrain from dropping campers late or picking up campers early unless there is an emergency. Please schedule doctor’s appointments, tutoring sessions, or any other appointments outside of camp hours. If a camper needs to be dropped off late or picked up early please contact the appropriate camp office. When arriving on campus please park in front of the Flag Circle Building and call the appropriate camp. A staff member will meet you outside. Once a camper has been picked up from camp they may not return for the rest of the day
Changes to Transportation
Any changes to your camper’s transportation, including authorized pick up, need to be provided in writing to the camp office no later than 12:00pm on the day of the change; if the change involves the bus your camper rides, please be sure to copy the transportation office.