Mountainside FAQs

Not as much as you might think. The staff and programming at the two camps mirror each other, though the facilities are different.

Mountainside’s facility features woodlands and streams, which make for a great nature program. The adventure course at Mountainside is also one of the best in the region, boasting two 700ft zip lines, a 50ft climbing wall, and multiple low ropes elements.

The Ranch features a lot of playing fields, as well as the kid wash, and two great amphitheaters. Ranch campers also travel once a week to Waredaca, where they ride horses, do the adventure course, and swim and canoe in the lake.

If you really can’t choose between the two, please come out for an open house. We want your child to love their summer camp.

Mountainside is open for campers who will be entering Kindergarten through the 8th grade following the summer. Our sports camps are available starting at 2nd grade and going through 8th grade.

Once a camper is too old for our programs they may apply for our Leader in Training position. This position transitions them into becoming the great Bar-T staff we know and love.

Regular camp hours run from 9am – 3:30pm. Busses generally depart their transportation site between 8:00am and 8:45 each morning (depending on location) and usually arrive back in the afternoon between 3:45pm and 4:15pm.

If you need a longer camp day, we have extended care sites that are open from 7am till 6:30pm. Please visit the Mountainside Transportation & Extended Care page for more information.

Yes. Mountainside has numerous transportation and extended care sites throughout Montgomery County. Transportation cost is included with tuition. Please visit the Mountainside Transportation & Extended Care page for a list of sites, approximate times and more.

Bar-T bus counselors are along for the ride to make sure that campers remain seated while the vehicle is moving and they are acting appropriately.  Our staff will be at the pick up location each morning to check your child(ren) onto the bus, however, we ask that you remain with them until the bus departs.  Our bus counselors will help make sure that our campers reach their group with a smile on their face each morning and will remain at the transportation site each afternoon until all campers have been picked up.

Swimming is one of our most popular activities at camp and the systems we have in place make it one of the safest as well. On the first day a camper comes to Mountainside, our guard staff evaluates their swim level. Campers are asked to swim the entire length of the pool and do their best to avoid touching either the bottom or side. Campers are either given a green wristband, which allows them to swim in any area of the pool, or a red wristband, which allows them to swim only in the shallow areas of the pool, based upon our guard’s assessment of the camper’s swimming abilities. Campers may ask to be re-evaluated at any time.

Mountainside has a dedicated and experienced team of lifeguards who oversee all pool activities and allow our group counselors to act as additional lookouts or be in the pool interacting with the kids.

Our morning swim time is structured, with a lifeguard leading a game or activity for the group. The afternoon is free swim. In addition to the morning structured swim, both the Ranch and Mountainside offer private and small group lessons taught before or after camp. Registration for these lessons takes place in the spring (information is mailed to all enrolled families) and is subject to availability.

We are bound to encounter some rain at some point this Summer, but it will not stop us from having a great day! If it is raining, we will continue with most of our activities as planned. The pools and ropes course will be closed in the event of thunder and lightning, but our other activities will remain as scheduled as long as it is safe to do so. In the event of severe storms, we utilize the upper barn and locker rooms as shelter. If you see rain in the forecast, please send your child with appropriate clothing as they will be outside for most of the day.

Absolutely. Bar-T promises to place your child with the first child listed in the “camper’s friend request” field and we will work hard to accommodate each of your child’s friend requests (though they are not guaranteed beyond the first request).

Please find our summer discounts by clicking here.

Changes and cancellations to summer camp plans can be made freely up until May 31st, 2023. We will offer full refunds for any cancellations made prior to May 31st. After May 31st, a 50% refund will be issued for Bar-T Summer Camp cancellations made. Cancellations will also result in forfeiture of the $50.00 non-refundable portion of your deposit. There are no fees for exchanging weeks or adding additional weeks of camp to your family’s registration and Bar-T is happy to accommodate these requests, at any time, provided that we have availability in the week(s) you wish to add. Notice: We will not provide any form of refund for weeks of camp that have already begun.

In addition to a number of staff that are certified in CPR and First Aid, Mountainside has a Health Technician on site during normal camp hours to help ensure the ongoing health and wellness of all of our campers. In the event that a sickness or injury prevents your child from returning to normal camp activities, we will be sure to notify you by phone.