Camp Fairfax summer program to restart registrations after technical issues

RestonNow.com February 22, 2023 at 3:02pm

Kids playing rugby in Camp Fairfax (via Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services) — Kids play rugby in the Camp Fairfax program (via Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services)

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) Registrations for Fairfax County’s School Age Child Care (SACC) summer program will reopen tomorrow (Thursday) after technical issues disrupted its scheduled launch yesterday.

Camp Fairfax started allowing families to register at 8 a.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 21), but the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), which oversees the program, reported at 9:13 a.m. that “technical difficulties” had taken the system down.

“The registration system…experienced a system failure following the opening of SACC summer program registration,” NCS said in a news release. “Staff responded by immediately pausing all summer registrations. Staff continues to work diligently to resolve issues and ensure the system can adequately respond to demand.”

An NCS spokesperson confirmed that “high demand/traffic volume created the system failure.” The department anticipates all issues will be fixed today, enabling it to restart registrations at 8 a.m. tomorrow.

NCS’ SACC/Camp Fairfax registration system is currently experiencing technical difficulties; we are working to resolve the issue and will share registration availability once this issue has been resolved. Thank you for your patience. @fairfaxcounty https://t.co/DBlCq9nUm5 pic.twitter.com/76dr8k95rI

— Fairfax County Neighborhood & Community Services (@FairfaxNCS) February 21, 2023

However, enrollment will now be “staggered” based on the name of the 35 locations where the camps will be held:

Beginning Thursday, Feb. 23: Sites beginning with letters A-J (Aldrin Elementary School to James Lee Community Center)
Beginning Friday, Feb. 24: Sites beginning with letters K-P (Kent Gardens Elementary School to Providence Community Center)
Beginning Monday, Feb. 27: Sites beginning with letters S-W (Springfield Estates Elementary School to Wolftrap Elementary School)

Open to rising first to seventh graders who live in Fairfax County or Fairfax City, Camp Fairfax operates in week-long sessions from late June through early or late August, depending on the location. Each camp session has three “cabins” with activities aimed at artists, performers or athletes.

Camps located at the county’s community centers will run from June 20 to Aug. 18, while school sites will run from June 26 to Aug. 4.

The fees for this year’s camps will be determined by the county’s upcoming budget, a draft of which was presented to the Board of Supervisors yesterday. The cost can be adjusted based on a family’s income, with last year’s fees ranging from $10 for a family earning under $53,000 to $281 for a family earning $132,500 or more.

Registration will be available online and by phone (703-449-8989), though NCS advises not logging into the system before 8 a.m.

“Neighborhood & Community Services is committed to providing all Fairfax County and City of Fairfax residents equal access to high-quality camp and childcare opportunities,” NCS said. “We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to meet the demand for these services in our community.”