Registration for Summer Steps with Step Afrika! 2025 is now open!

A “Best Summer Camp” Finalist with Washington City Paper, Step Afrika!’s week-long summer camp for rising 4th to 12th graders will return to Arena Stage August 4 – 9, 2025.

Led by the multi-talented artists of Step Afrika!, our annual camp combines core Step Afrika! values of teamwork, commitment, discipline, and academic achievement with excellent performance. Immersing students in stepping through the creation of their own Step Show performance, Summer Steps with Step Afrika! is not to be missed!

 

Registration Details

Registration for Summer Steps with Step Afrika! 2025 opened on Monday, December 16, 2024, and will close on June 20, 2025. Questions about registration? Email summersteps@stepafrika.org.

Dates for Summer Steps

Monday – Saturday
August 4 – 9, 2025

Summer Steps Location

Arena Stage
1101 Sixth Street SW
Washington, DC 20024

Ages

Students entering grades 4 – 12 during the 2025-2026 academic school year are encouraged to take part in Summer Steps with Step Afrika! 2025.

FAQ AND SCHEDULE

Linked here is the official Summer Steps with Step Afrika! 2025 FAQ sheet.

Summer Steps Drop-Off, Pick-Up, & Transportation

Transportation to and from all camp sessions and performances is the sole responsibility of the participant’s guardian(s). Participants must be picked up no later than 4:00 pm; a late fee will be incurred for pickups after this time.

Drop-off and pickup should occur at the main entrance of Arena Stage, located at 1101 6th St, SW, Washington, DC 20024.

For participants using the Metro, the closest station is Waterfront on the Green Line, just a short, five-minute walk to Arena Stage.

Summer Steps Snacks

Step Afrika! will provide students with water bottles and nutritious snacks throughout the day. Please note that daily lunch will not be provided.

Summer Steps Tuition

$350 per student

  • Initial Registration Fee: $50
  • Remaining Fee: *$300

*Payment in three installments of $100 on March 29, April 30, and June 20, 2025, is available through March 29, 2025.

Summer Steps Refund, Withdrawal Policy

The $50 registration fee is non-refundable. Tuition can be reimbursed until March 29, 2025, or transferred to another camper until June 20, 2025.

Summer Steps Scholarship Information

Step Afrika! offers need-based scholarships, providing $300 for each selected child. The $50 registration fee is mandatory for all participants and is not covered by the scholarship. To be considered for a scholarship, please email summersteps@stepafrika.org. The scholarship form can be found here.

Summer Steps Health and Wellness Policy

After registration, Step Afrika! will distribute a Health and Wellness form to all participant guardians. This form must be completed by June 27, 2025. Guardians should specify any special health conditions, including required medications and activity limitations, which should be communicated to Step Afrika! staff. Guardians must acknowledge awareness of and acceptance of the inherent risks in the program activities. Additionally, they must provide advance consent for medical treatment at an appropriate facility in case of illness or injury. Authorization for Camp staff to administer basic first aid and obtain emergency medical services as necessary is also required.

Summer Steps COVID-19 POLICY

Step Afrika! prioritizes health and safety, following CDC recommendations to reduce COVID-19 spread. However, guardians must recognize that Step Afrika! cannot guarantee their child(ren) and those in contact won’t contract COVID-19. Attendance at the camp may increase the risk for their child(ren) and themselves.

Summer Steps Insurance

Step Afrika! Staff aside, Step Afrika! is not accountable for obtaining insurance coverage for Summer Steps participants. This includes but is not limited to all forms of general liability, and/or medical insurance. The guardian, representing Step Afrika!, must absolve and release Step Afrika! Staff, its partners, and their respective trustees, directors, officers, employees, and agents from all liability related to illness, injury, loss, damage, obligation, or penalties incurred by the participant in connection with this project.

Summer Steps FORCE MAJEURE

Step Afrika! and its obligations for this program are subject to uncontrollable conditions, like illness, accidents, transportation delays, equipment failure, emergencies, strikes, or other unforeseen events. If the Summer Steps with Step Afrika! presentation is hindered due to any of these reasons, Step Afrika! is not obligated to compensate or refund any services or expenses associated with the activity.

Photography and Videography

Guardians permit Step Afrika!, camp facilities, partner agents, and employees to record or photograph their child, understanding that no compensation will be provided. The recorded material may be used for archival, educational, social media, or publicity purposes.
For all notices to Step Afrika!, please email summersteps@stepafrika.org.

Summer Steps Donors

Summer Steps with Step Afrika! would not be possible without the support of parents, the outstanding Step Afrika! Board of Directors, and our extraordinarily generous funders and sponsors. Thank you to the following 30th Anniversary Gala donors for providing scholarships to Summer Steps with Step Afrika! 2024:

Alicia Batts
Rodney Bowman
Reg Brown & Tiffeny Sanchez
Sir’Twon Brown & Timothy Wilson
Joi & Colin Brown
Stacy Burnette
Jackie & Paolo Castro-Rodriguez
Jennifer Clarke
Kameron Coefield
Scott Commerson
Lushae Cook
Dwana & Clay Dixon
Marie Sylla Dixon
Ronnyka Fitzpatrick
Stephanie Gardner
Jovan Hackley
Catherine Hogan
Debbi Jarvis
Anthony Jones
Robin Leeds
Tuere Anne Marshall
Beth Niblock
Kimberly Robinson
Maria Rodriguez-Coss
Mignon & Kebharu Smith
Sheila Stewart
Maria & Dr. William Strudwick
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
Natasha Thompson
Ashley Adams Winkfield

Testimonials

“Our child started off the week nervous and unsure, but by the time Saturday came, she was glowing with pride and confidence. Thank you for providing her with such a fun and supportive environment. She can’t wait to go back next year!”

“This camp exceeded my and my child’s expectations. It is one of the most well-run, fun, and engaging camps we have ever experienced. It’s been 2 weeks and my kids are still stepping around the house. I hope to be able to find something that my boys can participate in year-round. We will definitely be back for 2024 and beyond!”

“As a parent of summer campers for over 13 years, I must say this camp continues to elevate itself. My daughter had a phenomenal time and she cannot wait to return next year!”

“Thank you for all your hard work to create a valuable and fun experience for our children!”

“My son said he’s definitely coming back next summer! This is his FAVORITE CAMP! As always the performance was AMAZING! I can’t wait to see what’s in store next summer.”

“This was my daughter’s first year participating with Summer Steps. She said she had a blast and wanted to do it again. She expressed that if she could only do one camp next summer, it would be this one. Thank you for providing space for children to explore their gifts and talents, learn discipline, and have fun!”