Are you worried your kids will waste their summer days indoors? Check out our list of these top seven summer camps in Maryland! These programs provide children with memories they’ll remember forever and a thrilling time they won’t experience otherwise.
Picking a summer program can be tricky since they all offer fun experiences filled with exciting activities. There are various types of programs in Maryland, whether your child is mainly interested in STEM, sports, horseback riding, arts and crafts or other specialty camps.
You can choose from summer day camps and overnight camps in different locations throughout the state. The camps also have different starting dates and prices to make it convenient for you as a parent to find one that fits.
Steve and Kate’s Camp
You will find one of the most convenient and unique camps in Maryland with Steve and Kate’s camp. They have a location in Chevy Chase at the Concord Hill School, as well as other nearby locations in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
The sports and rec facilities let kids participate in sports and create their own outdoor games. A tinker lab has children design projects using STEM materials and their imagination. The robotics and coding classes can set forward a passion for STEM learning. There is even a sewing salon to make clothes and baking lessons.
There is no limit to activities. Parents just need to buy day passes in advance and then send their kids any day after that. The process is simple, and this lets you account for any last-minute plans that pop up. You’re also welcome to reserve an entire summer experience for a better deal, but the choice is yours.
Sandy Hill
Back in 1995, Sandy Hill was founded in North East, Maryland, on 211 beautiful acres of land. Since then, it has been providing excellent summer programs for kids ages 8 through 16. Their 1 and 2 week-long overnight camps are jam-packed with activities to keep your children entertained. With their accreditation by the American Camp Association, your kids are sure to have a good time.
Sandy Hill participants get to fly down a zip line, ride horses, learn to sail, and more. In fact, there are over 40 activities for kids to choose from. Each child receives a custom schedule so they can get the most out of their stay.
Sandy Hill is customizable to each child’s preferences offering a unique camp experience hard to find anywhere else. It’s filled with fun activities and provides campers with multiple weeks of fun.
Panda Programmer
Panda Programmer offers coding summer camps for kids in Gaithersburg (at 200 West Diamond Avenue) and Silver Spring (at 818 University Blvd West). With a mixture of coding lessons as well as fun outdoor activities, they help kids learn while staying energized.
The coding camps teach concepts in Scratch, Robotics, Python, Javascript, HTML, and more. It’s an excellent way for kids to learn the foundations of programming and more advanced topics. Apart from learning about coding, they can also participate in outdoor activities with their peers, small breaks with games, and learn things like chess and playing music.
The day camps are a week-long running Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. There are full-day and half-day camps available, so you can choose whichever suits your family the best. There are multiple camp sessions starting in June and ending in August. Through their summer camps, campers can learn how to code in a fun manner.
Camp Wabanna
Camp Wabanna is in Edgewater, Maryland, where the Rhode River feeds into the West River. Established in 1941, this nondenominational Christian ministry offers both residential and day camps for kids. At Camp Wabanna, kids have 23 acres of land to explore, make new friends, and have a good time.
There are residential, day, and leadership programs. Each program keeps your children busy with engaging artistic and athletic activities, daily bible studies, chapel services, and much more. Kids can enjoy water sports such as sailing, kayaking, and tubing, but challenge courses and team-building games are always enjoyable as well.
Camp Wabanna provides children with the opportunity to try new activities and form fantastic memories with their friends.
Camp St. Charles
Operating out of Southern Maryland, Camp St. Charles has been providing good times for almost 70 years. Back in 1952, Camp St. Charles was established as a Catholic boys’ camp but now offers programs for all children aged 6 through 13. They are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), so you can be sure your children will have a wonderful camp experience.
Camp St. Charles offers week-long, unplugged overnight sessions all summer long. During their stay, kids will get the opportunity to try a whole host of unique activities such as horseback riding, arts and crafts, canoeing, a high ropes course, and more. As Camp St. Charles is on a wooded peninsula between the Charleston Creek and the Wicomico River, water-based pursuits are common here. Certified instructors teach kids new skills while ensuring everyone stays safe.
Bar-T
Since 1985, Bar-T has been operating out of Gaithersburg, Maryland to provide all children with a memorable summer. This family-owned and operated organization offers an array of programs at three camp locations to suit the needs of your family as well as your children’s interests.
The Ranch, Mountainside, and Kids Camp are their three main programs, but Bar-T also has specialty camps. All options are week-long day camps for children ages 5 through 13.
The Ranch camp is in Montgomery County on a 12-acre farm. Kids can enjoy the upgraded pool, play on top-tier sports fields, and explore their musical interests. Certified counselors will lead their teams through many activities such as climbing walls, archery, swimming, music, dance, and arts and crafts.
The traditional Mountainside camp at Bar-T is in Fredrick County on 115 acres of farmland. The biggest attractions at this location include a 700-foot zip line and a 50-foot climbing wall. Mountainside is the perfect mix of athletics and creativity as well as nature and indoor fun.
The Bar-T Kids day camps serve the communities of Montgomery and Fredrick counties. Both indoor and outdoor facilities create a well-rounded program by offering a mix of STEM activities, sports, and crafts.
Camp Sonshine International
Located in Silver Spring, Camp Sonshine International offers traditional summer camps and themed options for children of different ages in Montgomery County. There are six traditional programs, but their differences lie in age rather than the itinerary. Each program fits the needs and different ability levels of the kids, but they all have water-based activities, arts, and sports. Older kids even get to take field trips to trampoline and amusement parks.
There are three specialty programs at Camp Sonshine International. This summer camp focus on a particular interest, such as STEM, art, or coding. Both the STEM and art camp are suitable for children in first through sixth grade. The coding program is for kids in third through eighth grade.
At STEM camp, children will get to experience mathematical, architectural, and artistic design challenges. They will build their understanding of basic concepts and get to dive into their interests using Legos and Minecraft programming. The Coding camp is perfect for beginners and experts alike. Kids get to create their own Roblox game and work on their skills using Minecraft.
Art camp gives kids the chance to try an array of mediums and techniques to improve their artistic skills. Knowledgeable instructors teach both general and visual mediums. The program’s graphic design, drawing, and sculpting activities are some of the top favorites.
Club SciKidz
ClubSciKidz is a science-based organization dedicated to fostering excitement in STEM areas. Established in 1997 in Elkridge, Maryland, this inventive summer camp has stayed updated with the latest technology. Club SciKidz has at least eight programs for each of its four age groups. From chemistry to engineering and game design, all kids ages 4 through 15 have plenty to choose from.
There are 20 distinct hands-on activities each week as well as multiple outdoor sessions per day. Throughout the summer, there are over 50 sessions to suit the interests and abilities of every child. All Club SciKidz directors have the sufficient training to introduce kids to the world of STEM.
Their day camps provide the perfect environment for personal youth development and where students can increase their tech skills.
Camp Rock
Located in Parkville, Maryland, Camp Rock is a faith-based day program for boys and girls ages 4 through 12. This non-profit organization offers 11 weeks of summer fun full of engaging and exciting activities. Camp Rock focuses on academic enrichment, religious devotion, and themed fun.
Kids will have the chance to try STEM activities, nature exploration, rope courses, on-site field trips, and water games. Daily prayer sessions open up each morning, followed by jam-packed schedules to keep every child entertained. Every day, children get individual and team time to explore their unique fascinations at this day camp.
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