Resources to Find Camps:
ActivityRocket: Search for camps based on interest, location, date and time and share information with friends. You can sign up for emails to get registration openings and deadlines reminders. They also offer early bird specials.
CertifiKid: The daily deals site is always updating its camp deals. We found some camps more than 40 percent off.
CampEasy: Search by metro area and by area of interest, such as performing arts or outdoor exploration.
Tips to save money and time:
- Start looking NOW - many early bird savings expire March 1.
- Ask about sibling discounts, multi-week discounts, and refer-a-friend discounts.
- Recruit a group of kids and approach a camp director and negotiate a group discount.
- Don't forget your community colleges. Montgomery College, for example, offers summer youth programs including Minecraft Camps, Financial Fitness for Teens, Secret Agent Camp, Duct Tape Art Camp.
Some camps fill up fast - so sign up NOW:
- Traditional day camps such as Bullis Summer Programs, ESF Summer Camps at Georgetown Prep, Headfirst, YMCA camps, and anything with swimming lessons.
- Specialized camps such as tennis, gymnastics, karate, martial arts, dance, horseback riding, cooking. Browse more then 200 activity interests and access thousands of camp options. Spring activities too!
A few unique activities for kids of every age and interest to try during the summer:
- For outdoor adventure: Calleva, which offers stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, caving, mountain biking and fishing.
- To bring out the sillies: Bullis' Circus Camp
- Toddlers who are ready for camp fun: Funfit Organically Grown Gym, The Little Gym, and My Gym
- STEM programs: Club Scientific Chesapeake, with locations in Silver Spring and Olney, offers Camp Grossology, Camp Emergency Medicine, Camp iPhone and iPad Game Design, Camp Jurassic, Camp QuadCopter Aerial Robotics and Camp Special Effects.
- For hands on fun in the visual and performing arts: Maryland's Glen Echo Park and Virginia's Jimmy Potters Studio.
- Theatre camp: Acting for Young People, Encore Stage & Studio, or Drama Kids International
- Music camp: Cleftone Music or the Academy of Fine Arts
- Yoga and meditation: Yo Girl Yoga, Simon Says Yoga
- My Gym in Bethesda
- Imagine Wellness
Best area camps for kids with special needs:
- Fitness for Health
- Funfit Organically Grown Gym
- Great & Small Therapeutic Riding
- Imagine Wellness
- JCC of Greater Washington and Northern VA
- Recreation Departments such as Montgomery County Recreation offer half- and full-day summer programs for youth and teens with physical disabilities, autism, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities and ADD/ADHD.
