On April 2, 2023 Charles County Parks and Recreation and The Playful Parent partnered together to host this years annual Summer Camp & Activity Fair. The dream of hosting a summer camp fair came to life in 2018; this year marks the sixth year hosting a summer camp fair! I was excited that so many families came out and were able to collect information from a handful of camps and programs. Just in case you couldn’t make it out to the event, or if you had information overload; here’s all the information you need to plan out the summer. Please keep in mind that The Playful Parent is a resources page, if you need more information please contact the individual camps or businesses.

CAMPS & PROGRAMS AT THE FAIR

ALICE FERGUSON FOUNDATION HARD BARGAIN FARM

Details: There’s no better way to spend summer break than at Hard Bargain Farm! Led by our experienced educators, kids will explore the woods, wetlands, and Potomac riverbank, with activities such as canoeing, finding tadpoles, and watching the eagles! Our unique barnyard allows kids to experience life on the farm – get to know our lovable goats, milk a cow, dig in the garden. Your children will spend every day outside exploring nature life on our beautiful 330-acre property in Accokeek, MD.

Age Range: 5-12

Cost: Half Day $155/Full $290

Phone: 301-292-5665
Email: education@fergusonfoundation.org

Camp Link: https://www.fergusonfoundation.org/visit-the-farm/summer-camps/

ATLANTIC KAYAK 

Details: Atlantic Kayak and Charles County Parks and Rec, have teamed up to provide a Kayaking & Fishing Camp. Every day is an adventure at Kayak and Fishing Camp. Learn to kayak and fish the freshwater tidal area of Mattawoman Creek. Paddle skills will build, and fishing techniques will be explored. Campers will kayak and fish each day! Basic swimming skills preferred. Friday will be used in the event of inclement weather.

Age Range: 8-12

Cost: $300

Registration LINK

Website: https://www.atlantickayak.com

A TIME TO DANCE

Details: A Time To Dance is a safe and exciting way for children ages 18 months-18 years old to connect to the art of dance. Camp includes Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Creative Movement, Yoga, Crafts and so much more! Monday-Friday. Spots are limited to 10 kids per week.

Ages Range: 5-12
Cost: $140/Dancer | $125/Dancer if registered by June 1st, 2023
Registration LINK

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Details: Beyond the Classroom, Inc. is a nonprofit with the mission to introduce children and young adults to people, places and things that they would not normally or easily have access to in their daily lives. By providing unique, educational and fun experiences, we empower youth to see the world outside of their classroom and neighborhood. Camps available for a variety of ages and interests.

Age Range: 8-17

Email: info@beyondtheclassroom.inc

Phone: 301-632-6932

Link

CENTER FOR CHILDREN

Details: The Center for Children is a private nonprofit dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and the promotion of positive mental health through crisis intervention, therapy and education. Programs include: mental health clinic, substance abuse programming, youth intervention & engagement program, healthy families program, care coordination, supervised visitation and (CASA) court advocacy.

Phone: 301-609-9887
Website: https://www.center-for-children.org/

CHARLES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Details: The Health Department provides a variety of services for residents of all ages. A big thank you to them for handing out tons of cool freebies.

Phone: 301-609-6900
Website: https://www.charlescountyhealth.org/

CHARLES COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION

Details: join CCPR this summer for an exciting lineup of fun and safe summer camps! From aquatics and specialty themed to sports and special needs, we are bound to have something that’s right for you! Our camps fill quickly so don’t hesitate – register today!

Age Range: Camps available ages 3-15

Cost: Affordable varies by camp: $75-$300

Phone: 301-932-3470

Registration LINK

Camp Brochure LINK

COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND (CSM)- KIDS AND TEEN COLLEGE

Details: Spark curiosity and unleash your child’s creativity this summer. Kids and Teens College at CSM offers over 350 online and in-person classes tailored to their interests, for ages 5-17. They’ll dive deep into the subjects they’re excited about and discover new passions, with kids their own age, with classes like: cooking with friends, hair care for teens, Roblox, digital art and more!

Age Range: 5-12

Cost: Affordable varies by camp: $100- $225

Phone: 301-934-2251

Email: askme@csmd.edu

Website LINK

CUSTOM CREATIONS- HAIR CARE TRAINING

Details: Learn the basics about hair care from a professional hair designer. In this course students will learn the importance of hair care, how to style, and how to care for your hair tools in a fun, hands-on learning environment.

Age Range: 7-15

Link

DISCOVER EARTH CAMP

Details: Discover Earth Camp hosts  a variety of topics all centered around earth systems science. Topics include Weather, Climate, Energy, Oceans, Nature, Geology, Environment, Chemistry, Coding and the Arts. This camp will be available through Charles County Parks and Recreation.

Age Range: 6-12

Website

Registration LINK

FISCH INFLATABLES

Details: Big thank you to Fisch Inflatables Party Rentals! Bounce house rentals for providing a moon bounce for all the kids to enjoy at the event!

Phone: 240-563-2623
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fischinflatablesllc

Website: https://www.fischinflatables.com/

LITTLE EAGLES CHEER CAMP

Details: Join us for this summer camp into gymnastics and cheer. The day will be split with gymnastics rotations in the morning and Cheer technique in the afternoon. Campers will have a park/pool day at one of the Charles County Recreation, Parks and Tourism’s parks and outdoor pools.

Cost:$250

Registration LINK

PORT TOBACCO PLAYERES- CAMP MOCKABEE

Details: There are three camps available this summer.  Elementary School (ages 6 thru 5th grade) July 24-28, 2023. Join PTP for a fantastical journey through theatre with daily workshops ranging from acting and choreography to hair and make up and much, much more! $125

Middle School (grades 6-8) August 7-12, 2023. Produce a one-act Broadway musical The Music Man. No experience needed! $250

High School (grades 9th thru 12th) July 31-August 5, 2023. Joining in helping produce a one-act Broadway musical, Finding Nemo Jr. Actors, singers, designers and technicians all needed for this production. $250

Registration LINK

PURE PLAY EVERY DAY 

Pure Play Every Day just opened up a STEAM Room! The STEAM Room is an indoor play space filled with unique materials to play, create and imagine! This space is for your child to explore science, technology, engineering, art and math.  This is great opportunity for summer play with friends. You can rent the room or sign-up for special drop-in events over the summer.

Cost: $10 per kid

Phone: 240-416-9727

Email: info@pureplayeveryday.com

Website LINK

PUMP IT UP-JUMP-N-ART CAMP

Details: Let your child spend time exploring their inner artist, laughing, playing games and bouncing on the state-of-the-art inflatables at Pump-It-Up’s Jump-N-Art Camp! This camp emphasizes the joy or self-exploration through art.

Age Range: 4-12

Cost Range: $100-200

Phone: 301-638-5867
Registration Link: Jump-N-Art Link

Website: www.pumpitupparty.com/waldorf-md/other-ways-to-play/kids-camp/

SACRED HEART SUMMER CAMP

Details:  Sacred Heart Summer Camp is a Catholic day camp located at Archbishop Neale School in La Plata. We run for 6 weeks, and each week our campers get to choose from a wide variety of camps: soccer, dance, art, survival, Minecraft, war games, cooking & baking, theater, and so many more! Our camp runs Monday-Friday from 9am-12noon, but we also offer extended care beginning at 6:30am and ending at 5:30pm.

Age Range:  4-13, with volunteer positions for teens started at age 14

Cost: $98 per child per week

Phone: 240-901-2254
Email: summercamp@sacredheartlaplata.org

Website: https://www.sacredheartlaplata.org/summer-camp.html

SHARRON STUDIO, FLIPS GYM & NINJA ZONE 

Details: Sharon’s Studio offers year round dance and gymnastics classes. During the summer they offer three fun programs for kids; Dance Camp, Ninja Camp and Gymnastics Camp July 5-July 28, 2022. Camp sessions include specialized class, craft, snack and games. Sessions run Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Age Range: 3 1/2 – 10

Cost: Prices start at $70 a session

Phone: 301-645-6763
Email: sharonsflipsandninja@gmail.com

Camp Link: https://www.sharonsstudio.com/southern-md-summer-programs.htm

SKY ZONE – CAMP ELEVATE

Details: Cultivate social, emotional and academic elevation! Interactive STEAM projects, literacy enrichment, open jump times, daily fitness, yoga and mindfulness instruction and snacks provided.

Age Range: 6-13 (Campers will be grouped by grade lever.)

Cost: $220 per camper per week

Registration LINK

WALDORF SUMMER CAMP 

Details: Where every day is an adventure with memories that will last a lifetime. Located in Waldorf, MD, Waldorf Summer Camp’s mission is to provide safe, affordable, high-quality summer camp experiences to elementary school children.  To develop critical thinking skills.  We have a high staff to camper ratio that ensures every camper at Waldorf Summer Camp has an excellent and unique camp experience in a safe and fun atmosphere.

Cost: $225 per week

Registration LINK

SWAG BAG SPONSORS

The swag bags were awesome this year thanks to :

GIVEAWAYS & DOOR PRIZES

A huge thank you to the door prize donations:

Think Fun- Board Games: Free Fall, Gravity Maze and Disney Word Go Round

Shanon’s Dance Studio – Week of Camp

Melwood- Week of Camp

Beyond the Classroom- Gift Bag

CAMPS & PROGRAMS NOT AT THE FAIR

ARISE ACADEMY CAMP

Details: Let your light shine with Arise academy camp. Offering individual tutoring, learning pods, homeschooling, after care and summer camp programs.
Email: ariseacademycamp@gmail.com
Website: Link

HUMANE SOCIETY OF CHARLES COUNTY

Details: The Humane Society of Charles County Summer Camp provides a variety of day camps for children that help to foster a sense of empathy and nurture a desire for stewardship of animals and our environment through fun lessons, crafts, knowledgeable visitors, and live animal interactions. Age Range: 6-12 Years Old

Link

 

GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA

Details: The Girl Scouts of America offer summer camps and programs all summer long for girls ages 5-17.

Email: customercare@gscnc.org

Link

 

KIDSTREAM, INC

Details: KidsSTEAM, Inc where every kid has a dream. Learn more about their awesome summer camps, tutoring programs, parent workshops and more.

Phone: 301-392-7052

Link

 

MY GYM 

Details: Programs available kids ages 3-12.
Contact: 301-932-8000

Link

WALDORF MARTIAL ARTS

Details: Camps focuses on physical fitness through organized play and games.  We also have morning and afternoon Karate classes in which students learn skills and drills of Taekwondo (a Korean style of Karate).  Age Range: 6 to 12 year of age

Phone: 301-645-1650

Link

GIVEAWAY

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope the guide helps your family connect to some summer fun! Enter to win a copy of these cool board games by Think Fun and Ravensburger! A winner will be randomly drawn on Friday April 7, 2023. To enter:

  • LIKE the post
  • COMMENT your favorite thing about summer
  • SHARE the post to help connect the community with resources