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.
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
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
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
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 :
- Charles County Parks & Recreation- Bags
- Chick-fil-A Waldorf & La Plata– Kids Meal Cards
- Foster’s Grill- Coupons
- Helen Carpenter Realtor– Candy
- Kids By The Bay Dental– Tooth Brushes
- Kristy Matthai-Dosberg Century 21 New Mellenium– Goody Bags
- Melwood– Lip Balm
- Port Discovery Children’s Museum– Coupon (Code: PLAYFUL2023 $5 off Admission Exp: May 31, 2023)
- Sacred Heart Church– Bracelets
- Texas Road house of La Plata– Free Kids Meal Coloring Books & Stickers
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
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
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
MY GYM
Details: Programs available kids ages 3-12.
Contact: 301-932-8000
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
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
April 5, 2023 at 7:03 am
Always a great run down of the camps available to our youth! Thank you.
April 23, 2023 at 11:02 am
We love everything you take the time to post! Thank you so much for all your hard work to make it a bit easier on us other parents!