SUMMER CAMPS DIRECTORY
W ith each new milestone that our children reach comes the need for information to guide them (and us) through this
stage. This point is particularly true when our children are old enough to attend summer camp. How do we know which
camp is right for them? In an education-centered community like ours, parents can find many options. Use our summer
camp listings presented here to learn more about the camps, what they offer and the ages they serve.
il oc
ysk Visit WashingtonFAMILY.com for even more listings to help you in your search. Be sure to check our
V ael
ich website and our digital issues for more stories about camps for your children.
M y
S B
R Good luck! Here’s to a great summer.
E P
E OVE
M I
T -
T S
R 5 TIPS FOR FI
HT C
G I
N R
AM ALERT THE CAMP
TO ANY SPECIAL
CONCERNS OR NEEDS
EXPERIMENT FIRST
WITH SLEEPOVERS
While camp provides a real-
world experience of being
away from home, you don’t
want overnight camp to be
the first time your child has
ever spent the night away
from home and family.
To get your child
acclimated to the idea
of overnight camp, try
arranging for your child
to spend a night or a few
nights with relatives or at
the home of one of their
friends. Staying with
relatives and friends you
trust can help kids ease into
the idea of spending a night
or several nights away from
mom and dad.
INVITE YOUR CHILD TO
BE PART OF THE
CAMP SELECTION
PROCESS Parents often feel they need
to make all of the decisions
about camp. From researching
camps and speaking with
directors to organizing and
packing, the most important
person, your child, can get left
out of the process.
Help your son or daughter
take ownership in the camp
experience by involving your
child in the process as much
as possible. Especially when
it comes to an overnight
summer camp, the more
investment a child has in
the decision, the more he or
she will feel confident and
comfortable with the idea
of attending camp for the
first time.
KEEP COMMUNICATION
OPEN WITH YOUR CHILD Does your child need to take
Camps have protocols
in place for managing
communication between
campers and their parents.
Camps generally have
policies in place for handling
phone calls, emails and
letters from home.
Ask camp directors
about the best ways to keep
communication open with
your child during camp.
You may want to send a
few letters to your child in
advance of camp so that your
son or daughter receives
them when camp opens.
medication? Is your son or
daughter concerned about
being homesick?
Before camp begins, alert
the camp about any special
concerns or needs your child
may have. Camps are looking
out for your child as much as
you are looking out for your
child. The more information
the camp director, the
counselors and support staff
have, the more they all can
help your child acclimate to
the camp environment and
create a positive impression.
PACK SOME COMFORTS
FROM HOME
Your child may be attending
overnight camp for the first
time, but that doesn’t mean
he or she should feel totally
isolated from home. When
you’re packing for camp,
include personal objects that
remind your child of home.
A toy, a family photo or
favorite snacks are all
ways to make the overnight
experience more comforting
and pleasant for your child.
Sending your child to
overnight camp for the first
time is a major milestone.
You can make this experience
a loving and supportive one
for you and your child.
Learn more tips about sending your children to camp courtesy of the American Camp Association (acacamps.org) and on our website. n
28 Washington FAMILY APRIL 2022
DAY CAMPS
MARYLAND FATCAMERA/E+
ATMTC ACADEMY
SUMMER CAMPS
Ages: Grades 1-12
adventuretheatre-mtc.org registrar@adventuretheatre-mtc.org
301-251-5766 837 D Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
Traditional day, day camps, coed camps,
musical theater, fine arts
CAMP ACCOMPLISH
Ages: 5-18
melwood.org/recreation-programs/camp recreationcenter@melwood.org
301-870-3226 9035 Ironsides Road
Nanjemoy, MD 20662
Day camp, residential camp, boys and girls,
teens, sibling discount, transportation, arts
and crafts, cooking, drama and theater,
educational activities, field trips, horseback
riding, music, overnight camping, spe cial
needs, sports, swimming and yoga
CAMP SHEEO –
SHEEO ACADEMY
Ages: 7-16
beasheeo.com/camp contact@beasheo.com
Check website for locations in Maryland
866-697-4336 Girls only; educational activities
CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY
SUMMER CAMP
Ages: 5-12
chesterbrookacademy.com/camp 877-959-3746
More than 20 convenient locations
Sibling discount, extended day, arts,
educational activities, field trips and sports
IMAGINATION STAGE
SUMMER CAMPS
Ages: 3 ½-18
imaginationstage.org/camps/ summer-camps
registration@imaginationstage.org 301-280-1660
4908 Auburn Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
Drama, theater
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
OF MUSIC
Ages: 3-12
ismw.org; info@ismw.org
301-365-5888 10450 Auto Park Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20817
Drama, music
KIDS AFTER HOURS
Grades: K-6
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
301-933-6888 7 locations throughout Montgomery
County bob@kidsafterhours.com
kidsafterhours.com Specialties: Music, arts, swimming, sports,
archery, woodworking, etc.
SILVER STARS GYMNASTICS
Ages: 3 ½-15
gosilverstars.com classregistration@gosilverstars.com
301-589-0938 2701 Pittman Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-352-5777 14201 Woodcliff Court
Bowie, MD 20720
Gymnastics SPRING BILINGUAL
MONTESSORI SUMMER CAMP
Ages: 2 1/2-6
spring-bilingual.org info@spring-bilingual.org
301-962-7262 3514 Plyers Mill Road
Kensington, MD 20895
Sibling discount, extended day, arts and
educational activities
DAY CAMPS
VIRGINIA ART CAMP AT
THE ART LEAGUE
Ages: 5-teen
theartleague.org/classes school@theartleague.org
703-683-2323 305 Madison St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
Day camp, boys and girls, teens, arts and
crafts, boating, educational activities,
photography BASIS INDEPENDENT
SUMMER Ages: 2-18
Affiliation: BASIS Independent McLean
basisindependent.com/summer mclean-summer@basisindependent.com
703-854-1253 8000 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22102
Categories: Day camp, boys and girls, teens,
arts and crafts, dance, drama and theater,
educational activities, field trips, music
WashingtonFAMILY.com 29