⚠️ A quick note on pricing
A lot of these camps set the price when you register, since the cost depends on the week or session you choose. Where that's the case we've said so and linked you straight to the source. Where we found a real number, it's here.
🧸 FOR THE LITTLE ONES (ages 2 to 5)
The pre-K crew gets a full summer too. Here's where to point the toddlers.
MY GYM WALDORF SUMMER BREAK CAMP
Ages 3½ to 10 | June 10 to Aug. 21 | 📍 My Gym, Waldorf | 💲 Half and full-day rates posted on their page
Active, themed weeks built around obstacle courses, games, and movement, with rotating themes like robotics, space, and nature. The best part for busy parents is the flexible day-by-day option, so you don't have to commit to a whole week if you don't need it.
ANIMAL ADVENTURES CAMP AT GRACE LUTHERAN
Ages 2 to 10 | June 15 to Aug. 7, Mon to Fri 9am to 3pm (before and after care available) | 📍 Grace Lutheran Church & School, 1200 Charles St., La Plata | 💲 See registration
Themed weekly adventures through the animal kingdom with crafts, water-play days, cooking projects, and special guests like animal shows and a bubble performer. It's a nurturing, full-day option for the younger set, and the before and after care makes it work for a 9-to-5.
LIBERTY LIONS GREAT ADVENTURE SUMMER CAMP
Ages 2 to 12 | June 22 to Aug. 21 | 📍 Liberty Christian Church, 2360 Old Washington Road, Waldorf | 💲 See registration
A full-day, childcare-style camp with creative play, themed weeks, games, and plenty of social time. If you need reliable coverage across the whole season for a younger kid, this is built for exactly that.
COUNTY PRESCHOOL & MINI CAMPS
Roughly ages 3 to 5 | Summer 2026 | 📍 Elite Gymnastics and community centers | 💲 See the brochure
Charles County Rec & Parks has a handful of options for the littlest campers, including Lil' Munchkin Mini Camp, Pre-School Gymnastics, and Princess Academy. Ages, weeks, and pricing are all in the MyRec portal.
🎒 FOR THE SCHOOL-AGE CREW (ages 6 to 12)
The big middle. Sports, art, STEM, skating, paintball, and the county's flagship day camps.
CHARLES COUNTY REC & PARKS DAY CAMPS
Ages 6 to 14 | June 22 to July 31, Mon to Fri 8am to 4pm (before and after care 6:30am to 6pm) | 📍 Five sites: Berry Elementary, Billingsley, Henson, Somers, and Elite Gymnastics | 💲 Per-week fee, register by the week
This is the county's backbone day camp, and it's a solid one. Arts and crafts, sports, organized games, a pool trip and a field trip or special guest every week, all wrapped around a new theme. You register week by week, so you can build the summer that fits your schedule. No camp July 3, and that week is prorated.
CHARLES COUNTY SPECIALTY CAMPS (40-PLUS TO CHOOSE FROM)
Various ages 5 to 14 | Throughout summer 2026 | 📍 Locations across the county | 💲 See the brochure
If your kid has a specific obsession, the county probably has a camp for it. The weekly specialty list runs deep: ARTSCamp, Baseball, Believe Basketball, Brazilian United Soccer, Brick Inspiration LEGO and Animation, Cooking 101, Dance, Kayak and Fishing at Mattawoman Creek, Little Eagles Running, Mad Scientist week, and a lot more. Worth a slow scroll through the brochure.
CCPS SUMMER CAMPS
Grades 4 to 8 | Summer 2026 | 📍 Davis, 2495 Davis Road, Waldorf | 💲 $50 per day, snacks and lunch included (no transportation)
The school system's academic-enrichment day camps, and at $50 a day with meals included, they're one of the better values around. Good for keeping skills sharp without it feeling like school.
SCIENCE CENTER STEM ONE-DAY CAMP
Grades 4 to 8 | June 18, 8am to 3pm | 📍 James E. Richmond Science Center, Indian Head | 💲 $50
One day, all STEM. Campers dig into a science, tech, engineering, and math project they can actually finish before pickup. A low-commitment way to test whether your kid catches the bug.
PAINT N SIP SUMMER ART CAMP
Ages 6 to 13 | June 22 to Aug. 21 | 📍 11110 Mall Circle, Waldorf | 💲 Set at registration (all supplies, a camp T-shirt, snacks and drinks included)
A bright, encouraging studio with a new painting or hands-on project every day. Supplies and snacks are part of the deal, so you just drop off and go. A great pick for the kid who'd paint all day if you let them.
AR WORKSHOP LA PLATA DIY ART CAMPS
School-age | Weekly themed sessions June to Aug., about 2½ hours, AM or PM | 📍 317 Charles Street, La Plata | 💲 From about $210 to $275 per session
Every week has its own theme, tie-dye, room décor, accessories, sewing, and kids leave with personalized projects they made themselves. Small, guided groups, so it stays hands-on. Check the calendar for which weeks are running.
KIDSSTREAM STEM SUMMER CAMP
Ages 4 to 13 | July 6 to Aug. 7 | 📍 401 Post Office Road, Waldorf | 💲 See registration
Hands-on science, innovation, and creative learning with themed weeks and field trips. A nice fit for the curious kid who likes to build, test, and take things apart.
MOBILE STEAAM SOLUTIONS CAMP
Ages 5 to 11 | June 15 to 26 | 📍 Charles County Fairgrounds, La Plata | 💲 See registration
Science, tech, engineering, arts, AI, and math, all built around interactive projects that reward creativity and problem-solving. One of the earlier-starting camps on this list, so good for filling that first stretch of summer.
CAMP SURGE
Ages 4 to 14 | June 29 to July 31 | 📍 11805 Pika Dr., Ste. 3, Waldorf | 💲 See registration
🔗 Sign up
High-energy days mixing games, fitness, teamwork, and cheer fundamentals with arts and crafts. A good outlet for the kid who needs to move.
WALDORF MARTIAL ARTS SUMMER SPORT & KARATE CAMP
Ages 5 to 12 | Weekly sessions, late June to Aug. 14 | 📍 Waldorf Martial Arts, Waldorf | 💲 Set at registration (call 301-645-1650)
Daily karate classes mixed with team games, arts and crafts, park visits, swimming, and weekly field trips. It builds confidence and discipline, and it burns off a remarkable amount of summer energy.
CAPITAL CLUBHOUSE SUMMER FUN SKATING CAMP
Ages 6 to 17 | Weeks of June 15, June 22, July 6, and Aug. 3 | 📍 3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf | 💲 Set at registration (call 301-932-4348)
The coolest camp in town, literally. Days mix ice skating with crafts, games, and off-ice sports, which makes it a perfect escape when July turns brutal.
FLIPS GYM / SHARON'S STUDIO / NINJA ZONE
School-age | Summer 2026 sessions (schedule posted on their site) | 📍 10559 Middleport Lane, White Plains | 💲 Set at registration
Gymnastics, dance, and ninja-style obstacle courses led by experienced instructors. A great fit for kids who'd rather flip than sit. Dates and pricing are still going up, so check before you plan around it.
FUTURE CEO LEADERSHIP SUMMER CAMP
Grades Pre-K to 6 | June 22 to Aug. 12, Mon to Fri 8am to 4pm | 📍 10545 Middleport Lane, White Plains and 29962 Killpeck Creek Court, Charlotte Hall | 💲 See registration
Project-based days that build leadership, communication, entrepreneurship, and STEM-innovation skills. If you've got a kid with big ideas, this leans right into it.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND PAINTBALL SUMMER CAMP
Ages 6 and up | July 22 | 📍 11272 Edge Hill Rd., Newburg | 💲 Set at registration (equipment, unlimited low-impact ammo, lunch, drinks, shirt, and a free return pass all included)
A one-day, beginner-friendly, low-impact paintball camp focused on teamwork and strategy. Gear, ammo, and lunch are all part of the package, so they show up and you're done.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND SUMMER CAMP
Ages 6 to 17 | June 29 to Aug. 7, 9am to 4:30pm (before and after care available) | 📍 Indian Head location | 💲 See registration
STEM, arts and crafts, games, and social development with structured daily programming and a wide age range. A dependable, full-day option for the Indian Head side of the county.
PORT TOBACCO PLAYERS SUMMER THEATRE CAMP (ELEMENTARY)
Ages 6 through 5th grade | July 13 to 17, half-day | 📍 Port Tobacco Players Theater, 508 Charles St., La Plata | 💲 See registration
Acting, singing, and choreography building toward a live performance, no experience needed. A lovely confidence-builder for the kid who lights up on a stage.
CAMP ACCOMPLISH AT MELWOOD (INCLUSIVE)
Ages 5 to 18, day camp | June 22 to Aug. 21 | 📍 Melwood Recreation Center, 9035 Ironsides Road, Nanjemoy | 💲 Rates on their site, financial aid available
An inclusive camp for youth with and without disabilities, with outdoor adventure, a climbing wall, therapeutic riding, and a lot of confidence-building built in. Melwood works hard to keep it affordable with need-based aid.
🎓 FOR THE TEENS (ages 13 to 18)
Older kids need a summer plan too. These lean into skills, stages, and one genuinely free space program.
SCIENCE CENTER JUNIOR SPACE ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM (JSEP)
High schoolers, rising sophomores to seniors | July 13 to 31, 9am to 3pm | 📍 James E. Richmond Science Center, Indian Head | 💲 FREE
Our favorite can't-beat-the-price pick. A free, three-week immersive program run with the Space Foundation that preps teens for real STEM careers. Spots are limited, so this is one to apply for early.
CCPS AP BOOT CAMPS
Grades 9 to 12 | July 28 to 31, 8:30am to 3pm | 📍 Davis, 2495 Davis Road, Waldorf | 💲 $150 (financial assistance available)
Intensive prep for Advanced Placement coursework, run by the school system. If your teen is staring down a tough AP year, four focused days now can take the edge off come fall.
LCJ STYLES BEAUTY ESSENTIALS SUMMER CAMP
Ages 13 to 18 | June to July 2026 | 📍 Offered with Charles County Parks & Rec | 💲 See registration
A hands-on beauty and styling camp covering hairstyling, braiding, and beauty-industry basics, with a real focus on confidence and life skills. Something a little different for the teen who's into it.
PORT TOBACCO PLAYERS THEATRE CAMP (MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL)
Grades 6 to 8 (July 20 to 25) and grades 9 to 12 (July 27 to Aug. 1) | 📍 Port Tobacco Players Theater, 508 Charles St., La Plata | 💲 See registration
Acting, singing, choreography, and production work that builds toward a live show. A great fit for the theater kid, and a fun stretch for the one who's curious but shy.
🏕️ OVERNIGHT & SLEEPAWAY
For the kid who's ready, and the parent who's almost ready.
CAMP ST. CHARLES
Ages 6 to 13 (mentor program 14 to 15) | June 14 to Aug. 7 sessions | 📍 Camp St. Charles, Issue/Newburg | 💲 See registration
A traditional Catholic overnight camp right on the Potomac, with canoeing, paddleboarding, tubing, horseback riding, archery, a ropes course, and campfires. The kind of sleepaway summer kids talk about for years.
LIONS CAMP MERRICK DIABETIC & FAMILY SUMMER CAMP
Ages 6 to 16 | Family Camp June 23 to 26, Solo Camp June 28 to July 2 | 📍 3650 Rick Hamilton Place, Nanjemoy | 💲 See registration
A specialized overnight camp for children with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, with real medical support alongside swimming, canoeing, archery, and crafts. The family-camp option is a gentle way to ease into it together.
🏪 KNOW A CAMP WE MISSED?
Run a camp, or send your kid somewhere great that's not on this list? We'd love to add it. Reply to this email and we'll get it in front of your neighbors.
⏰ QUICK REMINDERS
📍 Free pick of the summer: the Science Center's JSEP space program for high schoolers, July 13 to 31. Apply early.
💲 Best low-cost values: CCPS camps at $50 a day with meals, and the Science Center's $50 STEM one-day on June 18.
🗓️ The county Day Camps register week by week, June 22 to July 31, so you can mix and match.
🎨 Most local Waldorf and La Plata picks: Paint N Sip, AR Workshop La Plata, Capital Clubhouse skating, and My Gym Waldorf.
⚡ Popular weeks fill fast, especially the free and low-cost ones. Sooner is better than later.
That’s it for this week.
Before you go,
Tell us where your kids are landing this summer. We're always hunting for the local camps that don't show up in a search, the church one, the neighbor who runs a little art week, the team clinic, so if you know one, send it our way for next time.
That's the guide.
From one local to another
— Candace