📣Summer Camp Guide
Parents, this one's for you. I just put together a full 2026 Summer Camp Guide, every local camp I could find sorted by age, with prices, dates, and signup links. The free and low-cost ones fill fast, so don't wait on it.
7TH ANNUAL JUNETEENTH FREEDOM DAY
Saturday, June 20 | 1:00 PM 📍 Shops at Waldorf Center, 3003 Festival Way, Waldorf 💵 Free
If you do one thing this weekend, make it this. The Charles County Juneteenth Committee throws its biggest celebration of the year at the Shops at Waldorf Center, and it's the kind of afternoon the whole county shows up for. Food, vendors, performances, and a few hours dedicated entirely to freedom, culture, and community.
It's free and open to everyone, no ticket needed. Park, grab something to eat, and stay a while. The farmers market is running in the same lot that morning, so you can roll right from one into the other.
And if Friday works better for you, Indian Head has its own Juneteenth festival at the Village Green the day before. Two festivals, one weekend, both worth your time.
🏘️ COMMUNITY & SEASONAL PICKS
Two Juneteenth celebrations, ten days of restaurant deals, and a county that clearly has things to do.
JUNETEENTH: A CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM & THE ARTS
Friday, June 19 | 3:00–7:00 PM 📍 Village Green Pavilion, 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head 💵 Free
Indian Head's annual Juneteenth festival is back at the Village Green, hosted by the Nu Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Sigma Lambda Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. Expect cultural performances, music, and a warm, family-friendly afternoon rooted in the African diaspora. A meaningful way to honor the day right here in town.
CHARLES COUNTY RESTAURANT WEEK
Friday, June 19 – Sunday, June 28 | All day 📍 Participating restaurants countywide 💵 Varies
Ten days to eat your way across the county. Local restaurants roll out special menus and deals, so this is your excuse to finally try that spot you keep driving past. Check the Tourism page for the full list of participating eateries before you make a plan.
CHARLES COUNTY NAACP ACT-SO SHOWCASE
Saturday, June 20 | 10:30 AM 📍 The Space by LBI Collective, Waldorf 💵 From $55.20
The NAACP's ACT-SO program celebrates our county's talented young people across the arts, sciences, and humanities. Come cheer on local students and watch the next generation shine. Tickets are required, so grab yours ahead of time.
TOWN OF LA PLATA JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Friday, June 19 | 7:00–9:00 PM 📍 La Plata Town Hall, 305 Queen Anne St, La Plata 💵 Free
Back by popular demand, the Powerful Quiet Fire Soul Show brings the DMV's hottest show band to La Plata Town Hall for the town's Juneteenth celebration. If Friday's daytime festival in Indian Head doesn't fit your schedule, this is the evening move. Live music, community, and a real party energy.
🎵 LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
Go-go brunch on Saturday and a rock band closing out the weekend.
THE REAL BREAKFAST CLUB FT. NEW IMPRESSIONZ
Saturday, June 20 | 9:00 AM 📍 Shark Bar & Seafood House, Crain Highway, Waldorf 💵 See link
Brunch meets a live DMV go-go set, with New Impressionz bringing real band energy to Shark Bar. Good food, good music, and a lively crowd to start your Saturday right. Grab tickets ahead of time, these fill up.
SOCIAL
Saturday–Sunday, June 20–21 | Multiple times 📍 Apehangers, 9100 Crain Hwy, Bel Alton 💵 See link
Social is a high-energy party rock band built from seasoned Southern Maryland and Virginia Beach musicians, and they keep the dance floor moving. If your weekend needs a late-night soundtrack, Apehangers has you covered both Saturday and Sunday.
🎨 ARTS, WELLNESS & CREATIVE EXPERIENCES
Make something, decorate something for Dad, or just settle in for a good game night.
MADE FOR DAD: FATHER'S DAY CUPCAKE DECORATING
Saturday, June 20 | 12:00 PM 📍 11850 Park Waldorf Ln, Suite 109, Waldorf 💵 See link
A sweet, hands-on way to celebrate Dad. Decorate cupcakes together at this afternoon session, no baking skills required. Father's Day events fill up fast, so book ahead.
MADE FOR DAD: FATHER'S DAY CAKE DECORATING
Saturday, June 20 | 7:00 PM 📍 11850 Park Waldorf Ln, Suite 109, Waldorf 💵 See link
The evening edition of the Made for Dad series, where you decorate a full cake to honor your father figure. A creative, tasty way to spend Father's Day weekend if cupcakes feel too small for the occasion.
FATHER'S DAY CLASSY COMEDY BRUNCH
Sunday, June 21 | 1:00–4:00 PM 📍 Celebrations by Key Key, 3257 Plaza Drive, Waldorf 💵 See link
Treat Dad to brunch with a side of stand-up. This Father's Day comedy brunch pairs a good meal with laughs, which honestly might be the easiest gift on this list. Tickets ahead of time.
THE FRONT PORCH GAMES CLUB
Multiple dates 📍 The Green Coterie, Waldorf 💵 $23
A relaxed, grown-folks game night for the 30-plus crowd, built for real connection and front-porch energy instead of loud nightlife. Board games, cards, light refreshments, good music, and zero awkward networking. Come solo or bring your people.
PAINT & POUR SOCIAL
Saturday, June 20 | 7:00 PM 📍 Pearl's Event Boutique, Waldorf 💵 From $39.19
Sip, paint, and unwind at this guided paint-and-pour. No experience needed, just show up ready to relax and make something colorful. Works as a date night or a girls' night.
A PAINT N SIP MURDER MYSTERY EXPERIENCE
Saturday, June 20 | 7:00 PM 📍 Paint N Sip, Waldorf 💵 See link
Part painting class, part whodunit. Solve the mystery while you work on your canvas at this interactive evening, a clever twist on the usual paint night. One of several things Paint N Sip is running this week.
CUSTOM JUNKBAG PARTY
Saturday, June 20 | 2:00 PM 📍 Paint N Sip, Waldorf 💵 See link
Design and decorate your own custom bag at this hands-on afternoon session. Creative, social, and you walk out with something you actually made.
LINKED UP! BRING YOUR FAVORITE PERSON
Saturday, June 20 | 2:00 PM 📍 The Green Coterie, Waldorf 💵 See link
A connection-focused afternoon at Waldorf's cozy wellness space. Bring a friend, partner, or family member and just spend time being present together. The Green Coterie always does community well.
BIRTHDAY MONTH WOMEN'S GATHERING
Saturday, June 20 | 5:00 PM 📍 The Green Coterie, Waldorf 💵 See link
A celebratory women's gathering for anyone with a June birthday, and anyone who just wants to celebrate. Good vibes, community, and a welcoming room at The Green Coterie.
👨👩👧 KIDS & FAMILY
Paintball with Dad, cartwheels, LEGO robots, and a way to beat the heat.
FATHER'S DAY PAINTBALL
Saturday, June 20 | 11:00 AM 📍 Southern Maryland Paintball, 11272 Edge Hill Road, Newburg 💵 See link
Round up the family for a Father's Day weekend paintball outing in Newburg. Active, outdoorsy, and a fun way to let Dad show off a little. Gear up and book your spot ahead of time.
DADDY & ME FATHER'S DAY PAINT DATE
Saturday, June 20 | 10:00 AM 📍 Joyful Studio, La Plata 💵 See link
A father-child painting session for Father's Day weekend. Make some art and some memories together at Joyful Studio in La Plata. Book ahead, these go quick.
CARTWHEEL & FLIPS CLINIC
Sunday, June 21 | 12:00 PM 📍 My Gym of Waldorf 💵 See link
A tumbling clinic where kids work on cartwheels, flips, and a little confidence. A perfect way to burn off energy on Father's Day Sunday. Registration required.
SUMMER BASH
Friday, June 19 | 5:00 PM 📍 Game Lab Arcade, 11110 Mall Circle (St. Charles Towne Center), Waldorf 💵 See link
Game Lab Arcade kicks off summer with a bash: unlimited arcade play, VR, and games for the whole family. A great beat-the-heat option, and an easy yes if the kids are home for the holiday.
LEGO SPIKE ESSENTIALS BUILD SESSION
Wednesday, June 17 | 2:00–3:00 PM 📍 Potomac Branch Library 💵 Free
Kids team up to build and program with LEGO Spike Essentials kits. Hands-on STEM that feels a lot more like play than learning. Free at the Potomac Branch.
UNLAZY RIVER
Wednesday, June 17 | 3:00–4:00 PM 📍 P.D. Brown Memorial Library 💵 Free
A water-themed afternoon program to get the kids moving at the P.D. Brown Branch. Free, and a good way to shake off the midweek summer restlessness.
📚 LIBRARY & LEARNING
A community mural, local queer history, and a CPR class worth the hour. (Reminder: all branches close Friday for Juneteenth.)
CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH – COMMUNITY MURAL PROJECT
Monday, June 15 – Thursday, June 18 | All day 📍 La Plata Branch Library 💵 Free
Add your mark to a collaborative mural honoring Juneteenth, on display all week at the La Plata Branch. A drop-in art-and-history project for all ages, and free to join.
SPEAKING PRIDEFULLY: SOUTHERN MARYLAND QUEER HISTORY
Thursday, June 18 | 5:30–7:30 PM 📍 Waldorf West Branch Library 💵 Free
The Historical Society's Queer Research & Advisory Board shares the often-overlooked LGBTQ+ history of Southern Maryland. An evening of local stories, history, and conversation. Free.
FATHER'S DAY CPR AWARENESS
Saturday, June 20 | 12:00 PM 📍 Waldorf West Library 💵 See link
A Father's Day weekend CPR awareness session with MSD Health Consultants. Learn the basics that could one day save a loved one's life. Practical, hands-on, and a meaningful way to honor the dads in your life.
EVERYDAY ENERGY WITH SMECO
Monday, June 15 (La Plata Branch) & Thursday, June 18 (Potomac Branch) | 6:00–7:00 PM 💵 Free
SMECO walks adults through practical ways to save energy and money at home. Offered twice this week, so bring your questions about that electric bill.
🏛️ LOCAL GOVERNMENT & CIVIC MEETINGS
Your county is making decisions this week. Here's where to show up. (No meetings Friday — Juneteenth holiday.)
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING (HYBRID)
Monday, June 15 | 6:00 PM 📍 County Government Building, La Plata (and virtual) 💵 Free
The Planning Commission reviews development and land-use matters. Open to the public in person or online.
ANIMAL MATTERS HEARING BOARD
Tuesday, June 16 | 6:00 PM 📍 County Government Building, La Plata 💵 Free
The board hears animal-related cases and appeals. Open to the public.
BOARD OF ELECTRICAL EXAMINERS AND SUPERVISORS (HYBRID)
Wednesday, June 17 | 4:00 PM 📍 County Government Building, La Plata (and virtual) 💵 Free
The board handles electrical licensing and examination matters. Open to the public in person or online.
BOARD OF FIRE AND RESCUE
Thursday, June 18 | 7:00 PM 📍 County Government Building, La Plata 💵 Free
The Board of Fire and Rescue meets on county fire and EMS matters. Open to the public.
How to Watch: Can't make it in person? Charles County Government TV (CCGTV) streams most public meetings live and archives them afterward. Check charlescountymd.gov for the viewing schedule.
🛍️ SHOP LOCAL & POP-UPS
Two markets this week, both worth a bag and a slow stroll.
LA PLATA FARMERS MARKET
Wednesday, June 17 & Saturday, June 20 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM 📍 Downtown La Plata 💵 Free to attend
A beloved local market with fresh produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and makers. Running both Wednesday and Saturday this week, so bring a bag and shop local.
SHOPS AT WALDORF CENTER FARMERS MARKET
Saturday, June 20 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM 📍 Shops at Waldorf Center, 3003 Festival Way, Waldorf (lot near CAVA) 💵 Free to attend
Fresh fruits and veggies plus local soaps, honey, baked goods, and flowers every Saturday through mid-November. Free, no registration, and it's in the same lot as Saturday's Juneteenth Freedom Day, so you can make a morning of it.
🧠 Quick Reminders
🟥 Juneteenth Freedom Day — Sat 1 PM at the Shops at Waldorf, free and the big one
🟥 Indian Head Juneteenth — Fri 3–7 PM at the Village Green, free
🍽️ Restaurant Week kicks off Friday and runs ten days
🎤 Go-go brunch with New Impressionz — Sat 9 AM at Shark Bar
🧁 Made for Dad cupcake (noon) and cake (7 PM) decorating, Saturday
🔫 Father's Day paintball — Sat 11 AM in Newburg
📚 All CCPL branches and county offices closed Friday for Juneteenth
🥗 Two farmers markets Saturday morning, both free
Know a hidden local business?
You can nominate one for a future issue → Here
That’s it for this week.
Before you go,
Hit reply and tell me where you landed this weekend, whether it was the Freedom Day festival, a plate from Restaurant Week, or paintball with Dad. And if you know an event I should have on next week's radar, send it my way.
That's the week.
From one local to another
— Candace