February 24, 2025
Lauren Burke Meyer
|
Contributor
There are two camps of parents:
If you fall into that second camp (hi, it’s me too 👋), don’t worry. We’re here for you and sharing some of the best local summer camp options for all ages, interests, and price ranges.
Right out of the gate, I’m sharing church camps because they’re the most affordable. Good news—you don’t have to be a member at each church. Go ahead and sign up for multiple local ones!
Annapolis Churches Team Up
These churches will join forces to provide Vacation Bible School at the Eastport United Methodist Church (926 Bay Ridge Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403).
Schedule: August 11-13, 9 AM to 3 PM. Lunch is provided.
Ages: Ages 4 (must be potty trained) to rising fifth graders. Expect lots of fun water games, bible stories, and more!
Cost: $20/child (scholarships available to families in need)
Registration opens online in May through all participating churches. Questions? Contact Miss Good from First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis at miss@annapolis-presbyterian.com or Tempest Strunge from St. Anne’s at strunge@stannes-annapolis.org.
Vacation Bible School at Severna Park United Methodist Church
731 Benfield Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146
Schedule: July 21-25, 1–4 PM
Ages: Kids 4 through 5th grade enjoy sports, bible stories, and more fun activities.
Cost: $30/child
Registration opens March 17 for church members and March 19 for community members.
Vacation Bible School at Severna Park Baptist Church
506 Benfield Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146
Schedule: July 7-11, 9 AM to 12:15 PM
Ages: Kids 4 through 5th grade participate in crafts, recreation, Bible study, music, and more. Snack is provided.
Cost: Free! They recommend a tax-deductible donation to The Blue Ribbon Project. The Blue Ribbon Project seeks to prevent all forms of child abuse and provide critical support to victims of abuse and neglect.
Registration should open here the week of April 21.
Nothing says the greater Chesapeake area like a nautical camp for kids, right? Some stellar options:
Mini-Mariners
410 Severn Ave, Suite 311, Annapolis, MD 21403
Ages: The ultimate summer boating camp for water-loving kids aged 8-11. Campers captain small boats with electric motors, gaining confidence as they learn steering, docking, and maneuvering. From navigating an obstacle course and exploring Spa Creek to playing boating games, they’ll make unforgettable memories. No prior boating experience necessary.
Schedule: Weekly sessions start June 2, Monday-Friday; morning session: 9 AM–12 PM and afternoon session: 1 PM–4 PM
Cost: $500 per session
Annapolis Sailing School
7001 Bembe Beach Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403
Ages: With half- and full-day camps for little sailors all the way to advanced camps, there’s a camp for everyone age 5 to 16.
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 12 PM (half days); 9 AM to 3 PM (full days). See the full schedule when you register.
Cost:
While the church camps are all fantastic options for preschoolers, this one sticks out as another Scoop camp favorite for this age group:
St. Anne’s School Summer Explorers Camp
3112 Arundel on the Bay Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403
Ages: 3.5 year-olds to rising Kindergarteners (must be potty trained)
Schedule: 8-week program begins June 16 through August 8, 9 AM to 3 PM (before and after care available for added costs). This is a no-brainer for parents in need of care for tiny tots all summer or for caregivers looking to engage toddlers for simply one week. Campers will learn, play, and explore!
Cost: $385 per week (multi-week discounts offered)
Again, the church camps and nautical camps are great for elementary schoolers. Here are two bonus ones for outdoorsy kids.
Camp Arlington Echo
Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center, 975 Indian Landing Rd, Millersville, MD 21108
Ages: PreK through 4th grade (note they also have middle school and high school options)
Schedule: Day and overnight camps offered with fun outdoor activities like canoeing, swimming, archery, and hiking. All meals provided.
Cost: Varies. Limited number of scholarships are available.
Apply by March 7. Note this is part of the Co-curricular Clubs and Summer Programs. ESSER funding provided during the pandemic is expiring, so some summer programs and specialty camps will no longer be free.
Eco Adventures
216 Najoles Rd, Suite 600, Millersville, MD 21108
More than a popular birthday party spot, these award-winning specialty camps lets kids go wild. From Animal Caretakers and Training, Marine Biology, Art Camp, Out of this World, and Wizarding Worlds, kids have hands-on experiences. A simulated rainforest, outdoor classrooms, wild crafts, games/competitions, fossil dig, or science demos are just a few of the fun activities.
Ages: Kids are divided into the following age groups: Nature Nuts (ages 5-6); Trailblazers (ages 7-8); ECO Explorers (ages 9-11); and Counselors in Training (ages 12+)
Schedule: 9 AM to 4 PM (before care begins at 8 AM; after care until 5:00 PM or 5:30 PM if you inquire via phone: (410) 987-1300.
Cost: $110 per day or $460 weekly unless noted otherwise on their website. Early bird discounts offered until 3/1/25. Details at registration link below.
Apologies if the Dawson’s Creek theme song gets in your head with this next recommendation. 🎶 “I don’t want to wait . . .” 🎶
Summer at the Creek
Indian Creek School, 1130 Anne Chambers Way, Crownsville, MD 21032
Ages: Ages 3-16
Schedule: 6 weeks, running June 16-July 25, 9 AM to 3 PM (before and after care also available)
Cost: Ranges $400-$900
Campers can access Indian Creek School’s wooded trails, performing arts spaces, classrooms, labs, turf fields, dome, courts, gym, and fitness center.
Yes, high schoolers can still benefit from summer camps. Plus, they look great on college or job applications.
HERoes on the HERizon
Anne Arundel County OEM, 7480 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
The camp encourages young women to explore careers in emergency management and public safety. Participants engage in hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and field trips led by industry professionals. They learn about emergency preparedness, leadership skills, crisis communication, life-saving skills such as CPR, and so much more.
Ages: Open to all young women in high school and college in Maryland
Schedule: July 14-18, 8 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost: Free!
For the aspiring scene stealers, music lovers, future film buffs, bookworms, and beyond—all creatives are welcome.
Naptown Sings Music Camps
141 Gibralter Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401
Ages: Students of all levels have the opportunity to learn to sing, play various instruments, and participate in fun musical activities! Younger students (ages 3-5) will explore a world of music through instrument playing, rhythm, and melody. Older kids (ages 6-11) learn to play the piano or ukulele.
Schedule: June 16-20, June 23-27 (Disney Movie Week), July 7-11, July 14-18, July 21-25 (Taylor Swift Week), July 28-August 1 (Wicked/Wizard of Oz Week), August 4-8, August 11-15, and August 18-22. Runs 10 AM to 3 PM (before care starting at 7:30 AM for an extra $75/week, as well as after care until 5:30 PM for an extra $75/week).
Cost: $355/week
Park Books’ Storybook Adventure Camp
Community Space above the bookstore
555 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Severna Park, MD 21146
Ages: Rising kindergartners to fifth graders for the fall of 2025
Schedule: Starting the week of June 23 through the week of August 11, 8:30 AM to 4 PM. Daily snack offered. Each day is a storybook adventure with storytime, creative play, library trips, and activities along B&A Trail. Literacy-based fun helps kids avoid the summer slide!
Cost: $325/week
See the delightful camp themes and register!
Maryland Hall
801 Chase Street Annapolis, MD 21401
Maryland Hall has over 50 camps, classes, and workshops to choose from in art, dance, music, and theatre to fill your summer! Pottery, painting, jewelry making, improvisation, are just a few skill sets to focus on.
Ages: Grades K-8
Schedule: Camps start the week of June 17 and go through the week of August 11. Half- and full-day options available.
Cost: Varies depending upon the camp.
Filmsters Academy
534 Hillsmere Dr, Annapolis, MD 21403
Kids get hands-on filmmaking experiences where they embrace all aspects of the creative process, including writing, acting, directing, producing, editing, and more.
Ages: 11-18 years old
Schedule: July 21-25 (Beginners); July 28-August 1 (Beginners); July 21-August 1 (Intermediate); July 19-August 1 (Advanced)
Cost: Ranges from $795 (beginner) to $2,250 (advanced)
Summer Camp Be More
The Moose Athletic Center, 1911 Crain Hwy S, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
This new camp offers a range of activities, from arts and crafts to team sports. Kids can be more creative, active and healthy!
Ages: K-5th graders
Schedule: June 23-June 27; July 7-11 (note the July 14-18 session is at the Hot Box Performance Center at 301 Najoles Rd Unit 204, Millersville, MD 21108). 9 AM to 12 PM (half day) or 9 AM to 3 PM (full day)
Cost: Half day costs $200; full day is $300
Register now.
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