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Best Summer Camps in Washington, DC; Maryland; and Northern Virginia

Kids can have lots of outdoor adventures at Beauvoir Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of the Beauvoir Summer Program
Kids can have lots of outdoor adventures at Beauvoir Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of the Beauvoir Summer Program
3/5/23 - By Jennifer Swope

Summer camps are a win for both kids and parents. Summer day camps allow parents to tackle work and home responsibilities while their children have fun learning new skills, making friends, playing, splashing, and creating. And with so many great day camps in the DC area for kids of all interests, you're bound to find one your children will love. Traditional summer camps, STEM camps and other academic programs, theater camps, art camps, and sports clinics are just some of the options available to children and teens ages 3-17.

Here are 17 summer day camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia we're sure your kids will love. Winter usually marks the start of camp sign-up season, so be sure to check camp websites for registration and dates, rates, and up-to-date availability.

Looking for more options for summer camps near DC? Bookmark our local Summer Camp Guide, and peruse our full Camp Directory for more programs to fit any budget and interest, from sports day camps to overnight summer camps to STEM summer day camps and everything in between.

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Young dancers flock to Joy of Motion for ballet, jazz, hip hop, and more. Photo courtesy of Joy of Motion
Young dancers flock to Joy of Motion for ballet, jazz, hip hop, and more. Photo courtesy of Joy of Motion

Summer Day Camps in Washington, DC

Joy of Motion Dance Center

Ages 5-14
Joy of Motion offers a robust program for youth, teens, and adults through camps, classes, workshops, and master classes. Dancers ages 5-14 can participate in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and world dance camps, or opt for one of two specialty summer programs: Little Pop Stars and Triple Threat Musical Theater. Campers also take part in games, crafts, and an end-of-week show, with snacks provided and before/after-care options. Classes are offered for students age 18 months to 14 years throughout the year by term, or as drop-in for teens and adults. READ MORE

Beauvoir Summer

Ages 3-10
Beauvoir Camp is for children ages 3-10 over six single-week sessions, with activities such as outdoor adventure programs, swimming lessons, and more. The camp strives to create an inviting, collaborative, and warm community for all campers and families. Before- and after-camp care programs are available. Snack and lunch are included in the pricing.  READ MORE

CASA @ Sheridan Summer Camp

Ages 3-13
Sheridan School's Creative Arts Summer Adventure (CASA) offers summer art classes for children ages 3-13. The classes offer low student-to-teacher ratios in a home-like setting filled with family festivities for campers. CASA's Creative Little Kids summer-camp program for preschoolers offers the best of all worlds: Early-childhood teachers team up with working artists, dancers, musicians, and athletes in an engaging, full-day program. Three camp sessions are offered, each two weeks long. READ MORE

Lowell School Summer Camp

Ages 3-15
Lowell’s eight-acre campus bordering Rock Creek Park invites campers ages 3-15 to participate in games, art, sports, water play, and more. Campers can enjoy Lowell's technology center, library, three art workshops, gym, and expansive outdoor space. Campers can enroll in one or two sessions that are each two weeks long (most camps for rising 6th- through 9th-graders are one week long), plus an additional Last Call week.  READ MORE

Sidwell Summer

Ages 3-17
Spanning both the DC and Bethesda campuses, Sidwell Summer has a camp for kids ages 3-17 of every interest. From sports and STEM to arts and LEGO to traditional day camps, campers will experience an enriching summer consistent with the values of Sidwell Friends School. These values include a commitment to diversity while respecting the individual, the stimulation of intellectual and personal growth, and the building of a summer-camp community. READ MORE

Summer at Capitol Hill Day School

Ages 3-10
Held in three two-week sessions, Summer at Capitol Hill Day School includes morning activities each day based on the camp theme and afternoons filled with play. For campers ages pre-K through 5th grade, there are opportunities for art, dance, science, books, movies, and even superheroes.  READ MORE
All the world's a stage at Imagination Stage summer camp. Photo courtesy of Imagination Stage
All the world's a stage at Imagination Stage summer camp. Photo courtesy of Imagination Stage

Summer Day Camps in Maryland

Barrie Camp

Silver Spring
Ages 3.5-14
Barrie Camp offers an environment perfect for campers ages 3.5-14 to explore and enjoy their favorite activities. Each summer is a unique blend of hands-on experiences, collaboration, and diversity of thought and culture. Barrie has an Olympic-size pool, a pond for canoeing, gyms, a Black Box theater, art spaces, archery, hiking trails, and more for campers to enjoy. READ MORE

Green Acres Camp

North Bethesda
Ages 4-12
Green Acres Camp provides a nurturing, safe, and fun place where children age 4 through grade 7 can learn and explore through a variety of challenging and innovative activities. The camp encourages campers to express their individuality, broaden their interests, and enjoy the companionship of friends and staff. Set on a 15-acre campus, Green Acres offers beautifully wooded playgrounds, six air-conditioned buildings, an outdoor amphitheater, a large playing field and gymnasium, and an on-site outdoor pool.   READ MORE

Imagination Stage

Bethesda
Ages 3.5-18
Imagination Stage empowers young people to discover their voice and identity through performing arts education and professional theater. This nationally-recognized theater arts center, respected for high quality, innovative programming, serves more than 100,000 children and family members annually. Each year, it produces several professional theater productions for children ages 1+ and hosts classes, camps, and workshops in acting, musical theater, performance, dance, and filmmaking for ages 1-18. READ MORE

Landon Summer Camp

Bethesda
Ages 3.5-17
Landon Summer Camp offers traditional day camps as well as specialized sports clinics, academically-focused camps, art workshops, and tech camps for kids ages 3.5-17. The 75-acre campus features academic buildings, art studios, an auditorium and music rooms, two gymnasiums, technology labs, a 25-yard outdoor pool, five athletic fields and a turf field, 10 tennis courts, and two archery ranges. Landon encourages campers to build their confidence and explore their passions. READ MORE

Summer at Sandy Spring

Sandy Spring
Ages 3-15
Summer at Sandy Spring, for kids ages 3-15, takes place on the 140-acre campus of Sandy Spring Friends School and runs continuously for eight weeks between June and August. Campers experience the Adventure Park and swimming while fostering friendship, having fun, learning, and discovering. Camp highlights include chef-prepared lunches, certified educators, and a low staff-to-camper ratio.  READ MORE
Explore nature at the Montessori-based Green Hedges Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp
Explore nature at the Montessori-based Green Hedges Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Summer Day Camps in Northern Virginia

Browne Summer Camp

Alexandria
Ages 3-13
Browne Academy's summer camp programs feature weekly themes, swimming, sports, art, music, dance, archery, academic offerings, and more for ages 3-13. Camp runs from 8am-4pm.  READ MORE

Brooksfield School Summer Camp

Alexandria
Ages 3-10
The Brooksfield Summer Camp is beautifully situated on five acres of serene woodlands, organic gardens, and open fields. Campers ages 3-5 get swimming and tennis lessons and go on field trips, while those ages 6-10 also enjoy hiking, archery, canoeing, horseback riding, indoor rock climbing, and more.  READ MORE

Congressional Summer Camp

Falls Church
Ages 4-14
Congressional Camp offers a wide variety of program offerings for campers age 4-14. Operating at Congressional School, Sleepy Hollow Elementary, and St. Agnes, campers can choose from traditional day camps, excursion-based programs, and academic and speciality camps. READ MORE

Green Hedges Summer Camp

Vienna
Ages 3-8
Green Hedges offers full- and half-day summer camp programs for kids ages 3-7, with extended-day options. The full day runs from 9am-3pm, while the half day is 9am-12pm. The Montessori-based programming includes cooking, sports and games, outdoor play, science, music and drama, storytime, and arts and crafts.  READ MORE

Summer@Potomac

McLean
Ages 5-15
With core values of courage, integrity, humility, perseverance, and respect, Summer@Potomac offers programs that aim to invigorate and challenge campers and to help them continue to grow into confident, compassionate, and curious individuals. Potomac offers traditional and specialized camps including technology, sports, financial literacy, musical theater, sewing, nature, and more. Set on a 90-acre campus, campers will enjoy pools, playgrounds, sports fields, and indoor spaces. READ MORE
Kids can choose their own activities, including Media Lab, at Steve & Kate's Summer Day Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp
Kids can choose their own activities, including Media Lab, at Steve & Kate's Summer Day Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp

Summer Day Camps in Multiple Locations

Pedalheads Bike Camps - DMV

Washington, DC
Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Silver Spring, MD
Arlington, VA
Ages 3-12
Pedalheads is a learn-to-ride bike camp for kids ages 3 and up, known for helping kids get off of training wheels and riding on their own. The popular weeklong day camp combines a fun group setting with specialized equipment and tailored lessons to build confidence and get some of the most tentative kids biking on their own. Pedalheads offers 90-minute camps for ages 3-4 and half-day or full-day camps for ages 4 and up.  READ MORE

Steve & Kate's Summer Day Camp

Washington, DC
Chevy Chase, MD
Alexandria and Arlington, VA
Ages 4-12
At Steve & Kate's summer camps, kids ages 4-12 can choose their own activities based on their interests. Activities include performing arts, coding, baking, sewing, sports, water play, arts and crafts, and even pie throwing. Parents can purchase day passes to be used any day during the summer (no need to schedule them ahead of time; campers can just show up), or opt for a summer pass that covers the whole season. Camp runs from 8am-6pm and includes lunch and snacks.  READ MORE

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