Choose Your Own Adventure: 7 À La Carte Summer Camp Options By Frank Bolinsky
If you’ve lived in the Annapolis area for a while, you know many summer camps start filling up in January at a time when people have just finally made peace with the fact that it’s winter and haven’t even started thinking about summer yet. While summer camps are a fantastic option to keep the kids busy over the summer, there are many reasons why parents may find blank stretches in their calendars. Summer camps can be an expensive way to fill an entire summer, especially for families with more than one child. Or perhaps trips or work schedules make it difficult to schedule on a weekly basis. Whatever the reason may be, here* are some great DIY options to fill in the gaps: Art – Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park offers “schools out” camps as does Artsy Partsy in Pasadena. Reading – The Anne Arundel County Public Library builds out an entire summer program every year to include free library events all over the county, a summer reading list, and typically a “quest” or challenge to gamify reading and kids can earn prizes for reading. Gym – DodgeArrows in Millersville offers daily open plays over the summer where kids can get registered the same day. API in Gambrills offers drop in day camps as does Benfield Sports Center in Millersville and Annapolis Area Christian School.
Nature – Annapolis Mom’s Media (that’s us!) regularly publishes ideas of things to do, many of which are free and outdoors. Another great option is through Maryland State Parks which offers programming all summer to include their Junior Rangers Program which kids love. Swimming – Anne Arundel County has a few dispersed public county pools that don’t require memberships to include the North Arundel Aquatic Center which has a waterpark! History – Annapolis is littered with fantastic museums, many of which are free and touch upon how the Chesapeake Bay has impacted life going back hundreds of years. VBS - In general, you can find a Vacation Bible School for any week of the summer if you aren’t concerned with the denomination of the church. Most are free, and some are a small cost to cover supplies. St. Margaret's in Annapolis has a great VBS that typically happens the week of July 4th. With so many à la carte summer camp options, you can be sure to find an option that can occupy your kids for one day or combine options to make a whole DIY week! *Program information was verified at the time of publication, but please check the company websites for any updates as you plan your summer!
Photo courtesy of DodgeArrows Annapolis
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