Treat your kids to a program that provides both fun and learning during their summer break
Summer is right around the corner, and parents and children are starting to map out their summer camp plans.
While COVID-19 put a wrench in such activities for the past two years, many organizations are gearing up to hold a fairly normal camp season this summer.
Here is a sampling of camps offered in the region this summer:
Authentic Community Theatre camps
Camp 1
Name of camp: ACT Art Camp
Location: Authentic Community Theatre, 1000 Florida Ave., Hagerstown
Dates: July 11-15
Times: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Activities offered: Students work with local artists to create three different art pieces each day. Students experiment with new and classic art forms and materials that they would normally not use during the school year.
Age of campers: Grades 1-8
Cost: $275
For more information, email info@actforall.org.
Camp website: www.actforall.org
Camp 2
Name of camp: Performing Arts Academy
Location: The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown
Dates: July 18-23
Times: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Activities offered: Students spend the week putting together a variety show of singing, dancing and acting.
Age of campers: Grades 1-12
Cost: $275
For more information, email info@actforall.org.
Camp website: www.actforall.org
Additional information: This camp is great for students who are just starting out and would like to get into the performing arts.
Camp 3
Name of camp: ACT 2 Week Intensive Production
Location: Authentic Community Theatre and The Maryland Theatre
Dates: Aug. 1-5 and Aug. 8-13
Times: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Activities offered: Students in intensive production learn an entire show in two weeks. This advanced performing arts camp meets for one week at Authentic Community Theatre and then, during week two, students get to work on the main stage of The Maryland Theatre to finalize their show with full costumes, sets, lights and sound.
Age of campers: Grades 3-12
Cost: $325
For more information, email info@actforall.org.
Camp website: www.actforall.org
Additional information: The production will be “Legally Blonde Jr.”
Camp Cadet (Southcentral Camp Cadet)
Location: Gettysburg College (Adams County, Pa.)
Dates: June 19 - 24
Times: This is an all-day residential camp. It is a six-day, five-night, overnight program, for which cadets are dropped off Sunday afternoon and picked up Friday evening.
Activities offered: Team-building exercises, tours of law enforcement facilities, water safety, games/sports
Age of campers: 13-15 (The program is open to residents of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Perry and York counties. Boys and girls must be at least 13 years old and not older than 15 by June 1, and in good physical condition.)
Cost: Free
Phone number for more information: 717-264-5161
Camp website: www.southcentralcampcadet.org
Additional information: This camp provides participants with a positive attitude towards law enforcement through exposure to the criminal justice system from a police cadet’s vantage point.
College for Kids
Location: Hagerstown Community College
Address: 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown
Dates: June 13-Aug. 5; no camp the week of July 4
Times: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.; extended-care options begin at 7:15 a.m. and end at 6 p.m.
Activities offered: Summer enrichment camps, including science, culinary, computer programming, art, history, theater, entrepreneurship, environmental science, literature, pop culture, engineering and photography. A full listing of camps is available at www.hagerstowncc.edu/kids
Age of campers: Grades 2-12
Cost: $199+
Phone number for more information: 240-240-2236
Camp website: www.hagerstowncc.edu/kids
Additional information:
· Early bird discount – Register by March 31 and save $15 per registration
· Limited scholarships are available, which enable campers to attend a full week of camp for $8. Scholarship information is available at www.hagerstowncc.edu/campscholarships
Jefferson County (W.Va.) Parks & Recreation Commission summer programs
Location: Jefferson County Community Center/Sam Michaels Park in Jefferson County, W.Va.
Dates: Summer 2022
Times: Vary
Activities offered: Day camp (registration is currently available); basketball, swimming, soccer; and space, dinosaurs, fairies and friends, bugs and butterflies, Jr. STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), pirate adventure, Lego, Pokémon and other themes.
Age of campers: toddler to middle school
Cost: Varies
Phone number for more information: 304-728-3207
Camp website: www.jeffersoncountywv.org/county-government/county-agencies/parks-recreation/programs-events/activity-guide
Additional information: Please check the website in April to view JCPRC’s Summer 2022 Activity Guide: www.jcprc.org
Joy El camps
Location: 3741 Joy El Drive, Greencastle, Pa.
Dates: June 14-Aug. 5
Times: Day camp: Monday-Thursday, 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m.
Overnight camps and wilderness camps: Sunday, 4 p.m.–Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Activities offered: Swimming, splash pad, box cave, climbing wall, canoes, obstacle course, go-karts, giant swing, zip line
Age of campers: Children who have completed grades kindergarten to 12
Cost: Day camp, $129/$154
Overnight camp, $223/$343
Wilderness camp, $223/$343
Phone number for more information: 717-369-4539
Camp website: www.joyelcamps.org/summer-camps
Additional information: Joy El also offers retreats that allow you to experience camp with your child. Offerings include mother-daughter, father-son, Momentum, home-school, mother-son and father-daughter retreats, as well as Bible adventure weekends.
Mercersburg Academy summer programs
Location: Mercersburg Academy, 100 Academy Drive, Mercersburg, Pa.
Dates: June 19-July 29
Times: Vary
Activities offered: Swim, soccer, lacrosse and basketball; plus adventure, writing, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) and theater themes
Age of campers: 8-17
Cost: $185-$2,275
Phone number for more information: 717-328-6225
Camp website: www.mercersburgsummer.com
Additional information: From June to August, kids and teens from across the country and around the world come to Mercersburg to take part in an array of programs.
Penn State Mont Alto academic youth camps
Camp 1
Name of camp: MedCamp
Location: Penn State Mont Alto, 1 Campus Drive, Mont Alto, Pa.
Dates: June 20-24
Times: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Activities offered: A week of exploration and hands-on activities, including suturing, phlebotomy, nursing diagnostics and operating room simulation. This camp gives youths a glimpse into the world of health care. Campers will learn about careers in nursing, oncology, cardiology, radiology, emergency medicine, surgery, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, veterinary medicine and more.
Age of campers: Grades 9 and 10
Cost: $395 (includes lunch and field trip transportation)
Phone number for more information: 717-749-4117
Email: rzm47@psu.edu
Camp website: montalto.psu.edu/medcamp
Additional information: Campers will take field trips to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, Shenandoah University and Wilson College. (Planned visits dependent on COVID-19 protocols during the summer.)
Camp 2
Name of camp: STEM Camp
Location: Penn State Mont Alto, 1 Campus Drive, Mont Alto, Pa.
Dates: July 11-15
Times: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Activities offered: An interactive and lively delve into topics such as engineering, robotics, DNA profiling, chemistry, physics, biology and hands-on computer applications. (Topics might change based on instructor availability.)
Age of campers: Grades 9-11
Cost: $245 (includes lunch and field trip transportation)
Phone number for more information: 717-749-4117
Email: rzm47@psu.edu
Camp website: montalto.psu.edu/stem
Additional information: Campers will take field trips to Penn State Harrisburg’s Central Pennsylvania Research and Teaching Laboratory for Biofuels and Manitowoc in Shady Grove, Pa. (Planned visits dependent on COVID protocols during the summer.)
Camp 3
Name of camp: Teen Entrepreneur Camp (TEC)
Location: Penn State Mont Alto, 1 Campus Drive, Mont Alto, Pa.
Dates: July 25-29
Times: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Activities offered: A weeklong program that immerses campers with like-minded high school students who will jump into design thinking, problem-solving, product development and more. Students will be exposed to innovative processes and introduced to skills like problem-solving, communication, critical thinking and teamwork.
Age of campers: Grades 9-11
Cost: $265 (includes lunch)
Phone number for more information: 717-749-4117
Email: rzm47@psu.edu
Camp website: montalto.psu.edu/tec
Additional information: TEC camp ends with a “Shark Tank”-type pitch competition on the last day of camp and a chance to win cash prizes.
Penn State Mont Alto athletic youth camps
Camp 1
Name of camp: Soccer Skills & Training Summer Camp
Location: Penn State Mont Alto, 1 Campus Drive, Mont Alto, Pa.
Dates: June 13-17
Times: 4:30-6:30 p.m. (ages 7-12).; 6:45-8:45 p.m. (ages 12-18)
Activities offered: A soccer skills and training summer camp designed to stimulate a love for the game by showing young athletes how to accelerate their progress and success on the playing field. Join Penn State Mont Alto Men’s Soccer Head Coach Tim Carey and his staff for an opportunity to take your game to the next level. The soccer skills and training summer camp is open to males and females, and all attendees will receive a free Penn State Mont Alto camp T-shirt and water bottle.
Age of campers: 7-18
Cost: $85
For more information: Men's Soccer Head Coach Tim Carey, 717-404-9343, tjc38@psu.com; or Assistant Athletic Director Shane Myers, 717-749-6173, smm5888@psu.edu
Camp website: www.psumontaltoathletics.com/camps/Mont_Alto
Additional information: Registration and payment, in full, must be completed no later than May 31.
Camp 2
Name of camp: Mont Alto Kiddie Soccer Camp
Location: Penn State Mont Alto, 1 Campus Drive, Mont Alto, Pa.
Dates: June 22-24
Times: 6-7:30 p.m.
Activities offered: Campers will be introduced to the most basic soccer fundamentals. Open to boys and girls ages 4 to 7, campers will work directly with Mont Alto coaches, student-athletes and support staff in a fun-filled and action-packed three evenings. Camp will conclude with the participants receiving a free Mont Alto Soccer T-shirt.
Age of campers: 4–7
Cost: $50
For more information: Men's Soccer Head Coach Tim Carey, 717-404-9343, tjc38@psu.com; or Assistant Athletic Director Shane Myers, 717-749-6173, smm5888@psu.edu
Camp website: www.psumontaltoathletics.com/camps/Mont_Alto
Additional information: Registration and payment, in full, must be completed no later than June 4.
Camp 3
Name of camp: Nittany Lion Volleyball Summer Skills Camp
Location: Penn State Mont Alto, 1 Campus Drive, Mont Alto, Pa.
Dates: Aug. 1-4
Times: 6-8:30 p.m.
Activities offered: Advanced individual skills and elite game-like drills will be the focus of this volleyball camp. The main goal is to give individual attention to each camper as they are prepared for peak club/high school performance, as well as collegiate competition. Participants will be split into intermediate and advanced groups based on their experience level.
Age of campers: Open to female volleyball players in 7th through 12th grades
Cost: $100
For more information: Women's Volleyball Head Coach Randy Hood, 717-448-5079, rmh37@psu.edu
Camp website: www.psumontaltoathletics.com/camps/Mont_Alto
Additional information: Registration and payment, in full, must be completed no later than July 23.
Camp 4
Name of camp: Men's Soccer ID Clinic
Location: Penn State Mont Alto, 1 Campus Drive, Mont Alto, Pa.
Dates: April 23
Times: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (field players); 12:30-5 p.m. (goalkeepers)
Activities offered: The clinic is designed to expose high school players to the college environment by teaching them training methods used by the Mont Alto men’s soccer team. Attendees will also sit in on an admissions presentation and have an opportunity to tour campus at the end of the clinic.
Age of campers: Open to rising high school freshmen to rising seniors
Cost: TBA
Phone number for more information: Men's Soccer Head Coach Tim Carey, 717-404-9343, tjc38@psu.com; or Assistant Athletic Director Shane Myers, 717-749-6173, smm5888@psu.edu
Camp website: www.psumontaltoathletics.com/camps/Mont_Alto
Camp 5
Name of camp: Volleyball Setter Clinic
Location: Penn State Mont Alto, 1 Campus Drive, Mont Alto, Pa.
Dates: Aug. 6
Times: 9 a.m.-noon
Activities offered: The clinic is designed to expose high school players to the college environment by teaching them training methods used by the Penn State Mont Alto volleyball team. Attendees will learn from head coach Randy Hood the skills needed to improve upon the setter position.
Cost: $30
For more information: Women's Volleyball Head Coach Randy Hood, 717-448-5079, rmh37@psu.edu
Camp website: www.psumontaltoathletics.com/camps/Mont_Alto
Tree Trekkers Summer Adventure Camp
Location: Tree Trekkers, 9560 Old National Pike, Frederick, Md.
Dates: Session 1: June 21-24 (ages 7-10)
Session 2: July 12-15 (ages 10-13)
Session 3: Aug. 2-5 (ages 12-15, STEM-themed)
Session 4: Aug. 16-19 (ages 9-13)
Times: Campers meet from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
Activities offered: Campers can improve their climbing skills and tackle more challenging trails each day. They will participate in team-building activities, games, educational activities related to a camp theme, and climb on the courses for two to three hours daily with a camp counselor to guide their way. Tree Trekkers Frederick is an outdoor aerial adventure and zipline park offering 14 courses with seven difficulty levels.
Cost: $400
Phone number for more information: 301-888-8735
Camp website: www.treetrekkersmd.com/summer-camp
Additional information: Includes Tree Trekkers T-shirt, climbing gloves, water bottle, all materials for activities and bonfire with s’mores on last day of camp
Washington County Day Camp
(This camp is for registered Girl Scouts)
Location: 416 Sumans Ave, Hagerstown
Dates: Aug. 8-12
Times: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Activities offered: Hiking, games, badge earning, arts and crafts and visiting City Hall.
Age of campers: Grades kindergarten-8 (campers); grades 9-12 (aides)
Cost: $100 (campers); no charge for aides
Phone number for more information: 240-527-8917
Camp website: www.facebook.com/GSWCDC
Additional information: This year’s theme is "Girls Run the World." Girl Scouts will learn about women in all fields of work and how they have impacted history. Campers will go on walks, hear guest speakers and do crafts.
This article was adapted from the original in the Spring issue of At Home Places, published by The Herald-Mail.
Questions to consider in selecting a resident camp
Each year, more than 11 million children and adults attend camps in the U.S., according to the American Camp Association. With more than 12,000 camps in America, there’s a lot to consider when selecting one for your child:
• What locale am I considering (such as mountains, oceanfront, distance from home)?
• Do I want a traditional camp that gives my child a variety of experiences or a specialty camp that focuses on a particular activity or set of skills?
• What size enrollment will make my child feel comfortable?
• How rustic do I want the camp to be?
• How structured do I want the program to be? Does my child like to have lots of choices in the activity schedule?
• Is my child ready to sleep away from home for an extended stay? The answer to that will help you select a resident or day camp setting.
• What session length will appeal to my child and fit our family plans for the summer? (One week? Eight weeks?)
• How can I stay in touch with my child during camp? Does the camp allow mail, phone calls or email? Does the camp have parent visitation days?
• How will the camp meet my child's special dietary or physical needs?
•What is my budget for camp tuition? Many camps offer financial aid.
– Source: American Camp Association
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown area summer kids' programs make learning fun
