Summer CAMP GUIDE 2016 A PUBLICATION OF FEBRUARY 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 3 Learning continues during summer months at educational camps PAGE 4 Discover the wonders of nature at local camps PAGE 6 Camps offer accessible activities for those with special needs PAGES 7-16 Summer Camp directory About our Camp Guide Our list of summer camps was updated for 2016 from the camps themselves or with information from their websites. We limited ourselves to camps in Maryland and a select few in nearby states. Several organizations offer a variety of camps for a range of age groups. In par- ticular, the Y of Central Maryland and 4-H conduct dozens of camps statewide. You may prefer to call those organizations directly. Some camps had not yet set costs for 2016, and costs are subject to change. Please contact camps directly to verify all information. Don’t be afraid to ask about discounts for early enrollment or other circumstances. A number of camps also offer early arrivals, late pickups and transportation. Those may not be listed, so be sure to ask. It is important to us to keep the information in this annual guide as accurate as possible. Please bring any discrepancies to the attention of the special products editor at 443-524-8150 or email [email protected]. And let us know if you’re aware of a really great Maryland camp we’ve missed. We’ll make every effort to include it next year. 11 East Saratoga Street Shundrey Patterson, Account Manager Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Lynn Talbert, Account Manager Main Number: 443.524.8100 Maximilian Franz, Senior Photographer Main Fax: 410-752-7789 Natasha Rennie, Events Coordinator Suzanne E. Fischer-Huettner, Publisher Shelby Carter, Operations & Events Assistant Thomas Baden Jr., Editor Maria Kelly, Comptroller To order additional copies of Tracy Bumba, Audience Development Director this publication, please contact Jay Blankenship, Advertising Director Shelby Carter at 443.524.8184 or THINKSTOCK PHOTOS Darice Dixon, Account Manager [email protected] SUMMER CAMP GUIDE 2016 [3] Learning continues during summer months at educational camps By Gina Gallucci-White said. “You know that writing an essay their skill level that they leave the end both our own community and outside Special to The Daily Record is not drudgery -- that there is an art of the school year with.” the Maryvale community to, not to it.” The programs also provide those only reinforce academics during the The words “educational” and Does your student love playing who are not familiar with their campus summer months, but also to get ahead,” “summer” don’t usually go together, around on your smart phone? Sign them a chance to explore, Coldren said. “It said Heather Harlan-Warnack, director but just because the school year is up for the mobile app development gives you the opportunity to be on our of communications and development. over doesn’t mean learning needs camp, where participants will design campus and be amongst our students For Maryvale students, if they take to end. A number of Baltimore area and develop their own using MIT App and get a feel for what being a Calvert a camp or class over the summer, they schools offer academic camps with a Inventor software. student is like, which, I think, if can open up their school schedule for wide variety of educational subjects. “We really feel like there is something The Bryn Mawr School presents for everyone,” Brendler said. “We are creative and discovery/educational trying to give them time and space to “We really feel like there is camps for both girls and boys preparing explore what they already think of as to enter a wide range of grades. “None their passions and to discover new something for everyone.” of our discovery camps are about ones.” trying to make up for what you were The Calvert School offers its current unable to do during the school year,” students a free, one-week explorers — Kate Brendler, director said Kate Brendler, director of summer academic camp over the summer. of summer enrichment programs enrichment programs. “This is really “It’s really just enrichment and re- just for enrichment and enjoyment.” enforcement of what the students The Bryn Mawr School During “Kitchen Chemistry: Hands- learned and looking ahead to what they On Experiments With Household are going to need to learn next year,” Products,” students will learn how to said Stephanie L. Coldren, director of parents are considering sending their additional electives. Harlan-Warnack make their own lava lamps, write in communications. children to an independent school, I said this has become a popular choice invisible ink and grow crystal spikes. The Baltimore-based school also think that can be a benefit of attending among students. Some of the academy This will be the first year for the camp’s puts on summer half- and full-day these camps.” class offerings include government, “History of Rock and Roll” program, programs open to any school-age Last summer, the Maryvale SAT prep, Spanish, and algebra. which is being taught by a Ph.D. student. Subjects include engineering, Preparatory School revamped its “It’s so important to continue that candidate who did her dissertation art and science. “Part of what we camp offerings. learning throughout the year so the on the subject and by her mother, a believe at Calvert is that the ritual of Instead of having a broader program kids are fully ready to re-engage in history teacher at the school. repetition and reinforcement in the of activities with varying ages, learning in September and when you The “Art of the Essay” will let classroom is important,” Coldren educators decided to focus purely are able to continue that over the students work on mastering structure said. “We believe that all year long. To on academics and driver’s education summer months particularly in a camp in their writing, maintaining their have the opportunity for students to because there was such high demand. setting that is more structured, I feel voice throughout and going through continue to engage in an academic way The new programs are known as the like those kids have a leg up when it revisions. “I think it is kind of cool to throughout the summer just continues Maryvale Academy. comes time for reentry in the fall,” put (an art) spin on that,” Brendler to encourage their love of learning and “There is a growing demand from Harlan-Warnack said. [4] SUMMER CAMP GUIDE 2016 Discover the wonders of nature at local camps By Gina Gallucci-White Special to The Daily Record The game “Minecraft” makes it fun to build all those houses, and “Angry Birds” makes breaking things enjoyable, but summer is a time to step away from technology and put down the smartphone and tablet. Instead of watching animals and birds in video games, why not see the real ones by participating in several nature camps in the area? The Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills has more than 40 sessions planned beginning June 13 and running until August 26. Buds, a popular session for 2- to 3-year-olds and their parents, gives kids the chance to learn about counting, colors and exploration all through the lens of nature. For children age 7 to 9 who dream about becoming a veterinarian or zoo keeper, the animal caretakers session is a perfect fi t. “(Participants) help us take care of our animals all that week and they learn a lot about maintenance for animals, enrichment for animals and keeping them active,” said Beth Lacey Gill, the center’s director of marketing. “The kids really like that one because they get to take care of an opossum all week.” Other animals the kids look after include a hedgehog, corn snake, frogs, turtles, and up-close interaction with owls on site. With 220 acres to explore, campers will get to see forests, meadows and wetlands. “Kids, now, when they are in school, they get limited time for recess,” Gill said. “They are super engaged in their technology. They don’t get a lot of time to explore outdoors the way that you and I did as a kid so nature camp really gives them the chance to have the summer that we all had as kids where they get to spend that time outdoors.” For those who want to test their limits in nature, the nonprofi t Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center may be a good fi t. “The core of Genesee Valley is the team-building challenge SUMMER CAMP GUIDE 2016 [5] course program” that is an extensive ropes course, welcoming toddlers to teenagers beginning in late feel it is important that (the children’s) inborn sense said Scott Pruett, executive director. “It’s a group of June to mid-August for different camps based on of wonder is tapped and they get to explore all the people working together to accomplish a physical age. beauties and marvels of nature.” challenge.” Camp Wonder lets 4-year-olds explore and learn Webb founded the camp in 1974 and participants A modified version of the course is presented at the about nature through small hikes, examining streams, have been coming to the 230 acres of woodlands ever center’s annual summer day camps for children ages and natural crafts. Explorer Overnight is geared since. “I feel as an educator it’s so key for parents 4 to 17 that also includes nature study, swimming, toward 11- to 12-year-olds with activities including to slow down and have their kids slow down,” he archery and kayaking.