It’s hard to believe, but summer is just around the corner! While it may feel early to be thinking about it, now is the perfect time to start planning for summer camp—registrations are already opening, and before you know it, spots will be filled. As parents, we know how important it is to find the right camp for our kids. Whether it’s a day camp, a sports camp, or an overnight experience, there’s no shortage of incredible options in the DMV area and beyond that are sure to fit every child’s interests and personality. As parents who’ve sent our kids to camp and seen firsthand how transformative it can be, we know it’s worth the effort to start planning early!
Day Camps in the DMV Area
The DMV area offers so many wonderful day camp options for children of all ages and interests. Whether your child loves science, art, sports, or outdoor adventures, there’s a camp that will make their summer unforgettable. We’ve gathered a few of our favorites—camps that have made a lasting impact on our kids and families:
ActivePlay
Registration Now Open
ActivePlay is the camp that kicks off the summer early and wraps up just before it ends, making it a perfect way to start and finish the season. My son has been going since he was 3, and every year when we talk about camp, ActivePlay is always his top choice.
It’s a place where kids can truly be kids, with fun activities like street hockey, go-karting, slip-n-slides, and frisbee golf. Each week, the “Top Banana” tradition, aka Camp of the Week, and Talent Show are a highlight.
Coach Seth and Coach Jon are incredible mentors who the kids look up to and adore. Their positive energy and encouragement create an atmosphere where children can grow, learn, and most importantly, have fun. - Jenn
Bullis Summer Programs
Registration Now Open
Bullis offers a camp for every interest, from Bulldog Day Camp featuring art, swimming, and sports, to sport-specific options like tennis, lacrosse, flag football, and soccer. They also have STEM camps, theater programs, wilderness adventures, and more. Whatever you're looking for, Bullis has it all! - Caitlin
City of Rockville Summer Camps
Registration Opens: February 12th
Adventure awaits right in our backyard with Rockville’s incredible summer camps! These camps are not only packed with fun but also super convenient to home. From swimming and field trips to cooking, drama, sports, and even magic, there’s something for every interest. Teens can earn SSL hours or explore exciting daily trips with Teens on the Go. With flexible options like half-day, full-day, and extended-day schedules, Rockville makes it easy to plan a summer full of new friends, endless fun, and unforgettable adventures! - Megan
Green Acres Camp
Registration Now Open
Nestled on a sprawling 15-acre campus in North Bethesda, this camp offers endless opportunities for fun and exploration. With wooded playgrounds, an outdoor amphitheater, a large playing field, a gymnasium, six air-conditioned buildings, and an on-site outdoor pool, it’s the ultimate setting for summer adventures. - Megan
Headfirst
Registration Now Open
While my kids now head off to overnight camp in Pennsylvania, they both have fond memories of their time at Headfirst on the Mater Dei campus. Pick-up and drop-off were always a breeze, and the small pool was perfect for basic swim lessons and cooling off on hot days. Themed weeks added an extra layer of excitement, giving the kids something to look forward to every session. Plus, they also offer a sports camp! -Cara
Summer at Sandy Springs
Registration Now Open
Sandy Springs Camp has everything to make summer unforgettable. With easy transportation from a local Rockville spot, getting there is a breeze. Once on the 140-acre campus, kids can dive into a range of activities that keep each day exciting. A standout feature is the on-site adventure park. - Megan
For the Sports Enthusiast
For kids who eat, sleep, and breathe sports, there’s nothing quite like a camp that lets them dive into their passion. Our kids have loved the sports camps they’ve attended over the years—whether they were perfecting their skills in basketball, soccer, or swimming, or simply having fun with friends. These camps foster not only athleticism but also teamwork, perseverance, and friendships that last long after the summer ends. Here are a few sports camps we highly recommend:
Good Council Sports Camp
Registration Opens: Week of January 13th
So many great sports to choose from, plus fantastic camp counselors and top-notch coaches who make the experience unforgettable! Perfect for kids to stay active, build skills, and have fun all summer long. - Megan
Home Run Baseball Camp
Registration Now Open
Home Run Baseball Camp has been a local favorite for years. In fact, one of my son’s friends’ dads was a camper here, and many of the counselors are alumni. This camp focuses not only on baseball fundamentals and sportsmanship but also on character development. Each day begins with the Pledge of Allegiance and ends with cleaning up the field, leaving it better than they found it. It's a camp that teaches kids how to be both great players and great people. -Jenn
Sports International Hockey Academy
Registration Now Open
This camp goes beyond just playing hockey—it’s about real growth and development. At the end of the week, they provide a personalized evaluation, highlighting your child’s progress and offering tips to improve their game. With highly qualified international staff and advanced techniques, the camp focuses on turning weaknesses into strengths through repetition and tailored instruction. The professional coaches strike the perfect balance of fun and hard work, making the skill development process both effective and enjoyable! - Jenn
While we haven’t experienced these sleepaway sports camps personally, we’ve heard from countless people that they’re absolutely incredible:
Sleepaway Camps
As parents, one of the most rewarding experiences is seeing our kids flourish at sleepaway camp. Our own children have had life-changing summers at these camps—developing confidence, gaining independence, and forming friendships that will last forever. The freedom, the adventure, the sense of accomplishment—they come back more self-assured, more connected to others, and full of stories and memories. If you’ve ever considered sending your child to a sleepaway camp, we wholeheartedly recommend it. Here are a few sleepaway camps that have left a lasting impression on our kids:
Camp Saginaw
Registration Now Open
Both of my children now attend Camp Saginaw, and while saying goodbye for 7 weeks is never easy, they absolutely love their time there. Their days are filled with arts, sports, campfires, and endless adventures. My favorite part? It’s a total detox from electronics—aside from MP3 players and digital cameras, there’s no cell phones, social media, or TV in sight! - Cara
Camp Seafarer and Sea Gull
Registration Open. Limited Spots Available.
As a former camper and counselor, I couldn't wait to send my son to Camp Sea Gull. Some of my best childhood memories come from summers spent sailing on the Neuse River, water skiing, and reconnecting with friends from all over the country. Located on the coast of North Carolina, Camp Sea Gull (and its sister camp, Camp Seafarer) offers hands-on experiences in sailing, powerboating, and cabin life. With over 700 acres of waterfront, campers unplug from technology, build resilience, independence, and gain lifelong skills in a close-knit community. Jenn
Camp Weequahic
Registration Now Open
Last winter, with the help of Summer365, Chase and I met with camp directors (most virtually) from four camps in the North East. I thought we had made our decision on a different camp, but after Cole Kelly, the AMAZING camp director of Camp Weequahic came to our house and walked Chase through all of the amazing activities and special events the camp offered, and took the time to soothe (nearly) all his fears about being away from home and his parents for the first time, he was absolutely sold on Camp Weequahic. We were both anxious about him being away from home for three whole weeks without me, but he truly came home “camp sick” and cried the first night back that he missed his camp friends and his division leaders nightly bedtime stories with milk and cookies. - Jen
Feeling Overwhelmed? Summer 365 Is Here to Help You Find the Perfect Camp
We get it—finding the right camp for your child can be overwhelming. With so many choices, how do you know which one is the best fit? As parents who’ve been there, we can tell you it’s worth getting the right help to make the process easier. That’s where Summer 365 comes in.
Founded by two moms who know just how much a great summer camp can shape a child’s life, Summer 365 takes the stress out of finding the perfect camp. They have deep knowledge of over 500 camps across the country and around the world, and they’ll help you find a camp that’s the best match for your child’s unique personality and interests. They understand that every family and every child is different, which is why they offer personalized advice and support throughout the process.
Plus, for every child they place in one of their recommended camps, Summer 365 donates a portion of their commission to GIVE SUM, a scholarship fund that ensures every child has the opportunity to experience camp, regardless of financial need.
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or unsure about where to start, we highly recommend reaching out to Summer 365. We’ve worked with them and trust them to help match our kids with the right camp. And if you want to hear more about our personal experiences with summer camps, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to share why we chose the camps we did and how they’ve helped our kids grow and thrive.
