Day camps in the 21st century have come a long way from lanyard-weaving marathons and pool time. Kids today can spend a week or two sketching designs for their first fashion show, directing films or becoming budding environmentalists. Perhaps not surprising, technology camp offerings are ever-rising on the contemporary summer camp menu, including these options in Northern Virginia:
Engineering
July 3-7
Second- through sixth-graders can “re-engineer” LEGO vehicles into machines ready to take on other robots at this weeklong Bash ’Em Bots camp at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia in Fairfax.
Video Game Development
July 10-14
In this one-week camp at Alexandria’s Browne Academy, third- through eighth-graders learn basic coding to craft an individual 3-D video game.
STEM Summer Camps
Through Aug. 25
These science, technology, engineering and mathematics camps led by Mindframe Education are offered in several NoVA locations and include full-day and part-time options. Students in first to 10th grade are welcome and can explore engineering, stop-motion animation, 3-D printing and more.
Robotics and Media Camp
Through Aug. 18
At Fun Bot Lab, children from second through eighth grade get familiar with LEGO robotics and stop-motion video in two-week sessions. There’s also a Micro Bot option for rising kindergartners and first-graders. The camp is offered in Arlington, Annandale and McLean.
NVCC STEM Camps
Through Aug. 18
Northern Virginia Community College hosts several STEM day camps in Alexandria and Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties. Students in third through 12th grade can explore topics from robotics to rockets now through Aug. 18.
