Methodology
Northern Virginia Magazine’s annual Best Summer Camps list is determined by a reader poll. We asked you to tell us which local camps you love. Once the results were in, our in-house team vetted the winners for quality control. The result is a list of 78 summer camps—both day and overnight—that you can be confident sending your child to this summer. Although some Best Summer Camp winners choose to advertise in the magazine, winners cannot pay to be included on the list. The listing and the advertising sections are separate entities.
Traditional Camps
Adventure Links
Adventure Links is a day, residential and expedition camp program in Clifton. Adventure activities, such as rock climbing, kayaking and a ropes course are a backdrop for fun and discovery, while developing courage and connection in campers and their groups. Adventure Links creates summer camp moments that matter deeply to your child.
Ages: 8-17 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 14
Price per week: $535+
Field trips: No
Location: Clifton
Brooksfield School
Each day at this camp is jam-packed with fun, outdoor activities that will keep all campers entertained. Younger kids will be busy taking swim lessons and playing Teddy Tennis, while the older kids will head off campus for unforgettable adventures.
Ages: 3-10 years old
Session dates: June 8-July 31
Price per week: $325+
Field trips: Yes
Location: McLean
Browne Academy
Browne Summer Camp is dedicated to providing a memorable experience for every camper in a safe, fun-filled and caring environment that fosters friendship and mutual respect for one another. Every effort is made to offer each camper activities that will enhance self-esteem, provide opportunities for skill development and nurture lifetime interests, as well as develop friendships with fellow campers and staff.
Ages: 3-15 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 14
Price per week: $326+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Alexandria
Burgundy Farm Country Day School
Burgundy’s summer camp provides children the chance to learn and play outdoors. Daily swim instruction in the pool, hikes around the beautiful 26-acre outdoor campus and opportunities to learn and grow in a safe and loving environment are just some of the things the Burgundy Farm Summer Day Camp delivers.
Ages: 3-12 & 13-15 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 7
Price per week: $400
Field trips: Camp dependent
Location: Alexandria
Camp Achva, powered by the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia
Entering its 51st summer, Camp Achva is the premier Jewish day camp in Northern Virginia. As a traditional day camp model, its vision is to create a safe space for campers and staff to learn and grow through building relationships with one another, engaging in meaningful programming and embracing old and new camp traditions infused with Jewish culture. Through daily scheduling, field trips, special events and leadership opportunities, campers look forward to augmented programming each year.
Ages: K-12th grade
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 14
Price per week: $290+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Fairfax
Camp Everbrook
It’s full STEAM ahead to fun and excitement at Camp Everbrook. Enjoy weekly themed experiences (exploring subjects such as science, art, animals, history and games), engaging activities, fun field trips and healthy meals and snacks.
Ages: Toddler/2s, Preschool & Pre-K and 5-12 years old
Session dates: June-September
Price per week: Call for more information
Field trips: Yes
Location: Multiple locations
Camp Friendship
Camp Friendship is an ACA-accredited traditional sleepaway camp for children ages 7 to 16. With over 35 activities to choose from, campers are free to explore, discover and grow in a safe and accepting environment. Family-owned since 1966, Camp Friendship welcomes campers and staff from all over the world.
Ages: 7-16 years old
Session dates: June 14-Aug. 15
Price per week: $1,375+
Field trips: No
Location: Palmyra
Camp Griffin at Westminster School
Camp Griffin fills the summer with fun and exploration. The camp provides flexible scheduling by offering early and extended-care options and includes specialty options like STEAM, water, cooking, adventure, history, golf, French, art, sports and more. Military and early-bird discounts are available.
Ages: 3 years old-rising eighth grade
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 20
Price per week: $250+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Annandale
Camp Grow
Explore nature at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens with Camp Grow. Younger campers will take part in gardening and other nature activities, while the older kids travel off-site for field trips and water fun.
Ages: 5-16 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 23
Price per week: $215+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Vienna
Camp Highroad
Camp Highroad is dedicated to giving every camper an exciting and Christ-centered experience of fellowship, fun, adventure and spiritual growth. Campers are divided into age-specific units, where they spend five and a half days sharing life together. Each unit has two counselors, who lead the unit to participate in a variety of age-appropriate camp activities, Bible studies, great meals and free time.
Ages: Third-12th grade
Session dates: June 21-Aug. 14
Price per week: $490+
Field trips: No
Location: Middleburg
Camp Horizons
Now in its 38th summer, Camp Horizons offers a unique experience for campers from all over the world. With over 50 activities to choose from, campers get the chance to try new things, make new friends and gain independence and confidence.
Ages: 6-16 years old
Session dates: June 14-Aug. 15
Price per week: $1,600+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Harrisonburg
Camp Overlook
Camp Overlook explores the close-to-home natural world with children entering grades K through 11th at Potomac Overlook Regional Park. Activities are designed to be engaging, challenging, educational and fun. Activities include stream hikes, aquatic studies, live animal care, swimming, campfires and s’mores, habitat restoration projects, canoeing, scavenger hunts, nature crafts and much more.
Ages: K-11th grade
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 28
Price per week: $185+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Arlington
Camp Rim Rock
Located less than two hours from DC, this ACA-accredited, overnight camp for girls offers two-week sessions where campers participate in horseback riding, performing arts, arts and crafts, sports and aquatics on a 500-acre campus.
Ages: 6-15 years old
Session dates: June 21-Aug. 15
Price per week: $1,400+
Field trips: No
Location: Yellow Spring, West Virginia
Camp Twin Creeks
Camp Twin Creeks offers traditional overnight camping in a stunning natural setting near the Greenbrier, Homestead and Snowshoe resorts. Campers develop independence and lifelong social connections while enjoying time away from electronic devices. Its long-serving directors and staff truly make the difference and the camp prides itself on providing exceptional customer service and camper care.
Ages: 7-16 years old
Session dates: June 21-Aug. 15
Price per week: $1,499+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Marlinton, West Virginia
Camp Varsity
This family-operated camp gets rid of the screens and allows kids to focus on the true camp experience. With all of the canoeing, campfires and games, campers don’t miss their phones.
Ages: 7-15 years old
Session dates: June 21-Aug. 1
Price per week: $775
Field trips: No
Location: Madison
Camp Washington at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Experience George Washington’s Mount Vernon through one-day workshops that focus on specific subjects such as animals and farming, the Revolutionary War and life in the 18th century. Campers learn something new about George Washington and his world by engaging in special behind-the-scenes activities with Mount Vernon experts.
Ages: Rising fourth-sixth grade & seventh-10th grade
Session dates: July 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 & 30
Price per week: $490+ weekly (or daily fee $98+)
Field trips: No
Location: Mount Vernon
City of Alexandria Summer of Smiles Camps
The City of Alexandria and its partners work together to provide many camp selections for all ages and interests. With 19 locations throughout the city, the camp offerings range from sports to cooking to fine arts. Many also includine extended-care options for working parents.
Ages: 3-17 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 28
Price per week: $179+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Alexandria
City of Fairfax Summer Camps
Get the kids out of the house and off to City of Fairfax Summer Camps. From arts and crafts for the little kids to field trips and team building for teens, children of all ages
will have no choice but to shed their boredom during these fun summer activities.
Ages: 3-16 years old
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 7
Price per week: $136+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Fairfax
Common Ground Childcare Center
At Common Ground, find copious sunshine and kid-led group projects with thematic learning to keep kids’ bodies and brains active. Each week there’s a new exciting theme. Each day there’s a new fantastic adventure. Each moment a lifetime memory made. This summer’s theme is Futuristic Visionaries 2020.
Ages: K-rising sixth grade
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 21
Price per week: $300
Field trips: Yes
Location: Reston
Congressional Camps
Congressional Camp is an ACA-accredited, coed day camp designed for ages 4 to 14. This year, the camp celebrates its 80th summer. Located on Congressional School’s beautiful, 40-acre campus in Falls Church, the diverse programs offer a summer of new challenges, old traditions, friends and boundless fun.
Ages: 4-14 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 28
Price per week: $475
Field trips: Yes
Location: Falls Church
Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Camps
The largest provider of summer camps in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County’s Park Authority offers more than 2,000 program options throughout Fairfax County at RECenters, lakefronts, nature centers, historic sites, golf courses and schools. Campers can choose weekly programs to get a range of experience in sports, performing arts, STEM, nature, adventure and excursion camps and adapted programs. Campers will not only learn useful skills, they’ll also make friends and build self-confidence. Many camps at RECenters include swimming time. Programs for all ages can allow parents to have all of their children at one location.
Ages: 3-15 years old
Session dates: June 8-Aug. 21
Price per week: Prices vary
Field trips: Camp dependent
Location: Fairfax County
Green Hedges Summer Camp
Green Hedges Summer Camp creates a child-centered environment where children feel confident to participate, discover and grow—and go home each day eager to return. This Montessori-inspired summer camp includes daily and weekly activities that are designed to meet the developmental and social needs of young children.
Ages: 3-7 years old
Session dates: June 15-July 31
Price per week: $250+
Field trips: No
Location: Vienna
Headfirst Summer Camps
Headfirst’s award-winning camps provide a variety of activities in a supportive and nurturing environment. They offer day camps, sports, STEM, creative arts and overnight camps. With six convenient locations across DC, Maryland and Virginia, Headfirst campers will have the opportunity to try new things, grow and expand their horizons.
Ages: Pre-K-seventh grade
Session dates: June 8-Aug. 21
Price per week: $379+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Multiple locations
Hill School Summer Camps
Summer at Hill will be offering an exciting variety of camps, including, but not limited to, the following: LEGO Camp, Make N Bake, Explorers Camp, Outdoor Adventure and Theater camps.
Ages: Rising JK-rising ninth grade
Session dates: July 15-31
Price per week: $325+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Middleburg
Ignite Kids Club
Ignite’s Summer of Discovery includes a weekly field trip and two pool days. Aside from field trips, campers have access to the entire facility with structured and age-appropriate activities planned for each day. Each week includes a new sport that concentrates on sport-specific skills. All sports will focus on skill progression and fun games, including LEGO challenges, team-building exercises through music and movement and customized arts and crafts taught by the Aviary Girls.
Ages: Rising K-eighth grade
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 26
Price per week: $195+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Chantilly
Kenwood Summer Day Camp
Kenwood Summer Day Camp is a wonderful summer experience for all kids that includes field trips to exciting destinations, including water parks, sporting events and amusement parks. With a week-by-week sign-up, the camp is accommodating for families’ busy summer schedules.
Ages: K-eighth grade
Session dates: June 8-Sept. 2
Price per week: To be announced
Field trips: Yes
Location: Annandale
Loudoun County PRCS Camps
Loudoun County provides several hundred camp programs, from all-day, all-encompassing Daze and Fest camps, held at 20 elementary schools across the county, to half- and full-day specialty camps, operating out of the community and recreation centers.
Ages: K-eighth grade
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 7
Price per week: $185+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Loudoun County
Loudoun Montessori School
At Loudoun Montessori Summer Camp, the goal is to provide campers with an opportunity to retain and develop their skills in a relaxed summer atmosphere. Combining exciting adventures with creative opportunities for learning, campers form new friendships and have ample time for play, personal growth and free exploration. A portion of the day is allotted for exploration of Montessori materials. Each week includes creative art projects, cooking and baking activities, gardening and active games.
Ages: 16 months-7 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 21
Price per week: $205+
Field trips: No
Location: Ashburn
Merritt Academy Summer Camp
Merritt Academy Summer Camp has convenient hours from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for rising first to eighth graders. Campers enjoy weekly field trips and excursions, plus daily swimming in the on-campus pool and daily activities chosen by each camper. For seventh through 10th graders, there is a counselor-in-training program.
Ages: 5-13 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 19
Price per week: $395+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Fairfax
Montessori School of Northern Virginia
Camp MSNV offers a dynamic summer experience where campers can delve into various areas of study. Unique to Camp MSNV are its seven in-house studios, ranging from art and innovation to science and performing arts, where campers can engage daily in activities related to the week’s theme.
Ages: 3-12 years old
Session dates: June 15-July 31
Price per week: $305+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Annandale & Falls Church
Northern Virginia 4-H Camp
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the nonprofit 4-H camp where young children and teens can get a taste of nature during the summer. Northern Virginia 4-H Camp offers its Cloverbud camp for youth, ages 5 to 8, and eight weeks of 4-H Camp for youth, ages 9 to 13. Programs are taught by safety-conscious, trained and caring professionals who make sure children are safe and enjoy the summer months.
Ages: 5-13 years old
Session dates: May 31-July 23
Price per week: $100+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Multiple locations
Pinecrest Pavilion
Pinecrest Pavilion at Pinecrest School offers theme-based, weekly camp classes. Campers may choose to attend a morning class, an afternoon class or both for a full day of fun (with recess and lunchtime included in the day). Before and aftercare is available.
Ages: Rising K-sixth grade
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 14
Price per week: $195 per class
Field trips: No
Location: Annandale
Primrose School of Ashburn Summer Adventure Club
At Primrose Summer Adventure Club, children become engineers, artists, explorers and more as they discover the joys of design thinking, a fun and innovative way to learn. Engineering design challenges, experiments and themed activities await as children unlock new ways of thinking—all while having a blast.
Ages: K-fifth grade
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 26
Price per week: $350+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Ashburn & Broadlands
Reston Community Center Camps
The Reston Community Center offers 70 sessions of specialty camps of varying lengths that introduce campers to a new skill, such as cooking, sewing, chess, digital photography, computers, engineering, origami, pet care and more. Another option, Camp Goodtimes, serves campers ages 7 to 11, and offers field trips to a number of locales, some of which are as far as Philadelphia. Road Rulz Camp serves campers ages 11 to 17 on more adventurous outings during the same weeks as Camp Goodtimes.
Ages: 6-17 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 14
Price per week: $85+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Reston
Reston Montessori School
The Reston Montessori School provides young campers with stimulating activities to keep them engaged all summer. With a new themed camp every week, children of all ages are sure to find something they love.
Ages: 3 months-6 years old
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 14
Price per week: $400+
Field trips: No
Location: Reston
Summer@Potomac
Summer@Potomac has a program for everyone. From cooking and movie making to sports and drones, this 90-acre camp has everything to make this the best summer ever.
Ages: K-12th grade
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 28
Price per week: $150+
Field trips: Yes
Location: McLean
Summer Camps at Wakefield
Wakefield offers a variety of art, STEAM and activity-based camps. Each half-day (9 a.m. to noon) or full-day (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) camp runs for a full week. Pricing varies based on the length of the camp, materials costs and field trips. Come discover your child’s potential with Wakefield’s 2020 Summer Camp Program.
Ages: JK-eighth grade
Session dates: June 22-Aug.17
Price per week: $200+
Field trips: Camp dependent
Location: The Plains
Summer Cove
Summer Cove is a middle school camp for students who enjoy being active, creative and thinking on their feet. Areas of focus include film production, studio art and survival skills, among many others.
Ages: Rising sixth-ninth grade
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 14
Price per week: $300+
Field trips: No
Location: Springfield
Summer on the Hill at Flint Hill School
When children have a summer filled with growth, exploration and enrichment, amazing things can happen. In partnership with Headfirst Summer Camps, Summer on the Hill offers a wide range of camp options for students, including Headfirst day camps; multi- and single-sport camps; STEM and innovation camps; and Flint Hill athletic, academic and service programs.
Ages: 3-18 years old
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 21
Price per week: $400
Field trips: Yes
Location: Oakton
Temple Hall Farm Summer Camps
Temple Hall Farm Summer Camps offer a wide variety of summertime fun for campers, who will be encouraged to learn new skills, solve team challenges and make new friends, all while creating lasting memories. Campers will travel to multiple NOVA Parks locations to explore and participate in swimming, paddling, mini-golf, aquatic studies, team building, arts and crafts, games and more.
Ages: Third-sixth grade
Session dates: July 8-Aug. 9
Price per week: $175+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Leesburg
The Compass School
Welcome to CompassQuest 2020: Summer Games. Each weekly theme will offer a unique exploration, with arts and crafts, food, games and more. Enjoy entertaining field trips related to the theme of the week, guest speakers, shows, recreation, sports and more.
Ages: K-12 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 21
Price per week: $240
Field trips: Yes
Location: Ashburn & Manassas
The Langley School Summer Studio
The Langley School Summer Studio provides a variety of offerings and learning experiences so that campers can explore new activities and mix and match more than 100 weekly offerings from science and sports to the arts and technology. Half- and full-day options, bus transportation, lunch and aftercare until 5 p.m. are available.
Ages: 3-13 years old
Session dates: June 15-July 31
Price per week: $230+
Field trips: Yes
Location: McLean
Triple C Camp
This Christian camp not only brings campers closer to religion, but also provides a summer full of fun. Elementary- aged children will spend the summer outdoors, taking field trips to trampoline parks, splashing around in the water, racing go-karts and more.
Ages: K-fifth grade
Session dates: To be announced
Price per week: To be announced
Field trips: Yes
Location: Ashburn
YMCA Arlington
YMCA’s traditional day camps offer theme-based, enriching activities, games, sports activities, science, arts and crafts, music, swimming and more. It’s a great opportunity for a first-time camper to get a well-rounded experience or for a seasoned camper to reunite with old camp friends.
Ages: 5-15 years old
Session dates: June 15-Sept. 4
Price per week: $225+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Arlington
Art Camps
Acting for Young People Summer Acting Camp
AFYP has provided programs in the Northern Virginia area since 1997. The summer programs include production showcases and fun, fast-paced camps taught by professional teaching artists. Presented in conjunction with Mason Community Arts Academy, activities include acting, on-camera, musical theater, improvisation and more. Weekly sessions offered with final showcase performances.
Ages: 5-18 years old
Session dates: June 22-July 24
Price per week: $305
Field trips: No
Location: Fairfax
Crescendo Studios Summer Camps
Crescendo Studios offers a variety of camps designed for students with multiple musical interests. Programs include Summer Tour (band), Show Choir, Recording For The Modern Engineer, Digital Composition, Songwriting (prior musical experience necessary) and Soundcheck (music introduction for ages 4 to 6). There’s something for everyone, no matter their musical skill level.
Ages: 4-17 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 28
Price per week: $399
Field trips: No
Location: Falls Church
Culinaria Cooking School Summer Camps
Young chefs will learn how to follow recipes to prepare delicious meals. They will also learn how to improvise and create their own dishes using pantry staples and what is available in the refrigerator. In the baking and pastry camps, they will also learn the unique requirements for successful pastry making.
Ages: 9-16 years old
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 14
Price per week: $400
Field trips: No
Location: Vienna
Encore Stage & Studio
At Encore Stage & Studio, a variety of age-appropriate options introduce campers to the theater world. It’s Elementary is tailored to the imaginative nature of young people, while Scenes for Tweens students dive into diverse and fascinating topics. In Stage Door, students get a glimpse of what it’s like to work as a theater professional. More complex storytelling and musicality make Center Stage an excellent primer for students looking to gain musical theater experience to prepare for upper-level auditions.
Ages: 3-18 years old
Session dates: June 15-Sept. 4
Price per week: $220+
Field trips: No
Location: Arlington
Mason Community Arts Academy
Mason Community Arts Academy brings weekly artistic and skill-building camps to George Mason University’s campus for kids and teens. Mason professors, graduate students and industry professionals teach more than 56 programs in state-of-the-art facilities. Students in visual arts, film and video and photography programs use cutting-edge software and industry-standard equipment.
Ages: 5-18 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 14
Price per week: $240+
Field trips: No
Location: Fairfax
Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre
MVCCT’s drama camps stretch kids’ imaginations, nurture their creative energies and build skills through dramatic action. Kids explore different worlds, different time periods and their own personal strengths through the storytelling they act out on stage. All camps are led by professional performers and educators experienced in working with kids and teens.
Ages: Rising first-rising ninth grade
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 14
Price per week: $350+
Field trips: No
Location: Alexandria
Notes N’ Beats Music and Art Summer Camp
Join one or more of the weekly camps for Rock Band Club, Musical Theatre, Percussion Ensembles, Guitar Ensembles, Choir and Song Writing. Music camps are offered as half-day camps and the other half of the day can be combined with either an art camp or even a STEM camp offered by a partner company at the same location.
Ages: 4-15 years old
Session dates: June 11-Aug. 21
Price per week: $199+
Field trips: No
Location: Ashburn
Robinson Drama Camps sponsored by the Rambunctious Theater Company
Let your kids try their hand at show biz with the help of the Robinson Secondary School. Younger campers will learn about theater arts and grow their self-confidence through acting, singing, dancing and improv. Middle and high school students will work together during the two-week workshop to create an original full-length play.
Ages: K-ninth grade
Session dates: June 22-July 24
Price per week: $195+
Field trips: No
Location: Fairfax
Sew Magarbo
As a pioneer in Loudoun County for sewing and creative arts, Sew Magarbo Studio is proud to offer a robust curriculum to teach lifetime skills rather than just projects. Activities and lessons include sewing, painting, woodworking, jewelry making, clay work and other creative arts.
Ages: 6-plus years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 21
Price per week: $199+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Ashburn
The Heartfelt Workshop
Campers learn a variety of crafts and practical arts here, including machine and hand sewing, quilting, paper crafts, jewelry making, weaving and painting. The week is topped off with a picnic at Glyndon Park, followed by a return to the workshop to share new talents and participate in Sew Happy, sewing a crossbody bag for a child in Nicaragua. Or try out Design+Create, an introduction to fashion design. Half-day camps with various sewing themes also available.
Ages: 7-14 years old
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 14
Price per week: $250+
Field trips: No
Location: Vienna
The Little Theatre of Alexandria Summer Camps
The Little Theatre of Alexandria Summer Camp Program is a quality and versatile performing arts camp program and provides children with the unique opportunity to experience and learn about performing and storytelling in a working theater.
Ages: Pre-K-eighth grade
Session dates: May 27-Aug. 21
Price per week: $225+
Field trips: No
Location: Alexandria
Tiny Dancers Summer Camps
Tiny Dancers invites your child to three hours of daily fun and excitement during summer break. Sign up for one or more of the one-week-long camps filled with games, crafts, treats and plenty of dance.
Ages: 3-9 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 21
Price per week: $300
Field trips: No
Location: Alexandria & Fairfax
Traveling Players Ensemble – Camps & Conservatories
Traveling Players brings theater into the great outdoors with acting camps and conservatories at The Madeira School (transportation included in tuition). Actors rehearse plays in supportive groups of only 13 actors, performing two to nine times. Auditions available for advanced ensembles. Need-based scholarships available. Here, you’ll find exceptional faculty, personalized attention and innovative training.
Ages: Third-12th grade
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 14
Price per week: $550+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Great Falls
Education Camps
Academy of Christian Education
ACE returns for a seven-week, jam-packed Mad Science STEAM Camp. Campers participate in the Mad Scientist’s laboratory for fun and learning full of hands-on science experiments and activities with academic enrichment and development.
Ages: Pre-K-sixth grade
Session dates: June 15-July 31
Price per week: $375
Field Trips: Yes
Location: Reston
Animated Child Camps
Animated Child offers an engaging, enriching and empowering hands-on STEM camp with daily camp field trips, and constant additions of new sensory-rich science experiences and cutting-edge, open-source gaming models.
Ages: 5-12 years old
Session dates: June 12-end of Prince William County Schools’ summer
Price per week: $240
Field trips: Yes
Location: Montclair
BASIS Independent Summer Camps
Dive into exploration and adventure this summer. These summer camps offer a diverse lineup of options ranging from STEM and the arts to sports clinics. Campers will build their own summer adventures with a variety of morning and afternoon options each week.
Ages: 3-18 years old
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 14
Price per week: $250+
Field trips: Yes
Location: McLean
Boolean Girl STEM Camps
At Boolean Girl camps, girls develop new friendships in a welcoming environment and are introduced to computer science and engineering through a series of unique projects and challenges. The goal is to mix play and programming through hands-on instruction, meaningful experiences and fun.
Ages: 8-14 years old
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 28
Price per week: $375
Field trips: No
Location: Multiple locations
Code Ninjas
When school is out, fun and learning are in. Campers will learn about drones, robotics, coding and gaming. The weeklong day camps are packed full of fun and engaging activities where campers explore technologies, computers and games in a team-based environment.
Ages: 7-14 years old
Session dates: Weekly sessions throughout the summer
Price per week: Varies by camp and location
Field trips: Camp dependent
Location: Multiple locations
Mindframe STEM Camps
Mindframe STEM summer camps combine fun and learning in one unforgettable experience. Students learn how to think and work like real engineers, scientists, creative designers and developers. They work on cool projects, engage in fun, hands-on activities and develop real-world products and digital creations.
Ages: 4-17 years old
Session dates: June 11-Aug. 26
Price per week: $245+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Ashburn & Reston
Randolph-Macon Academy Summer Camps
With a theme of Under the Seas Exploration, rising sixth through eighth graders enjoy engaging academic sessions in the morning and activities in the afternoon. Rising ninth through 12th graders choose between a flight camp, classes for high school credit, computer science or Careers in Drones: Professional Drone Applications Training. ESL is also available for all grade levels.
Ages: 10-18 years old
Session dates: June 28-July 24
Price per week: Varies by camp
Field trips: Yes
Location: Front Royal
Serve Camp
Serve Camp allows its participants to give back to the community through a variety of community service projects. At this day and overnight camp, campers will learn the importance of giving back and helping by serving the community.
Ages: First-12th grade
Session dates: June 15-July 31
Price per week: $295+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Leesburg
Stemtree Summer Camps
Stemtree Education Centers prides itself on child-focused learning in order to instill knowledge of science, technology and engineering. By incorporating a wide variety of subjects, such as coding, science and robotics, children are able to focus on each subject until mastery, which also gives them the ability to connect similar subjects and themes across the whole STEM spectrum.
Ages: K-12th grade
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 21
Price per week: $395+
Field trips: No
Location: Multiple locations
Washington Youth Summer Experience
This camp provides an immersive, academic-based experience, along with the fun and friendship-building inherent in an overnight camp. Academic programming is taught by Episcopal High School faculty and focuses on creative arts, STEM and leadership. Each topic includes field trips into DC for in-depth exploration.
Ages: Rising seventh-rising ninth grade
Session dates: July 5-12
Price per week: $1,495+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Alexandria
Special Needs Camps
Camp Aristotle
Camp Aristotle is a unique summer camp for students who may experience social challenges, troubles with impulse control and/or difficulty building peer relationships. Camp Aristotle provides campers with engaging activities that challenge critical thinking skills, flexibility, creativity and perseverance. These skills help campers develop friendships, make discoveries and promotes social success.
Ages: K-ninth grade
Session dates: June 29-Aug. 7
Price per week: $375+
Field trips: No
Location: Chantilly
LCF Kids
LCF Kids helps campers build social skills and improve mobility through team sports, including Frisbee, tennis, volleyball and interactive equipment. By the end of the week, caregivers are sure to see an improvement in their child’s self-esteem, self-confidence and communication skills.
Ages: 2-19 years old
Session dates: June 22-Aug. 28
Price per week: $320+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Ashburn & Falls Church
Speech of Cake Summer Enrichment Program
The Speech of Cake team uses a collaborative approach to address articulation, expressive language, receptive language, executive functioning, social skills and literacy to educate and engage young minds during a summer enrichment program.
Ages: 4-10 years old
Session dates: July 6-31
Price per week: $435+
Field trips: No
Location: Alexandria
Sport Camps
InCourage Martial Arts Summer Camp
InCourage camp is designed to have kids play, meet new friends, socialize, sweat and have fun while learning the mental and physical benefits of the martial arts. Aside from lunch and two snacks, all camp activities, field trips and materials are included with registration, including a uniform and T-shirt.
Ages: 4-12 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 21
Price per week: $199+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Multiple locations
Mulford Riding School Summer Riding Camp
Campers at Mulford spend three hours a day riding, learning horse care and training, along with activities including archery, swimming, art, drama, movie making, vaulting (gymnastics on a horse), gardening, cooking, games and care of farm animals.
Ages: 5-15 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 7
Price per week: $545
Field trips: No
Location: Centreville
Nationals Baseball & Softball Summer Camps
Join the World Series champs for nonstop baseball and softball fun with an emphasis on teamwork, attitude and healthy competition at this baseball- and softball-focused summer camp.
Ages: Rising K-rising eighth grade
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 14
Price per week: $399+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Multiple locations
Overtime Athletics
Overtime Athletics offers an all-around camp that includes sports, as well as arts and crafts, team building exercises, special projects and much more. The camp also offers Washington Redskins flag football and other sports-specific camps.
Ages: 6-12 years old
Session dates: June 15-Aug. 21
Price per week: $200+
Field trips: Yes
Location: Multiple locations
Sportrock Climbing Camp
Sportrock Climbing Centers’ award-winning rock climbing camps are the perfect way for children to explore the world of climbing indoors and out. There are single-day camps, as well as weeklong camps, for a range of ages and experience levels.
Ages: 6-16 years old
Session dates: June 3-Sept. 7
Price per week: $90+
Field trips: Camp dependent
Location: Alexandria & Sterling
Stonelea Farm Riding Camp
Give your horse-loving kiddos the opportunity to ride horses for the week on this Loudoun County farm. With both half- day and extended-day camps, campers will learn about grooming, riding, safety and horse behavior in the camp’s new state-of-the-art indoor arena.
Ages: 5-plus years old
Session dates: June 15-July 31
Price per week: $350+
Field trips: No
Location: Aldie
The St. James
From basketball and swimming to rock climbing and lacrosse, these sports-focused camps are designed for the ultimate sports enthusiast. Come experience the facility’s state-of-the-art complex and expert instruction for a summer of fun and active entertainment. Transportation, before-care and aftercare are available.
Ages: 3-15 years old
Session dates: June 8-Aug. 28
Price per week: $280+
Field trips: No
Location: Springfield
TopKick Summer Camps
This camp caters to kids who want to learn martial arts and to parents who want to make sure their kids aren’t in front of a screen all summer. TopKick Summer Camps are tailor made to be fun, educational and social.
Ages: 4-12 years old
Session dates: June 11-Aug. 26
Price per week: $325
Field trips: Yes
Location: Multiple locations
This list originally appeared in our March 2020 issue. For more family content across the region, subscribe to our weekly Family newsletter.
