Summer Camps: Hello Mother… Hello Father…

by Bill Sands

Summer camps aren’t what they used to be – they are better. Children can be artists, athletes, leaders, scientists, actors and much much more. Let the list below spark family discussion so you can save the dates and register your children for summer fun.

ABC CARE INC. June-Aug. Ages 5-14. Full-day and extended-day camps at locations throughout the county. Information: 410-751-3700 or www.abccareinc.com.

ABC Care Cascade Water Camp. Ages: Entering kindergarten to eighth grade. Swimming lessons up to three times a week. Field trips on Mondays for sports-themed activities. Daily swimming in spring-fed lake or pool, as well as Splash ’N’ Play Zone. Hiking, nature activities, sign language, arts and crafts, and stream exploration. Cascade Lake, 3000 Snydersburg Road, Hampstead. Transportation available from the Glyndon area.

ABC Care Northern Carroll Sports & Water Camp. Ages: Entering kindergarten through eighth grade. Swim lessons once a week. Swimming in spring fed-lake or pool Tuesday-Friday, as well as Splash ’N’ Play Zone. Transportation from St. John School. Camp is located at Cascade Lake.

ABC Care Deer Park Swim Camp. Ages: Entering kindergarten to eighth grade. Swimming lessons twice a week. Mondays are sports-themed activity days. Swimming in spring fed lake or pool Tuesday-Thursday, as well as Splash ’N’ Play Zone. Hiking, team games, sports, and other water activities also included. Deer Park United Methodist Church, 2205 Sykesville Road.

ABC Care Southern Carroll Adventure Camp. Ages: Entering kindergarten through eighth grade. Swim lessons once a week. Swim/field trips twice a week, including at least one swim trip a week to Cascade Lake. Arts and crafts, sign language and clubs. Hosted at Piney Run Park, 30 Martz Road, Sykesville MD 21784

ABC Care Eldersburg Adventure Camp. Ages: Entering kindergarten through eighth grade. Swim lessons once a week. Field trips twice a week, including at least one swim trip a week to Cascade Lake. Arts and crafts, sign language and clubs. Piney Run Park, 30 Martz Road, Sykesville, MD 21784

AVA WANAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Starts June 16. Ages 2-5. Full day. Specialty camp will incorporate natural living. Extended day. 7590 College Road, Sykesville. Contact: Marie Atalla, 410-970-6181, admin@avawanasmontessori.com or www.avawanasmontessori.com.

BETH TFILOH SUMMER CAMPS 

June 20-August 12. Camps for ages 4-14. A wide variety of activities, including sports, arts and crafts, boating, and nature. Everyone swims twice a day, once for instruction and once for fun. The younger campers enjoy playground, splash pad, music and Tarbut (Jewish culture). Sixty acres of outdoor fun. 400 Delight Meadows Road, Reisterstown. For more information: www.btcamps.org.

Nursery Camp Ages two, three and four. Program includes structured activities such as physical education, water play with water tables and sprinklers, story time, arts and crafts, singing, nature and Friday Kabbat Shabbat.

Lower Camp-Day Camp Pre-K to 4th Grade. Art, singing, Tarbut, swim lesson, sports, dance, splash pad, boating, nature.

Kinder Camp Ages four through entering kindergarten. Provides many of the same activities as the Lower Camp, such as sports, swimming, and art, but with an abbreviated day to accommodate younger campers.

Upper Camp-Senior Camp Grades four through eight. Archery tag, survival skills, ropes course, arts, sports, boating, nature. Daily swimming instruction. Senior Campers participate in special events such as color war, talent show, field trips and carnival.

J.V. Sports Camp Grades second and third. Variety of different sports, activities and games to learn the basic of popular sports, develop new skills and discover the sports they like best. Included are basketball, football, floor hockey, archery, tennis, baseball, soccer, lacrosse and more.

Varsity Sports Camp Grades four through eight. Skill building, competitive play and fun. Football, baseball, golf, soccer, tennis.

Art Camp Grades three through eight. Ceramics, copper enameling, jewelry making, mosaics, macramé, papier-mâché, quilling, stitchery, and more.

Survival Camp Grades five through eight. Hands-on program that includes fire building, knife skills, climbing rappelling towers, caring for animals, constructing a campsite, preparing and cooking food, riding ziplines, and camping out under the stars.

Theater Camp Grades three through eight. Acting lessons, audition tips, voice direction, character development, memorization skills, blocking, and more.

Travel Camp Grades five and six during weeks 1, 2 and 3; Grades seven and eight during weeks 6, 7, and 8. Four day a week program taking daily field trips visiting amusement parks, water parks, laser tag, baseball games and more.

Leadership Training Teens entering grades nine and ten. Program consists of developing skills and attitudes necessary to becoming a counselor assistant or instructor aide.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF WESTMINSTER

June -August. Ages 6-12. 25 Union Street, Westminster. Different camp theme each week; full day of programs. Contact: Summer Camp Director Amy Moorman, 410-386-0135 or amoorman@bgcwestminster.org.

SUMMER KIDS@CARROLL & TEEN COLLEGE

Ages 3-15. Carroll Community College has more than 100 half and full-day summer enrichment programs to include classes in arts and creativity, cooking, technology, woodworking, performance digital development, robotics, science and career exploration and more. Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Road, Westminster. Information/schedule/register: 410-386-8100 or carrollcc.edu/summerkids.

CARROLL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL SUMMER ARTS CAMP

All camps are held at the Carroll Arts Center in downtown Westminster. Explore all aspects of the arts, from theater to arts and crafts projects. Registration forms available at the Arts Council or on the website after March 1 or by phone, with credit card. Tuition assistance available through the Tom Holder Memorial Arts Scholarship Fund. Carroll County Arts Council, 91 W. Main Street, Westminster. 410-848-7272 or www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org/summer-camp.asp

CARROLL COUNTY DANCE CENTER

Summer session runs from June 20 to July 29. Ages 6 and up. 6933 Warfield Avenue, Sykesville. Contact: 410-795-3255 or info@carrollcountydancecenter.com.

CARROLL COUNTY 4-H CAMPS

Campers will join the youth-focused 4-H camp family at Hashawha Environmental Center, which features canoeing, archery, outdoor games, crafts, youth-led educational lessons, songs, campfires and other events and activities. Scholarship assistance available. Information: Extension Office, Jeff Myers, jmyers15@umd.edu, or 410-386-2760 or 888-326-9645. University of Maryland Carroll County Extension Office, 700 Agriculture Center, Westminster.

CARROLL COUNTY FARM MUSEUM LIVING HISTORY CAMP

July 11-15, Grade 3; July 18-22, Grade 4; July 25-29, Grade 5. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Children experience skills necessary for rural farm life 150 years ago. Campers may do chores and work with a blacksmith, dip candles, learn the art of tin smithing, and make hand-crafted projects. Farm Museum, 500 S. Center Street, Westminster. Registration/information: 410-386-3880.

CARROLL HOSPICE CAMPS

To register, contact: 410-871-8000. Carroll Hospice, 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster. First preference given to Carroll County residents.

Camp T.R. Weekend Overnight Experience. Ages 7-15. Camp T.R. offers a safe place for children and adolescents to share feelings, ask questions and learn positive coping and grieving skills after the death of a loved one. Work with grief through art, music and crafts; also enjoy hiking, swimming, and naturalistic programs. Hashawha Environmental Center, 300 John Owings Road, Westminster.

Healing Hearts Day Camp Day-long camp held by Carroll Healing Hearts Day Camp in Westminster. Offers a combination of activities and sharing to help children cope with their grief.

CARROLL INDOOR SPORTS CENTER

Participate in small group, age-specific activities, as well as team games, in a variety of sports including soccer, softball, kickball, dodge ball, aerobics, lacrosse, running, track & field, basketball, volleyball and field hockey. Daily and weekly rates available. 515 Old Westminster Pike, Westminster. 410-857-5098 or check website www.carroll-indoor.com.

CELEBREE LEARNING CENTERS SUMMER CAMP 

June 13-Aug. 19. Ages 6-12. Swimming/water fun, field trips, arts, crafts, cuisine, and more. To learn how to register, call 410-515-8750 or contact info@celebree.com.

CITY OF WESTMINSTER SUMMER CAMP

June 20-August 26. Provides campers a chance to participate in a fun-filled environment. They will interact with one another during games, sports, crafts, swimming, field trips and a variety of other activities. Longwell Municipal Center, Westminster. Contact: WestminsterRec@westgov.com or 410-751-5501

FAITH FAMILY CHURCH

June 27-July 1. Mega Day Camp for kids entering 1st through 6th grade. Snack and lunch provided, space limited. Must register by June 1. Faith Family Church, 4150 Sykesville Rd., Finksburg; 410-552-9522

FOUR SEASONS SPORTS COMPLEX

June 20-Aug. 26. Week-long sessions with themes including Olympics, Underwater Adventure, and Great Outdoors. Camp before-care and after-care available. Also available are sports camps for soccer and girls lacrosse. 2710 Hampstead-Mexico Road, Hampstead. 410-239-3366. www.4seasonssportscomplex.com.

FULL MOON FARM SUMMER CAMP

One week in July and August. For the beginner through intermediate horseback rider, prior riding experience not required, but recommended. Riding every day with an instructor, games on and off horseback, horse-related arts and crafts, and educational horse related activities. 4327 Louisville Road, Finksburg. 410-795-8371 or www.fullmoonfarm.com.

MCDANIEL COLLEGE

McDaniel Music Camp. July 17-22. Grades 7-12. Either commute or reside on campus. Campers are split into two bands, a medium-level group and an advanced ensemble. Tuition: Commuting students with a meal plan – $625. Camp residents – $775. Non-refundable deposit of $100 due by June 30. Information: Linda Kirkpatrick, 410- 857-2550 or lkirkpat@mcdaniel.edu. Additional information: http://www.mcdaniel.edu/undergraduate/the-mcdaniel-plan/departments/music/summer-music-camp

McDaniel Music Institute Ages 12-20. A week of music and fun playing in one of two orchestras with highly acclaimed conductors.  In addition to rehearsals, the Academies include various classes in voice, jazz, dance, ear-training and composition. Reside in campus dormitories or commute daily. Additional information/application: mcdanielmusicinstitute.org

Common Ground on the Hill Traditions Week. June 26-July 1 and July 3-8. Festival weekend is July 9-10. Information: 410-857-2771 or www.commongroundonthehill.com.

Green Terror Swim Camp. Ages 9-18. Residential and day camps. Campers will learn about technique, nutrition, goal setting, how to train effectively, and much more. Information: Jeff Hiestand, 410-386-4616 or jhiestand@mcdaniel.edu.

Green Terror Basketball Boys’ Day Camp. Ages 7-17. Teaches the basic fundamentals of the game, with an emphasis on teamwork. Information: Kevin Curley, 410-857-2573 or kcurle@mcdaniel.edu.

Green Terror Girls’ Basketball Day Camp. Grades 3-12. McDaniel College head coach Becky Martin will hold this annual basketball camp on campus. Through individual instruction, drills, and games, campers will experience motivational instruction and learn how to become a more effective scorer and team player. Information: Becky Martin, 410-857-2577 or rmartin@mcdaniel.edu or go to the McDaniel College website under Women’s Basketball Section to download camp brochure.

Sports International Kicking, Punting, and Long Snapping Camp. July 12-13. Ages 8-18. Receive technical instruction from an elite coaching staff made up of elite college coaches and former or current college players. McDaniel College. Information: 301-575-9400 or www.footballcamps.com.

Sports International Passing and Receiving Camp. July 12-14. Receive technical instruction from an elite coaching staff made up of elite college coaches and former or current college players. McDaniel College. Information: 301-575-9400 or www.footballcamps.com.

Summer Science Academy. Grades 9-12, overnight or commuter. Spread out over several weeks in June/July. Course topics include Forensic Science, Space and Rocketry, Robotics, Engineering, Physical Science, and The Science of Water. Information: www.mcdaniel.edu/ssa email: ssa@mcdaniel.edu or phone 410-857-2400.

National Kicking. July 15-17. All ages. Information: Visit website for more information: www.kickpunt.com/summer-kicking-camps/maryland.html

Nike Field Hockey All Girls Camp. July 8-11. Ages: 11-18. Campers are trained individually in all of the major fundamental areas of the game: hitting, 1v1 elimination skills, passing, scoring and defensive skills. Camp is open to individuals and teams. Players are grouped appropriately by age and ability.

Nike Volleyball Camp. July 10-13. Open to players of all ability levels, ages 10-18.  Campers will master the fundamentals, develop proper mechanics and gain game play experience.

Nike Girls Lacrosse Camp. July 18-21 Complete skills camp for girls age 9-18.  Emphasis on fundamentals, position training, drills and scrimmages; team discounts are available.

MERRITT ATHLETIC CLUBS

All camps are located at 1388 Progress Way, Eldersburg. Merritt offers several choices for all ages in Eldersburg. For more information, please contact Sherri Lively, Camp Director at 410-549-8855 or slively@merrittclubs.com. Call or visit club for dates.

RIVER VALLEY RANCH

Ages: 4-17. Day and overnight camps with activity options including horseback riding, skateboarding, adventure camps, paintball, drama camp and more. A nondenominational Christian summer youth camp that offers a recreational camp experience while also addressing the spiritual needs of today’s youth. 4443 Grave Run Road, Manchester. Information: 443-712-1010 or www.rivervalleyranch.com.

THE Y IN CENTRAL MARYLAND

The YMCA offers camps at two locations, the Hashawha Center (300 John Owings Road, Westminster) and the Hill Family Center Y (1719 Sykesville Road, Westminster). The Hashawha location features an overnight camp with activities including canoeing, archery, fishing, hiking, swimming, confidence course, camp fires. The Hill Center location offers a more traditional day camp, with a variety of mainly outdoor activities such as arts, crafts, science projects, skits and songs, reading and journaling, games, and sports. For brochures and dates, please call 410-848-3660 or visit: www.ymaryland.org