Did you know that schools in the Frederick area sometimes offer their own specialized day camp programs for both current and non-matriculated students living nearby? School-affiliated camps offer everything from general day camps that keep your kids active and outdoors to special enrichment camps for music, science, sports or the arts.
Frederick’s Child spoke with Jonnell Landsman, the director of youth and membership programs for Glenelg Country School, about how day camps based on a school campus differ from other summer camp programs. In the summer, Glenelg runs its own day camp called Summer in the Country on its Ellicott City campus — which also welcomes students from nearby counties including Frederick.
How are school day camp experiences shaped by having access to established resources and the structure of a school?
We offer enrichment classes that support learning in addition to general camp offerings, keeping in mind what learning standards are in school. Enrichment camps offer Success Labs, teaching middle schoolers how to implement study skills, plus the Early Learners Lab, designed to help younger kids to get ready for the school.
Kids who attend our camps get to experience our beautiful campus. Teachers who teach at the school also lead summer camps.
Since school camps are run by accredited institutions, does this offer the benefit and credibility of the educational approach that regular camps may lack?
The teachers who work at our camp are highly qualified teachers with masters’ degrees. I don’t know if that kind of background would also be available at a regular day camp. When parents choose to enroll their kids in the enrichment programs, this can be a huge benefit their kids.
They get to explore a wide variety of offerings that balance enrichment and fun camps, including adventure camps and even a video game camp.
Do school-affiliated camps offer incoming students social benefits that help them have a smoother transition in the fall?
We do have a lot of prospective kids attend our camp to get a feel for our school. They get to know the teachers, the building, the atmosphere.
School day camp program offerings lend a uniquely tailored experience for your kids. Whether they’re starting out at a new school or you just want them to try new things, school day camps offer the same things as any regular day camp, but with unique advantages that could change their lives.
Find a School-Affiliated Camp Near You
Banner Summer Discovery Camp: Camp for ages 6 to 14 at The Banner School with mornings led by teachers and afternoons by camp counselors; Early Childhood Summer Session also available | bannerschool.org/summer-banner
Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences: “The Summer of Joy” camp for ages 3.5 to 14, highlighting a different way to experience joy each week; includes learning, games and activities and field trips | barnesvilleschool.org/summer-camp#
Celebree School of Frederick: “Myths and Legends!” themed summer camp for ages 6 to 12 (or kids who have completed one year of kindergarten) with hands-on activities, lessons, creative exploration and field trips, from decoding folktales to creating magical potions celebree.com/frederick-md/summer-camps
For more Frederick area summer camps, visit frederickschild.com/campdirectory.
