If your child’s already thinking about summer camp, it might be time to start looking into early registration. Some camps accept applications as early as December, so you can take care of the registration process now and have plenty of time to prepare before the summer starts.
Check out these Frederick-area camps with early registration in December and January, plus more for Feburary and March. From classic day camps to specialty camps focused on one area of interest, there’s a lot to explore!
Open for Registration
BYM Summer Camps
Thurmont
A Quaker camp focused on exploring local nature; incorporates off-campus hiking and boating trips
{ Registration currently open }
bymcamps.org
Camps Airy and Louise
Thurmont (Camp Airy), and Cascade (Camp Louise)
Jewish overnight camps that incorporate Jewish teachings into summer camp activities. Camp Airy is for boys, and Camp Louise is for girls.
{ Registration currently open }
airylouise.org
Camp Wright
Stevensville
An Episcopalian camp (open to campers of all religions) with day and overnight camp programs. One of its most unique offerings is its “Christmas in July” camp session.
{ Registration currently open }
campwright.com
Capital Camps
Rockville
Jewish overnight camp; has leadership programs for older campers
{ Registration currently open }
capitalcamps.org
River Valley Ranch
Manchester
Christian camp with overnight and day camp offerings; has adventure activities and offers horseback riding
{ Registration currently open }
rivervalleyranch.com
Opening in December
Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s FUN Camp
Frederick
Week-long camps focused on the performing arts that use the Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s stage and facilities
{ Registration opens in December; early bird prices through Jan. 31 }
marylandensemble.org
Opening in January
Kids on Campus at Frederick Community College
Frederick
Full and half-day camps with a wide range of activities, including STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), cooking, nature and the performing arts
{ Registration opens in January }
frederick.augusoft.net/info/landing/youth-programs
Mar-Lu Ridge Camp & Retreat Center
Jefferson
Christian camp with day and overnight camp offerings, as well as a family camp and specialty camps focused on subjects like music, nature and horseback riding
{ Registration opens Jan. 1 }
mar-lu-ridge.org
Puh’tok in the Pines
Monkton
Summer camp partnered with The Y in Central Maryland. Offerings include day and overnight camps, a Native American history camp, an equestrian camp and summer service corps.
{ Day camp registration open; overnight camp registration opens Jan. 1 }
camppuhtok.com
Opening in February
Clubhouse Kids Summer Camp
Frederick
Day camp program featuring regular field trips and both outdoor and indoor play
{ Registration opens in February }
clubhousekidsonline.com/summer-camp.html
Opening in March
24/7 Dance Studio Summer Camps
Frederick
Dance-focused camps that culminate in a musical production put on by campers
{ Registration opens in March }
24-7dancestudio.com
More to Explore
As more summer camps announce their registration dates, many will be opening for registration from January through March. Here are just a handful of camps to look out for this winter. For even more options to fuel your camp search, visit frederickschild.com/campdirectory.
{ Overnight Camps }
- Camp Conowingo / Conowingo
- Camp Hashawha – The Y in Central Maryland / Westminster
- Camp West Mar / Sabillasville
- Bar-T Mountainside Camp / Frederick
- Camp Shoresh / Adamstown
{ Specialty Camps }
- Summer Serve / Frederick { Leadership }
- Nature Science Camp at Fountain Rock Park / Walkersville { Nature }
- Summer Camp at the Delaplaine Arts Center / Frederick { Arts }
- Urbana Riding Club / Frederick { Horseback riding }
- Camp FGC / Frederick { Gymnastics }
{ New Program }
Damascus Summer Camps’ Summit Lake Campus
Damascus, a Catholic organization that hosts youth and adult retreats and summer camps, will be opening a new location in Emmitsburg this summer. The Summit Lake campus is the first Damascus Summer Camp to open on the East Coast. Its other two camps are in Centerburg, Ohio, and Brighton, Michigan.
The Centerburg, Ohio, camp started with 63 campers when it first opened in 2001 but has gone on to welcome thousands of campers each summer. Damascus Summer Camps leadership started looking into expansion opportunities in 2020 and opened a second campus in 2023, with the Emmitsburg property purchased in 2024.
The camp will offer many fun summer activities, such as adventuring on a ropes course and water activities in the campus’s lake, as well as a daily mass and Christian studies. In addition to campers, local clergy are also invited to the camp to help out and work with the children attending.
This summer will consist of eight one-week sessions divided between middle school students in sixth through eighth grades and high school students.
Registration is currently open. For more information, visit damascus.net.
