Something for everyone at MVF Summer Camps
by Mike Conroy
With the mounds of snow still on the ground and the thought of winter not over yet, it seems like a perfect time to think about summer; summer camps, that is.
Before you know it, spring and summer will creep up on us, school will be out, vacations will begin and you’ll need somewhere productive for your children to go during the day. Now is the time to think, and register for, MVF Summer Camps. This summer, give your child(ren) a great opportunity to learn, interact and flourish, right here in your backyard.
The Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) Department of Recreation, Parks and Culture offers fantastic opportunities at established camps for youth ages 4 to 12. Each week, campers will make friends, enjoy live performances, go on field trips, participate in active games, go swimming, create arts and crafts projects, participate in science experiments and of course, have fun! Camps Tiny Feet and Soaring Stars also offer swimming lessons at no additional cost!
Currently scheduled trips include (trips vary per camp and are subject to change): Pirate Adventure on the Chesapeake; Splash Down Water Park; Bounce U; Borher Park; Mt. Airy Bowling Alley; Jimmie Cone; Red Zone Adventures; Six Flags America; SkyZone; Shadowland Adventures; and an End of Summer Cookout. Special visitors include: Eric Energy; Squeals on Wheels; and others to be announced.
New this summer are several specialty camps and programs to pique specific interests. MVF will be hosting Artistic Adventures, led by experienced Montgomery County Public Schools teachers. If sports are more your thing, then check out either All-In Sports and Games or ProsToYou Tennis Camp. Either one is a great way to stay active and participate in some of your favorite summer sports. If you’re interested in swimming or nature, we’ve got you covered here as well! Try Afternoon Aqua Club or Nature Explorers for some water or land-based fun.
Teens ages 13 to 16 can grow their skills by working with MVF Summer Camps. MVF offers either a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) or Leader-in-Training (LIT) program for those ages 14 and older. Gain valuable leadership and job experience, as well as Student Service Learning hours as a CIT or LIT. Early experiences like this will help build confidence and responsibility to flourish in future employment opportunities; many CITs have attended MVF camps and transition into camp counselor positions the following year.
MVF Summer Camps are convenient for parents, too! Besides being so close to home, affording you the ease of drop-off and pickup before and after work, camps Soaring Stars Racing Wind, Artistic Adventures and All-In Sports and Games also offer an extended-day option from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. to make sure you get to work on time.
Need to schedule around summer vacation plans? No problem—our flexible, one and two-week sessions make it possible to maximize your child’s camp experience and minimize overpaying for a camp they can’t attend all of.
Want more flexibility? The North Creek Summer Drop-in or Summer Sports and Activity Center at Whetstone may be perfect options for you! These super-affordable camp options run the same eight weeks as the other camps, but allow campers to drop-in as necessary. North Creek Drop-in includes a variety of activities each day, while Summer Sports focuses on sports, group games and activities.
What happens when camp is over, but school hasn’t started yet? We’ve got you covered there too! Awesome August Adventures is a great way to fill that end of summer gap. Campers can participate in LEGO, Mad Science, Tiny Chefs or Abrakadoodle sessions, finding their inner engineer, scientist, culinary genius or artistic talents.
MVF camps provide peace of mind with top-notch staff. Many of our camp staff and directors have years of experience with Village youth. And our manageable staff-to-camper ratio makes sure that your child receives care and attention, instead of just being another face in the crowd. Parents, guardians and campers are invited to meet the staff of their respective camps at the Camp Open House on Thursday, June 16. Times and locations vary per camp; for more information, call 301-948-0110, or visit www.montgomeryvillage.com.
Best of all, Montgomery Village camps won’t break the bank! The weekly/bi-weekly sessions are broken down to affordable rates. Register by Sunday, April 10 and take advantage of Early Bird Specials!
To check out all the opportunities for your child(ren) to flourish this summer, visit the Summer Camp and Program Fair from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 20 at Lake Marion Community Center, 8821 East Village Avenue. Meet camp staff and sample a wide variety of activities offered this summer.
If you can’t make the camp fair, grab a Summer Camp Guide from the MVF Office, 10120 Apple Ridge Road, or view it online at www.montgomeryvillage.com. And with the convenience of online registration, you can register your child(ren) in just a few minutes! For more information or questions, call 301-948-0110, e-mail