2021 Camp Guide
Annapolis School of Seamanship Junior Captains Course
Kids get the chance to get out on the water and have fun this summer while learning essential boating skills from licensed professionals. The Annapolis School of Seamanship — known as “America’s Boat School” — is again offering its popular powerboating courses for kids.
“Students will learn to operate a small powerboat safely and confidently,” says Mark Talbott, operations manager at the Annapolis School of Seamanship. “They will learn about docking, maneuvering, running on plane, navigational markers, safe operation, water sports safety, man overboard recovery and weather.”
Founded in 2002 by professional mariner and U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain John Martino, the school is considered a leader in the education of professional and recreational boaters.
Just like the adult classes, the kids’ programs—known as Junior Captains courses—are taught by U.S. Coast Guard-licensed instructors. The Junior Captains Course is an on-the-water program that puts kids at the helm of a small powerboat. By the end of the program, students will gain confidence operating small, single outboard powerboats.
To make sure each student gets plenty of time at the helm, course attendance is limited. The ratio of students to instructors is an impressive four to one. Each Junior Captains course is open to kids ages 11 to 15.
Kids leave class with more than a great summertime experience. Upon successful completion of the course and additional homework assignments, students will receive their Maryland Safe Boating certificate, which meets all mandatory boating education requirements in 49 U.S. states.
Annapolis School of Seamanship at Annapolis City Marina, 410 Severn Ave., Annapolis
Contact: 410-263-8848; www.jrcaptains.com
Cost: $495 per student
Dates: June 14-Sept. 4
Students need to provide: Lifejacket, water bottle and sun protection.
Annapolis Area Christian School
Annapolis Area Christian School welcomes summer with a variety of camp options designed to keep kids delighted and engaged.
Programs such as SAT prep, robotics, and coding stimulate the mind while outlets like cheer-dance fusion, photography, video production, and cooking tap into a creative side. Sports options include a combine competition, football, basketball, and lacrosse.
The AACS program has more than 30 camp offerings for kids ages 3.5 to 18 years.
The school offers the Eagle Experience, which includes Biblical-based character building in Eagles Explorations camps, with weekly themes like Jumanji and Christmas in July.
Annapolis Area Christian School honors who they are as Christian educators, coaches, and mentors and welcome all to their camps.
AACS serves more than 800 K-12 students on four campuses in Anne Arundel County. Since August, in-person instruction has continued without community spread thanks to comprehensive preparation efforts and pandemic protocol compliance.
Summer camps will follow all CDC and state pandemic recommendations. One parent says, “Your kids will come home tired and happy every night.”
Annapolis Area Christian School Upper School, 109 Burns Crossing Rd., Severn & Annapolis Area Christian School Middle School, 716 Bestgate Rd., Annapolis
Contact: 410-519-5300; www.aacsonline.org/summer
Cost: $135-$365
Dates: June 21-Aug. 6
Students need to provide: See specific camp info for details.
Annapolis Sailing School Kidship Sailing Camp
Annapolis Sailing School—the first sailing school for adults in the nation—is offering sailing camps for kids. Kidship Sailing Camp is open to kids ages 5 to 15.
A safe, fun way to get outside and learn to sail, the camp teaches kids how to control their boats. Kids will get the chance to spend hours a day having fun out on the water while learning a bit about why boats work.
Started in 1959, the school developed its own vessel—the Rainbow 24—to train students in the 1960s. These workhorse vessels still are in use today and are the mainstay of the school’s fleet.
Two new sailboats have been added this year, helping Annapolis Sailing School continue to teach sailing in a relaxing, fun way.
Annapolis Sailing School, 7001 Bembe Beach Rd., Annapolis
Contact: 410-267-7205; www.annapolissailing.com/youth-sailing/
Cost: $295-$625
Dates: June 14-Aug. 13
Students need to provide: Towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, lunch, bathing suit, and a change of clothes.
Calvert Marine Museum
Expect fun and exciting activities this summer such as exploring fossils, otters, sharks and pirates led by museum staff at Calvert Marine Museum’s camps.
Campers will join museum experts for behind-the-scenes tours as well as hands-on activities and crafts.
Open to kids in grades 1-6, the camps at the museum will be in a hybrid format this year. The museum is slowly expanding on-site programs and developed camps that keep kids and staff safe during the ongoing pandemic. The camps include two days of in-person activities and two days of virtual participation with at-home activity kits.
Shark Camp! is making a reappearance this year and attendees of the popular program will get an exclusive look at the upcoming exhibit, Sharks! Sink Your Teeth In. Kids who attend Shark Camp! will also get to work with a paleontologist studying sharks.
Calvert Marine Museum, 14200 Solomons Island Road, Solomons
Contact: 410-326-2042; www.calvertmarinemuseum.com
Cost: $75 w/discounts for museum members
Dates: June 28–Aug.12
Students need to provide: A sense of adventure along with a refillable water bottle, sunscreen and comfortable shoes.
En-tice-ment Stables Equestrian Camp
En-tice-ment Stables offers small, private groups to teach equestrian skills in a fun, family atmosphere at Obligation Farm. The camp prides itself on teaching children every aspect of horsemanship from riding to the total care of the horse. Non-equestrian activities are also offered for the children’s total enjoyment.
Camps are certified by the State of Maryland. For children ages 5-7, the stables offer a half-day camp. All camps are for beginners to intermediate level. The camp in June also offers a session for advanced riders.
On Fridays during summer camp, demonstrations are held so that kids can show off their new skills. Held at 3p.m., the events are open to parents, guardians, family and friends.
En-tice-ment Stables at Obligation Farm, 4016 Solomons Island Rd., Harwood
Contact: 410-798-4980; www.enticementstables.com
Cost: $400 full-day camp (8:30am- 4:30pm); $250 half-day camp (8:30am-noon); Note: First payments due by March 15.
Dates: June 21 – 25, advanced, intermediate & beginner riders; July 12 – 16, July 19 – 23 & August 9-13, beginners & intermediate riders.
Students need to provide: Please wear riding attire (long pants or chaps and boots or hard sole shoes with a heel); bring your own helmet; bring shorts and tennis shoes (no flip flops or sandals) or comfortable clothes for when not riding — other activities may include painting, so wear old clothes; bring a lunch, lots of drinks/water, hat and sun protection.
Lillie Pad Studios
Lillie Pad Studios offers unique experiences in art making. Campers will work with materials like glass, clay, and metal to create sculptures and functional art objects.
The camps are not only fun but can be challenging in encouraging kids and teens to think creatively. Lillie Pad strives to offer campers experiences they cannot find elsewhere in Anne Arundel County and the processes taught to campers are often new to them. Courses offered include glass fusing, blow molds, hot glass sculpting, glass flameworking, resin casting, glass casting, welding and ceramics; all camps are for ages 11 and up.
Lillie Pad Studios has several safety measures in place based on CDC and government requirements and recommendations. The camp requires mask-wearing, hand-washing, and temperature checks. Studio spaces, tools and equipment are sanitized regularly. The camp features open-air studio spaces and practices social distancing.
Class sizes are kept small to allow for individualized education.
Lillie Pad Studios, 295 Charles Hall Rd., #2103, Millersville
Contact: 443-494-8008; www.lilliepadstudios.com/summer-art-camp
Cost: $250-$375
Dates: Aug. 10-Sept. 2
Students need to provide: Varies depending on class; see website for details.
Naptown Sings! and Plays!
Summer camps with Naptown Sings are filled with music. Students of all levels and abilities—no experience necessary—have the opportunity to learn to sing, drum, play various instruments and participate in fun musical activities.
At full-day camps, kids ages 6–11, will learn an instrument: piano or ukulele or guitar, the instrument depends on instructor availability for your camp week. Younger campers, ages 3-6, will be immersed in a world of music exploration, from instrument playing to rhythm and melody.
An outdoor, half-day music camp is also available this summer. Students will learn ukulele and world drumming, and participate in fun musical activities such as games, ice breakers, talent shows, freeze dancing, music and movement and more.
Highly qualified instructors ensure a well-rounded educational experience and an exciting week. In addition to group instruction in voice and instruments, students make friends, play games, and have an all-around musical good time. Campers will be grouped into two groups of eight students each, in separate parts of the building.
Virtual camps are also available. Kids can learn an instrument from anywhere.
Naptown Sings! and Plays! Studio,141 Gibralter Ave., Annapolis
Contact: 410-279-3208; https://naptownsings.com/summer-camps-and-classes/
Cost: $150-$300
Dates: June 21-Sept. 3
Students need to provide: Smiles.
Safe Harbor Annapolis Tennis Camps
A marina in historic Eastport is the setting for a weekly kid’s tennis camp this spring and summer. Grab your racket and come out and play!
Tennis is a great way to maintain health, fitness, strength and agility. It also believed to have social and psychological benefits. Starting kids in the sport early is a great way to keep them engaged in this popular activity.
Players may be divided into separate groups based on skill level. If a class is canceled due to rain, a makeup class will be held Friday of the same week. All students will learn the foundations needed for developing advanced strokes. Intermediate players will learn basic singles and doubles strategy for match play.
Summer camp includes 90 minutes of tennis instruction, games, and one hour of swimming. For the younger kids, it may also include pickleball.
No experience is required. Camps are based on age and sessions vary depending on the time of the year. Spring camps run a half-hour to an hour daily and summer camps will run from 9:30a.m. to noon.
Safe Harbor Annapolis, 519 Chester Ave., Annapolis
Contact: 410-268-8282; email: [email protected]
Dates: Spring sessions May 25-June 10 (T & Th, ages 4-6 ages 6-8); summer sessions June 21-Aug. 30 (daily, 9am-noon, ages 4-12+)
Costs: Spring sessions $60-$110 w/discounts; summer camp $235 w/discounts
Students need to provide: Racquet, water bottle, swim suit, hats, and a life jacket (if camper is a non-swimmer).