I know summer seems far away, but January is a pivotal month in booking summer camps, and if you're a parent, it’s time to get your head in the game. Finding summer camps in D.C. can be cutthroat, and registrations are already starting to open. City Cast contributor Austin Graff gave us everything you need to know to set your kid up with an unforgettable summer.
Tips
- D.C. summer camps can get expensive and cheap options (like ones with the Department of Parks and Rec) are limited. But go farther out of the city, or even to another state, and you’ll find much more affordable options.
- Coordinate with other parents. If you can get a group together, that means more socializing for your kid and more carpooling options for you.
- Start planning early! Start talking as a family about what programs excite you and potential back ups before registrations start to open.
Timeline
Registration for most local summer camps open sometime between now and mid-February. And it's a good idea to have most things locked down by March. That means the time for looking and planning is now!
Camp field trip to the National Zoo. (Jeff Greenberg/Getty Images)
What Summer Camp To Choose
The DMV has hundreds of summer camp options! Be sure to think outside the box. Check local aftercare centers and churches, your neighborhood listserve, parent forums, museums, or even options out of the city. Here are a few tried-and-true ones we love to get your gears going.
Department of Parks and Rec: The cheapest (and most competitive) option in the DMV. The DPR offers dozens of really well-run camps that are available via lottery. The 2026 camp options are not yet available (check back in February!), but be sure to register with DPR ahead of time and log in before the lottery link drops to have the best chance.
Glen Echo Park Summer Camps: Glen Echo offers dozens of camps for every age on every possible topic. From clay animation to shark camp to Irish dancing, there is something for everyone, and all for a (relatively) affordable price.
Camp Half Blood in Rock Creek Park: Based on the Percy Jackson series (aka my dream) this camp lets kids create and live in their own mystical world in Rock Creek Park where they solve mysteries, crack codes, play sports, and compete in team games.
Spy Camp at the International Spy Museum: Take on secret missions, learn from real spies, develop disguises and gadgets, and hit the streets of D.C. to run training missions. I wish they made this one for adults.
Amore Summer Camp in Spring Valley: A non-profit in Northwest D.C. with camps for kids aged 3 - 10. Think interactive science experiments, arts & crafts, storytelling, and back to school learning activities.
Model UN Camp at Georgetown: It wouldn’t be D.C. if there wasn’t at least one MUN camp on this list. This one at Georgetown has options for kids 11 - 17 and is just as smarty-pants as you would expect.
Camp Arena Stage at Georgetown Prep: A multi-arts summer camp for ages 8 - 15. Kids can fill their schedule with theater, dance, music, visual art, filmmaking, and writing. It all comes together in an evening arts extravaganza showcase.
SportRock Climbing Camp in Alexandria: Choose between indoor and outdoor rock climbing, or even a STEM based climbing camp which includes activities like 3D design and robotics. For ages 6 - 14.
Smithsonian's Summer Camps: Choose from a plethora of week-long camps for all ages on topics from alchemy to video making to recycling. The general lottery for admission opens Feb. 13 but be sure to pre-register before then.
