Parents have many options when choosing where to send their children to
summer camp. One interesting option lies right in our backyard … the
government-run recreation centers. The state, county and local governments
of D.C., Maryland and Virginia all share a unified goal to offer their
residents clean, operable facilities in their recreation centers and
quality sporting and recreational programs for all ages. However, all areas
offer a little something special to distinguish their summer camp
offerings. Here is a look at some of the summer camp programs at the
recreation centers within each area.
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia Parks and Recreation (DPR) operates and maintains
the recreation centers in all four of the city’s quadrants, with its main
office located at the Columbia Heights Community Center in N.W.
In D.C., the summer camp programming spans nine weeks, from June 18 through
August 17, 2018. DPR participates in the free summer meals program by
offering free breakfast and lunch to summer campers at select recreation
centers throughout D.C. All summer camps offered at recreation centers are
available to children in any jurisdiction, with the exception of REC camps.
REC camps are weekly offerings of diverse, hands-on learning experiences in
a fun environment. REC camps are for residents of District of Columbia
only. The cost is $40 per week, for up to 8 weeks of summer camp.
One of the most interesting components of DPR summer camps is their focus
on Drop-Everything-And-Read, known as “D.E.A.R.” reading activities, which
are extensions of the national celebration of D.E.A.R. each April. The
D.E.A.R. program, based on author Beverly Cleary’s character, Ramona
Quimby, encourages families to drop everything they’re doing, cozy up to a
book and read together. At summer camps, children are asked to drop
everything to focus on independent reading.
Maryland
There are numerous things that distinguish summer camps at recreation
centers in Montgomery County. The first is the governing body that operates
and manages summer camps. The Montgomery County Department of Recreation,
also known as Montgomery County Recreation (MCR) is one entity; a separate
entity is Montgomery Parks, which is a subdivision of the Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission. Though the governing bodies operate
independently of one another, both organizations publish their summer camp
offerings within the same guide. Second, there are fewer recreation centers
in Montgomery County than in other jurisdictions. However, both MCR and
Montgomery Parks offer a plethora of fascinating summer camps at area
elementary schools and at nature centers.
The third most interesting distinction of summer camps at recreation
centers in Montgomery County is the opportunity given to teens ages 14 – 18
to work at summer camps, learn leadership skills and gain service learning
hours. Teens may also participate in the Summer Leadership Challenge by
participating in interactive workshops that explore independence and
problem-solving.
Fourth is a unique concentration on therapeutic recreation. MCR offers
indoor and outdoor activities to youth and teens with disabilities in a
smaller, structured camp settings. Fifth is the opportunity given to people
age 14 and up to receive specialized training to volunteer as mainstream
inclusion companions. These companions provide support to individuals with
disabilities during MCR programs. And finally, the sixth most interesting
aspect of summer camps in Montgomery County is the Summer Fun Centers.
According to Communications and Public Outreach Manager, Carmen Berrios
Martinez, “We have summer fun centers that provide a variety of activities
such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music and drama, special events and
weekly swimming. They operate from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and the six-week program
costs just $395. That’s less than $1.32 an hour.”
Virginia
The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural
Activities manages and operates recreation centers, also known as
neighborhood centers, whose summer camp programs are limited to residents
of the City of Alexandria. The City of Alexandria is further subdivided
into Historic Alexandria, which features numerous historical and
educational programs and summer camps.
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) manages and operates the
recreation centers in seven cities throughout the county. FCPA offers
summer camps staffed by FCPA personnel as well as private vendors. All
listings appear in the print magazine, Parktakes, as well as online through
a searchable portal and registration program. An interesting feature of
FCPA summer camps is its 6-week Rec-PAC summer program, a structured
recreation program that emphasizes leisure and rotates fun themes on a
weekly basis.
The Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation manages and
operates the recreation, also known as community, centers in Arlington.
According to Publications and Public Relations Manager Martha Holland, one
of the most distinguishing characteristics of summer camps at the community
centers in Arlington County is its offering of “unique opportunities for
girls in career areas that have traditionally been dominated by men, such
as HERricane Arlington- Emergency Management Camp for Girls Ages 13-17,
Camp Heat: Girls Fire Camp- working with Arlington County firefighters in
an overnight camp (ages 15-18) and Coding for Girls (ages 8-14).
Parents should welcome the opportunity to delve into summer camp programs
at different recreation centers outside their home county. Unless the
program specifically limits its offerings to its own residents, parents can
safely assume their children are eligible. Be sure to visit the websites of
all government bodies within the District of Columbia, Maryland and
Virginia to find a fun summer camp for your children.
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