Summertime is for having fun, but it’s also a time when academic and social skills can stall out for kids if they aren’t careful. Continuing education over the summer months is especially important for children who rely on routine and structure.
Here are five summer educational programs in the DMV that will allow your child to continue to have fun while exploring topics and skills they might not have time for in a regular school day.
Abrakadoodle Art Classes for Kids
Locations in Northern Virginia and Prince William and Loudoun counties 703-860-6570
Abrakadoodle offers art education for groups of children as young as 20 months to 6 years old and beyond. The youngest learners will take part in a parent/child class designed to help them develop their motor, language and social skills. This visual arts summer program focuses on individual expression and teaching art history, with information on both modern and historic master artists. Register online at abrakadoodle.com/programs/abrakadoodle-classes
American University High School Summer Scholars
4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. | 202-885-1000
American University gives high schoolers the opportunity to take advantage of free time over the summer to keep learning and earn college credit. The AU Summer Scholars course allows students to earn college credit for online courses in areas including biotech, data science, global public health, political action, psychology and more. Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 grade point average are eligible. american.edu/summer/precollege/high-school-summer-scholars.cfm
Guidepost Montessori at West Alex
3475 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA |571-206-1687
Guidepost offers weeklong programs for children in pre-K, kindergarten and elementary school during the summer. Each week of the Montessori school’s summer program will have a different subject or theme, such as creating with fibers, storytelling, drawing, communication and circuitry. guidepostmontessori.com/koaa-west-alex
Summer Chess Camps
Locations throughout Northern Virginia and Maryland |703-574-2070
At the Magnus Chess Academy, kids can learn about the most famous game of chess ever played, review or learn the rules and play in practice tournaments with peers. The academy offers online and in-person camps in the summer for different skill levels. Learning and playing chess exercises concentration, pattern recognition, decision making and more cognitive skills to keep your child’s wheels turning all summer. Dates for 2023 camps TBD. chessacademy.com/pages/summer-chess-camps
Kids Elite Sports
423 Quackenbos St. NW, Washington, D.C. | 240-321-9287
Encourage healthy habits for your kids through Kids Elite Sports’ many options— including football, soccer, basketball, floor hockey, kickball, futsal and swimming— within its summer programs. In addition to promoting an active summer, Kids Elite Sports encourages participants to read, socialize and engage in strategy and teamwork exercises. Each program lasts a week. Choose the program that’s right for your child at one of three D.C. area locations. kidselitesports.com/special-programs
