Though we haven’t quite put our winter coats away yet, it’s that time of year to register for summer camps. What better way to make that decision than to meet with camp staff face-to-face at a camp fair?

Washington FAMILY held its annual Summer Camps and Activities fair at Tysons Corner Center Saturday, Feb. 22.

Kids and their parents visited the 22 tables that had something for every child: the budding scientist, veterinarian, climber, equestrian, athlete or algebra whiz. Between traditional camp experiences and more niche programs, the camp fair displayed the wide range of options across the DMV and beyond.

Here is a look at the camps that were in attendance and what each had to offer:

The most popular station by far was Mad Science of D.C., where, decked out in a lab coat, “Professor Jay” performed experiments that popped, bubbled and vibrated, including a live demonstration with dry ice. Campers can experience these hands-on activities and more this summer with Mad Science Camps.

The Children’s Science Center Lab attracted kids and adults alike who were drawn to containers of brightly colored slime that operated a computerized piano. Located at the Fair Oaks Mall, in Fairfax, Virginia, campers can choose from programs in technology, space, chemistry, brain science or environmental science.

“We are a wonderful place for hands-on STEM exploration and exposure to new ideas and learning in a way that’s more effective,” says Noelle Russell, who works at the center, adding that kids learn more effectively when they’re having fun.

While school is out for the summer, that doesn’t mean learning has to end.

The Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) Academy offers a combination of art and STEM, teaching math to young learners visually through its “Math Beast” comic books. Dennis Loo, the senior associate director for AoPS Academy Virginia, says AoPS is a good option for kids who might be bored or understimulated at school to expand their learning in a fun, unique way.

For another math-centered program, families can check out the Russian School of Mathematics (RSM), which helps students in kindergarten through 12th grade advance their math skills over the summer with classes twice a week. RSM has locations in Maryland and Virginia.

Students as young as rising third graders can get ahead of the game with Fairfax Collegiate’s choice of 100 different courses. In addition to traditional school subjects, kids can pursue filmmaking, public speaking, simulators and virtual reality, digital design and robotics.

Kids and teens who want to pursue a multimedia project but also love playing sports can find that combination at TIC Summer Camp, where every day is half technology and half athletics. It’s a “super fun camp,” says Adele Riedel, a former camper from ages 7 to 15 who now works for the camp.

During her time at TIC, Riedel pursued her love of horror movies by making her own.

Medical Me is perfect for animal lovers. Aspiring veterinarians learn how to examine dogs of different breeds, assess their health, treat common illnesses and give vaccines. By the end of the session, campers will adopt a stuffed puppy and graduate with a “white coat ceremony.”

Girls who love to ride horses will find home at the overnight Camp Rim Rock in West Virginia. The girls’ camp also offers swimming, performing arts, arts and crafts and more.

Dance Academy of Virginia has full-day and half-day camps in which dancers spend the week making crafts, participating in a dance-style class—with themes from Barbie to Broadway and hip-hop to pop—and mastering choreography for an end-of-session performance.

Other ways to get little feet moving include The Little Gym and DC Bouldering Project. The Little Gym focus on movement and gymnastics to keep kids active during the summer. The latter teaches kids as young as 4 years old how to rock climb, do yoga and science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) activities, team-build and learn life skills.

Since 1966, Green Acres Camp in North Bethesda has offered a traditional outdoor camp experience for children age 4 to rising eighth graders. Campers can learn teamwork through sports, play on wooded playgrounds and swim in the pool.

Madeira Camps is home to almost 400 acres of land and two high-quality camps: Camp Greenway, a traditional co-educational day camp, and Girls First, a residential program. Girls First allows young women to develop leadership skills and independence while choosing their own extracurricular activities, from business and law, to creative or performing arts, to STEM.

Kids who enjoy making their own decisions will appreciate the independence encouraged at Steve and Kate’s Camp, where campers can build their own schedules and spend their day on activities such as sewing, baking, playing sports, doing stop-motion animation or learning robotics.

Campers at Independent Lake Camp in Thompson, Pennsylvania, are also offered an individualized experience. A camp session might include climbing the high ropes, soaring through the air on a trapeze, scaling the “earthquake bridge,” tearing up the skateboard park, riding go karts and much more.

Camp Horizons offers an equestrian program, archery, canoeing and zip lining among its traditional camp activities. The camp has two locations in Virginia and one in West Virginia.

For the past 110 years, Camp Kingswood has served as a home away from home for second through 11th graders in the DMV. The Jewish summer overnight camp, located in Maine, features a ski and sail team on the lake, family-style meals made from scratch and a multipurpose building for dance, gymnastics, fitness and martial arts programs.

Camp Achva in Fairfax is a Jewish day camp that promises “fun and formative summer experiences” through traditional camp activities such as woodworking, archery, slingshots and arts. The camp recently celebrated its 55th anniversary.

Boys ages 8 to 15 can learn to start a fire, shoot a rifle, enjoy water sports and more at Camp Wachusett in Vermont.

Studies show that kids lose about 30% of what they learned in an academic year during the summer, and The Fishburne Military School Summer Program aims to prevent that. The program helps boys in grades 6 through 12 avoid this “summer slide” through classes, improvement of study skills, participation in JROTC activities, playing sports and going on weekly outdoor adventures.

Need some father-son bonding time? For the first time this year, Blue Ridge School’s Summer at the Ridge has a father-son weekend retreat in June. Other summer programs include sports clinics, a sports camp and an outdoor camp.

If you’re seeking a quality summer camp in the DMV for your little athlete, look no further than The St. James Camps. The camps promise “nonstop fun,” whether through the adventure, sports or STEAM camps. Campers can choose from baseball, softball, basketball, cheer, dance, gymnastics, field hockey, flag football, golf, ice skating and more.

Keep an eye out for Washington FAMILY’s next camp fair in February 2026!

To explore more camps in the region, visit our camp directory or browse the camp directory in our latest digital edition.