Washington Family Camp Directory: Arts and STEM

Summer is a time for kids to choose what they learn. The “summer slide” doesn’t have to be a reality when there are a number of enriching, educational camps for families to choose from in our January 2023 directory.

If your child wants more science, math or art during the school year, summer is the time to jump back in. You might find your children are even more excited to learn when it’s a subject they’re passionate about.

Explore these visual and performing arts camps in the DMV, along with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) camps below, and find more in our online summer camp guide at washingtonfamily.com/summer-camp-guide.

Virginia Ballet Company and School
Virginia Ballet Company and School at the Washington Family 2022 camp fair. | Photo: Lindsay C. VanAsdalan

 

Arts

 

Allow your child to spend the day immersed in visual arts with a weeklong Art Camp at the Art League for ages 5-7 and 8-11, covering a range of projects such as painting, printmaking or sculpture.  A different project will be offered each week. The Alexandria, Virginia nonprofit founded in 1954 draws on instruction from professional artists for its youth classes.

Camp students can dabble in different disciplines or zero in on a specific interest with specialty camps for fiber, clay animation, drawing, painting, cartooning, jewelry, sculpture and ceramics for varying age groups.

After completing summer acting camp at The Theatre Lab, your children might be ready to bring a whole new meaning to that familiar social media reference, “Is it me? Am I the drama?”

Your young stars will receive training from Washington D.C. theatre professionals and educators, beginning with 2-week themed sessions for grades 1-6 such as “Shipwrecked-Tales on the High Seas” and comedy improv. That moves up to 4-week sessions for grades 7-8, with the option of one-week intensive camps for tweens where they perform a play. As a teen ages 13-19, you can take a 2-week intensive or audition for a monthlong musical theater or summer acting institute.

Whether your kids already know acting is their dream or are still in discovery mode, these camps are designed to teach the benefits of drama training–such as self-confidence, communication and teamwork skills.

Young dancers ages 3-7 at Virginia Ballet Company & School’s Fantasy Ballet Camp can have an imaginative summer learning classical ballet technique to weekly themes including Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia’s Toy Workshop and Swan Lake.

The 70-year Fairfax, Virginia community institution also offers a summer intensive program and adults classes and workshops during the summer. You can join your children in learning something new.

 

Robotics demo from the Children's Science Center Lab
Robotics demo from the Children’s Science Center Lab at the Washington Family 2022 camp fair. | Photo: Lindsay C. VanAsdalan

 

STEM

 

Curriculum changes each summer at the Children’s Science Center Lab in Fairfax so you can try it more than once. If your children have ever wanted to “slime” things, you can finally tell them yes– but only during “Slimy Science,” an exploration of all things that  bubble, fizz, change color, ooze and explode.

Other camps on the summer schedule include Robotics 101, Science Safari, Mission to Space and 3D Printing & Design.

Don’t let your kids miss out on the crypto craze. A DC-based financial literacy program combines the fun of video games with real-world tips on creating smart money habits at a young age. The Super Crypto Kids summer camp connects these financial concepts with emerging tech such as cryptocurrency, blockchain, smart contracts, NFTs and online gaming.

Experts from top U.S universities share their tips and tricks in this two-week bootcamp that uses a virtual simulation for kids to practice buying and selling.

 

Art Camp at The Art League

Ages: 5-teen
theartleague.org/classes
[email protected]
703-683-2323
305 Madison St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
Day camp, boys and girls, teens, arts and crafts, boating, educational activities, photography

 

The Theatre Lab

Grades 1-8
theatrelab.org/camp
[email protected]
202-842-0449
900 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20001
Boys and girls, teens, extended day, drama and theatre experiences

 

Virginia Ballet Company & School

Ages: 3-adults
vaballet.org
[email protected]
703-249-8227
5595 Guinea Road, Fairfax, VA 22032

Fantasy Ballet Camps, classes and Summer Intensives, ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, character, tap, conditioning and more. VBC has many exciting opportunities for dancers of all ages this summer to condition, create and explore.

The Summer Intensive program is an exciting opportunity for advanced, junior and elementary-level dancers. The program, available daily or weekly with new Saturday and evening options, trains dancers in various disciplines, with an emphasis on classical ballet technique.

VBC’s Fantasy Ballet Camps are designed to capture the creative spirit of our youngest dancers, with morning, afternoon and full-day options. These ballet-themed camps for the youngest dancers allow students to explore movement in ballet and creativity with themed craft projects and exposure to the music of classical composers.

Adult classes and Master Class workshops for advanced and junior levels with VBC faculty and guest artists offer a range of opportunities for individuals to continue their passion or discover a new one.

 

Children’s Science Center Lab

Grades 1-5
childsci.org/plan-your-visit/camps
[email protected]
703-648-3130
11948L Fair Oaks Mall
Fairfax, VA 22033
STEM Camps with 5 fun themes to choose from including 3D printing, animal care, and STEM Detective. The lab is reserved for campers Monday through Friday.

 

Super Crypto Kids

Ages: Grades 6-12
[email protected]
supercryptokids.com
888-209-4051
Waterfront SW, Washington, DC 20024
The first Financial Literacy Program is where students can earn cryptocurrencies & NFTs while learning. We provide courses within the Metaverse (virtual) that are not taught in schools. Students are provided a unique hands-on learning experience that feels like playing a video game.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here