Summer Camps
Summer Camps
Summer camp allows children to play and wonder as they explore the world around them with friends, old and new! Campers will get their hands wet and feet muddy while exploring our 12-acre Park campus with wooded-trails, a secluded cove, and marsh habitat on the shores of Back Creek. This summer, join us as we play in the woods and water, discover more about our local maritime heritage, and become inspired environmental stewards!
Check out our summer camp sessions for campers entering Kindergarten through 6th grade. Activities are specifically designed with each age group in mind. Our youngest campers will enjoy hands-on animal investigations, water play, arts and crafts, and stories, while campers in 4th-6th grade are challenged with additional water-based adventures including kayak and boat excursions, standup paddle boarding, and fishing.
Explore Our
Camp Sessions
For Campers Entering:
Mermaids & Pirates
Arrr you ready for a swashbuckling adventure? Join us as we discover how to outwit creatures of the deep, fend off pirates, investigate mythical creatures, and search for hidden treasure. Fun themed crafts, water play, and games will fill our week.
Wet & Muddy
Get ready to get messy! Our investigations will be sure to leave us a bit wet and muddy as we wade in the water to catch fish, hike along the marshes, and cool off in the mud. This camp will be filled with lots of outdoor exploration, water play, crafts, and much more.
Animal Investigators
Come meet some of the coolest critters the Chesapeake Bay has to offer! Discover animal friends that dart between bay grasses, hide in oyster reefs, and scamper along the shoreline as we go seining, pull oyster cages, and search for tracks in the sand. Colorful crafts and water games will complete the week.
Sensing Nature
There’s no better way to get to know the great outdoors than by getting your hands and feet dirty. Use all five senses as we listen to birdsongs, look for tracks, taste all the parts of a plant, touch a slippery eel, and stop to smell the flowers.
Storybook Adventures
n in lively storybook adventures that connect nature with fascinating stories! One nature-themed story inspires each day’s activities as we enjoy animal encounters, creek walks, and more during this week of outdoor fun.
Treasure Island
Ahoy! There’s treasure to be found in the woods and water at the Park and you won’t find it unless you attend this camp! Build forts and boats, find food in the wild, master orienteering, and discover the history of pirates in the Chesapeake.
Where the Wild Things Roam
Put on your explorer hats and walk on the wild side as we search for animal neighbors of all kinds. We’ll look high and low as we seine for fish, examine the woods for tracks and signs, and play animal games. We’ll investigate how and where these animals live and document our findings through animal-inspired art and skits.
Wonders of Water
Get ready for wet and wacky adventures as we explore the many wonders of water! Conduct experiments to see why water is so special, discover what animals make their homes in the Bay, create wonderful watercolor art, and cool off with exciting water games.
Naturally Creative
The natural world has been inspiring artists for thousands of years. Let it inspire your sense of creativity as we use a variety of media such as painting, photography, recycled art, skits, music, and more to interpret the wonder of the world around us.
Bay Explorers
Boating, fishing, hiking, and more await during this adventure-filled camp. Campers learn orienteering skills as well as scientific equipment to test the water of Back Creek. Each day, we use STEM principles and outdoor exploration to investigate the many ecosystems that make up our local watershed and learn about our human connection to the Bay.
Anchors Aweigh
Ever wonder what it takes to survive on the high seas? Join us for swashbuckling adventures as we discover how to outwit pirates and creatures of the deep. Refine your skills of boat building, knot tying, fishing, and navigation as we explore life on the water.
Outdoor Adventure
After this week, you’ll be set for future outdoor adventures and be able to tackle any challenges that may arise! Gain confidence as we work together to build shelters, identify wild food sources, purify drinking water, navigate on land and sea, build and cook over the campfire, and practice basic first aid.
Gone’ Fishin
Did somebody say fishing?! Grab a net, rod, and tacklebox for a fantastic fish-filled week of camp! Whether seining in the creek, fishing off the dock, or setting out pots and traps, campers are sure to catch their fill. Throughout the week, we’ll learn about and participate in stewardship projects to protect this habitat. With plenty of fish-inspired art and games, campers will surely be hooked on having a great time!
Eco Art
Love to build, design, and create? Get inspired by nature in the vibrant setting of Back Creek Park. Campers draw, make crafts out of recycled and natural materials, and go kayaking along Back Creek as they get up close and personal with the diversity of plants and animals of our community park. Explore natural dyes, printmaking, nature journaling, and more! Perfect for the budding artist.
Paddle Annapolis
Discover all that Annapolis has to offer by venturing out on kayak, standup paddleboard, boat, and foot! On water, we will explore Back Creek while building paddling skills, as well as enjoy a cruise aboard a historic Chesapeake Bay workboat. On land, we will discover more about our maritime heritage as we travel to the Maritime Museum. During our adventures, we’ll investigate ongoing environmental restoration projects and be inspired to protect these resources for future generations to enjoy!
A DAY AT CAMP
Example Camp Schedule
Here’s an example of what your camper might do on a typical day at AMM Summer Camp! Activities vary daily according to the camp theme and age.
Session: Fish and Friends
- Theme of the day: Fish of the Chesapeake Bay
- Grades: K – 1st
- 9:00 Morning Meeting – start the day off right with camp songs, a stretch, and announcements!
- 9:20 Group Meeting – “getting to know you games” and discuss plan for the day
- 9:40 Explore: Characteristics of Fish and Seining
- 10:30 Snack and Water Break
- 10:40 Game: Fish Tag
- 11:10 Art project: Create a fish out of recycled materials
- 11:30 Lunch and Recess
- 12:30 Excursion: Take a boat ride to the Museum
- 1:00 Activity: Set crab pots off the Museum’s dock, check out the aquarium, and meet a Blue Crab
- 2:30 Conclusion and Cleanup
- 3:00 Afternoon Meeting – snack, story, and share about today’s adventures
- 3:30 Dismissal
Session: Bay Explorers
- Theme of the day: What floats your boat?
- Grades: 4-6th
- 9:00 Morning Meeting – start the day off right with camp songs, a stretch, and announcements!
- 9:20 Group Meeting – “getting to know you games” and discuss plan for the day
- 9:40 Explore: How do boats float? Test buoyancy of materials and research historic boat designs
- 10:30 Snack and Water Break
- 10:40 Create a boat out of recycled materials and test your design
- 11:30 Lunch and Recess
- 12:30 Kayak safety and paddling instruction
- 1:00 Guided Kayak trip and water games
- 2:30 Conclusion and Cleanup
- 3:00 Afternoon Meeting – snack, story, and share about today’s adventures
- 3:30 Dismissal
Are any additional forms required for my camper?
Each camper must bring the completed AMM Health Form (sent in the acknowledgement email when you register) to the first day of camp. If your child must bring medication to camp (either for emergencies or daily administration), you must also complete the Medication Administration Authorization Form. This form must be signed by a parent/guardian AND the child’s physician. This form must be completed for any prescription AND over-the-counter medications. This form should be turned in to the Camp Director with the medication on the first day of camp.
Campers entering grades 4 and above will also need to complete waivers to participate in excursions with outside providers, such as Capital SUP. These forms will be emailed. Waivers must be turned in in person on the first day of your child’s camp session (only once per summer). Note: campers are continuously supervised by AMM staff while participating in programs with outside providers.
What is the cost of summer camp and are there discounts available?
- If you are not a current AMM member and would like to become one, visit the membership page. Scholarships are also available (see above the example schedule for the scholarship application).
- AMM members must register for the site to receive automatic member benefits. Please register here prior to checkout. If previously registered, please ensure that you are logged in so that you receive your discount at checkout.
What additional health and safety precautions are in place this summer in response to COVID-19?
What is AMM's cancellation policy?
- Cancellations received 4 weeks before the start date of your camp, receive a full refund minus $20.00 non-refundable registration fee
- Cancellations received after 4 weeks before the start date of your camp, receive a 50% refund minus the $20 non-refundable registration fee.
- There are no refunds for missed days of camp.
- All cancellation requests must be made in writing and emailed to the Office Manager at program@amaritime.org.
- The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park reserves the right to remove any registrations for children in the incorrect age group. All ages listed refer to the grade your child will be entering in fall 2022.
What is your staff to camper ratio?
The staff to camper ratio is 1:10.
How many campers are in each session/group?
Campers will be in groups based on their age and enrollment for the week. Kindergarten groups typically have 12 campers. All other groups typically have 16-18 campers.
Is food provided at camp?
Campers need to bring a non-perishable lunch each day. For morning snack, campers can choose to pack a separate snack or to eat one item from their lunch. We will provide an afternoon snack during camp and an additional snack for campers staying for after care. Snacks will vary daily and may include fresh fruit, pretzels, crackers, popsicles, or s’mores.
Once I register, when will I get more information?
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with additional information attached. Additional information and reminders specific to your child’s camp session will be sent approximately 1 week before the start of that session.
My child takes medication during the day or needs medication in case of emergencies (ie inhaler or Epi-Pen). Do I need any additional forms?
If your child must bring medication to camp (either for emergencies or daily administration), you must complete the Medication Administration Authorization Form. This form must be signed by a parent/guardian AND the child’s physician. This form must be completed for any prescription AND over-the-counter medications. This form should be turned in to the Camp Director with the medication on the first day of camp.
Is the camp licensed by the State of Maryland?
Yes, our camp is licensed to run through Maryland’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Each year our camp is inspected by DHMH and has passed with flying colors every year!
Are camp staff First Aid and CPR trained?
Safety is a top priority! All camp staff are First Aid and CPR trained.
Is the summer camp staff certified to lead kayak trips?
All kayak staff are ACA Level 1 Kayak Instructors.
Can you tell me a little bit about the Park Campus?
Our Park Campus has 12 wooded acres, a dingy dock, secluded cove, large parking lot, convenient camper pick-up loop, indoor classrooms with AC, restrooms with indoor plumbing, and is on city water. The park is conveniently located on Edgewood Road, two minutes from the Bay Ridge Giant grocery store. This property is maintained year-round by the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park.
Volunteering and Working at Camp
- College students and recent grads interested in a career in environmental education can apply to intern with us! https://amaritime.org/about/internships/
- High School students, ages 16+, can apply to volunteer as a camp counselor. HS students will earn community service hours.
- Adult volunteers are always needed and appreciated! Email community@amaritime.org to discuss.
- Current teacher? We have paid positions for teachers interested in working with camp for 5-6 weeks this summer. Interested, please email your resume to community@amaritime.org.