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 a 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 rising Kindergartens through rising 9th graders. 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 and 7th-9th grade are challenged with additional water-based adventures including kayak and boat excursions, dip netting and seining, and STEM Challenges.
2024 Summer Camp Openings
Week 4: July 15 – 19
Where the Wild Things Roam (2nd – 3rd)
Animal Investigators (K – 1st)
Week 6: July 29-August 2
Where the Wild Things Roam (2nd – 3rd)
Week 7: August 5 – 9
Anchors Aweigh (4th-6th)
Week 8: August 12-16
Outdoor Adventures (4th-6th)
Week 9: August 19-23
Treasure Island (2nd-3rd)
Your spot is not secured until your registration is complete, and your balance is paid in full.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
- Cancellations received more than 4 weeks before the start date of your camp, receive a full refund minus $20 non-refundable registration fee.
- Cancellations received within 2-4 weeks of the start date of your camp, receive a 50% refund minus the $20 non-refundable registration fee.
- Cancellations received within 1 week of the start date of your camp will not be eligible for a refund.
- There are no refunds for missed days of camp.
- All cancellation requests must be made in writing and emailed to AMM’s Education Program Coordinator at jmertz@amaritime.org
- Cost : $425 per week for nonmembers
- Cost : $375 for AMM Members (at Family Level or above)
- 9:00am to 4:00pm
- 1-week sessions with unique themes.
- Before and After Care options are available (one hour before and one hour after the start and end times of camp)
- Land and Water Exploration, Hands-on Environmental Education, Games, and Crafts!
- Both Instructor and Children-Driven Exploration & Activities
- 1:10 Staff to Camper Ratio
- Scholarship Application:
- Student Scholarship Application
Best Summer Camp in Annapolis, MD 2024
Explore Our Camp Sessions For Campers Entering:
Dates are based on the AACPS calendar. However, private and homeschool campers are welcome to attend as well! School’s Out Camp takes place at our Park campus from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. After Care is available from 4:00 – 5:00 PM.
Kindergarten-1st Grade
Week 6: July 29 - August 2
Join in lively storybook adventures that connect nature with fascinating tales! One nature-themed story inspires each day’s activities as we enjoy animal encounters, creek walks, and more during this week of outdoor fun.
Week 9: August 19 - 23
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.
Week 8: August 12 - 16
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, touch a slippery eel, and stop to smell the flowers.
Week 4: July 15 - 19
Week 7: August 5 - 9
Come Meet some of the coolest critters the Chesapeake Bay has to offer! Join in for animal investigations as we search for insects, crustaceans, fish, and more! Colorful crafts and water games will complete the week.
Week 5: July 22 - 26
Get ready to get messy! Our investigations will be sure to leave us a bit wet and sandy as we wade in the water to catch fish, hike along the marshes, and explore the sandy beach. This camp will be filled with lots of outdoor exploration, water play, crafts, and much more.
2nd-3rd Grade
Week 7: August 5 - 9
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, recycled art, skits, music, and more to interpret the wonder of the world around us.
Week 9: August 19 - 23
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, and discover the history of Pirates in the Chesapeake.
Week 3: July 8 - 12
Journey through time with us as we visit the past and venture into the future on the shores of the Bay. Discover how Indigenous People, early colonists, and watermen depended on the Bay’s resources and shaped maritime culture and how the Bay’s future depends on YOU!
Week 4: July 15 - 19
Week 6: July 29 - August 2
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 arts and crafts.
Week 5: July 22 - 26
Week 8: August 12 - 16
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 call the Bay home, create wonderful watercolor art, and cool off with exciting water games.
4th-6th Grade
Week 6: July 29 - August 2
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. Hiking, fishing, and more await during this adventure-filled camp.
Week 7: August 5 - 9
Ever wonder what it takes to thrive 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.
Week 4: July 15 - 19
Week 9: August 19 - 23
Love to build, design, and create? Get inspired by nature in the vibrant setting of Back Creek Park. Campers explore nature journaling, 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. Perfect for the budding artist.
Week 5: July 22 - 26 (4th - 5th grade)
Week 8: August 12 - 16
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, learn to fish, filter water, navigate on land and sea, build a campfire, and practice basic first aid.
6th-9th Grade
Week 5: July 22 - 26
Join us for hiking, kayaking, fishing, and other fun activities while enhancing your communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. This camp is for those entering grades 6-9 who are interested in developing leadership skills while also exploring the opportunities of the environmental education field as a Counselor-In-Training. Personal development, skills for working with youth, and fun environmental activities to learn about and take action to protect our Bay will fill the week.
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 – 4:00 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 – 4:00 Dismissal
Frequently Asked Questions
Please review our AMM 2024 Summer Camp Info Packet
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.
Yes! The application for scholarship can be completed by clicking HERE!
The staff to camper ratio is 1:10.
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.
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!
All kayak staff are ACA Level 1 Kayak Instructors.
- 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.
- College students and recent grads interested in a career in environmental education can apply to intern with us!
- 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.
- Click HERE for all job descriptions:
- $425per week for nonmembers
- $375 per week for AMM Members (at the Family Level or above)
- If you are not a current AMM member and would like to become one, visit the membership page.
- Scholarships are also available. The application for scholarship can be completed here: Student Scholarship Application – Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (amaritime.org
- Cancellations received 4 weeks before the start date of your camp, receive a full refund minus $20.00 non-refundable registration fee
- Cancellations received 4 weeks after the start date of your camp, receive a 50% refund minus the $20 non-refundable registration fee.
- Cancellations received within 1 week of the start date of your camp will not be eligible for a refund.
- There are no refunds for missed days of camp.
- All cancellation requests must be made in writing and emailed to the Program 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 2024.
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.
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.
Safety is a top priority! All camp staff are First Aid and CPR trained.
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.
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.
