MUDDY FEET Oyster kidsAnnapolitans are hard workers, even in the dead of summer. What about the children of these hardworking Annapolitans–what should they do? When school lets out, have a plan in place to keep the kids engaged and entertained all summer long. Below, you’ll find a few of the great summer camps in Annapolis schools and clubs.

Annapolis Area Christian School features summer camps that span the majority of summer: June 17 to August 9. There are various programs under the umbrella term “summer camp,” like the “TetraBrazil Soccer” program, and the “Creative Writing Made Fun” one. Kids choose the programs they want to join during the camp. The type of programs, whether it be an exploratory one, a sports-related one, a creative arts one, or an academic one, dictate the age group accepted into that type of camp. Overall, children ages three to eighteen are able to attend camp. For full day campers, lunch is provided. The cost is determined per week depending on hours spent at the camp. Register online by going to the following site: http://www.aacssummerprograms.com. Essentially, this camp will keep kids active, engaged, and allow them to meet new friends.

Annapolis Parks and Recreation provides a range of fun camping experiences for children.

•This group puts on a summer camp at Truxtun Park for kids six to twelve and a kids camp for children ages four to six. The camp at Truxtun Park provides kids the chance to swim, do activities like arts and crafts, rock climb, go on picnics, and so much more. The kids camp provides kids with similar activities, though these are tailored for a younger age group with nap time. These camps run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and last from June 24 to August 16. The cost for Annapolis kids is $220 per session (which lasts a little over one week) and $254 for non-Annapolis kids per session. See the session dates and discover how to register on: Annapolis Parks and Recreation.

•Three to six year-olds can participate in “Twinkle Toe Camp,” which is all about dancing. Campers learn tumbling, ballet, and tap. Dates are from June 17 to June 21 and July 29 to August 2. The Twinkle Toe Camp lasts 1.5 hours each day. The cost is somewhere between $59 and $72. Info on this camp can be found at the above link.

•The “Spirit of America Camp” for ages eleven to fifteen teaches about types of boats, navigation, and safe practices.Those who participate in this camp can earn a Maryland Boater License. There is no boating experience needed to participate. This program runs from August 5 to 9, 9a.m. to 3 p.m. The boating camp costs between $49 and $61. Register via the above link.

•Weekend skate camps are back again to instruct young skaters how to land certain jumps and maneuver on a skateboard. Though only on the weekends, this camp lasts four weeks, starting Saturday, July 13 at 9 a.m. The cost of this skateboard camp is $125-$149. See the above link for more.

•The “Youth Recreational Camp” for children six to twelve is jam-packed with Six Flags trips, arts, swimming, and outdoor activities. This camp begins on June 24. The camp is all day: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $142-$163. For preschool age (four to five), the same activities are scheduled. The preschool camp begins on the same day and lasts for the same hours. This camp for the younger group costs $105-$115.

•“Splash Camps” is an encompassing term that denotes that some type of swimming at the Truxtun Park Pool will be included. Despite the swimming similarities, each splash camp has its own unique factor, such as dancing in the “Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Splash” camp and learning martial arts in the “Karate and Splash” camp. Essentially, there is an element other than swimming added into the programs.These splash camps run all summer, though the individual programs, like “Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Splash” only last for a week or two. See the schedule on the link above.

Anne Arundel Community College hosts “Kids in College,” a camp for children in preschool through high school. This summer camp is designed to grow the academic capabilities of its campers, in fields like dance, robotics, music, and school subjects. The summer camp begins in late June and ends the second week of August. Campers can choose half or whole days. Head to http://www.aacc.edu/kic/to register, find out prices, and times.

Anne Arundel County’s Recreation puts on a wide variety of camps–everything from gymnastics for youth to archery for beginners. See a sampling of the camps offered below; head to http://www.aacounty.org/recparks#.UajdmIzD-M9 to see the entire program:

•Quiet Waters Park hosts “Summer Day Camp” for children ages Kindergarten to sixth grade. This camp features all kinds of traditional summer fun: swimming, outdoor sports, kickball, field trips, and music/drama performances. The camp is split up into sessions which last about two weeks. The price for the sessions range from $365 to $380.

•The Annapolis Area Tennis School puts on a beginner tennis camp in the beginning of August (August 5 is start date). This camp lasts one week and has three different locations–Annapolis High School, Broadneck High School, or South River High School. The price of this camp is $170. Participants will learn and improve upon tennis skills. Ages six to seventeen are welcome. The camp is 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. every day.

•The “Superhero Camp” is a new concept: it allows your child to stretch his or her creativity, make crafts to go along with his or her superhero outfit, and actively become a superhero of choice. This camp is one week long; choose from the week of July 8, the week of July 15, or the week of August 5. The cost is $165 per week. Participants must be between four and six years of age.

Big Vanilla Fitness Center (in Arnold) hosts several types of summer camps for a range of ages. All involve lots of activity to engage the kids:

•“Dancing on Broadway” camp is good for kids ages six to seventeen, though the campers will be split by age groups where they will learn dancing styles appropriate for their age. Campers will receive make-up tests, make costumes, create props, and of course, dance! There isn’t dance experience required to have fun or participate in the camp. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two dates are scheduled for this camp: July 1-12 and July 15-26. Each date is $400 for Big Vanilla members and an extra $45 for non Big Vanilla members.

•The “Rock Wall Summer Camp” is suitable for children ages eight to fourteen who want to learn team building, climbing, and thinking through tough situations. This camp is only in the afternoon–3 to 5 p.m. The cost is $90 for each of the following dates: June 17-21; June 8-12; July 29-August 2; and August 12-16. To learn more about these camps, head to www.bigvanilla.com.

The greater Annapolis area features plenty more camps, like the ones hosted by Chesapeake Academy Summer Camp in Arnold, the ones by the Boys and Girls Club of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, and Camp Annapolis at the St. Anne’s School of Annapolis. Take time to research and ensure you are putting your little one(s) in the camp best suited to needs and likes. Happy summer!