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Best Summer Camps for Teens in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Kids can learn from top tennis coaches at Nike Tennis Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp
Kids can learn from top tennis coaches at Nike Tennis Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp
4/9/23 - By Jennifer Swope

If you feel your teenager has outgrown camp, the variety of summer camps for teens throughout the DC area may convince you otherwise. There are summer day camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia that will keep teens busy all summer long no matter their interests. These teen summer camps include all sorts of big-kid activities like sports, coding and robotics, theater, art, and so much more.

Here are 15 summer camps for teens in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Bookmark our local Summer Camp Guide for more options for summer camps near DC, and peruse our full Camp Directory for more summer camps to fit any budget and interest. And if you're looking for a more academic experience for your teen this summer, check out our list of the best pre-college summer programs for high school students, both online and in person.

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ID Tech Summer Programs teach campers game design, robotics, and other technology skills. Photo courtesy of the program
ID Tech Summer Programs teach campers game design, robotics, and other technology skills. Photo courtesy of the program

Summer Camps for Teens in Washington, DC

Smithsonian Summer Camps

National Mall
Smithsonian Summer Camps, held across all museums and facilities of the Smithsonian Institution, invite campers in kindergarten through ninth grade to explore the world around them and far away. With more than 80 full-day camps, kids expand their knowledge and hands-on skills in a whole spectrum of fascinating topics including engineering, kitchen chemistry, dinosaurs, art, marine life, rocketry, history, and more. Note: Camp registration begins in February, and camps sell out quickly, so book early to ensure you get a spot!  READ MORE

Nike Tennis Camp at George Washington University

Palisades
This tennis camp combines technical instruction and drill training from top tennis coaches with fun match play and activities. There are full-day and half-day options for kids ages 6-17 of all skill levels. READ MORE

ID Tech Summer Programs in Washington, DC

Arlington
ID Tech offers weeklong in-person and virtual tech camps all summer long for ages 7-19. Whether your student wants to dive into coding, AI, machine learning, film, robotics, or game design, ID Tech aims to bring the magic of camp to them. Locations include American University in Washington, DC, and Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. READ MORE

Sidwell Summer

Tenleytown
Spanning both the DC and Bethesda campuses, Sidwell Summer has a camp for kids ages 3-17 of every interest. From sports and STEM to arts and LEGO to traditional day camps, campers will experience an enriching summer consistent with the values of Sidwell Friends School. These values include a commitment to diversity while respecting the individual, the stimulation of intellectual and personal growth, and the building of a summer-camp community. READ MORE
Brit-Am Soccer Academy offers summer camps for kids ages 4 through grade 8. Photo courtesy of the soccer academy
Brit-Am Soccer Academy offers summer camps for kids ages 4 through grade 8. Photo courtesy of the soccer academy

Summer Camps for Teens in Maryland

Brit-Am Soccer Academy

Bethesda
Brit-Am Soccer Academy offers soccer classes, clinics, camps, and league play for all levels of player, from toddlers just learning to play to high schoolers looking to refine their skills. Programs are available for ages 2-18. The academy was founded in 1999 by a former English professional soccer player.  READ MORE

Camp Woodend

Chevy Chase
Camp Woodend offers day and overnight camps for campers in kindergarten through 11th grade. With an emphasis on environmental education, Camp Woodend takes place on the 40-acre Woodend Sanctuary. Campers hike, work in the Children's Garden, explore flora and fauna, and participate in traditional camp activities. READ MORE

Capital Badminton Academy Summer Camp

Gaithersburg
Kids ages 7-17 can learn new badminton techniques and strategy at the Capital Badminton Academy. Full- and half-day camp programs are available. READ MORE

Imagination Stage Summer Camp

Bethesda
Imagination Stage offers performing-arts summer camps for kids ages 3 1/2 to 18 at its main theater in Bethesda as well as in Rockville and northwest DC. There are two separate camp weeks for kids ages 3 1/2 to 5, Mini Hullabaloo at the Zoo and Mini Commotion in the Ocean. Both camps run 9am-12pm at the Bethesda location. READ MORE

Landon Summer Camp

Bethesda
Landon Summer Camp offers traditional day camps as well as specialized sports clinics, academically-focused camps, art workshops, and tech camps for kids ages 3 1/2 to 17. The 75-acre campus features academic buildings, art studios, an auditorium and music rooms, two gymnasiums, technology labs, a 25-yard outdoor pool, five athletic fields and a turf field, 10 tennis courts, and two archery ranges. Landon encourages campers to build their confidence and explore their passions. READ MORE

Summer Camp at the Maryland Zoo

Baltimore
Explore animals and life at the Maryland Zoo through educational and zookeeper-training camps. Campers in grades 2-5 participate in education programs, while campers in grades 6-8 and 9-12 learn what it takes to be a zookeeper. READ MORE
Summer@Potomac's camp offerings include financial literacy, sports, sewing, and more. Photo courtesy of Summer@Potomac
Summer@Potomac's camp offerings include financial literacy, sports, sewing, and more. Photo courtesy of Summer@Potomac

Summer Camps for Teens in Northern Virginia

City of Alexandria Summer Camp Programs

Alexandria
The City of Alexandria offers affordable summer camp programs for campers ages 3.5-16. Camps span all interest levels from sports, to STEM to chess to art. READ MORE

ID Tech Summer Programs in Washington, DC

Arlington
ID Tech offers weeklong in-person and virtual tech camps all summer long for ages 7-19. Whether your student wants to dive into coding, AI, machine learning, film, robotics, or game design, ID Tech aims to bring the magic of camp to them. Locations include American University in Washington, DC, and Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. READ MORE

Summer Camp at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington

Arlington
Campers ages 5-18 explore the visual arts through projects in 2D and 3D media while learning about new and different artistic techniques and contemporary artists. At MoCA Arlington, campers explore the museum galleries and create works inspired by what they see. At Marymount University’s main campus, they use the university's art studios. READ MORE

Summer@Potomac

McLean
With core values of courage, integrity, humility, perseverance, and respect, Summer@Potomac offers programs that aim to invigorate and challenge campers and to help them continue to grow into confident, compassionate, and curious individuals. Potomac offers traditional and specialized camps including technology, sports, financial literacy, musical theater, sewing, nature, and more. Set on a 90-acre campus, campers will enjoy pools, playgrounds, sports fields, and indoor spaces. READ MORE

The St. James Sports

Springfield
The St. James offers lessons, clinics, and summer camps in more than 15 sports including volleyball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, golf, flag football, basketball, and baseball at its massive indoor athletic and fitness complex. Camps are for kids ages 6-15, while lessons can be tailored to kids of all ages.  READ MORE

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