Chesapeake Family Life Summer Camp Guide 2021

FrEEsummer | APRIL 2021 free 2021

your complete guide to summer camp fun!

A summer camp for boys and girls ages 4-16. After running a successful and safe program in 2020, we are looking forward to another great year! Visit our website to learn more about our day and overnight camps!

Visit CampWabanna.org

2021 Day Camp Program is FULL & Overnight Camp is filling fast reserve your spot today!

Learn More

2

chesapeakefamily.com

|

SUMMER 2021

C ONT EN T S

F O E L B A T

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

W E L C O M E

E di to r ' s Op eni ng Messa ge

S U M M E R

C A M P

C H E C K L I S T

Get read y to p ac k f or c am p wi th this ha nd y c hec kl ist.

S U M M E R

C A M P

I S

C O M I N G !

We ta lked to f o u r ca m p p ros to l ea rn ab ou t what a r ea c a mp s ar e p l anning.

S E A L E D

W I T H

A

K I S S

12 Fun I d ea s f o r send ing a c am p ca re p a cka ge

C A M P

C A R E

P A C K A G E S

Tea r thi s ou t f or a f ew i d eas to send y our kid s

C A M P

D I R E C T O R Y

Cli c k thr o ug h to see our entire Camp Direc to ry

B E C O M I N G

A

C A M P

C I T

Tr yi ng o ut c am p counseling w ithou t ha ving to c ommit to an entir e su mmer .

I N

T H E I R

N A T U R A L

H A B I T A T

S end yo ur kid s to a summer ca mp w here na tu re i s the na me o f the g a me.

SUMMER 2021

|

chesapeakefamily.com

3

WHAT MAKES SAINT ANDREW’S SPECIAL

Discover our innovative approach to education, challenging academics, and small class sizes.

Explore Saint Andrews

How We Teach & Learn

Apply Now 2021-2022 Application is now available

at Saint Andrew’s Day School

Heron’s Blog A weekly blog that features reflections on various topics from Saint Andrew’s Faculty & Staff

Summer Camp

Providing campers of all ages opportunities to explore and grow this summer

Saint Andrew’s Day School is an independent school located in Edgewater, Maryland. We use our entire 20 acre campus as a living classroom. We believe that education must embrace the important work of helping our students grow spiritually and ethically, as well as academically.

4B Wallace Manor Road Edgewater, MD 21037 4 chesapeakefamily.com | SUMMER 2021

410.266.0952 office@standrewsum.org

editor's letter

Special Edition PUBLISHER Donna Jefferson ext. 212 djefferson@jecoannapolis.com EDITOR Ann Levelle ext 200 ann@jecoannapolis.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Joyce Heid CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jeff Holand, Mary Jo Kurtz, Kristy MacKaben ART DIRECTOR Jenny Patrick C. ext. 202 AD DESIGN Jessica Kannegieser EVENTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Claire Darcy ext. 204 ClaireK@jecoannapolis.com ADVERTISING Linda Benkhadra linda@jecoannapolis.com 240-277-4215 Jen Jeffries ext. 226 jen@jecoannapolis.com Pam Beall ext. 226 pam@jecoannapolis.com PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY: Jefferson Communications, LLC 121 Cathedral Street 3A Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-263-1641 Fax: 443-782-1495 These materials are neither sponsored by or endorsed by the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County and all other Maryland counties, the superintendents or the schools.

The acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement by Chesapeake Family Life of products or services. Advertisers are not given special consideration or placement in editorial content. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the policies or standards of this publication. Jefferson Communications assumes no financial responsibility for errors in advertisements. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of Chesapeake Family Life, by any means without permission, is strictly

prohibited. ©2017 Jefferson Communications, LLC.

Find us on Facebook & Twitter: Facebook.com/ChesapeakeFamilyMagazine Twitter: @ChesFamily ChesapeakeFamily.com

2020 2020

CIRCULATION AUDIT BY

The acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement

by Chesapeake Family of products or services. Advertisers are not given special consideration or placement in editorial content.

The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the policies or standards of this publication. Jefferson Communications assumes no financial responsibility for errors in advertisements. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any part of Chesapeake Family, by any means without permission, is strictly prohibited. ©2011 Jefferson Communications, LLC.

facebook.com/ chesapeakefamily magazine

I

The Best Summer Ever!

remember the first day I dropped off my girls at day camp vividly.

It was at Quiet Waters Park, and after they hopped out of the car in the drop-off line I could see them in my rearview mirror, holding hands, standing awkwardly off to the side of the other campers and chaos not quite sure what to do with themselves. My youngest, not quite five at the time, looked as though she might fall over backward with the weight of her backpack—filled with a change of clothes, towel, sunscreen, bug spray, lunch and a water bottle.

My heart broke, worried that they weren’t quite ready, and the mom guilt was heavy. But I knew they’d stick together as much as possible, and would likely be just fine. And I was right. At the end of the day the girls were sweaty, dirty and exhausted. But they had “The Best Day Ever!”

And such is the life of a camper. Even on the worst of camp days (‘my bathing

suit was itchy,’ ‘it was sooo hot,’ or ‘I forgot snack money’) still have the possibility of being the best day ever.

Which brings us to today. 2021. A year in which kids deserve a whole summer of the best days ever. And we’re here to help. This summer camp guide will help you find the best camps for your kids, give you tips on packing for camp, sending care packages to your kids at sleepaway camp, and tout some great nature camps in the area. Don’t forget to also check out our online Camp Directory at ChesapeakeFamily.com/ CampDirectory for more information, reviews, pictures and videos that will help you find the perfect camp.

Happy Summer!

Ann Levelle, Editor Ann@jecoannapolis.com

JOIN T HE CONVERSATION pinterest.com/ chesfamily

twitter.com/ chesfamily

instagram.com/ chesapeake_family

SUMMER 2021

|

chesapeakefamily.com

5

SUMMER CAMP ESSENTIALS CLOTHES TOWELS & WASHCLOTHS TOILETRIES BEDDING FIRST AID KIT MEDICATION DISPOSABLE CAMERA FLASHLIGHT COMFORT ITEM MASKS & HAND SANITIZER 6

chesapeakefamily.com

|

SUMMER 2021

Summer Camp is Coming!

We talked to the pros on how summer camp 2021 is going to be great!

A

fter a long year in a pandemic, kids are itching to get to camp, and parents are anxiously awaiting a summer with a bit of normalcy and some happy kids! So, what’s happening with your favorite camps this summer? We talked to four camp pros to learn about what area camps are planning, how registrations might change, and what types of COVID

precautions are in place this year.

In this Third Floor Views podcast, we chatted with Mike Strawbridge of Bayside Summer Camp, Cory Evans of South Mountain YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser and Sarah Krizek of Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park to find out what their camps are up to for the summer, how they’ll be different from other years, and how they’re going to keep kids happy and healthy this summer.

SUMMER 2021

|

chesapeakefamily.com

7

Sealed With a Kiss!

12 Fun Ideas for Sending a Camp Care Package

W

ho has time to put together good, cool camp care packages?

The day before my son leaves for summer Boy Scout camp is a frenzied day. It is the day I find out all of his socks have been piling up in a dirty heap under his bed. (“Mom, can you throw these in the laundry real fast?”) and that he forgot to give me some badges to sew onto his uniform (“Mom, why is your thumb bleeding?”) and, of course, he tells me that he MUST have a blue bandana for the annual camp relay race (“Didn’t I tell you that, Mom?… hmmm… sorry.”)!

It is a hectic day that ends with a small swollen trunk that barely stays closed long enough to fasten a thick metal lock in place. Yet despite my frantic pace, I always manage to make a quick stop at the mailbox.

That’s where I pack away a little love and self-esteem for him to keep for the week. That’s where I mail the first of many little goodies for him to open at Mail Call.

Love from Home

Since his camp is only a week long, I send at least a quick note every other day. But at least once during the week, OK it’s at least twice, I drop a little box of surprises from home in the mail. What I have learned

8

chesapeakefamily.com

|

SUMMER 2021

from other families and campers is that it really is the thought, and not the content, that counts!

Camp care packages do not need to be big. In fact, an oversized box full of gifts might put your young camper into an awkward situation with the other kids at camp. It is better to keep the care simple: a card, a little note or a small box of goodies is all it takes to put a smile on the face of a busy camper, help a homesick cohort, and share a long-distance hug.

Because a child may be nervous or homesick at the start of camp, it is best not to send anything that will make the situation worse. This includes items such as sentimental photos, news of fun events happening at home, or telling your child how much you miss him.

Instead, make your package a happy reminder of how much you love your child and how fun camp can be.

Send mail a day or two before camp begins to reach your child early in the camp session. Likewise, do not send anything more than a card in the last few days of camp since the mail may not reach the camp in time.

Be sure, too, to read any camp literature explaining Mail Call policies. Some camps do not want parents sending candy or food; others have strict policies prohibiting items such as squirt guns or aerosol cans.

—Mary Jo Kurtz

Camp Care Package Ideas CHESAPEAKEFAMILY.COM/CAREPACKAGES

Glow sticks

Humerous Cards

Small Snacks

Money

Forgotten Items

Games & Toys

Sleepover Fun

Love Notes

Pet Photos

Magazines

Disposable Cameras

Welcome Home Invite

/CHESAPEAKE_FAMILY

/CHESAPEAKEFAMILYMAGAZINE

/CHESFAMILY

SUMMER 2021

|

chesapeakefamily.com

9

Looking for a

great camp?

Explore our camp directory -Search -Compare -Contact

Start your Search 10

chesapeakefamily.com

|

SUMMER 2021

Becoming a CIT

W

Keep the camp years going as a Counselor in Training!

hen a camper has spent most of their summers at a camp that they love, it’s a natural transition to become a Counselor in Training, or CIT. A CIT program is a great way for kids who want to try out camp counseling without having to commit to an entire summer.

The CIT program is offered at about 70 percent of camps accredited by the American Camp Association.

Young teens are trained to eventually become camp counselors and gain lessons in leadership, risk management and problem solving. CITs are not paid, and some camps charge for the program, but others allow CITs to earn service learning hours.

“Counselor-in-training programs teach teens leadership, patience and communication skills that not only will make them great counselors, but will aid in their transition to the workforce,” according to Tom Rosenberg, president/CEO of the American Camp Association.

Becoming a CIT

Requirements for becoming a CIT vary, depending on the camp. But most camps require CITs to have finished their sophomore year in high school and to show a strong desire to work at camp and a willingness to learn.

Most camps conduct in-person interviews and require applicants to describe why they want to become a CIT.

The CIT Experience

At many camps, the CIT experience starts off similar to that of a camper. CITs are often housed together in

an area separate from the younger campers and are assigned their own counselors and supervisors. They participate in camp activities and shadow staff members in different areas of camp.

Over the four weeks at Camp Letts, the CITs are trained in different specialties such as lifeguarding, arts and crafts, water sports or ropes course work, Boyle says.

As the training progresses, they begin taking more of a supervisory role over younger kids. Because of their age, however, CITs are never left alone with campers.

What’s required to become a CIT

• Completed at least 10th grade • Able to commit two to four weeks of summer • An understanding that life as a CIT is different from that of a camper • One or two references who will speak to an applicant’s work ethic, responsibility, motivation and leadership skills among other character attributes • A firm grasp on why the applicant want to become a CIT • Willingness to pay for the experience; there is a cost associated with the program at some camps

What experience does a CIT gain?

• Receive training in different camp activities • Gain leadership skills • Learn to run camp classes and activities • Oversee cabin life from discussions to homesickness • Gain skills for future employment as a camp counselor Find camps and CIT programs in our camp directory!

—Kristy MacKaben SUMMER 2021

|

chesapeakefamily.com

11

In Their Natural Habitat Send your kids to a summer camp where nature is the name of the game.

By Jeff Holland

I

t’s inspiring to learn that many of the young professionals who work with local programs that connect kids with nature were themselves hooked on nature when they were kids.

“My aunt and uncle used to have this property north of Pikesville, and their property backed up to endless woods,” recalls Susannah Waldman, an educator with the Annapolis Maritime Museum. “I would get to run around and play and explore and find little waterfalls and moss patches— it felt like magic. As early as early elementary school, the woods were a playground of mystery and wonder.”

Finding a Spark

Starting in about middle school, Waldman started going to Quaker camp in Virginia. “We would go backpacking and kayaking and rock climbing,” she says, “and even though it was tough, and as miserable as the rainy days were at the time, they always made for the best stories, and that’s what sparked me wanting to be in that industry, knowing

12

chesapeakefamily.com

|

SUMMER APRIL 2021 2021

what an impact nature had on me as a kid.”

That spark led Waldman to the University of North Carolina Asheville and then to a degree in geography and environmental science at UMBC. Nick Shearman, who serves as a Resource Conservation Ranger with the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, got his spark exploring the Loch Raven Reservoir with his dad.

“When I was a kid, my dad would take me out to the reservoir and we’d explore the trails and just see what’s out there,” he recalls. “I didn’t know what I was looking at, but liked what I saw. I got involved with Scouts in middle school and learned how to interact with nature.”

Now Ranger Nick shares his awe of nature with kids of all ages, helping them get wet and muddy as they explore our local rivers and parks.

“My favorite place was always outside,” says Sarah Kempfer, Education Coordinator & Naturalist with Anne Arundel County’s Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, a 1,500-acre nature preserve along the Patuxent River near Lothian. Her inspiration as a kid led her to a career protecting the environment.

“I felt it was important to be a part of the solution, so I went to undergrad and grad school at the University of Michigan to study environmental policies to learn how to change peoples’ behavior for the better.”

Sarah worked at the EPA for a while, then had kids, then returned to the field through environmental education. “Now I get to help kids play outside, a pretty good deal,” she says.

“It’s important for kids to be connected with nature, to find joy and peace and a place for reflection, a place for fun and a place to challenge their bodies. It’s something they can enjoy their whole lives. I think getting kids to experience nature is important to a happy life, and it helps them become environmental stewards, too.”

A Summer Outside

“Our philosophy is to get kids immersed in nature,” Kempfer explains, and likely it’s a philosophy that all of these programs share. “We want kids to explore, to catch a frog, to muck through the marsh, to be on the river, to do fun, basic outdoor nature things, whether it’s going to look for tadpoles or using the seine nets to figure out who’s living in the river. We’re trying to help kids love nature and protect it, and find ways they can help, perhaps even step into a career to help find solutions when they grow up. There are lots of different ways to help protect our nature.” Returning your kids to their natural habitat this summer is one of them.

Here’s a sampling of just some of the many summer camp programs geared to connecting kids to the environment. Of course, any of these programs could be impacted by the evolution of the recovery from the current pandemic, so do your homework and contact the organizations for the latest updates. Don’t forget to check our Camp Directory online at CheaspeakeFamily.com/campdirectory for more opportunities to get your kids out and playing as nature intended this summer.

QUICK LOOK

aacounty.org/departments/ recreation-parks AGES 3YRS–12TH GRADE COST VARIES DATES JUNE–AUG

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION & PARKS

River Adventure Camps (Level I July 12–16; ages 10–12; Level II July 26–30, ages 13–16) These Adventure camps run out of Jug Bay, where kids get to experience the Patuxent River each day by canoe, kayak or paddleboard. They’ll even get to team up to build a cardboard boat. In River Adventure II, older kids will take an unforgettable field trip to paddle among the sunken ghost ships at the Mallows Bay Marine Sanctuary.

Park Passport (August 9–13, ages 9–12). Kids take day trips to a variety of different parks. One day they’ll fish in the ponds at Beverly Triton Nature Park, explore the historic battery at Ft. Smallwood Park, learn about honey bees on the B&A Trail, take a hayride at Kinder Farm Park, and go kayaking at Quiet Waters or Jug Bay.

QUICK LOOK amaritime.org

AGES K–12TH GRADE COST $275–$315 DATES JUNE 21–SEPT 3

ANNAPOLIS MARITIME MUSEUM & PARK

The museum’s summer camps allow children to play and wonder as they explore the world around them. Campers will get their hands wet and feet muddy while exploring the museum’s 12-acre nature park campus with wooded-trails, a secluded cove, and marsh habitat on the shores of Back Creek.

Kids will play in the woods and water, discover local maritime heritage, and become inspired environmental stewards.

There are special summer camp sessions for campers entering Kindergarten through 6th grade. Activities are specifically designed with each age group in mind. The youngest campers will enjoy hands-on animal investigations, water play, arts and crafts, and stories, while campers in 4th-6th grade are challenged with water-based adventures including kayak and boat excursions, standup paddleboarding, and fishing.

SUMMER APRIL 2021

|

chesapeakefamily.com

13

QUICK LOOK

QUICK LOOK

AGES 4–12

AGES 3–17

COST $125–$225

COST $230–$500

DATES JUNE 14–AUG20

DATES JULY 12–AUG 20

marshypoint.org

explorenature.org

MARSHY POINT NATURE CENTER

Marshy Point Nature Center is Baltimore County’s pristine waterfront nature center on the Chesapeake Bay, and is part of the U.S. National Park Service’s Chesapeake Gateways Network. In addition to regular programs, Marshy Point offers a variety of fun, affordable summer camps for kids ages 4–12. All camps are open to the public. This summer’s offerings include: Chesapeake Camp In Marshy Point’s Chesapeake Camp, Kids can hike through marshes and coastal forests, explore local waterways by canoe, and even get on a real workboat to do some wildlife research.

Bay Explorers Kids ages 6–9 will wade into freshwater wetlands, creeks and more, and get muddy along the way!

IRVINE NATURE CENTER

Irvine’s summer nature camps offer children excellent opportunities to learn about nature in Maryland by exploring and playing in 211 acres of woodlands, meadows, wetlands and streams at Irvine.

Saplings (ages 3–4) Campers will investigate through nature walks, hands-on animal experiences, games, and crafts.

Discovery Camps (ages 5–6) Themes for the summer include Dino Days, Animal Olympics, Imagineers, and Space Cadets.

All camps include nature hikes, arts and crafts, and hands-on fun.

Explorers (ages 7–9) Get more in-depth learning about nature with wetland discoveries and water encounters, environmental games and art in nature.

Adventurers (ages 10–12) Up their game with water-quality testing and natural sciences experiments, and survival skills.

QUICK LOOK

QUICK LOOK

AGES K–11TH

AGES 4–12

COST $50–$145

COST $200–$300

DATES JULY 5–30

DATES JUNE 14–AUG 13

jefpat.maryland.gov

jugbay.org/education

JEFFERSON PATTERSON PARK & MUSEUM

At Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, campers in grades K–10 can explore the outdoors through archaeology activities, learning about the history of Native American tribes in the area and their survival skills, hands-on history, and exploring the local rivers around the park.

Archaeology Camp (grades 6–8) Kids excavate for artifacts and work to preserve artifacts at the MAC Lab. Native Skills Camp (grades 6–8) Camps will learn to build fires, make shelters and learn about tools Native Americans used.

River Life (grades 2–3) Explore the Patuxent River by exploring the forest around it, and get muddy doing it.

Stewards Camp (grades 9–10) Campers will build a wigwam frame, help with the village garden and create a personal project to stay on display at the park.

14

chesapeakefamily.com

|

SUMMER 2021

JUG BAY WETLANDS SANCTUARY

Jug Bay, in addition to supporting the county’s Patuxent River Adventure Camps, is expecting to run three camps out of the Wetlands Sanctuary in Lothian.

Forest Pre-School (ages 4–6) Stomp in a creek, squish through the marsh, and experience the quiet of the woods.

Wild Discovery Nature Camp (ages 7–9) Catch frogs, build a fort, seine for fish, walk in a stream, and squish your toes in the marsh!

Into the Wild (ages 10–12) Squish through the marsh, paddle the river, catch some fish and learn about the Native Americans that used to live here.

Want more camp options? Register at ChesapeakeFamily.com/ CampFair for our Virtual Camp Fair on April 20th at 6:30 p.m.

Live reps from camps will be available to answer any questions you have.

2021 Summer

Field Guide Things to Discover!

Amazing Airplanes Butterfly Science Fishing & Crabbing

Ignite your kids’ imagination and brain power while discovering new places and outdoor adventures with this engaging guide.

Colonial History Fossil Hunting Art around us

Hikes to Waterfalls Maritime Museums Beaches Off the Beaten Path

Make the most of summer 2021!

Order one for $12.99! $9.99! or 2 for $19.99 $16.99!

BUY NOW CFL Insiders get a FREE Field Guide with their membership.

JOIN TODAY chesapeakefamily.com/fieldguide

Earl y Pric Bird ing!

A GREAT companion guide to

Daily activities to fill your summer!

SUMMER 2021

|

chesapeakefamily.com

15